We’re excited to welcome back one of our favorite Canadian road-tripping moms, Julie Harrison of Coffee with Julie. Adventuring north to Saguenay, Quebec on a Winter Wonderland trip last season, The Harrison’s recently dipped down into the states for a ski weekend in Vermont.
Mother-Daughter Moment on the Chairlift
After our first day at Smuggler’s Notch resort, my nine-year-old daughter proclaimed that she didn’t want to leave and that this was even better than going to Disneyland. Not a bad endorsement, right?
Better yet was that we, as parents, agreed. We’d road-tripped our way from Ottawa, Ontario in Canada across the border to Smuggler’s Notch in the snowy state of Vermont. From the minute we arrived, and noted the children’s table with coloring books and crayons stationed right in the registration desk area, we knew we had entered a world carved out for families.
Like a ticket into Disneyworld, once you enter the Smuggler’s resort, all the rides and entertainment are included. These kinds of extras —from “Pirate Parties” at breakfast, to indoor and outdoor swimming, to the Family FunZone—all add to the excitement for the kids and the relaxation for the parents.
Below are three of the highlights you can expect from this “Winter Disneyland”:
All-Day Discovery Camp
What better way to induce a love of skiing than a friendly introduction with peers, games, and professional lessons? For 3-5 year-olds, the Discovery Camp provides indoor and outdoor fun and includes snacks and lunch. (This camp is included in the cost of a “Classic” or “Summit” package.) We opted to pick our children up early each day, but the camp runs all day from 9am to 4pm.
Adult Time
One-on-One time with Your Special Someone
Because of the “duo” nature of the chair lifts, I found that skiing really encouraged some great one-on-one time within the family. While you’re gazing around at the breath-taking scenery, you can share the experience together. Thanks to the Discovery Camp, here I am getting “adult time” with my husband. In the first photo above, my daughter and I took a “self-portrait” on the chairlift.
The FunZone Family Entertainment Center
If the fresh crisp winter air wasn’t enough to tire your kids out, then I guarantee that a trip to the FunZone after dinner each evening will! Tired children who fall right to sleep mean that the adults get some “down time” every night as well. For more details, you can check out our family’s trip itineraries (Day 1 and Day 2) as well as visit the Smuggler’s Notch website.
Photo credit: Smuggler’s Notch Resort
