[momnh]

We need to buy our ski pass by Labor Day to save money. Can anyone tell me about either of these places? We live in Williston and have two kids that both ski, ages 3 and almost 6. We've skied our whole lives in New England but never at either of these two places. Pass prices are basically identical. Is Smuggs worth the extra distance?

Thanks in advance!

[harry chickpea]

I'd go for Bolton. Time the drives sometime and consider how much less time on the slopes you would have at Smugglers (be sure to add 20% to the summer driving times to allow for winter traffic and worse road conditions). With Smuggs, I can almost guarantee there would be days you would be saying "That's too long a drive to go today." or "The weather is just too bad." Smuggs may have drier snow conditions because of the lay of the slopes, and have a longer good season, but you'll get more actual ski time out of Bolton.

[vter]

Bolton has night skiing too.

[momnh]

Thanks. I have been thinking that Smuggler's is too far. But then I read that they do a free bus shuttle every Sat/Sun from Essex Jct, about 10 minutes away from us. I thought it might be nice to have someone else do all the driving! Also, not worried about losing time on the slopes. With a 3yo on skis, I only get a couple hours in anyway before he wants to snack, play, etc. Is Smuggler's much bigger than Bolton?The night skiing at Bolton is a good point. I have to think about that too.

[MRVphotog]

Smuggs still have old slow chairlifts which some people, not me, think is a negetive. A neg on Bolton is that the steep access road can be a bear during the winter. They both have great terrain.