Fresh off an ownership transition, the changes keep coming at Smugglers’ Notch Resort.
Today, Smugglers’ Notch Resort announced planned offseason improvements for the 2026-27 season. Extensive snowmaking upgrades will help mountain ops open more terrain earlier in the season and replenish the mountain during freeze-thaw cycles.
For more information, check out the press release by Bear Den Partners (Smuggs new owner) below.
BEAR DEN PARTNERS ANNOUNCES MAJOR SNOWMAKING INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT AT SMUGGLERS’ NOTCH RESORT
Investment will expand snowmaking capacity, improve operational efficiency, and support earlier season terrain availability
Jeffersonville, Vermont (August 26, 2026) — Mountain resort operator Bear Den Partners today announced a significant investment in snowmaking infrastructure at Vermont-based Smugglers’ Notch Resort ahead of the 2026–27 winter season.
The investment represents Bear Den Partners’ broader commitment to making strategic capital improvements across its portfolio of independent mountain resorts and its start at Smugglers’ Notch. The company was established in 2025 with a focus on long-term ownership and investment in the people, infrastructure and operations that support each mountain’s future.
The project will increase snowmaking capacity across the resort’s three mountain faces through the installation of 100 new snow guns, upgrades to pipelines, pumps and valves, increased water distribution from its existing snowmaking supply, and additional mountain operations equipment. Together, the improvements will allow the snowmaking team to operate more equipment simultaneously, take greater advantage of favorable early-season temperatures, and build a durable snow base more efficiently.
“Snowmaking is fundamental to the way we operate a mountain in Vermont, and this investment gives our team significantly more capability and flexibility,” said Mike McAdoo, Vice President of Mountain Operations at Smugglers’ Notch Resort. “When the temperatures are right, we want to be able to take full advantage of those windows.”
In addition to increasing snowmaking output, the project is designed to improve efficiency and working conditions for the resort’s mountain operations team. Additional fixed snowmaking equipment will reduce the need to move equipment between trails, while new snowmobiles and additional backup equipment will support crews working across the mountain.
“Snowmaking is a tough job, and our crew works in some of the most challenging weather in Vermont to make snow,” continued McAdoo. “Anything we can do to make their work more efficient and improve the equipment they have available to them is important. At the same time, those operational improvements translate directly to a better, more consistent skiing and riding experience for our guests.”
“Smugglers’ Notch has a tremendous foundation, an exceptional team and a strong identity,” said Jon Schaefer, Chief Executive Officer of Bear Den Partners. “Our role as owners is to build on that foundation thoughtfully and strategically. Investing in snowmaking at Smuggs is a fundamental investment in the resort and its future. We expect this to be the first of many meaningful projects that support our skiers and riders, homeowners and the broader Smuggs community.”
“Beyond Smuggs, we have other projects underway at Burke, Catamount and Berkshire East this fall, all focused on supporting each mountain’s operations and enhancing the experience for our guests.”
2026–27 Snowmaking Improvements include:
- 80 new energy-efficient tower snow guns installed at key locations across the mountain to modernize equipment and expand fixed snowmaking coverage
- 20 new lower-air-demand mobile snow guns to increase snowmaking capacity during critical early-season temperature windows
- 1,100 feet of snowmaking pipe replacement, along with new and replacement valves, to improve system reliability
- A new Black Snake-to-Upper Rum Runner connection to improve water flow at the top of Sterling and provide the ability to make snow on both trails simultaneously when conditions require – improving early season opening speed.
- Pump and motor upgrades and additional backup equipment to improve reliability and provide greater system redundancy
- Targeted trail-edge clearing to improve snowmaking coverage and restore usable trail width in select areas
- Nine additional snowmobiles to support snowmaking and mountain operations crews
The investment comes as Smugglers’ Notch Resort prepares for its 70th year of operation and its first full winter season under Bear Den Partners’ ownership. The resort has also introduced new season pass benefits for the 2026-27 season.
About Smugglers’ Notch Resort
Smugglers’ Notch is America’s Family Resort, located in Jeffersonville, Vermont, offering award-winning family fun all four seasons. The mountainside condominium village features summer outdoor waterparks, FunZone 2.0, shopping, dining, snow sports school, and three mountains with 78 trails of skiing and riding. Learn more at smuggs.com.
About Bear Den Partners
Bear Den Partners is an independent owner and operator of alpine ski and snowboard resorts including Burke Mountain and Smugglers’ Notch in Vermont and Catamount and Berkshire East in Western Massachusetts. Rooted in a guest-first, community-centered philosophy, Bear Den Partners exists to ensure that independent mountains not only survive but thrive by investing in what matters most: people, place, and the enduring soul of skiing and riding.
Image Credits: Smugglers’ Notch Resort
