Smuggler's Notch Nordic Center

The Smuggler's Notch Nordic Center encompasses 34 kilometers of Nordic skiing trails and 24 kilometers of dedicated snowshoe terrain, all of varying difficulty. These trails wind through the resort, up into open fields, along streams, and into the deep woods in the valley between Morse and Sterling Mountains. With on-site rentals and well marked groomed trails, it's a great place for beginners to learn. Advanced backcountry terrain like the Bacon's Run and Turkey Creek Trails will keep experts on their toes.

There is a trail use fee required, and the trails close at 4 p.m. Sign in at the Nordic Center Barn located in the resort's northwest corner to get started. Parking can be difficult to find near the Nordic Center, so park at the resort's main lot and walk northwest along Morse Drive. At the first intersection, continue straight to find the Nordic Barn. Trail tickets are $14 for adults and $8 for youth aged 6 to 17. Children 5 and under ski for free with an adult. The Nordic Center offers a wide variety of rentals suitable for beginner and advanced skiers and snowshoers. Rentals are $20 for the complete package.

After signing in, cross the bridge to begin your journey on Boulevard or Link. Snowshoers will follow square red blazes for their route, while cross-country skiers will follow typical ski trail signs. The Nordic Center has laid out four suggested loops for snowshoers that are marked as follows:

• Purple Moose trail markers designate the beginner loop, a 2.2-mile jaunt through lightly wooded knolls and open meadows to the northwest. 
• Yellow Fox trail markers mark a shorter but steeper intermediate loop. The route weaves for 1.5 miles through tighter trees up roughly 250 feet of elevation before looping back along a streambed.
• Red Deer trail markers lead east and slightly south along a 2.6-mile lollipop loop that climbs steadily into the more secluded woods at the base of Morse Mountain. This is considered an advanced trail.
• For the most adventurous, the Blue Bobcat trail markers spur from the Deer Loop and dive into the woods to the south, climbing still further up the flanks of Morse Mountain and nearing 550 feet of elevation gain. 

For skiers, there are less specific suggested routes, but the majority of the beginner terrain can be found in the northwest portion of the trail network, while more advanced terrain is located to the east.