Smugglers' Notch

What Smugglers' Notch does

Smugglers' Notch is a privately held, four-season family resort located in Jeffersonville, Vermont, operating three ski mountains (Madonna, Morse, and Sterling) plus extensive lodging, dining, and family programming infrastructure. Founded in 1954 (with the resort's family-focused identity solidified under the Stritzler family from 1997), the business was acquired in February 2026 by Bear Den Partners and is now part of the Bear Den Mountain Alliance alongside Berkshire East, Burke Mountain, and Catamount.

The product portfolio spans ski and snowboard services (lift tickets, season passes, lessons, rentals, tuning), a range of vacation packages (Mountain Experience, Family Fun Adventure, Disc Golf, AutumnFest), and year-round condominium lodging ranging from studios to five-bedroom units. A distinctive component is the multi-tier vacation ownership program — Full Ownership, EquiShare, FamilyShare, WinterShare, and SeasonShare — providing deeded real estate interests with over 300 year-round owners. Family-oriented amenities include the FunZone 2.0 indoor entertainment center, award-winning children's programs (Summer Fun University, Discovery Dynamos, Trail Blazers, Adventure Rangers, Notch Squad), and the TREASURES Child Care Center catering to children from 6 weeks to 3 years old. Distribution is direct-to-consumer via smuggs.com, phone reservations, a dedicated group sales channel, the Shop Smuggs e-commerce storefront, and pass reciprocity through the Bear Den Alliance.

Revenue is generated across eight material streams: lodging accommodations, ski passes/lift tickets, lessons, equipment rental and retail, vacation home ownership (with recurring fees and rental income-share), dining and amenities, activities and programs, and group sales/events. Pricing follows seasonal and package-based models with 50% deposits at booking, full payment 21 days prior to arrival, Vermont meals/rooms tax (9%) and sales tax (6%) applied, and 0% EZpay installment options. The customer base skews to family vacationers (primary), with secondary segments in group event planners and vacation home buyers. Geographic operations are concentrated in Vermont with US-only e-commerce shipping and no stated international footprint.

Name

Smugglers' Notch

Legal name

Smugglers' Notch Management LTD

Website

https://smuggs.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1954

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Smugglers' Notch is a privately held, four-season family resort in Jeffersonville, Vermont, operating three mountains, vacation ownership programs, lodging, dining, and award-winning children's programming. Acquired in February 2026 by Bear Den Partners as part of the Bear Den Mountain Alliance, it serves family vacationers, group event planners, and vacation home buyers across diversified lodging, ski, and amenity revenue streams.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Ski Resort and Family Hospitality

NAICS

Skiing Facilities (713920), Traveler Accommodation (7211), Recreational Goods Rental (532284)

SIC

Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Ski & Mountain Full-Service Hotels (THAGAAAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Family & Kid-Friendly All-Inclusive Resorts (THAGAKAA), Snow & Mountain Unique Stays (Chalets, Ski Cabins) (THAMADAL), Winter Adventure & Mountain Resorts (Ski, Snowboard, Snow Activities) (THAAAAAK)

Keywords

• Ski resort operations
• Family vacation packages
• Vacation home ownership
• Mountain resort lodging
• Ski and snowboard services

Headquarters

HQ city

Jeffersonville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Lodging Accommodations: Condo and vacation home rentals ranging from studios to five-bedroom units. 50% deposit required at booking; full payment due 21 days prior to arrival. Income-sharing rental program available for vacation home owners.
2. Ski Passes and Lift Tickets: Season passes, day tickets, and Nordic trail passes for alpine and cross-country skiing. Pass reciprocity exists with other Bear Den-owned resorts.
3. Ski and Ride Lessons: Group lessons, private lessons, and multi-week programs for all ages including children's programs, adult lessons, and adaptive programs.
4. Equipment Rental and Retail: Ski and snowboard rentals, tuning and repairs, demo and sales. Shop Smuggs e-commerce for branded apparel, gifts, and merchandise.
5. Vacation Home Ownership: Multiple ownership programs including Full Ownership (year-round deeded condominiums), EquiShare (half-year), FamilyShare (third-year), WinterShare (seasonal), and SeasonShare (alternating seasons). Includes rental income opportunities when not in use.
6. Dining and Amenities: On-resort restaurants, lounges, mountain day lodges, and dining services included in lodging properties.
7. Activities and Programs: Children's programs, summer camps, family activities, evening entertainment, waterparks, and adventure programs.
8. Group Sales and Events: Corporate retreats, family reunions, and group vacation packages across all four seasons.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Smugglers' Notch Resort is a four-season family resort in northern Vermont operating three mountains (Madonna, Morse, Sterling) and selling nightly condominium lodging, ski lift tickets and season passes, ski/ride lessons and equipment rentals, on-site dining, family activities and children's programs, and deeded vacation ownership in fully furnished condominiums. The resort also sells branded merchandise through its Shop Smuggs e-commerce store and books group retreats, reunions, and corporate events across all four seasons.

