Background For a short window this October, Ikon Pass holders will be able to offer their friends and family special discounted tickets, as per the pass issuer. From October 9-30, 2025, passholders can share discounted lift tickets of up to 50% off window […]
MountainThe new HEAD Kaliber boot is the epitome of personalised precision. Designed to maximise the potential of BOA® closure technology, it delivers both comfort and control. Available in multiple flex options (130, 110, and 105W), the Kaliber balances performance with accessibility in a sleek, modern […]
Ski BootYesterday, Caleb (our social media manager) and I went for a local drive to take in the nearly peak colors in our quaint little valley. We took off from Smuggs and drove up Dejardins Road, a small dirt road that parallels Route 108 South, heading […]
ViewsWe set out to build the perfect blend of camaraderie and adventure. There are a lot of skiing and hiking trips out there. Some are packaged tours with cookie-cutter itineraries. Others leave you on your own to figure out the logistics. PeakHouse exists […]
Mountain
We set out to build the perfect blend of camaraderie and adventure.
There are a lot of skiing and hiking trips out there. Some are packaged tours with cookie-cutter itineraries. Others leave you on your own to figure out the logistics.
PeakHouse exists to solve a different problem: how do you give people unforgettable, seamless group travel experiences they couldn’t pull off on their own? Without any compromises for the sake of commercialization?
Here’s what sets PeakHouse apart.
Our trips are designed for you to explore everything a region has to offer, with some trips covering as many as seven different destinations in a single week.
PeakHouse trips are built to help you get the most out of every destination. The schedules are intentionally fast-paced so you can ski more terrain, explore more areas, and experience the highlights that most people wouldn’t even know to look for.
Our team has been reviewing ski resorts for over six years and planning trips like this for college ski clubs and corporations for well over a decade. We know which lifts to hit first, where the snow holds up best, and how to avoid losing half the day to logistics. That knowledge shows up in every decision we make.
We’ve now had over 125 clients, with dozens of returners each year.
PeakHouse isn’t theory, it’s proven. Hundreds of travelers have already joined our ski and hiking trips, and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. In fact, more than 25% of first-time guests have come back for return trips the following year. You can see several of our testimonials here.
Why? Because the trips deliver: high-quality experiences, real camaraderie, and a community that extends well beyond a single week in the mountains. There’s something to be said about bonding with others when you’re pushing each other to the limit. Most people leave PeakHouse trips not just better for where they’ve gone—but also for the people they’ve met and the ”mems” created together.
You don’t have to travel halfway around the world (or even get on a plane) for camaraderie like this!
We know everyone travels differently, so we plan PeakHouse trips at several levels:
Regional weekend trips for quick, affordable getaways (i.e. skiing in Vermont or Washington State; hiking in New Hampshire)
Destination week trips at some of North America’s most coveted locations (i.e. skiing in Whistler or Utah; hiking in Banff or Jackson Hole)
International or exotic adventures for bucket-list experiences (i.e. hike-to/heli skiing in Southern Colorado; skiing in Austria, Japan, or Chile; hiking in Hawaii or Switzerland)
No matter your budget, there’s a way to join the community. And because we negotiate group rates on lodging, transportation, and activities, you often get more value than if you tried booking everything solo.
Our trips have kitchens full of snacks and sandwich materials, with select homecooked breakfasts and dinners depending on the itinerary.
PeakHouse trips are designed to feel like a communal adventure with other like-minded travelers. But behind the scenes, we handle all the messy, time-consuming logistics that usually make group trips stressful.
We take care of:
Coordinating carpools and rental cars
Assigning rooms so everyone’s comfortable
Buying a boatload of groceries so meals are always ready
Planning seamless transitions between mountains, trails, and après spots
And unlike some group travel programs, we don’t cut corners with things that would make our lives easier but create a more corporate vibe.
You won’t be:
Crammed onto commercial buses.
Served pre-packaged, inauthentic meals.
Denied the opportunity to take spontaneous detours from the official itinerary.
Forced to do every itinerary item on the trip (they are all by invitation rather than mandatory).
We make the harder choices because they make for a more authentic, close-knit experience.
This is also a huge reason why our groups bond so quickly. Combined with our fast-paced itineraries, where you’re constantly skiing, hiking, eating, and relaxing together in different settings, you naturally get to know people in ways that just don’t happen on typical “turnkey” group trips.
All smiles when you’re carpooling up to the mountain with the gang!
For over six years, we’ve been reviewing ski resorts and outdoor destinations across North America and beyond, and we’ve now been to over 150 ski resorts and hiking destinations around the world. That means we’ve seen it all: weather issues, last-minute lift closures, lost baggage, transit delays—you name it.
