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.

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.

Daily snow reports at Smugglers Notch go back to 2025, 2 winters on the books. Open the record to compare winters, lifts and piste.