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Mountainside Resort at Stowe or Smuggler's Notch?

flowergurl

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Hello everyone,

I posed one question last week about resorts in Vermont and it appeared many were very pleased with Smuggler's Notch.

As a quick review, I am booking a week for my niece and family. There will be four adults and three children; 7 years, 5 years, and a baby.

She has narrowed down her choices (based on availability for June-July, 2015) to two resorts...Smuggler's Notch and Mountainside at Stowe, both in Vermont.

Has anyone stayed at Mountainside Resort at Stowe? If you have, can you give me your thoughts on it?

What would be your choice between these two resorts for this time period and the kids' ages?

Thanks! We hope to wrap up this decision this weekend and REALLY appreciate your input since none of us have ever been to Vermont!

Diane
 

eduam99

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I own at Mountainside. It is a nice, cosy little resort and we've had great stays there with our 2 kids. The units are smaller 2 bedrooms without lots of extra space. I think Smuggs would probably be more appealing given their various activities and amenities, it really does market itself as a family resort. Mountainside is a little more 'bare bones'. Either way, Vermont is absolutely beautiful and Stowe is a great place. Enjoy!
 

winnipiseogee

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I'm of the opinion that the grown ups are only happy if the little rugrats are happy. That being the case I'd say Smuggs hands down.

We have friends who stay at mountainside and they like it. They don't have kids though and for them its all about the skiing. Stowe is much better skiing than Smuggs (not that you care in July) but the only reason you'd choose Mountainside over Smuggs is because you want easy access to Stowe.

Book Smuggs - The kids will love it which means everyone else will be able to enjoy themselves!
 

tschwa2

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Smuggs Pass is going to be an additional $342 plus tax for the week. It is such a tough call without the pass you basically just get the use of one pool. A la carte if everyone went to one of the waterpark areas for one day the cost would be $190.

I don't believe we did what I would consider $350 worth of usw from the pass but overall I would say that with the pass paying an extra $350 with the exchange cost was probably worth it at the resort. The children I had were 17, 11 and 6 plus we had 3 adults.
 

Lou

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My husband and I stayed at Mountainside (no kids) and really enjoyed it. As far as location, if you want to go anywhere in and around Stowe it would be a better choice. Easier access to restaurants, the Stowe recreation path, Ben and Jerry's, Gondola sky ride, Burlington and Lake Champlain, etc. We took a drive up to Smuggs and I don't think I'd like to make that drive all week. However, if you are mostly staying at the resort and not venturing out a lot, then Smuggs would probably be the best choice.
 

flowergurl

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Travel time from Smuggler's Notch to Stowe?

Thank you, everyone, for the great thoughts from experience on things to consider for either resort.

How long does it take to go from Smuggler's Notch into the town of Stowe in the summer by car?

Thanks and please join in if you have additional thoughts to add, I appreciate the help.

Diane
 

silentg

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I would stay at Smuggs over Mountainside, I heard there are many stairs at Mountainside, are there lots of stairs at Smuggs?
 

elaine

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Stowe is about a hour drive. We stayed at Smuggs--loved it! Went when kids were 8-13. We drove to Ben/Jerrys for tour 1 day, Stowe/Von Trapp lodge 1 day, Montreal 1 day, hiked 1 day. Lots of things to do if they don't buy the Smuggs pass. We played frisby golf for $5, hiked (free), went "creeking" (free), did the llama hike (paid, kids were 1/2 price), bike riding (small fee), etc. The "free" pool was fine. Some Smuggs events are free without the pass--evening sing-a long with camp fire, Market Day evening fair at Smuggs, etc. They could also do a day or two of Smuggs camps for the kids (fee was $100 +/- per kid). My kids (now 13-18) still think Smuggs was one of their most fun vacations. Elaine
 

winnipiseogee

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If you book the reservation with your Wyndham points the Smuggs pass is free (or at least I've always been given my smuggs pass for free). I'm also told that Smuggs passes are free with RCI points except during July/August. I know when I've stayed in June and Sept using RCI points they've just given me the passes.

The "FunZone" i.e. bounce house compound is always a big hit with our under 6 set.
 

WinniWoman

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Thank you, everyone, for the great thoughts from experience on things to consider for either resort.

How long does it take to go from Smuggler's Notch into the town of Stowe in the summer by car?

Thanks and please join in if you have additional thoughts to add, I appreciate the help.

Diane

Stowe IS NOT an hour drive from Smugglers Notch as someone else mentioned. 1/2 hour is more like it. Plus- you get to drive through the Notch- an experience in itself. We drive to Stowe several times during the week we are at Smuggs. No big deal. You can also drive to Burlington if you care to- it's an hour drive. But during the summer months there is no reason to even leave the resort-plenty to do.
 
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tschwa2

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If you book the reservation with your Wyndham points the Smuggs pass is free (or at least I've always been given my smuggs pass for free). I'm also told that Smuggs passes are free with RCI points except during July/August. I know when I've stayed in June and Sept using RCI points they've just given me the passes.

The "FunZone" i.e. bounce house compound is always a big hit with our under 6 set.

If a Wyndham member books with Wyndham points and is checking into the room the Smuggs pass is free. If the Wyndham member who booked the stay is not there, no free pass. If you book through RCI when the Summer or Winter programs are not going on, then you do not pay for the pass. There is a charge for the pass while the ski slopes are open and when the water parks are open.

The anticipated dates of our Summer programs and activities are June 5 - September 7, 2015
I wouldn't be surprised if stays up until mid June do not require a pass. I would count on stays booked through RCI mid June through Labor day to be charged for the pass.
 

SMHarman

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Stowe IS NOT an hour drive from Smugglers Notch as someone else mentioned. 1/2 hour is more like it. Plus- you get to drive through the Notch- an experience in itself. We drive to Stowe several times during the week we are at Smuggs. No big deal. You can also drive to Burlington if you care to- it's an hour drive. But during the summer months there is no reason to even leave the resort-plenty to do.
It is an hour from October to May when the notches is closed and you swing a 108/100 loop round the top.

But I see now this is a summer question
 
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WinniWoman

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It is an hour from October to May when the notches is closed and you swing a 108/100 loop round the top.

But I see now this is a summer question

Correct. Off-season you have to drive either through Morrisvile or Underhill because the Notch is closed starting from around mid- October. Then- it takes an hour.
 

flowergurl

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Thank You!

Thank you for all of the great replies and input on which resort to choose. The decision has been made....Smuggs it is! The thoughts everyone shared helped immensely in making the final decision. Thank you, and I'm sure my niece and family will have a wonderful time!
 

WinniWoman

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Thank you for all of the great replies and input on which resort to choose. The decision has been made....Smuggs it is! The thoughts everyone shared helped immensely in making the final decision. Thank you, and I'm sure my niece and family will have a wonderful time!

Enjoy! Any other questions- give a holler! Owned there since 1999 and even visited twice before then, so know a lot about the resort and the area.
 

Luvstotravel

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I've stayed at both! With kids, I'd recommend Smuggler's Notch. Mountainside is nice too, but there's not much for kids to do there. We adults enjoyed the village of Stowe, shopping, visiting breweries, etc.

At Smuggs, you're more isolated. You can still visit Stowe easily in the summertime, and it's fun driving through the Notch and maybe taking a hike on your way to Stowe.
 
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