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Getting Here

Easy Access Year-Round!

What You Need to Know Before Driving Through Historic Smugglers’ Notch Pass

Embark on a picturesque journey along Scenic Route 108, stretching from Stowe to Smugglers’ Notch, VT. This narrow, winding pass features hairpin turns, giant boulders, and steep cliffs, cutting through the majestic Mount Mansfield. Due to its steep and winding nature, this 3½ mile corridor through Cambridge and Stowe is closed in winter and cannot be plowed.

Please be aware that Route 108 through Smugglers’ Notch Pass is closed from mid-October to mid-May and is always off-limits to large vehicles.

Smugglers’ Notch gets its name from the area’s use during the early 19th century. Following President Thomas Jefferson’s Embargo Act of 1807, which aimed to prevent American trade with Great Britain and Canada, Vermonters continued illegal trading through the Notch. This route was also used by fugitive slaves escaping to Canada. In 1922, the road was improved for automobile traffic, making it a key path for smuggling liquor during Prohibition.

According to Vermont State Law, single vehicles over 40 feet long and combination vehicles (vehicles with trailers) over 45 feet long are prohibited from operating on the Smugglers’ Notch segment of VT Route 108.

Driving Directions and Strategic Stops

We have identified convenient stops along the way for dining, gas, and restroom breaks, highlighting key locations where you can find these facilities.

Approximately 4 hours. Take I-93 N to Concord, NH. Pick up I-89 N through White River Jct. and Montpelier to Waterbury, VT. Take Exit 10 for Waterbury, VT. Follow Vermont Rte. 100N to Stowe. In Stowe, pick up Rte. 108N through Smugglers’ Notch Pass to the Resort located on the right side, about 4 miles from the top of the pass. NOTE: From mid-October through mid-May, Rte. 108 at Smugglers’ Notch Pass between Stowe and Smugglers’ Notch Resort is closed for winter travel; during this period, use Rte. 100N to Morrisville. In Morrisville, pick up Rte. 15W to Jeffersonville. Take a left onto Rte. 108S for 5 miles, Smugglers’ Notch Resort will be on your left.

Strategic Stops: Concord, NH; West Lebanon, NH; White River Junction, VT; Waterbury, VT.

There are several options:

  1. Take I-89N. Take Exit 15 (Winooski) onto Route 15E through Essex Junction to Jeffersonville. Take Route 108S to Smugglers’, located on the left, about 5 miles from Jeffersonville.
  2. From Williston Road to Taft Corners (intersection of Route 2 and Route 2A), turn left onto Route 2A. Follow Route 2A to Essex Junction’s “5 corners” and take Route 15E to Jeffersonville. Take Route 108S to Smugglers’, located on the left about 5 miles from Jeffersonville.
  3. If you are coming from south of Burlington via Route 7 to I-189 to I-89N. Take Exit 15 onto Route 15E to Jeffersonville. Take Route 108S to Smugglers’, located on the left, about 5 miles from Jeffersonville.
  4. Burlington International Airport to Smugglers’Approximately 35 miles or 45 minutes. Upon exiting the Airport, turn left onto Airport Road. Then, turn right onto Williston Road at the traffic light. Follow Williston Road to I-89N. Take Exit 15 (Winooski) onto Route 15E through Essex Junction to Jeffersonville. Take Route 108 S to Smugglers’ located on the left about 5 miles from Jeffersonville.

Take the Champlain Bridge to Hwy. 10 E, and continue 9 miles. Take Exit 22 for Hwy. 35 S. Hwy. 35 S merges with Hwy. 133 S in Iberville. Follow this route to the Vermont Border, which turns into I-89. Follow I-89 S to St. Albans. Take Exit 19 (2nd exit for St. Albans) onto Rte. 104 S. Follow 104 S through Fairfax to Cambridge. In Cambridge, pick up Rte. 15 E to Jeffersonville. Take Rte. 108 S to the Resort (about 5 miles) in Jeffersonville.

Strategic Stops: St. Albans, VT; Jeffersonville, VT.