We design every PeakHouse itinerary with that knowledge baked in, so we can anticipate potential hiccups and have backup plans ready. You benefit from years of experience without having to worry about the details yourself.
Be your own hero and sign up for a PeakHouse trip.
PeakHouse is the skiing or hiking trip you’ve always dreamed of going on. But now it’s actually a reality without the anxieties of the logistics that come with planning something like this on your own, the commercialization brought by more established players, or the lack of community that comes from traveling somewhere far away solo.
If you want to optimize your time on the trails, meet chill people, and explore world-class destinations without the headaches, it’s probably safe to say you’ve come to the right place.
Ready to jump in? 👇
The glade-dense and snowy Mont Sutton headlines a diverse set of additions to the Indy Pass. On Thursday, the Indy Pass announced a suite of access changes for the upcoming season, as well as a reopening of pass sales over the next few […]
Mountain
The glade-dense and snowy Mont Sutton headlines a diverse set of additions to the Indy Pass.
On Thursday, the Indy Pass announced a suite of access changes for the upcoming season, as well as a reopening of pass sales over the next few days.
In total, 43 new resorts have been added to the Indy Pass, though that number has quite a few asterisks, as some resorts included are for nordic skiing, and some are actually multiple resorts. By our count, 38 downhill resorts have been added this year, with two of those providing access to multiple areas (though you still only have two days at those as a whole).
Mont Sutton and Owl’s Head have been added to the pass, and Burke has been upgraded from an allied partner to a full partner, further cementing its place as one of the most extensive pass products in Northern New England.
The Indy Pass is adding resorts of all sizes across the world, from the 170 ft vertical of Hyland Hills in Minnesota, to the over 500 km of trails and 150 ski lifts of Portes du Soleil on the French-Swiss border.
The complete list of downhill ski areas added to the pass is:
Burke Mountain Resort – Vermont
Buffalo Ski Club – New York
Cuchara Mountain Resort – Colorado
Dry Hill Ski Area – New York
Hilltop Ski Area – Alaska
Hyland Hills Ski Area – Minnesota
Little Ski Hill – Idaho
McIntyre Ski Area – New Hampshire
Mt. Eyak – Alaska
Mt. LaCrosse – Wisconsin
Sunburst Ski and Snowboard – Wisconsin
Tenney Mountain – New Hampshire
Centre Vorlage – Quebec
Hockley Valley Resort – Ontario
Marble Mountain – Newfoundland
Mont Sutton- Quebec
Mont Edouard – Quebec
Owl’s Head – Quebec
Ski Mont Habitant- Quebec
Smokey Mountain – Labrador
Ski Valle Bleue – Quebec
Val D’Irene – Quebec
Glenshee Ski Centre – Scotland
Hochzeiger Pitztal – Austria
Krvavec Ski Resort – Slovenia
Leukerbad Torrent Ski Resort – Switzerland
Norefjell Ski and Spa – Norway
OK Bergbahnen – Germany (7 mountains
Palandoken Ski Resort – Turkey
Pila – Italy
Pitztaler Gletscherbahn – Austria
Portes du Soleil – France and Switzerland (12 mountains)
Rauriser-Hochalmbahnen – Austria
Riksgränsen and Björkliden – Sweden (2 mountains)
Steinplatte Tyrol – Austria
Corralco – Chile
Canmore Ski Village – Japan
Kurohime Kogen – Japan
In addition, those who have not bought an Indy Pass yet will have their chance to do so now. A limited number of passes are on sale, but they will likely sell out quickly.
The Indy Pass is a budget alternative to the better-known Epic and Ikon season pass products. Unlike its more expensive counterparts, Indy only offers two days at each full partner resort. However, the list of partners is lengthy, with at least 170 independent downhill ski resorts across the East Coast, Midwest, Rockies, West Coast, Japan, and Europe. Indy also features a handful of “Allied” ski resorts; access to these mountains is not fully included on its passes, but is significantly discounted.
The full press release can be found here: https://www.indyskipass.com/this-is-indy/news/2526-indy-passes-back-on-sale-after-adding-43-new-resorts-across-10-states-and-14-countries
Additions to the Indy Pass range from the tiny Hyland Hills to the absolutely gargantuan Portes du Soleil.
While the Indy Pass only allows for two days at each partner, its density of resorts in the east has made it a strong competitor to the Epic and Ikon passes. While the resorts aren’t generally up to par with top-tier resorts like Killington, Tremblant, or Stowe, heavy hitters such as Jay Peak, Cannon, Saddleback, Waterville Valley, Bolton Valley, and Magic Mountain have made it a desirable buy for those looking to chase storms across New England.
