Best Things Nearby:
Mountains, farmlands, forest, Cities of Burlington and Montreal.
Best Things About the Resort:
Alpine setting. Ski in and ski out convenience. All inclusive village.
Resort Experience:
We had a two-bedroom condominium at Smugglers Notch for one week. We were in Willows, where we had purchased a bonus vacation for off-season use in April. The building is etched into a mountains side, so each level has walk out capability, which is an added plus for privacy, convenience, and safety. We also had a small lawn area and patio, which was landscaped to provide privacy. The unit was large and very welcoming. A family of four, we had more than enough room and were able to comfortably relax and spread out. The unit was well designed to maximize natural light.
living room featured a gas burning fireplace, which was a quick and convenient way to get the warmth and ambience of a fireplace. I enjoyed the gas fireplace tremendously. Since we were there in spring, I might not have bothered to build a fire, but it was nice to have a luxury for a half an hour or so at night. The kitchen was very well appointed. I cooked several full-scale diners and found everything I needed and more. I even came across, rolling pins and pie plates. Many people celebrate the holidays here, and with the exception of a good sharp chef's knife, you'd have all the kitchen tools you need to serve a holiday feast.
The master bedroom had a large bath with a two-person Jacuzzi tub and separate shower stall. It also included a wall-mounted televisions positioned for viewing from the tub. The second bedroom had two twin beds and a full-size bed. An ample closet and drawer space provided adequate storage for up to four people. The adjacent bath to the second bedroom included a stackable washer and dryer.
The unit was not as clean as I would have expected. It wasn't dirty, but it wasn't impeccably clean, in that it wouldn't have passed a white glove test. Dust was collected on sills, lamps, and TV set. There were also a few cobwebs in the ceiling and on lampshades. This is a Gold Crown resort so I find the fact that the unit hadn’t been dusted in some time inexcusable. The resort has only dirt roads and the entry way and stairwell were filthy when we arrived and not cleaned once during our stay. Leaves, salt stains, gravel, and dirt were trailed up and down the stairs and through the hallways. The utility closet in the condo was well appointed with a vacuum, mop, broom, dustpan, and stepladder. If I hadn't been there on a bonus vacation, I might have started my vacation by calling the housekeeping staff and requiring that the whole unit be dusted.
Smugglers Notch is a large resort comprised of numerous distinct "neighborhoods" in a self-contained planned alpine village. The neighborhoods are condo developments, each with a unique style and design, apparently developed at different points in time. Most of the condos here are wholly owned.
Smugglers Notch is an alpine village, laid out on the steep slope of a mountain. There is a lot of walking, up and down hills. This is a splendid setting, with majestic snowcapped peaks, bubbling mountain streams, and fresh crisp air. The wind here is awesome—it doesn't howl as much as it encompasses—fully surrounding you with incredibly intensity. It is an environmental element like the roar of ocean surf. Nothing stands in the way of the wind, so you feel and hear the full force of it on a breezy or blustering day.
Smuggler’s is known for its diverse offering of amenities and activities. However, while we were there, nothing was open or operating. This is important for the off-season traveler to know. We went for April school vacation, hoping to take advantage of some of the kids programs. However, no programs were offered and all of the children's activity centers were locked tight. We had access to one indoor pool, indoor tennis, outdoor basketball and an outdoor mini golf course. Apparently the lack of off-season activities has disappointed more than a few travelers, so depending on your travel dates and your needs for entertainment, it is recommended that you cal and specifically inquire about what is available when you plan to visit. None of the materials we received or reviewed prior to our visit accurately stated what would or would not be available during our visit. We assumed that what we had read about the resort was what we would find, but they were in a partial shut down mode. None of the restaurants were operating either.
In peak season, however, this resort is a virtual self-contained recreational fantasyland.
In winter, snow sports dominate the offerings:
-alpine skiing
-snowboarding
-cross country skiing
-snow shoeing
-skating
-sledding
-tubing
In summer, outdoor activities are widely supported with resort supplied facilities and equipment:
-tennis
-golf
-hiking
-walking
-mountain biking
-water parks
-pools
Winter and summer sports, adventure, and social programs are offered to children of all ages. Adults can opt to participate in arts programs, nature walks, fitness, sports and spa activities. There are lessons and clinics for golf and tennis.
Nearby there are facilities for
-horseback riding
-golf
-antiquing
-wineries
-art galleries
-fine crafts
-hand gliding
-fine dining
-museums and historic places
-mountain climbing
-quilts
-fine art and folk life museums
-agriculture tours: chesses, ice cream, chocolate, maple products
- Unit Type: 2 Bedroom
- Activities: Not Available
- Amenities: Excellent
- Unit Satisfaction: Very Good
- Family Friendliness: Excellent
- Service: Good