Product overview

Smugglers' Notch Resort is a four-season family resort in northern Vermont operating three mountains (Madonna, Morse, and Sterling). The product portfolio centers on ski and snowboard services (lift tickets, season passes, lessons, rentals), diverse vacation packages (Mountain Experience, Family Fun Adventure, Disc Golf, AutumnFest), and comprehensive lodging accommodations available for nightly rental. The resort also operates multiple vacation ownership programs (FamilyShare, WinterShare, EquiShare, SeasonShare, Full Ownership) offering deeded weeks or full ownership in condominiums. Family-oriented amenities include FunZone 2.0 indoor entertainment, award-winning children's programs (Summer Fun University), TREASURES Child Care Center, and the Smuggs App for trip planning. The Shop Smuggs e-commerce platform sells branded merchandise, while group vacation services cater to reunions and corporate events. Dining options span resort restaurants, lounges, and the Country Store. The resort operates as part of Bear Den Mountain Alliance following its February 2026 acquisition by Bear Den Partners.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Resort Lodging Year-round condominium accommodations ranging from studios to 5-bedroom units available for nightly rental, located throughout the resort village in northern Vermont.
• Ski and Snowboard Services Comprehensive ski and snowboard offerings including lift tickets, season passes, group and private lessons, equipment rentals, tuning/repairs, demos, and trail maps across three mountains.
• Mountain Experience Package All-inclusive vacation package including lodging, lift tickets, and activities with guaranteed daytime mountain access on all available lifts.
• Family Fun Adventure Package Family-focused vacation package offering combined lodging and activity options for families.
• Disc Golf Play & Stay Vacation package combining lodging with disc golf activities at the Smugglers' Notch Disc Golf Center.
• AutumnFest Package Fall season vacation package showcasing Vermont autumn colors and resort activities.
• Full Ownership Year-round deeded ownership in fully-owned condominiums ranging from studio to 5-bedroom townhomes with property management and rental program.
• EquiShare Ownership Half-year ownership offering 24-25 deeded weeks annually with four to six weeks in each season in 3-bedroom fully furnished condos.
• FamilyShare Ownership Deeded one-third year ownership offering 16 deeded weeks annually (4 weeks each season) in 2- or 3-bedroom fully furnished condos with income-sharing rental program.
• WinterShare Ownership Seasonal ownership with 14 deeded weeks annually including ski-in/ski-out access in 1-, 2-, or 3-bedroom condos, with 7 weeks in winter and 7 weeks during spring and fall.
• SeasonShare Ownership Seasonal ownership offering 12-13 deeded weeks on alternating calendar years (Summer/Fall on even years, Winter/Spring on odd years) in 3-bedroom condos.
• SmuggsPass / Season Passes Season passes and badges providing unlimited access to lifts and mountains, with various tiers including summer passes and daycation options.
• Daycation Tickets Day admission tickets providing access to resort activities, water parks, pools, and various day-use amenities during summer and other seasons.
• FunZone 2.0 Indoor activity center featuring games, bouncy castles, arcade activities, and family entertainment for children and families.
• Summer Children's Programs Award-winning children's programs including Summer Fun University with age-appropriate activities, adventure programs, and educational experiences.
• TREASURES Child Care Center On-site child care facility offering care for children from 6 weeks to 3 years old, addressing staffing needs and providing family support services.
• The Big Smuggle Family adventure race through the resort featuring challenge stations, gold bullion gathering, and outdoor fun activities.
• Resort Dining Multiple dining options including restaurants, lounges, day lodges, and the Country Store offering groceries and essentials.
• Shop Smuggs Online retail store selling Smugglers' Notch branded apparel, accessories, gifts, and merchandise including clothing, hats, drinkware, and souvenirs.
• Group Vacations Organized group vacation planning services for reunions, corporate events, and large parties across all four seasons.
• Smuggs App Mobile application for trip planning, weather conditions, activity schedules, and resort navigation available on iOS and Android.