The new additions this year are not the strongest overall in the Northeast, but each have some upsides. Mont Sutton adds another snowy area akin to Jay Peak just across the border, and nearby Owl’s Head has incredible lake views as well as modern lifts. Both of these are on the smaller size and have some dated infrastructure however, so those looking for the best mountain experience within driving distance of Boston may want to look elsewhere. Other local resorts such as Tenney and McIntyre in New Hampshire and Dry Hill and Buffalo Ski Club in New York make the Indy Pass a strong competitor for those who love to Ski the East but don’t mind smaller and less-built-up mountains.
In contrast to the Eastern additions, there isn’t much to say for the other North American resorts added. The Midwestern additions are all quite small, though they do provide easy day trips for those in the Twin Cities or Wisconsin. The Western additions are similar, either being incredibly small or incredibly remote, or both.
Perhaps the most compelling addition to the Indy Pass is actually found across the pond. Portes du Soleil is the second largest ski domain in the world (after Les Trois Vallees), and the largest on a US-based megapass. Indy also added a few other heavy hitters in Europe, including Italy’s Pila, Norway’s Norefjell, Sweden’s Riksgränsen, Switzerland’s Leukerbad, and Austria’s Pitztal Gletscher.
For more information on the Indy Pass, check out our breakdown of Indy vs. Epic, Ikon, and Mountain Collective in video form below.
Holiday Weekend Insights Saturday –Check out the S.T.E.M activities under the Adventure Tent. There are two chances to play with the Water Rockets and take the challenge of the Space Landing. Water Rockets blast off at 9:00 am and again at 10:30 am. The Space […]
ViewsHoliday Weekend Insights
Saturday –
Check out the S.T.E.M activities under the Adventure Tent. There are two chances to play with the Water Rockets and take the challenge of the Space Landing. Water Rockets blast off at 9:00 am and again at 10:30 am. The Space Landings will occur at 1:00 pm and also at 2:30 pm.
In the evening, head to the lower level of the Meeting House for family games starting at 4:00 pm, and then when they finish up, throw on the bathing suit and shoot over to Courtside Pool for games and then a movie which starts at 8:00 pm. All of our retail shops and on-site restaurants are open on Saturday, too, so let those cravings guide you to the flavors you desire.
Sunday –
Going on a Llama Trek could be one of the most unique opportunities at Smuggs. Go for a hike and picnic with the llamas carrying all your supplies. While you can’t ride the animals, you will be provided beverages and Ben & Jerry’s which certainly sweetens the deal. The pack heads out at 10:30 am, so pre-register online or with one of our helpful staff members in Guest Services.
As the sun starts to get a bit lower on the horizon, make your way out to the Village Green for the Smuggsational Family Social and Acoustic Music, which starts at 6:30 pm.
Monday –
Monday is the last day of summer programming at Smuggs. It’s the last day to get up and Stretch & Go with our hiking guides. They depart from the Gazebo at 8:00 am and at 10:00 am. This is a very rewarding way to start a day of not being at work. We are also offering a Yoga Hike that leaves from The Gazebo at 9:15, naturally, there will be a tree pose in the woods.
Close out of summer programming Monday evening at Mountainside Pool with our always popular Splash Party, followed by the Lagoon Pirate Party; meanwhile, a grill will be provided for you to fire up your own poolside dinner. Hot dogs and waterslides, sounds like every kids dream come true.
Starting Tuesday, 9/2/25, our hours for facilities, dining, and daily activities will change from normal summer operations. Please refer to our webpage for the most up-to-date information. Thanks for a great summer season!
Winter will be here fasterrr than you think…
Don’t forget to buy your pass by Labor Day to get the best price!
Text Smuggs to 855-421-2279 for real-time alerts about weather updates, schedule changes, and more!
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Conditions & Atmosphere Weather: Mostly Sunny, with a high near 67. West wind 6 to 8 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Vibes: We have entered our last week of full summer programming here at Smuggs. The calendar says end of August, but when I […]
ViewsConditions & Atmosphere
Today’s Highlight
Stretch & Go 8:00 am, and 10:00 am. Ages 15 & older. Gazebo on the Village Green.
Sterling Pong Hike 9:00 am. Ages 13 & older. Gazebo on the Village Green.
Smuggs I-Did-A-Cart 10:30 am, and 1:00 pm. All ages. Adventure Tent.
Smuggs Backyard Bash and BBQ 5:00 pm. All ages. Village Green.
Marko’s Adult Magic Show 9:00 pm. Ages 21 & older. Bootleggers’ Lounge.
