Love for Smuggs

[Campgottagopee]

Smugglers' Notch, Vt.

Find out what readers think of Smugglers' Notch, Vermont in the SKI Magazine 2021 Resort Guide Review.

www.skimag.com

I love everything about Smuggs. The vibe is awesomeness, they get snow, great parties, and the Notch. Oh, and the skiing is pretty darn good as well.

 

[MarzNC]

I had a very good time checking out Smuggs a while back for a day. It was before a small gathering at Stowe and few of us opted to arrive early. I could easily see what it's a favorite for families with young kids. In the afternoon I wandered over to the resort side to take a look and ride the lift for the relaxing trail back to the main terrain.

The winter ops overview clearly reflects the relaxed vibe at Smuggs.

 

[Harvey]

Love Smuggs.

 

[Campgottagopee]

Great pics, Harv

I know I haven't skied every liftline there is but Sally's Alley to M1 Liftline is the real deal. I've had some great runs, and hellish crashes on that trail---LOL

 

[Epicone]

Don’t get the smuggs love, skied their March 14, took two runs, each ride up the chair stopped 3 times, and slowed down twice, the lifts are almost as old as me, not going back. Till they buy newer lifts, not new, just newer,lol. It’s funny how some ski areas in Vermont are a mirror image of each other, Mad River Glen and Magic Mtn, Pico and Smuggs, if Pico and Smuggs weren’t next to the giants they would both be giants themselves. Wonder if Stowe will ever buy Smuggs and put 50 million into to bring it into the 21st century. Great mtn, the infrastructure is primitive in my opinio.

 

[riverc0il]

That is fair, as I don't get the Smuggs hate.

If you want high speed lifts and wide open groomers, Smuggs is definitely not the best option. If you appreciate old school vibes, fixed grip lifts, natural snow, and some of the most challenging on map terrain in the east, Smuggs is the real deal. Add in some of the most technical off map tree skiing around plus extensive out of bounds and it has few peers.

Smuggs is a better "skier's mountain" than Stowe (excluding hiking to the ridge, than Mansfield gets the nod). I think MRG and Smuggs have more in common than MRG and Magic. The only thing Pico and Smuggs have in common is proximity to a corporate mountain, otherwise the two areas couldn't be more different.

For me, Smuggs is right up there with Jay, Cannon, and MRG as my favorites in the east. Difference between Jay and Smuggs? Smuggs has way better trees.

 

[raisingarizona]

Great mountain. The M1 can really suck on a cold day. If I skied there regularly I’d probably get tired of that long, slow ride.

 

[Campgottagopee]

That is fair, as I don't get the Smuggs hate.

If you want high speed lifts and wide open groomers, Smuggs is definitely not the best option. If you appreciate old school vibes, fixed grip lifts, natural snow, and some of the most challenging on map terrain in the east, Smuggs is the real deal. Add in some of the most technical off map tree skiing around plus extensive out of bounds and it has few peers.

Smuggs is a better "skier's mountain" than Stowe (excluding hiking to the ridge, than Mansfield gets the nod). I think MRG and Smuggs have more in common than MRG and Magic. The only thing Pico and Smuggs have in common is proximity to a corporate mountain, otherwise the two areas couldn't be more different.

For me, Smuggs is right up there with Jay, Cannon, and MRG as my favorites in the east. Difference between Jay and Smuggs? Smuggs has way better trees.

Concur with everything said here.
I understand the hate, just don't agree with it. I was there in my 20's, even then I appreciated the slow lifts as that mountain would kick my ass.
Cross sterling pond to hit $towe for a lap on hellbrook was always a highlight. Driving thru the Notch to ski one of the front 4 in April was equally as fun. Getting booted from the Matterhorn for sticking up for your buddy, another great time.

 

[Campgottagopee]

Great mountain. The M1 can really suck on a cold day. If I skied there regularly I’d probably get tired of that long, slow ride.

Dude, the only time I've ever banged off a tower while riding a chair was on M1. That cold wind is brutal.

 

[MarzNC]

What's the saying . . . Variety is the Spice of Life. Smuggs and Stowe are completely different experiences. Just as Jiminy Peak and Berkshire East are completely different. Would I want to ride the Smuggs or BEast lifts all the time? No. Far too spoiled by staying slopeside at Jiminy Peak with it's high speed 6-pack to the top. But I can certainly see reasons for people who live within reasonable driving distance to go every so often.