Smugglers Notch for a beginner

[TheArchitect]

Hello there. I'm hoping to get some advice from some people who have been to Smugglers. Here's the brief intro:

Me:
Skiing since I was 11 but took the last 10 years off until last year (now 41). Out of shape but in general a strong skier.

Son:
About to turn 12 years old. Started snowboarding last year and wants to ski this year. Went to Stratton and Wachusett and he was somewhat comfortable being on intermediate runs as long as they weren't too steep.


So, I'm planning to take him to a few resorts in December and January and then perhaps to Smugglers Notch for a weekend in either late January or early February. I've never been there but have heard it has a good rep as a family friendly resort. I assume that's for the experience and not necessarily the terrain. The cost for on-mountain lodging is attractive and I want him to have the on-mountain experience. That said, if he's only going to be able to ski a small percentage of Smuggs then maybe there's a better choice.

Can someone comment on the intermediate trails at Smuggs? Not all intermediate trails are created equal, some are closer to green and others to black.

Thanks for any comments you can provide!

 

[Nick]

I'm sure you'll get some great input here from other folks who have been to a lot more than me, but I have also heard those great things about Smuggler's.

Welcome to the forum and congrats on getting back into skiing! You must be excited, especially to be doing it with your son!

 

[rocojerry]

If you look at the trail map -- there are basically two parts of Smuggs... the place to warm up with some easier terrain is Morse Mountain... If the trails here are too boring/easy, head over to Madonna - warning, that green trail at the bottom is very flat and not friendly for snowboarding....

Madonna has a lot of nice blues and you don't need to go up to the top just yet... Sterling has nice blues too, but they may be more like black trails at some mountains that you are used too...

I'd stay away from the double/triple black stuff, a smuggs double-black is pretty much unmatched on most of the east coast --

I've only been a handful of times, but am definately planning on going back this year!

 

[4aprice]

I basically learned to ski at Smuggler's Notch so I say go for it. IMO Morse is a great learning area and even has some decent terrain of its own though you have to return to the bottom to access the lift. Sterling and Madonna are classic New England skiing. Smuggs is also pretty likely to have decent snow too. I think the village set up is pretty decent there and is easy access to the lifts.

Alex

Lake Hopatcong, NJ

 

[snowmonster]

I'll echo everyone's comments here about Smuggs being a great learning place. Terrain on Morse should be a good intro for beginners. If you build enough confidence, head over to the Madonna and Sterling but stay out of any advanced terrain. Enjoy!

 

[riverc0il]

Go! Smuggs is awesome for all abilities! Awesome blue squares and intermediate terrain. Classic, winding, and narrower than average. Morse for the beginner and M2 and Sterling for Intermediate. Even two intermediate runs off the summit M1 but due to hard pack conditions, width, and traffic.... they could be considered upper intermediate. If you can parallel turn, you'll do fine off any blue square at Smuggs. One of the best in New England for terrain and character. It is the character of MRG without the no grooming aspect... perfect for an intermediate.

 

[TheArchitect]

Thanks for the replies guys.

It sounds like Smuggs will be a good choice for my son to learn at. While he's in his lessons I'll be heading to the black and double blacks. When I said I was a strong skier I didn't mean strong intermediate, I meant I spend most of my time on blacks. After his lessons we'll hit the greens and blues together.

The winding and narrow trails sound awesome. MRG was a favorite of mine when I was skiing regularly but my son isn't ready to go there yet.

 

[riverc0il]

That was a poor assumption on my part. Smuggs is valued highly as a family vacation resort but it is seriously oversighted for its expert terrain. Few mountains have as well developed variety from each end of the spectrum: never ever to extreme. You won't be alone in dropping the kid off at Morse and heading up the M1.

 

[TheArchitect]

That was a poor assumption on my part. Smuggs is valued highly as a family vacation resort but it is seriously oversighted for its expert terrain. Few mountains have as well developed variety from each end of the spectrum: never ever to extreme. You won't be alone in dropping the kid off at Morse and heading up the M1.