Looking Ahead
Text Smuggs to 855-421-2279 for real-time alerts about weather updates, schedule changes, and more!
The post Impressive Prominence appeared first on Smugglers’ Notch Resort Vermont.
Conditions & Atmosphere Weather: Sunny, with a high near 78. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph in the afternoon. Vibes: Walk me out in the morning dew today, and if your feet get a little wet, it doesn’t matter anyway. It’s a sweatshirt morning that’s going […]
ViewsConditions & Atmosphere
Today’s Highlight
Water Wars Family Challenge 12:00 noon – 4:00 pm. All ages. Lower Village Green.
Tie-Dye Smuggs Style 10:30 am, 1:00 pm, 2:30 pm. All ages. Adventure Tent.
Looking Ahead
38 Special and Loverboy Headlining Tonight!!!
https://champlainvalleyfair.org/
Come watch the world’s best disc golfers take on our top 5 nationally ranked courses. After taking a day of watching professional athletes performing at the highest level, stick around for the evening entertainment headlined Friday by Kat Wright and Saturday is Rubblebucket!
Get more info and reserve your tickets here:
https://www.smuggs.com/event/discrafts-green-mountain-championship-2/
https://www.smuggs.com/event/fallfest/2025-09-19/
Text Smuggs to 855-421-2279 for real-time alerts about weather updates, schedule changes, and more!
The post Turn Me Loose appeared first on Smugglers’ Notch Resort Vermont.
Conditions & Atmosphere Weather: Mostly Cloudy, with a high near 72. Light southwest wind. Vibes: After back-to-back fall-like mornings, instinctually is hard not to think ahead towards fall and winter and being prepared for those seasonal changes. In the same breath, it’s tough to let go of […]
ViewsConditions & Atmosphere
Today’s Highlights
Mountain Bike Skills Clinic – First Timers 10:00 am – 11:00 am. Ages 7 & older. Mountain Bike Shop.
Summer E-Bike Adventure Tour 11:00 am – 3:00 pm. Ages 12 & older. Off-site. Lamoille Valley Bike Tours.
Pickleball Round Robin – Beginner 11:30 am – 12:30 pm. Ages 16 & older. Tennis Center.
Pickleball Round Robin – Intermediate 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm. Ages 16 & older. Tennis Center.
Disc Golf Group Lessons 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm. Ages 7 & older. Outdoor Center & Pro Shop.
Jeffersonville Farmers’ Market August 20, 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm.
The Farmers’ and Artisan Market unites our community’s producers, musicians, and neighbors with weekly live music. Enjoy the freshest local foods and more. You can find our summer market at 49 Old Main Street, in the field at the Route 15 & 108 South roundabout intersection. Please access parking at the silo space and the field off Old Main Street.
Insider Tips
Text Smuggs to 855-421-2279 for real-time alerts about weather updates, schedule changes, and more!
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Conditions & Atmosphere Weather: Sunny, with a high near 79. Calm wind. Vibes: It’s a no doubt Fri-yay, the sun is shining, the sky is blue, and the weekend is on tap. After what is now weeks of heavy heat and hazy skies from Canadian wildfires, our […]
ViewsConditions & Atmosphere
Activities and Events:
Insider Tips
Text Smuggs to 855-421-2279 for real-time alerts about weather updates, schedule changes, and more!
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This move, which is the first related to the Epic Pass suite since Rob Katz was reinstated as CEO, aims to win repeat customers to Vail Resorts’ portfolio. Earlier today, Vail Resorts unveiled a new benefit for the 2025-26 ski season called Epic […]
Mountain
This move, which is the first related to the Epic Pass suite since Rob Katz was reinstated as CEO, aims to win repeat customers to Vail Resorts’ portfolio.
Earlier today, Vail Resorts unveiled a new benefit for the 2025-26 ski season called Epic Friend Tickets. These tickets provide a set discount of 50% off window rate lift tickets for companions of Epic Pass holders across all 37 North American resorts in the company’s portfolio, including major destinations like Vail, Whistler Blackcomb, and Park City, as well as regional and local areas such as Stowe, Heavenly, and Hunter. Most season pass products are covered by this benefit, but Epic Day Pass holders are excluded.
The new Epic Friend Ticket system adds a new benefit not previously seen in similar products offered by Vail in the past: friends who buy an Epic Friend Ticket can apply the entire cost of that ticket toward purchasing a 2026-27 Epic Pass. As a result, those who buy a pass for the season following this one can effectively ski or ride for free for the day(s) they use a Friend Ticket.
