History & Mission
Smugglers’ Notch has a history filled with adventures!
Smugglers’ Notch Resort
Welcome to Smuggs, America’s Family Resort, where our rich history and heartfelt mission blend seamlessly with our dedication to inclusivity and diversity. Nestled in the heart of Vermont’s picturesque mountains since 1956, Smuggs has grown from a humble ski destination into a vibrant year-round haven for families seeking adventure and connection.
Our History
Smugglers’ Notch Pass, nestled in the heart of Vermont, boasts a captivating history that traces back over two centuries. Initially, in the early 1800s, it served as a secretive route for smugglers transporting embargoed goods from Canada into the United States. This area, rich with dense forests and hidden caves along Vermont’s Long Trail, became a crucial conduit for British goods during the U.S. embargo on English imports. These secluded caves were perfect for storing contraband, making the Pass a hotspot for smuggling activities up to the War of 1812.
The allure of Smugglers’ Notch continued into the 20th century when, during Prohibition, it once again became a smuggling route. This time, alcohol was the cargo, covertly transported through the Notch to quench the thirst of the southern New England states.
The natural beauty and rugged terrain of Smugglers’ Notch also shaped its recreational appeal. Today, visitors to Smugglers’ Notch Resort enjoy exploring its scenic vistas, historic caves, and storied paths during the summer. In winter, the snow-covered Pass transforms into a serene landscape for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling.
The transformation of this historic pass into a beloved ski and recreational hub began in 1956 with the establishment of the Smugglers’ Notch Ski Ways by local entrepreneurs in Cambridge, Vermont. Featuring just two poma lifts on Sterling Mountain initially, the ski area primarily served the local community. However, the area’s potential was soon recognized by Tom Watson Jr., a prominent figure behind IBM’s success. Inspired by European ski resorts, Watson and his brother Arthur acquired the ski ways in the 1960s, embarking on a mission to expand and transform it into a world-class ski destination.
The vision for a ski village came to fruition in 1967 with the development of Morse Mountain, completing the trio of interconnected mountains at Smugglers’ Notch. The resort continued to evolve under Stanley Snider’s leadership in the 1970s and later, William P. Stritzler, who took over as Managing Director in 1987 after being a vacation homeowner and falling in love with the resort.
Since acquiring Smugglers’ in 1996, Stritzler has propelled the resort to new heights, focusing on family-oriented improvements and setting a benchmark in the family resort industry. Smugglers’ Notch is not just a resort; it’s a testament to the spirit of adventure and the enduring appeal of the Vermont mountains.
Our Mission
At Smuggs, we are committed to providing an environment where every family feels welcome, valued, and connected. Our mission to deliver unforgettable family experiences is woven into every activity, service, and program we offer, ensuring that your time with us is not just a vacation, but a collection of cherished memories.
Our Mission Statement
Employees with Smugglers’ pride assuring the Smugglers’ experience our guests expect, competitively, profitably, and with corporate integrity.
Quality Goals
Our goals are our approach to business that considers guests, employees, the community, and investors, ensuring that Smugglers’ Notch Resort operates as a socially responsible and financially sound organization.
Improve guest experience
To continually improve the Smugglers’ Notch guest experience in a way that causes our guests to want to come back and recommend us to others.
Improve guest experience
To continually improve our working environment in terms of compensation, career opportunity, fun and corporate integrity that makes our employees want to stay and recruit their friends and families for employment at Smugglers’ Notch.
To be a positive force in our community
To continually be a positive force in our community and considered a business of highest ethics and corporate responsibility by our neighbors, our suppliers, and other competition.
Improve return for investors
To continually improve our return for investors compared to alternatives of similar risk.
We Want You Back
Corporate Pillars
Our goal at Smugglers’ Notch Resort is to continually work to be a positive force in our community and to be considered a business of the highest ethics and corporate responsibility.
The foundation of our mission is our corporate pillars that intricately weave together to create an unparalleled experience for guests and staff. From fostering a family-friendly environment to championing environmental sustainability, each pillar serves as a guide and directs us towards excellence in outdoor recreation, community engagement, and customer satisfaction. Together, these pillars form the bedrock upon which Smugglers’ Notch stands, ensuring that every visit is not just a getaway but a journey filled with cherished memories and meaningful connections.
The Best Resort for Family Fun – Anywhere.
Uncompromising commitment to the principal of “We Want You Back” and serving every guest as a special guest rather than one of many.
Each of us can say: “I am respected and appreciated.” Each of us can say: “I show respect and appreciation” for others.
To provide a visible and measurable contribution to the well-being of our community.
Safety is first, we perform preventive maintenance and followed by investment in the guest experience consistent with remaining a sustainable business.
We will be the best at whatever we decide to pursue. Our wits and wisdom will drive our innovation with foresight. We are the Kingbird. (The little birds that chase the hawk away from their nest by being more agile.)
We will always be a proactive advocate for sustainable environmental practices. We will lead our advocacy by example.
Brand Pillars
Here at Smuggs our goal is to ensure the vacation experience our guests expect, competitively, profitably, and with corporate integrity. Smugglers’ Notch aims to be the best in family-friendly fun, outdoor exploration, and community connection.
At the core of our identity are our brand pillars. These are the guiding principles that shape every aspect of the Smuggs experience. They serve as the foundation which we build unforgettable vacations for families, friends, and adventurers of all ages. We invite you to experience the magic of Smuggs for yourself and discover why generations of guests have made us their home away from home.
(And family–friendly for friendly families.) Families choose Smuggs for a uniquely Vermont fun family experience.
We avoid unnecessary rules and a highly structured environment and we focus on relationship building.
Staff likes working at Smuggs and they share that positive feeling with guests.
Infrastructure is designed and implemented to be of the quality necessary for people to focus on the fun.
Have enlightened sustainability and accessibility (Smugglers’ Notch Adaptive Program, SNAP) practices, and understand family goodness.
Can be independent and do things differently and do different things to create a unique Vermont fun family experience.
