Community
Community giving and corporate responsibility!
Community Commitment
At Smugglers’ Notch Resort, being a pillar of our community is at the heart of what we do. We hold ourselves to the highest standards of ethics, ensuring that our neighbors, guests, vendors, and partners see us as a reliable and positive force. We take great pride in supporting various Vermont non-profits, contributing through donations, employee participation, and more. It’s not just what we do—it’s who we are.
Supporting Community Initiatives
Through Donations
At Smugglers’ Notch Resort, we are committed to supporting community causes that positively impact Vermont residents. One of the main ways we show our support is by contributing to the fundraising efforts of Vermont-based non-profits. Each year, we proudly donate approximately 200 Bash Badge ski and ride passes to assist these organizations in their raffle fundraising activities.
If your Vermont non-profit is organizing a fundraiser and you believe a donation from Smugglers’ Notch could help, we would love to hear from you.
Please send Ann Messier a letter detailing your fundraiser. Include information about your organization, contact details, and the date of the event. This will allow us to understand how we can best support your efforts.
Ann Messier
Smugglers’ Notch, Administration
4323 Vermont Route 108 South
Jeffersonville, VT 05464
Our Special Partnerships
Community Engagement and Environmental Stewardship at Smugglers’ Notch Resort
At Smugglers’ Notch Resort, we value strong community and environmental partnerships. Since 1989, we’ve helped nearly 50 children and their families through our work with the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Additionally, since 2008, our Winter Wellness Days have introduced youth to winter sports, enriching their lives and skills. We also partner with the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation, enhancing recreational opportunities in the Mount Mansfield State Forest.
Some of our Community Partnerships
Since 1989, Smugglers’ Notch Resort has proudly supported the Vermont chapter of Make-A-Wish, helping fulfill the dreams of children who wish to experience the snow or the summer beauty of Vermont. Over the decades, nearly 50 children and their families from states like Florida, Tennessee, and New York have enjoyed transformative visits to our Resort. Whether they come to play in the snow or enjoy summertime activities, each family receives the full Smugglers’ vacation experience. This includes condo lodging, activity access, and during winter, ski and snowboard rentals, lift tickets, and instruction. Summer favorites include children’s programs, family games, and our pools and waterslides.
Our commitment extends beyond typical Resort offerings. Resort vendors and staff personalize each visit with special contributions like sleigh rides, zip line tours, and Vermont-themed gifts like handmade toys and holiday ornaments. Some Wish children have participated in cherished Resort traditions, such as the Christmas Eve candle-lighting ceremony.
Bill Stritzler, the owner of Smugglers’ Notch, reflects on the partnership: “It has been very gratifying for us at Smugglers’ to work with the folks at Make-A-Wish of Vermont over the years to support the visits of young wish recipients and their families. Their goal on vacation is the same one held by all our guests: to relax, have fun, and enjoy time together. We consider ourselves privileged to provide the setting for their special moments.”
Initiated in 2008 by the Cambridge Area Rotary, Winter Wellness Days aims to enrich our local community by introducing youth to winter sports. This program, in collaboration with Height of Land Publications, Smugglers’ Notch Resort, and Cambridge Elementary School, offers students in 4th to 6th grades the chance to ski, snowboard, cross-country ski, or snowshoe over three special days each winter.
Thanks to generous support from the Rotary and Height of Land, along with discounted rates from Smugglers’ Notch, the program is accessible to all students, including those trying these sports for the first time. On their adventure days, students receive two hours of lessons, choosing and switching between activities as they like. Specialized support through the Smuggs Special Needs Adaptive Program (SNAP) ensures every student participates fully, building skills and confidence that extend beyond the slopes.
We are proud to partner with the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation, enhancing recreational opportunities within the Mount Mansfield State Forest. The vast majority of our ski and snowboard areas are nestled in this state forest, and our lease payments support the operation of Vermont’s beloved State Parks. These parks are treasured by both residents and visitors. For more information on the Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation, please visit here.
The Resort donates gently used appliances and furniture to Jenna’s Promise.
Smugglers’ provides a shuttle service to support local events, like the 4th of July festivities in Jeffersonville.
If we can organize a drive or run a race for a cause, we do! Resort staff have teams to support the Lamoille Area Cancer Network and set up food drives for the Cambridge Food Shelf. We also donate Thanksgiving turkeys to the food shelves in the Lamoille County area.