No problemo. I wasn't offended or anything; just clarifying 'strong skier'. You've given me the exact information I was looking for. I'll get to ski the stuff that will get my blood pumping in the morning and afterwards I'll ski with my son on terrain that won't scare the crap out of him.

Thanks again. Glad I found this site. EpicSki is great but it's even better having a site dedicated to the east coast.

 

[Madroch]

That was a poor assumption on my part. Smuggs is valued highly as a family vacation resort but it is seriously oversighted for its expert terrain. Few mountains have as well developed variety from each end of the spectrum: never ever to extreme. You won't be alone in dropping the kid off at Morse and heading up the M1.

+1--- Smuggs has the goods off M1.

 

[BenedictGomez]

Son:
About to turn 12 years old. Started snowboarding last year and wants to ski this year.

Holy crap, that's refreshing to hear for a change.

Can someone comment on the intermediate trails at Smuggs? Not all intermediate trails are created equal, some are closer to green and others to black.

Morse should be great for your son, and okay as a first-day-back for yourself if you're rusty from the years off. As a few others have stated, fun terrain, and decent for lower levels and low intermediates. And dont be afraid to ring the schoolhouse bell. Hah!

The other nice thing is, I've seen Morse relatively empty even on days when Madonna is a zoo. And if you're going midweek? All of Smuggs is a ski directly onto your chair empty paradise.

And when you get your legs back, Smuggs has great expert terrain too, even though it has that "family" tag. I havent skied 1/2 the number of places in the east that many members on this forum have, but IMO, "Liftline" at Smuggs is the hardest trail I've skied east of the Mississippi.

 

[thetrailboss]

Caught bits and pieces of this thread, but from what I have heard, yes Smuggs has good stuff for beginners and a good learn to ride program. It also has legit expert terrain and very good intermediate terrain (though tougher blues). The biggest thing though is to expect an older resort with an older base area. One that is not akin to Stratton or Stowe. Nice village at the base and nice area to relax and get away from things.

 

[deadheadskier]

Everyone is spot on regarding the terrain at Smuggs.

Just want to chime in that you stated you were looking to go there for a weekend. If you have the ability, go midweek.

I've spent all of 1 run on Morse, so I can't speak to the terrain or liftlines there, but the M1 and Sterling lifts have very long lines on the weekends as they are older double chairs. M2 isn't bad though

 

[TheArchitect]

Holy crap, that's refreshing to hear for a change..

Tell me about it. I’ve been talking up skiing ever since he told me he wanted to switch. I even bought him boots and used skis to try and reinforce the switch. I figure the money for rentals would be thrown away but I could buy used and resell after he’s done. Plus, we won't have to deal with the hassle of renting.

Morse should be great for your son, and okay as a first-day-back for yourself if you're rusty from the years off. As a few others have stated, fun terrain, and decent for lower levels and low intermediates. And dont be afraid to ring the schoolhouse bell. Hah!

The other nice thing is, I've seen Morse relatively empty even on days when Madonna is a zoo. And if you're going midweek? All of Smuggs is a ski directly onto your chair empty paradise.

And when you get your legs back, Smuggs has great expert terrain too, even though it has that "family" tag. I havent skied 1/2 the number of places in the east that many members on this forum have, but IMO, "Liftline" at Smuggs is the hardest trail I've skied east of the Mississippi.

I knocked some of the rust off last year but I still have more to go. I'm told the shaped skis are easier to turn on so I don't know how much of it was the demo's I was on or just the old 'It's like riding a bicycle" saying. After the second day last year it felt...almost...like I never stopped skiing.

Everyone is spot on regarding the terrain at Smuggs.

Just want to chime in that you stated you were looking to go there for a weekend. If you have the ability, go midweek.

I've spent all of 1 run on Morse, so I can't speak to the terrain or liftlines there, but the M1 and Sterling lifts have very long lines on the weekends as they are older double chairs. M2 isn't bad though

Good to know about the lift lines. I'm not sure his mom will be happy with a mid-week trip given school but maybe I'll convince her a Friday is okay.