Approximately 6-hours. Follow I-87 N (the New York Thruway). Just south of Albany, merge onto I-90 E via Exit 24 toward Albany/Montreal; Merge onto I-87 N via Exit 1N toward Albany International Airport/Montreal, and continue on I-87 N (now called the Northway) to Exit 20. (The exit numbers start counting over again!) Pick up NY 149E to Fort Ann. Take US 4N through Whitehall, crossing the Vermont border. Take Exit 2 for VT-Rte. 22A, toward Fair Haven and Vergennes. Pick up Rte. 22A N to Vergennes. Pick up Rte. 7N to South Burlington. Take I-189E to I-89N to Exit 15 (Winooski), and take a right onto Rte. 15E through Essex Junction to Jeffersonville. Take Rte. 108S to Smugglers’ Notch Resort, located on the left about 5 miles from Jeffersonville. (Burlington to Smugglers’ is about 30 miles)

Strategic Stops: Albany, NY; Glens Falls, NY; Fair Haven, VT; Burlington, VT; Jeffersonville, VT.

Approximately 6-hours. Take I-95 N from New York City to New Haven, CT. Pick up I-91 N through Hartford, CT, Springfield, MA; and Brattleboro, VT; to White River Jct., VT. At White River Jct., pick up I-89 N through Montpelier to Waterbury. Take Exit 10 for Waterbury, VT. Follow Vermont Rte. 100N to Stowe. In Stowe, pick up Route 108N through Smugglers’ Notch Pass and go to The Resort, located on the right side, about 4 miles from the top of the pass. NOTE: From mid-October through mid-May, Rte. 108 at Smugglers’ Notch Pass between Stowe and Smugglers’ Notch Resort is closed for winter travel; during this period, use Rte. 100N to Morrisville. In Morrisville, pick up Rte. 15W to Jeffersonville. Take a left onto Rte. 108S for 5 miles, Smugglers’ Notch Resort will be on your left.

Strategic Stops: Brattleboro, VT; White River Junction, VT; Waterbury, VT; Stowe, VT; Jeffersonville, VT.

Approximately 4-hours. Take Hwy. 417 E to Hwy. 20 E to Montreal. Take the Champlain Bridge to Hwy. 10 E and continue for 9 miles in Montreal. Take Exit 22 for Hwy. 35 S. Hwy. 35 S merges with Hwy. 133 S in Iberville. Follow this route to the Vermont Border, which turns into I-89. Follow I-89 S to St. Albans. Take Exit 19 (2nd exit for St. Albans) onto Rte. 104 S. Follow 104 S through Fairfax to Cambridge. In Cambridge, pick up Rte. 15 E to Jeffersonville. Take Rte. 108 S to the Resort (about 5 miles) in Jeffersonville.

Strategic Stops: Montreal, Quebec; St. Albans, VT; Jeffersonville, VT.

Travel Tips

We recommend regularly checking 511VT for the latest road conditions and closure updates.

Numerous car rental agencies are available at Burlington International Airport, offering a variety of vehicles. Guests of Smugglers’ Notch renting with St. Albans Rental Car will enjoy perks such as 24/7 valet service, unlimited mileage, and vehicles equipped with snow tires during the winter.

Smugglers’ Notch Resort has two EV Charging Stations (4 ports) available. A two-port Chargehub station is located in the parking lot at FunZone 2.0, which is free of charge, and a two-port ChargePoint station is located in the Falcons building parking lot in the West Hill Community.

Enter Smugglers’ Notch Resort, 4323 Vermont Route 108 South, Jeffersonville, VT 05464, into your navigation system. Be aware that during winter, many GPS services might mistakenly direct you through the closed Smugglers’ Notch Pass; instead, please follow our specific winter travel directions.

For those preferring train travel, Amtrak services are available to Burlington or Essex Junction, VT, about 25 miles from the Resort.

Resort Shuttle Options

Please note that our on-demand vans are exclusively for transportation within the Resort.

Resort Shuttle Services
  • Weather

    Current Conditions

    9°F Snow (light snow)

    Morse Mountain is now open to the top. Snowmaking on Madonna Mountain.

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    Extended Forecast

    Today

    12/21/24

    Snow (light snow)
    Max 18°F / Min 4°F

    Sunday

    12/22/24

    Snow (light snow)
    Max 6°F / Min -1°F

    Monday

    12/23/24

    Snow (snow)
    Max 17°F / Min -1°F

    Trail & Lift Status

    30 out of 78 open

    Trails Open

    11 out of 78 groomed

    Groomed

    4 out of 8 open

    Lifts Open

    Snow Totals

    4″inches

    New Snowfall

    85″inches

    Season Total

    Snow Depths

    Natural Snow Depth: 10 to 16″

    Man-Made Snow Depth: 20 to 40″

    Snow Surfaces

    Primary: Packed Powder

    Secondary: Machine Groomed

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