About Us:
ArborTrek Smugglers' Notch was founded in October of 2010 and is the first of many planned ArborTrek Canopy Adventures' locations. Prior to selecting Smugglers' Notch Resort as home to their first zip line canopy tour, ArborTrek president, Michael Smith, conducted more than 70 site visits across the Northeast United States. When Smith entered Smugglers' Notch, he knew he had found a home. Respected widely in the ski industry for their top-notch family programming, Smith was attracted to the beautiful scenery and the Resort's emphasis on excellent programming and family-entertainment.
During his site visits and previous travels Smith noted that there was a lot of money pouring into resort infrastructure all across the country. While infrastructure is important, it is generally not the reason families chose a resort... or at least, not the reason they choose to come back. Above all, one thing resonated with Smith. When asked what Smugglers' Notch's core business was, owner Bill Stritzler commented, "To exhaust people's children." The Resort's philosophy resonated closely with ArborTrek's own mission to educate, entertain, and inspire through the implementation of novel, family-friendly experiences that combine highly-trained staff with outstanding course design.
An abbreviated version of the present zip line canopy tour opened for Thanksgiving week in 2010. The full zip line canopy tour opened in mid-January 2011. An aerial adventure park (referred to as "Treetop Obstacle Course") designed to accomodate families will open to the public in the late spring of 2013, followed by an adventure climbing program in early summer 2013 and a team and leadership development program in the fall of 2013. The facility is open year-round by reservation.
In visiting ArborTrek Smugglers' Notch, visitors are encouraged to explore the area. In the Winter, combine your visit with resort accomodations at Smugglers' Notch Resort, ski and ride three mountains, participate in guided nordic and snow shoe outings, dine at a variety of local restaurants, and explore the art culture of the local area. For families travelling to the area, take advantage of year-round childcare and award-winning youth programming. In the summer, combine your visit with lodging at Smugglers' Notch Resort or other lodges in nearby Stowe, Vermont. Spring to Fall, resort ammenities include pools and waterslides, daily family programming, nightly entertainment and shows, dining, guided trail hikes, disc golf, mountain biking, off-road Segway tours, and much more.
