Other activities

Book a stay at Smugglers' Notch and an entire compendium of resort activities soon arrives in the mail. There are so many off-slope activities that it feels like a summer camp—or a cruise with snow—for everyone from kids to grown-ups. Smugglers' has a sample week-at-a-glance calendar that will provide visitors with an idea of the range of activites.

Kids' parties, karaoke, snowshoeing, sledding, a swimming pool, hot tubs, ice skating, and snowmobiling keep kids off the couch (and sometimes even off the slopes) day and night. The adventure-minded may want to try air boarding or dog sledding or in the evening, tubing on lighted Sir Henry's Hill. The FunZone is filled with a 22-foot giant inflatable double-lane slide, an obstacle course, padded jousting ring, miniature golf, a bouncy house, and basketball hoops. There is also a giant Twister game and a kid-size climbing wall. Sometimes a DJ turns up and gets the crowd going with feel-good music. In an inflatable dome, the FunZone can be chilly inside, so bring a warm sweater and wear warm socks (no shoes allowed).

Even though they will adamantly deny that they are not kids anymore, teens will like Smugglers' too. The resort has two teen centers, and while both are supervised, there is a strict No Parents Allowed policy, which pleases the kids. Teens 16 and older have the Outer Limits Teen Center, with music videos, Internet access, Xbox, DVDs, a pool table, ping-pong, and the like. Younger teens (13-15) have Teen Alley, with similar amenities; video games and pool are especially popular. Evening activities include a Saturday night dance and FunZone party just for teens. Thursdays at 9 p.m., teens age 16 and older get the FunZone to themselves; on Fridays at 9 p.m., it's reserved for ages 13-15.

Adults can sign up for a variety of workshops in the Artists in the Mountains program. Pick from glass etching, fabric stenciling, digital photography, sculpting, painting, or beading. The classes include materials and cost $10 – $48. The Mountain Massage Center not only offers yoga classes and massages, it holds a massage class to teach you the basics.

Don't miss a visit to the Boyden Valley Winery, 8 miles down the road from Smuggers' Notch Resort in Cambridge. This fourth-generation Vermont farmer makes award-winning wines using Vermont apples and berries and his own grapes and maple syrup. Tours and wine tastings will convince you to buy a case of each and you'll find Vermont specialty products, kitchen items, handcrafted gifts and gift baskets.

The area also has antique galleries, artisan galleries, art galleries and shops selling Vermont-made products. The resort provides itineraries to those wishing to head out to local attractions.