Smugglers' Notch is best known as a kid-friendly ski resort (see our winter review), but its outstanding children's programs make it a terrific place to vacation any time of year. Smuggs offers its lowest rates of the year from September 1 to October 13 with the AutumnFest package, which happily coincides with Vermont's fall foliage season. Two adults and two
children staying in a one-bedroom condo for three nights would pay $705, and the fourth night is free—meaning the vacation costs less than $180 a night. The package also includes
use of the resort’s pools, many family entertainment venues, daily guided hikes
and a wagonload of games such as tennis, volleyball, woodland mini-golf and disc golf.
For families with preschoolers, the AutumnFest package gives parents the chance to get a mix of relaxed time as a family and also plenty of grown-up time. Children ages 6
weeks to 5 years can attend Smuggs' kids' program on weekdays. Here's what we said about it in our review:
Babies and toddlers are cooed over by a team of nannies in the state-of-the-art, 5,400-square-foot Treasures childcare center. We have yet to find a facility as impressive in another hotel or resort. It’s got a giant fish tank in every room, tiny toilets and small sinks, little cots and blankets, and over 4,000 square feet of outdoor playground. Kids are divided by age into three rooms (6 to 16 months; 17 months to 2-1/2 years; and 2-1/2 to 3 years), with myriad age-appropriate toys, mats, climbing equipment, and playhouses for everybody. The nannies lead their groups in interactive games, stories, circle time, and bubble-blowing fun.
From Monday to Friday during AutumnFest, Treasures is open for three half days and two full days; all sessions include a
snack and lunch. (On Columbus Day weekend, the full-day program will be
available Friday-Sunday for AutumnFest guests.) Little ones up to 16
months old can enjoy climbing structures, floor mats, spatial play and outings
to playgrounds. Those from 17 months to 3 years old spend time in the playhouse
listening to music, creating arts and crafts, singing and enjoying stories read
aloud. Outside they can explore the adjacent playground. The “seniors” from 3 to
5 years old spend their time in indoor craft activities, story time, interactive
play, playground fun, and swimming.
A daily afternoon
program, Family Ties, involves little ones with their moms and dads in
sandbox play, boat building for the Raingutter Regatta, puppets, life-sized
games and nature mixers. On Saturday evenings, Treasures offers
a supervised Kids’ Night Out for children ages 6 weeks to 12 years old to have a fun
evening including dinner, activities, and entertainment.
