Smugglers Notch
1,000 acres, 78 runs across three peaks. America's top family resort, historic Notch setting.
Season 2026 - 2027
Opens
27 Nov 2026
Closes
11 Apr 2027
Days open
135
Annual snow
232in
The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Smugglers' Notch's summit reaches 3,638 feet, dropping roughly 2,608 vertical feet to a base at 1,030 feet across 78 runs spread over 1,000 acres near Jeffersonville, Vermont, across three interconnected mountains. Terrain splits 52 per cent intermediate, 26 per cent advanced, 17 per cent beginner and 5 per cent expert, with average annual snowfall of roughly 232 inches. Eight lifts, all double chairs and surface lifts, including six double chairs, serve the mountain's Madonna, Sterling and Morse peaks alongside two surface lifts.
Smugglers' Notch has built a reputation as one of America's leading family ski resorts, anchored by award-winning children's programming developed over nearly three decades under a single dedicated owner. The resort's name and setting draw on genuine local history, with the notch itself serving as a smuggling route during the early 1800s trade embargo with Britain and later as a Prohibition-era conduit for Canadian spirits through hidden caves along Vermont's Long Trail.
Skiing at Smugglers' Notch dates to 1956, with the vision for a complete ski village realised in 1967 through the development of Morse Mountain, which completed the trio of interconnected peaks, Madonna, Sterling and Morse, that define the resort today. Stanley Snider led the resort's development through the 1970s before William 'Bill' Stritzler, initially a vacation homeowner who fell in love with the property, became managing director in 1987 and later acquired ownership in 1996.
Over the following 29 years, Stritzler's values-driven leadership built Smugglers' Notch's enduring reputation for family connection and authentic mountain experience, until Bear Den Partners acquired the resort in February 2026. The Stritzler family retains an ownership stake in the mountain, with Bill's daughter Lisa Howe continuing as an advisor. Adult daily tickets run from 79 to 95 US dollars.
2,608ft
Vertical
78
Runs
1,000 acres
Skiable
232in
Annual snow
The Terrain
78 runs across 1,000 acres skiable
Smugglers' Notch is a three-mountain resort, Madonna, Sterling and Morse, with 78 runs across about 1,000 acres (405 hectares) near Jeffersonville, Vermont. The base sits at 1,030 ft (314 m) and the summit reaches 3,640 ft (1,109 m), a vertical of 2,610 ft (795 m). Blue square takes 52% of terrain, with 26% black diamond, 17% green circle and 5% expert. About 232 inches of snow falls in an average winter. Six double chairs and two surface lifts do the hauling, so rides are slower than at high-speed resorts.
Morse Mountain holds the gentle novice trails and family learning zones, while Sterling and Madonna carry the intermediate and expert terrain. The Black Hole is billed as a triple black diamond and the only one in Vermont, with Freefall and Madonna Liftline alongside as other demanding descents. Most skiers will find plenty of blue cruising between those extremes. Smugglers' Notch suits families who want a self-contained mountain, and strong skiers can still find a few steep lines to chase. Expect a relaxed, family-first atmosphere rather than a hard-charging one.
Terrain split
78
runs
78 runs across 4 grades
Beginner13 runs · 17%
Intermediate41 runs · 52%
Advanced20 runs · 26%
Expert4 runs · 5%
Time it right
When to visit Smugglers Notch
The 2025-26 season at Smugglers' Notch ran from 6 December 2025 to 12 April 2026, a roughly eighteen-week season supported by average annual snowfall of around 232 inches across the resort's three interconnected mountains. Season dates can shift depending on early and late-season weather.
Midwinter, from December through February, typically brings the most consistent conditions across Smugglers' considerable 1,000-acre footprint. As an independently operated resort without major multi-resort pass affiliation, Smugglers' draws a devoted family-focused visitor base specifically seeking its award-winning children's programming and genuinely uncrowded slopes.
The resort's reputation as one of America's leading family ski destinations continues to anchor visitation throughout the season, supported by extensive on-site village amenities and activities beyond skiing. School holiday periods bring substantial family visitation given this deliberate, decades-long focus on children's programmes and multi-generational appeal.
Specific event programming beyond standard operations is not confirmed in available resort information. Following Bear Den Partners' February 2026 acquisition from the Stritzler family, who retain an ownership stake and continue advising through Bill Stritzler's daughter Lisa Howe, Smugglers' Notch enters a new chapter while building on nearly seven decades of skiing history since 1956. The resort's family-first values, cultivated over 29 years of Stritzler stewardship, remain central to its seasonal identity.
