A Pond with Mansfield in the Distance

In the winter there is great skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing at Jeffersonville’s most well known resort, Smugglers’ Notch Family Resort, or Smuggs.   Smuggs is open all year and is ideal for the family looking for everything in one spot.   There are numerous different sized condominiums throughout the resort and there are several dining options including The Hearth and Candle, which is a privately owned restaurant that offers both a kid’s menu and an adult-only dining room.

Smuggs has 8 outdoor heated pools including a water park as well as offering many kids programs and family activities; from Frisbee golf and dog-carting (dog-sledding with no snow) to off-road Segue scooter tours in summer and fall to some of the most underrated skiing in the east in the winter.   Smuggs is a solid option for travelers looking for the convenience of a resort experience at a friendlier cost.

Conversely, if you are looking for a more authentic Vermont experience, there are several great options that are just off the mountain. The best of which, Sterling Ridge Resort, is tucked away right off Route 108 a short drive from the mountain. Sterling Ridge offers the traveler a secluded Vermont locale with a view of the ski trails and the northern ridge of Mt. Mansfield, that is second to none.

Sterling Ridge offers a range of options on its sprawling 360 acres from studios, 1, 2 and 3 bedroom log cabins to its’ signature properties; “The Dream Cabin” and “The Pond House”. “The Pond House” sits on a 10-acre pond, which is stocked with trout every spring.   There are several hiking trails on the property and many more right down the road as well. Sterling Ridge is suitable for either the couple looking for a romantic autumn get-away or the family looking for a summer or winter vacation spot at reasonable rates.

Sterling Ridge

In the past year, Jeffersonville has seen its dining options go from limited to abundant. There are now a host of restaurants located on Route 108 from the mountain to the village but two in particular stand out.

Sitting right at the gateway to The Notch on Lamoille River is The Family Table (4807 Vermont Route 15, Jeffersonville, Vermont 05464, (802) 644-8920).   The restaurant opened in February 2010 and caters to the whole family or the romantic couple at a reasonable price, as most entrees are under $20.   Southern fried chicken is the house specialty and one bite and you’ll know why, the mashed potatoes are great too. Be sure to pair the chicken with a Switchback Ale, a local favorite.

If beers and wings are your thing then, The Brewski (4087 Route 108 S, Jeffersonville, Vermont 05464, (802) 644-6366), which recently underwent significant menu and management changes, is a definite stop.   It offers several different sauces and dry rubs on their wings. Be sure to try the “Sweet Heat Dry Rub” wings, they’ll keep all your taste buds happy.   They also have the most expansive beer list in town featuring all of Vermont’s finest brews as well several other craft beers from across the country.

Although it may never achieve the notoriety of Stowe, Jeffersonville is quietly establishing itself as more budget-friendly destination with many of the same options, as its neighbor to the south.   Whether you are a skier, foodie, hiker, or just want to do a gaze at the fall foliage, with activities year-round and several places to fill you up and quench your thirst, Jeffersonville should be at the top of your list of your next New England adventure.