Uphill & Closed Trail Policies
Our #1 goal is your enjoyment!
On Mountain Safety
At Smuggs, your enjoyment and well-being are our top priorities. To ensure everyone has a fantastic and worry-free experience, we have additional important policies in place. These guidelines help us create a welcoming and secure environment for all our guests. Thank you for taking a moment to review them!
Uphill Usage Policy
Smugglers’ Notch Resort has seen a rise in uphill access demand, and we are happy to accommodate. However, we need to prioritize certain conditions due to 24/7 operations and equipment use on the mountain. Check the Snow Report daily by 4:00 pm for updated routes, times, and conditions.
Night Access
Morse: Friday-Wednesday, 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Madonna: Monday, Wednesday, & Friday, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Sterling: Saturday, Tuesday, & Thursday, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Morning Access
Sterling: Daily, 5:30 am – 7:30 am (Must be off the hill by 8:00 am)
For access availability please visit the Daily Snow Report.
Uphill Access Rules
- Use at your own risk; assume all liability.
- There are no resort emergency services from 4:30 pm – 8:00 am. Call 911 in emergencies.
- Respect snowmobile and snowcat activities.
- Use designated routes. Avoid trails with snowmaking and grooming operations.
- Robin’s Run, Freefall, Madonna Liftline(above Link) and any other closed trails are off limits.
- Wear reflective clothing and a headlamp at night.
- NO pets allowed.
- Pack out all trash.
- Park in Lot 3 only
- Uphill Usage Policy subject to change at anytime
- Failure to follow guidelines may result in loss of resort access. For questions please email [email protected]
Thank you all for your cooperation-here’s to a great winter!
Smugglers’ Notch Resort is dedicated to providing an enjoyable skiing and riding experience for everyone. While occasional hazards and less-than-ideal snow conditions can add to the challenge, we take great care in balancing fun and caution when opening trails and glades. Closed trails are marked for reasons that may not be visible from the lift or trail entrance. Skiing or riding on closed trails increases risk for you and potential rescuers. Therefore, we strictly enforce a No Skiing On Closed Trails policy. Violators may lose their lift privileges.
> First violation will be the loss of skiing/riding privileges for the remainder of the day or the next day if it occurs after 3:00 pm.
> Second offense will result in loss of skiing/riding privileges for 7 days. Subsequent offenses could result in loss of skiing/riding privileges for the remainder of the season with no refund.
Wooded areas between named trails and glades are not marked in any way, are not patrolled, and have no skier/snowboarder services. If you decide to ski or snowboard in wooded areas, within the ski area boundary, you are solely responsible for yourself. You should be an expert skier/snowboarder and you should stay in groups of three or more. Do not ski or snowboard on or across closed trails.
Much of the land Smugglers’ trails are located on is owned by the State of Vermont. The lease held by Smugglers’ Notch Management Company that permits operation of skiing services stipulates that Smugglers’ is responsible and liable for the maintenance and safety of the mountain at all times. The lease gives resort officials the ability to grant, limit, or terminate property use at any time. Smugglers’ Notch Management requests that those enjoying our terrain police their own behavior and abide by the following rules. Failure to abide by this code of conduct will result in more restrictive policies.
- Always stay in control. You must be able to stop or avoid people or objects.
- People ahead of downhill of you have the right-of-way. You must avoid them.
- Stop only where you are visible from above and do not restrict traffic.
- Look uphill and avoid others before starting downhill or entering a trail.
- You must prevent runaway equipment.
- Read and obey all signs, warnings and hazard markings.
- Keep off closed trails and out of closed areas.
- You must know how and be able to load, ride and unload lifts safely. If you need assistance, ask the lift attendant.
- Do not use lifts or terrain when impaired by alcohol or drugs.
- If you are involved in a collision or incident, share your contact information with each other and a ski area employee.
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Clear and cool
The day started cloudy and then the sun decided to come out. The views were just plain spectacular today. I made my way up Madonna and stopped by a few […]
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Sunshine and fresh snow
We received 2 to 3 inches of new snow overnight. It’s a little cool today, but the sun feels good. We have 7 lifts operating today, including Madonna 1 and […]
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Jump for joy
We received 2 to 3 inches of new snow overnight, 21 inches in the past week, and 171 inches this season so far! We have 65 skiable trails and 50 […]
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Uphill travel update
Madonna Mountain and Sterling Mountain are now open with their regular uphill schedule. Sterling Mountain is open daily from 5:30 am to 7:30 am. Sterling Mountain is also open Tuesdays, […]
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Wonderful conditions
We received 2 inches of new snow last night and 13 inches in the past 5 days. Tomorrow we plan to have top-to-bottom skiing and riding on all 3 mountains. […]
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Long time Smuggs family member
Today I rode the Mogul Mouse’s Magic Lift with Mike Dishongh. Mike learned to ski here at Smuggs back in 1988 and has not missed a year since! His family […]
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Beautiful Sunday
We have top to bottom skiing and riding on all 3 mountains with all 8 lifts operating. We have 66 trails open with terrain for all ability levels. Currently, it […]
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A little snow in the forecast tonight
We could see 1 to 3 inches of accumulation overnight. We received 1 inch of new snow in the past 24 hours, 11 inches in the past 4 days, and […]
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#Smuggslove Rail Jam
This event was a ton of fun. Birch Run Terrain Park is looking really good! The top half is jumps with one rail and the bottom half is all rails. […]
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Just what the doctor ordered
This photo was taken this morning in Doc Dempsey’s Glades and, by the way, was my trail pick of the day. The very top of Docs was closed, but it […]