Season 2026 - 2027
27 Nov 2026
Opens
11 Apr 2027
Closes
135
Days open
232 in
Annual snow
The record
Historical snowfall at Smugglers Notch
Daily snow reports at Smugglers Notch go back to 2025, 2 winters on the books. Open the record to compare winters, lifts and piste.
9 in
Snowiest day
1 Dec 2025
0 in
This winter · 2026-27
so far
150 in
Typical winter
average of complete seasons
Winter totals
in
Past wintersThis winter
Getting there
Getting to Smugglers Notch, and where to stay
Smugglers' Notch sits near Jeffersonville, Vermont, spanning three interconnected mountains, Madonna, Sterling and Morse, with a base elevation of 1,030 feet and a summit at 3,638 feet across a roughly 2,608-foot vertical drop over 1,000 acres. This setting places the resort within the dramatic Smugglers' Notch mountain pass, steeped in genuine smuggling history dating to the early 1800s.
Jeffersonville and the broader Lamoille County region offer local lodging and dining within a short drive of the resort, which also provides extensive on-site village accommodation given its status as a self-contained family destination. Stowe, a considerably larger and more developed resort town, lies on the opposite side of the notch itself.
Vermont State Route 108 provides access to the resort, though the road through Smugglers' Notch itself closes seasonally due to its steep, narrow character, requiring an alternate route during winter months. Winter driving conditions on approach roads can include snow and ice, and travellers should confirm seasonal road closures before planning a route through the notch. There is no direct public transport service to the resort.
Burlington International Airport, within a reasonable drive, is the nearest airport with substantial commercial service, making Smugglers' Notch accessible for visitors flying into northern Vermont.
Where to stay
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Hotels and lodges near Smugglers Notch, powered by Stay22.
Latest News
From the SnowStash desk
Utah Snow Storm Builds Early-Season Base Ahead of November Openings
Rain down low, snow up high, and a snow report full of zeros that mostly means ‘not updated yet’. Utah’s first proper storm of 2026-27 is rolling through the Wasatch, Snowbird’s snow stake is closing in on 10 inches, and Brian Head is five days from opening day. Early November snow rarely looks like much, but it is the layer every November opening date is built on. Here is where it stands.
1 Nov 2026
Sierra Nevada Halloween Storm: Dodge Ridge Forecast to Lead With 19 Inches
Halloween weekend brings a wet, windy storm to the Sierra Nevada. Our five-day forecast has Dodge Ridge on top with 19 in, followed by Bear Valley at 15 in and Mammoth Mountain at 12 in, with most of it landing on Saturday. A winter weather advisory covers the Tahoe Basin and Mono County until 7 AM Sunday, gusts could reach 47 mph and the freezing level swings between 4,900 and 8,700 ft, so some bases will see rain. A dry spell follows from Monday.
31 Oct 2026
Lake Louise Opens Early on 1 November With Juniper Express and Easy Street
The Rockies get their first lift-served turns of the season early. Lake Louise opens Sunday 1 November, five days ahead of schedule, after a cold October and round-the-clock work from the snowmaking and mountain crews. Terrain is limited to Juniper Express Chair and Easy Street, with two small terrain parks and the beginner area for lessons. Opening-day tickets are over 60% off, with prices rising as more lifts open. First chair is at 9:30 am under the resort’s new lift hours.
31 Oct 2026
Kitzbüheler Horn Summit Cable Car to Be Replaced After 70 Years
A Tyrolean summit lift that has been carrying guests up the Kitzbüheler Horn since 1955 is on borrowed time. Its licence runs to 2045, but a new inspection rule has made refurbishment uneconomic, so Bergbahn AG Kitzbühel will spend around €15 million on a replacement on the same line. It should hold roughly 100 people and keep running in winds that would stop today’s lift. Building starts in autumn 2027, which makes this winter and next summer the last chances to ride the old one.
30 Oct 2026
What’s New in Japan Skiing This Winter: Niseko Gondola, a Private Resort and a Bigger Ikon Pass
Niseko Village is replacing a lift from the early 1980s with an eight-person gondola, Tsugaike gets a six-person chairlift, Madarao joins the Ikon Pass and Togari opens Asia’s first private ski resort. Here’s what is actually new in Japan skiing for 2026/27, plus what is still a year or two away.