 

[JimG.]

Smuggs is famous for its' family and children's programs...you'll both have a good time.

 

[TheArchitect]

Just got back from the Smuggs trip and thought I’d follow up with a couple of comments and questions.

Pros:
I knew from reading here that there are some really difficult blacks off of Madonna but wow, those double blacks are look intense. Liftline, Freefall and the upper section of F.I.S. were all closed but I’m not sure I would have skied them regardless. I did get on the section of F.I.S accessed from the cutover near Doc Dempsey’s as well as the lower section of Doc Dempsey’s itself (top was closed on Saturday). Great stuff.

My son had a great time skiing Chilcoot and Rumrunner but those were the only trails he’s capable of skiing off the summits for now. He’s learning fast, though and papa is proud of him.


Cons:
The traverse from Madonna to Morse felt like punishment. I wish there was a better way to go back and forth that didn’t involve the shuttle.

The second day we were checked out of the condo and were looking for some place to keep our stuff. The “Day Lodge” at Morse is the seating area near Ben and Jerrys? Sure, there are services and restaurants in the Village but it seems sorely lacking for day trippers looking for lockers and tables. Did I miss something at Morse?

The lifts are kinda slow.

Carving skis (Fischer Progressor 9+) are not the best choice for the 3-5 inches they got overnight on Friday. I really have to consider adding a wider ski to my collection. I would have wandered more into the woods and ungroomed if I had one.


Despite the cons it was a great trip so thanks to those who answered the earlier questions. We’re planning to make this a yearly trip.

 

[Angus]

Smuggs is an option for this coming Saturday. How were the lines?

 

[billski]

We were there about three weeks ago.
Yeah the traverse stinks.
Snowboard-hostile. and they say so.
Lots of water bars when we were there, even on blues.

We made the mistake of trying to boot up at the village. Bad move. Parking is limited too.

The only real bet is the "base lodge" up the street. Parking reminds me of Cannon. "across the road".

 

[vandi518]

Smuggs is an option for this coming Saturday. How were the lines?

Lines have been very light so far this season, certainly more attributable to the lack of snow than anything else. I was there yesterday and conditions are very good right now (relatively speaking that is) after getting a fresh 6" to 8" Sunday night into yesterday...that very well may change tonight into tomorrow but hopefully, the forecast is wrong yet again.

 

[BenedictGomez]

Just got back from the Smuggs trip and thought I’d follow up with a couple of comments and questions.

Cons:
The traverse from Madonna to Morse felt like punishment. I wish there was a better way to go back and forth that didn’t involve the shuttle.

Glad you had fun. As for the traverse, I actually dont mind it. Gives a chance to work on the nordic skill sets involved in skiing, and if you're a solid skater it's really not a big deal. Yeah, I guess it does suck for snowboarders, but they knew that was part of the deal when they decided to snowboard.

The second day we were checked out of the condo and were looking for some place to keep our stuff. The “Day Lodge” at Morse is the seating area near Ben and Jerrys? Sure, there are services and restaurants in the Village but it seems sorely lacking for day trippers looking for lockers and tables. Did I miss something at Morse?

I'm not familiar with a Ben & Jerry's at Morse, so either that's new or I've just been oblivious (which isnt that unlikely). But the lodge at Morse is small, and since that caters to kids, if you time your lunch wrong (when all the lunch-inclusive kiddie programs pull into the yard) you're screwed. That said, they do have "Ski Key" racks there for you to lock your skis too as well as traditional racks. As for tables, it's limited, but there's probably about 20 long tables in there I'd say, along with a small cafeteria chow line.

The lifts are kinda slow.

Yes, yes there are.

Carving skis (Fischer Progressor 9+) are not the best choice for the 3-5 inches they got overnight on Friday. I really have to consider adding a wider ski to my collection. I would have wandered more into the woods and ungroomed if I had one.

For 3 to 5 it wouldnt really bother me, I've had absolutely no reason to be on anything other than my 68 underfoot so far, and it's only twelve hours from FEBRUARY.