When I told my friends that our family was doing a quick, last minute ski vacation to kick off our March Break, theirs mouths dropped. My husband had grown up a skier, and he gets out with our boys (aged 12 and 10) at least once a year. Combine that with their annual school trips, and they’re pretty competent skiers. I’ve skied a couple of times in my life, but it was always with strong skiers, and I always ended up in over my head. I’ve managed to avoid skiing for almost 14 years by using pregnancy, infants and toddlers as excuses. However, my youngest is six now and those excuses are running out. Fortunately (for me), we are a hockey family, so opportunities to ski are few and far between.
This time, we were looking at four days at a world famous ski resort, and there was no way to avoid the hill. Smuggler’s Notch, in Vermont has been voted “America’s Favourite Family Ski Resort” and after a short visit there, it’s easy to see why. UrbanMoms has visited the resort before and talked about how much it has to offer, but what does it offer the non-skier?
Ditch the Kids
Smuggler’s Notch offers amazing programming for all through the Snow Sport University. I signed the boys up for two full days in their Notch Squad Ski Camp, which included instruction, lunch and entertainment from 9:45 to 2:30 pm. I put my daughter in a group lesson from 10:00 to 12:00. When I booked the lesson, I warned them that my daughter’s not much of a joiner, and they reassured me that if things didn’t work out, we could change our plans for her. My worries evaporated on the first morning when the instructor greeted her enthusiastically and engaged her right away. Snow Sport University instructors are fabulous and know their stuff; they’ll have your kids eager to go back day after day.
My daughter may be spoiled for life;
here she is on her second day on skis!
If your kids aren’t ready for skiing, there are other options, including camps and daycare available onsite.
Rent Equipment
As I said, my husband grew up a skier, but he recognized that his equipment would probably be more appropriate in an antique store than on a hill. Friends all offered to help us cobble together the required pieces, but in the end we all rented equipment (skis, boots, poles, and helmet), and the process was inexpensive and easy.
After we checked in and dropped off our luggage, we went down to the Equipment Rental location and got fitted. We were in and out in about 20 minutes. Again, staff was knowledgeable and friendly, and the equipment was all in excellent condition.
One word of caution here; the rental equipment is new and brandname, but most renters end up with the same skis. This makes things tricky when you leave your skis to grab a bite at one of the hillside restaurants. Next time I’ll bring some coloured hockey tape to easily identify our family’s gear.
Choose Your Lesson
There were many options for me to consider when booking my own lessons; private, group lessons or max-5 lessons (with groups of…duh..maximum five skiers). I opted for the morning group lessons, and showed up at the instruction area just before 10am on the first day, where I was quickly placed in a group with ski pro Wayne Bombard. The first morning was spent on Sir Henry’s Hill (aka your traditional bunny hill) where our group got comfortable with our equipment and the inclines. By end of morning one we were doing parallel turns like pros. The second day had us conquering the chair lift and a couple of green hills.
Wayne was an amazing instructor who was patient and motivating for our group of mature non-skiers. He was so proud of the progress we made that he called us all stars and put our photo up on his blog!
Two lessons was a great start; if I had it to do over, I’d have planned to stay longer and done a lesson a day all week…Wayne promised we’d be doing blue runs by week’s end!
Reward Yourself
There are so many ways to reward yourself at Smuggler’s Notch after a day of skiing. My favourites included a soak in our condo unit’s big whirlpool bathtub with a Vermont brew…
…and delicious meals at one of the resort’s restaurants. This appetizer of selected local cheeses and chutney at The Hearth & Candle was legendary and memorable.
So what does Smuggler’s Notch offer the non-skier? It offered me an amazing opportunity to become a skier. See you on the hills!
Portions of this trip were provided by Smuggler’s Notch. The opinions and experiences expressed are all mine.
the beer and tub sealed it for me.
Yep, I sure do like that apres-ski fare… glad you had a great time, lady!!
I LOVE Smuggs! The kids have a blast on and off the hill with pools and the kids zone, etc. Oh, and the cheese tray at Hearth and Candle was divine!
I haven’t ski’d ever. But you may convinced me. My older son and hubby both LOVE skiing. My little guy hasn’t tried yet. So, it sounds like a vacation that can accommodate us all! Thanks!