Interview with Director of Smugglers’ Notch Resort Snow Sport University

Family Vacation Resort: Smugglers’ Notch

Apple Moms is going to be checking out Smugglers’ Notch Resort’s Snow Sport University in December.  While gearing up for our trip we had the chance to ask Harley Johnson, director of Smugglers’ Notch Resort’s Snow Sport University a few questions.  Many families start their kids young on the slopes, here are some of her helpful tips and advice.

Smugglers is a destination resort in northern Vermont, located less than an hour northeast of Burlington. Three interconnected peaks – Morse, Madonna and Sterling – offer 78 trails and 1000 acres of all terrain access for all abilities of skiers and snowboarders. Known for its award-winning children’s programs and plentiful family activities from airboard sledding to a zip line canopy tour, Smugglers’ recently was voted #1 Kid Friendly Resort in the Eastern U.S. and Canada by readers of Ski Magazine. Comfortable condominium lodging, ski and snowboard instructional sessions for all ages, a cheery slopeside nursery for kids as young as 6 weeks, and a resort village with daytime and evening activities, shopping and varied dining choices support diverse family vacation needs.

New for winter 2015-2016: an on-snow ski and snowboarding learning playground for kids ages 3-6, daytime tubing, and additional family activities such as snow art and puppet making. Vacation packages start at $129 per adult and $99 per youth (ages 3-17) per night, and include daily lift tickets, use of the indoor pool, hot tubs and indoor FunZone family game center, daytime and evening snow tubing, use of the ice skating area and snowshoe and cross country ski trails, and daily family activities and entertainment. Smugglers’ guarantees that each member of the family will have fun, learn to ski or snowboard or improve their technique, or the entire program portion of their vacation package will be refunded.  –Smugglers’ Notch 

Who is bringing their kids to Riglet Park?

With family participation in our snowboarding programs we see two things: parents who snowboard really want their kids to learn how to snowboard to share the sport they love, and kids who are choosing snowboarding are also trying to convince their parents to snowboard, too. With adults, their interest is piqued as they see some of the teaching methodology used in the Riglet Park with sculpted terrain become available to them.

Young children really enjoy learning to snowboard in the Riglet Park at Smugglers’ because the focus in on playing and having fun. Because of that focus on fun, kids don’t realize they are learning the basic skills they need to snowboard. There used to be a feeling that young children had to learn how to ski first, and then learn how to snowboard. With great learning areas like our Riglet Park, that just isn’t the case. In fact, we introduce kids as young as 2 ½ to snowboarding by using the Riglet boards indoors in our nursery.

Vacation time is family time, so at Smuggs we offer families a fun opportunity to all learn to ride together in our Night School for Snowboarding that is a 2.5 hour session for ages 6 and older at our beginner learning area. Night School begins with an hour and a half lesson and continues for the final hour with practice supported by the coaches, all in a laid back and family friendly atmosphere.

Advice for getting ready prior the beginning of season:

I think it is really helpful to have your kids’ equipment before the season starts. Particularly with young kids, that gives them time to get accustomed to it. Having that level of comfort is really important, so, whether you are leasing or buying, get the equipment well before your kids head out on snow. Even if you are on vacation and renting equipment, try to get the equipment the day before your kids start ski school. Have your kids put the boots on and walk around in them. Snowboard boots are certainly comfortable yet they do have a different feel from other boots that kids may be accustomed to. Once kids have their boots on, you could help them get into their bindings and practice standing and balancing on their snowboard or skis. They can also try to get into and out of their bindings by themselves. Manufacturers like Burton Snowboards make children’s bindings with this ease of use in mind. Introducing them to the equipment allows them to become comfortable with it and builds their confidence for the on snow experience.

Another idea for a “to do” prior to the season – read books about winter or winter sports, which will help get excitement going for the ski and ride experience. Also, make sure you have the right gear. I recommend mittens, not gloves – mittens are better at  keeping fingers warm and for ease of use by your child. Make sure the mittens are waterproof; actually, that advice applies to all their winter wear.

Absolute musts when starting off?

This builds on my answer to the previous question – an absolute must when your kids are introduced to skiing or snowboarding is to dress them appropriately for the experience and the weather. If they are not comfortable, they will not have fun. Ensure a good experience with appropriate clothing, like bib pants that won’t gap and expose skin, and layers that can be adjusted if temperatures require it. If it’s your child’s first time on skis or a snowboard, talk through the experience and tell them what to expect and what they will get to do. Earlier I suggested reading books about winter sports. Those stories can be a good starting point for a chat about what to expect from ski school.

Benefits of starting snowboarding first versus skiing?

In terms of starting snowboarding first or skiing, I think it’s important to listen to your child and what they want to do. If you tell them to learn to ski first when what they really want to do is snowboard, they may not be happy and enjoy their first lesson. Whichever sport they choose, it will be a great confidence builder for them to follow through and develop skills in a sport they love.

Instruction – parents or ski school, which is better?

With my own kids I skied with them at an early age and just kept it fun and short. When it was time for them to learn in a more structured way I signed them up for ski school. My kids have learned in the Snow Sport University programs at Smugglers’. Although I am a certified ski and snowboard instructor, I find that my children were more successful with someone else teaching them. Kids will act differently with their parents than with an instructor. Plus, the ski school experience allows them to play and learn with their peers. However, everyone learns differently and families should look for the learning opportunities that they feel work best for them. For instance, at Smugglers’, some parents like to introduce their kids to a snow sport in our Mom and Me/Dad and Me class. In this class, an instructor and parent work together: the instructor shares their teaching expertise and tips with the parent, who must be of intermediate ski or snowboard level or better, and this partnership supports a great learning experience for the child (ages 3-5).

Play is the key to success. Kids like to be moving and playing all the time. You cannot spend long periods of time explaining technique to them. They need to experience skill development through play and fun. That is why at Smugglers’ we are expanding our learning area this winter, adding a two-acre snow playground with sculpted snow features and fun obstacles like our resort mascot cutouts, hoops and a snowball wall to combine learning with plenty of fun. Sharing fun helps our young guests feel comfortable in their new surroundings and meet new friends, and that’s important for a successful experience.

Stay tuned for more on Smugglers’ Notch Resort Snow Sport University. Check out and follow them on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram too.