Quantifiable outcome

• Perennially voted best for affordability and value for ski vacations in Vermont
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Berkshire East Mountain ResortcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2026Part of the Bear Den Mountain Alliance. Berkshire East and Smugglers' Notch share pass reciprocity and will collaborate on backend resources including banking relationships and bulk purchasing for operational efficiency.
• Catamount Mountain ResortminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2026Part of the Bear Den Mountain Alliance acquired in March 2026. Located on the New York/Massachusetts border, it joins the network of independently operated resorts sharing resources.
• Burke Mountain ResortcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2026Both Smugglers' Notch and Burke Mountain are owned by Bear Den Partners and will continue operating independently while sharing backend resources and capital investment capabilities.
• Vermont State Government (Act 76)minorOthers · 1 January 2024Vermont's Act 76 child care legislation, establishing a 0.44% employer payroll tax to fund child care subsidies. Smugglers' Notch management lobbied for the measure and piloted on-site child care benefits. The law helped create over 1,200 new child care slots statewide.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Mount Snow: Vermont ski resort operated by Vail Resorts with strong family-ski positioning, signature events programming, and on-mountain lodging. Comparable to Smugglers' Notch as a southern-Vermont four-season family ski competitor.
• Bretton Woods Mountain Resort: New Hampshire full-service ski and four-season resort with extensive lodging, ski school, and on-property amenities. Comparable to Smugglers' Notch as an Eastern family destination resort combining lodging, ski, and summer activities at scale.
• Sugarbush Resort: Vermont ski resort with two mountains, full-service lodging, and growing four-season positioning. Comparable to Smugglers' Notch as a multi-mountain Vermont family ski competitor with comparable lodging infrastructure.
• Stowe Mountain Resort: Full-service Vermont ski and four-season mountain resort operated by Vail Resorts. Directly comparable to Smugglers' Notch in geography, family appeal, lodging infrastructure, and ski terrain breadth, and is the most-cited head-to-head competitor for Vermont family ski vacations.
• Waterville Valley Resort: New Hampshire family ski resort with on-mountain lodging village, ski school, and Town Square entertainment. Comparable to Smugglers' Notch as a smaller-scale New England family ski resort with similar village-based lodging and family programming model.
• Stratton Mountain Resort: Southern Vermont ski and four-season resort with on-mountain village lodging, ski school, and family programming. Highly comparable to Smugglers' Notch in family-segment focus, lodging village model, and southern/northern Vermont competitive set.
• Okemo Mountain Resort: Vermont family-oriented ski resort operated by Vail Resorts with comparable lodging village, ski school, and four-season amenities. Closely comparable to Smugglers' Notch in target customer (families seeking full-service resort experience) and product mix.
• Killington Resort: Largest ski resort in eastern North America, also operating as a four-season destination with extensive lodging, ski school, and events programming in Vermont. Comparable to Smugglers' Notch on full-service family resort positioning, though with materially larger scale and terrain.
• Jay Peak Resort: Vermont ski resort with on-mountain lodging, indoor water park, and family-focused amenities. Comparable to Smugglers' Notch in indoor water park and family entertainment amenity mix, and a direct competitor for Vermont family ski vacations.
• Sunday River: Maine family ski resort operated by Boyne Resorts with eight interconnected mountain peaks and full-service lodging. Comparable to Smugglers' Notch as a New England family ski destination with comparable lesson programs and lodging base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/smuggs
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/SmuggsTV
• Facebookfacebook.com/SmugglersNotch
• Instagraminstagram.com/smugglersnotchvt
• Pinterestpinterest.com/smugglersnotchvt

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Smugglers' Notch