30 Oct 2026
Wolf Creek Opens on Halloween Weekend as Colorado’s Early Season Gathers Pace
Colorado’s early-season dominoes keep falling. Arapahoe Basin opened on Wednesday, Keystone follows on Friday, and now Wolf Creek is joining in on Saturday 31 October, just in time for Halloween. A storm on 23 and 24 October left 20 inches of natural snow in the San Juans, and three lifts will turn from 9:00 am, covering about 30% of the mountain. Expect rocks, unmarked obstacles and open water, but also Local Appreciation lift tickets at $73 for adults.
30 Oct 2026
Keystone Resort Opens for 2026/27 With More Than Two Miles of Skiing
Keystone is next. After Arapahoe Basin claimed the first chairlift skiing of the season on Wednesday, Keystone opens on Friday 30 October at 9:00 am with more than two miles of snowmaking-built terrain on Schoolmarm and Silver Spoon, plus free donuts, coffee and a live DJ. Last year the order was reversed, when Keystone squeezed in a three-hour afternoon session to beat A-Basin by a day. Snowmaking has been running since 15 October.
29 Oct 2026
Beaver Creek Installs 16 Automated Snow Guns on Birds of Prey Ahead of Record World Cup
Beaver Creek is getting ready for the biggest Birds of Prey ever, and this time it is not leaving the snow to chance. Crews started making snow on 27 October with 16 newly installed automated guns on the lower third of the course, after last December’s warm spell forced a downhill off the schedule. Seven races across two weekends run from 3 to 13 December, the most the course has hosted since its 1997 debut, and the guns start themselves whenever the weather allows.
29 Oct 2026
Smugglers Notch Webcams
2 live angles across the mountain. Tap any camera to go full-screen.
About Smugglers Notch's live webcams
Check live conditions across Smugglers Notch with 2 real-time webcams showing snow, weather, and lift operations, updated every 10 minutes. Check high-elevation cams for powder visibility and base-area cams for crowd levels before you head up.
Camera guide
- Morse Lift Web Cam1,063ft
- Monitor Smugglers Notch ski resort through this Morse Lift webcam positioned at 324 meters elevation. This Smugglers Notch live cam captures lift operations and snow conditions on the resort's most accessible terrain. Families planning their Vermont ski vacation use this live snow cam to assess conditions at this premier family resort before exploring the three interconnected mountain peaks.
- Madonna Base1,604ft
- Experience Smugglers Notch's challenging terrain through this Madonna Mountain webcam at the base area's 489-meter elevation. This Smugglers Notch live cam provides views up toward the resort's most demanding expert runs and legendary glades. Essential for advanced skiers, this Smugglers Notch web cam reveals current conditions on Vermont's steepest and most technical ski terrain.
Smugglers Notch snow cams FAQ
How often do Smugglers Notch snow cams update?
All Smugglers Notch snow cams and webcams update every 10 minutes with fresh images showing current mountain conditions. This frequent update schedule ensures you have access to near real-time conditions for planning your ski day at Smugglers Notch.
Which Smugglers Notch webcam shows the best powder conditions?
The high-elevation Madonna Base webcam at 489m provides the clearest view of powder conditions and snowfall. These Smugglers Notch webcams capture fresh snow accumulation and visibility better than base area cameras.
Can I see Smugglers Notch lift queues on the webcams?
Yes. Multiple Smugglers Notch snow cams specifically show lift queue areas and chairlift operations, helping you time your arrival and avoid peak queue periods.
When is the best time to check Smugglers Notch snow cams?
Check Smugglers Notch webcams early morning (7-8am) for overnight snowfall assessment, and mid-afternoon for current crowd levels and weather. The live cams are most useful after storm events to assess fresh powder.
How can I check current conditions before buying Smugglers Notch lift tickets?
Use our Smugglers Notch webcams alongside the live snow report to assess conditions before purchasing lift tickets. The webcams show real-time visibility, snow quality, and operational status.
Do Smugglers Notch webcams work on mobile devices?
Yes. All Smugglers Notch snow cams and webcams are optimized for mobile viewing, so you can check live conditions from anywhere using your phone or tablet.
More Smugglers Notch intelligence: snow report, lift tickets, trail map, resort overview.