Entitlements vary based on purchase date: pass holders who bought before April 14, 2025, receive 10 Epic Friend Tickets, while later purchasers get 6 tickets. This initiative replaces the older “Buddy” Tickets, which offered less consistent value. The lesser-value “Ski With a Friend” tickets carry over for those who purchased a pass before May 27 this year.
All 2025-26 Epic Pass products are on sale now on the Epic website. Prices rise on September 1.
Window lift ticket prices at most Vail-owned mountains have reached levels that many skiers find absurd, so halving that cost for friends of Epic Pass holders is a welcome change. While even at half price a day ticket will still be expensive, this move makes it far more attainable for people who might not commit to a full season pass, and it’s an especially good deal if you end up buying a pass for the following year using the ticket credit.
This all being said, it’s hard not to see this as a strategic response to the slump in Epic Pass sales over the past year. While this strategy seems like it could be effective to win back new or lapsed customers on paper, the marketing alone won’t be enough; Vail Resorts will need to pair this initiative with visible improvements in capital investment, maintenance, and overall guest experience if they want these visitors to return year after year. If this discount is supported by tangible enhancements on the mountain, it could be a genuine turning point. Without that follow-through, it risks being just another short-term promotion.
Considering the Epic Pass? Check out our detailed comparison against competing Ikon, Mountain Collective, and Indy offerings. You can also check this comparison out in video form below.
Conditions & Atmosphere Weather: Sunny and hot, with a high near 92. Light southwest wind. Vibes: It’s a sizzler at Smuggs today, and the perfect excuse to make a splash! You should take full advantage of our pools, nearby reservoirs, and hidden swimming holes to keep cool. […]
ViewsConditions & Atmosphere
Today’s Highlight
Start the evening at 5:00 pm with Marko the Magician, whose mesmerizing tricks and illusions will delight guests of all ages. Enjoy a variety of classic lawn games on the green—perfect for some friendly competition. At 6:00 pm, Jammin’ Sam and his Acoustic Duo bring live music to the scene, creating a fun and relaxed atmosphere. Stick around afterward for our popular cornhole tournament, a favorite for both casual and competitive players. Grab a bite to eat with delicious food and drinks available for purchase outside from The Morse Mountain Grille. Or, satisfy your sweet tooth at our S’mores bar while relaxing by the bonfire!
Pass & Badge Sales are LIVE!
Season Pass – Lock in your unlimited mountain access for the best price of the year.
Bash Badge/Bash Badge Plus – Lowest pricing of the season, but not for long!
SSU Multi-Week Local Programming – Mitey Mites, Mini Mites, and Women’s Programs (Book early – these sell out fast!)
3MO Season-Long Equipment Lease – Gear up for the whole season without the hassle.
Don’t miss your chance to save big and secure your spot for an unforgettable winter at Smuggs. Purchase online before Labor Day for your best value!
Text Smuggs to 855-421-2279 for real-time alerts about weather updates, schedule changes, and more!
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Pass It On: Smuggs Best Deal Ends Labor Day! Winter might feel far away, but your best ski days start now. Lock in your Smuggs Season Pass or Bash Badge before 9/1/25 and score the lowest prices of the year. From unlimited access to midweek-only […]
ViewsWinter might feel far away, but your best ski days start now. Lock in your Smuggs Season Pass or Bash Badge before 9/1/25 and score the lowest prices of the year. From unlimited access to midweek-only flexibility, there’s a pass with your name on it — and a payment plan to make it easy.
These prices end after Labor Day — don’t be the one stuck paying more.
Up on the hill, our snowmaking team has been testing gear, repairing hydrants, valves, and guns, while the lift crew stays on schedule with routine maintenance. New this winter: artificial sliding surfaces called Mr. Snow are being installed on Madonna I & II loading ramps and the Sterling offloading ramp for a smoother, less icy load. Groomers are knee-deep in summer snowcat maintenance — and extra excited to welcome a brand-new Prinoth Bison X this fall. Our Snowright snow management system mapping project is now 80% complete for Madonna and Sterling, replacing older LIDAR data with new GPS-based terrain maps for more precise snowmaking — learn more about how it works here. Trail mowing kicks off in late September. Most importantly, early winter forecasts look promising, with a strong La Niña expected to pair with a weak Polar Vortex — a combo that often delivers colder temps and bigger snowfall for us.
Autumn here is pure magic — mountains on fire with color, trails crunchy with leaves, and cider so fresh it tastes like October. Book 3 nights and we’ll give you the 4th free so you can hike more, sip more, and soak in every last golden sunset.Colors peak fast… so does this deal. Rake In Your Free Night
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