Question for Smuggs owners

[3gymrats]

If I were to rent from an owner a 2BR/2BA unit at Smuggs for mid-March (the week before Easter), about on average should I expect to pay for that time of year. I realize conditions can be factor (and how badly the owner needs a renter) but assuming the skiing is still good--I'm looking for a ballpark number. Also, what facility uses are generally included in such a rental? When I called Smuggs the person I talked to couldn't give me any info. They told me to talk to an owner. I figure lift tickets are extra but what about things like X-country skiing, snow-shoeing, the teen center and kids zone and any family evening activites? If all of these are extra, is there a pass you can buy to cover these expenses or do you have to pay for each invidual activity.

Thanks for any help you can give me.

[SamH]

I am a Smuggs owner. I have rented out February weeks (weeks 7 and 8). I have not rented a mid-March week but I would suppose that it would rent for more than week 8 (generally the week after President's week) and less than week 7 (generally President's week). My guess is that you could rent a 2 bedroom for roughly $1,800. It might be a little higher as it is a spring break week.

I have usually rented to other Smuggs owners because they can use their benefit package to get free lift tickets. If you are not a Smuggs owner, you could pay the winter fee ($175 last winter for the entire unit, not per person). This enables your party to do all the free non-ski activities (like the fun zone and teen alley) and provides discounts for some of the activities that have a fee (like ski camps and lift tickets).

Please let me know if you have any other questions.

Sam

[3gymrats]

Thanks Sam. So, I guess for the ~$175 that includes the pool as well. Do you have any idea what percentage discount is given for lift tickets, ski rental, etc? Can a non-owner call Owner Services to get this type of info?

I'm debating what to do: Book directly thru Smuggs and have a guaranteed unit for that week or hope that one (actually, if possible, 2 2BR units) becomes available for rental. I've stayed in a full ownership unit and they are not as nice as the TS units. I actually changed units that time because the one we were in was really not nice! We were there in summer, booked directly with Smuggs and everything was included. Now we would really like to try a "winter" vacation on spring break and I'm trying to figure out the budget if I rent a TS unit instead.

Thanks again.

[helenbarnett1963]

if you look on www.smuggs.com/rci and look at the 'winter RCI benefits' page, this will give you information on what benefits and discounts you get for your $175 Smuggs Pass (the Pass is the same for RCI exchangers and private renters).

As a non-owner, you should really speak to Reservations, rather than Owner Services. Most Reservations staff are quite knowledgeable, so ask the front desk to put you through to them next tiem you call.

For yuor own peace of mind you could always rent direct from Smuggs, paying a 50% deposit, and then cancel and get your deposit back if a suitable private rental becomes available nearer the time - speak to Reservations staff at smuggs for info of the cancellation policy, but it will be on the website somewhere as well.

You can check the location and floorplan of every unit at smuggs on www.smuggs.com/pages/winter/lodging/index.php. There are also photos of the unit interiors.

you will probably find that rentals for next winter do not start appearing until later in the Summer/Fall when owners begin to plan whether to use their winter weeks or not.

www.greatrentals.com www.vrbo.com have a few fully-owned Smuggs units to rent - but most are the 'older' type in the village. We rented a week in a Creekside unit last year - was fine for 4 of us for the first few days, but a bit crowded when the other four arrived, and we loved being in the village for a change and not having to rely on the shuttle all the time.
Redweek.com also has many rentals, and you can often negotiate to reduce the asking price, especially nearer to the date of the week - amny owners simply want to cover the MF for a week they can't use.

just noticed you want 2 units - that may be more difficult to get by renting privately, especially if you want to be close together. you could consider one of the bigger 3 or 4 bedrm units perhaps depending on how many adults/kids in your party?

hope this is of some help!

[charford]

The SmuggsPass will get you discounts on lift tickets, lessons, childcare and camps. It will also get you free access to Teen Alley, KidsZone, pools, parties, bingo, and other apres ski activities. For activities like snowshoeing, a small $5 or $10 fee may be charged.

If you rent from Smuggs or from an owner, the quality of the accomodations may vary a great deal. If you would like a nicer unit, I would recommend asking for a Familyshare or Equishare property if you are renting from Smuggs. These are the newest and largest condos that Smuggs will have available. Most of them are 3 bedrooms which will sleep up to 10. They are also more expensive than the older properties. For some reason, Smuggs tries to put people in the older, not so nice properties first.

[3gymrats]

Thanks for all the info.

1) In the beginning I spoke with Reservations and I got all the information I need about expenses if I book thru them and what's included. Then I asked about extra expenses if I were to rent from an owner and she told me she didn't know what was covered and that I should talk to an owner. I wasn't sure how helpful owner services would be with someone who doesn't own so I decided to see what I could find out from TUG.

2) I will check the RCI site--I wouldn't have known to do that since I wouldn't be getting this on a trade.

3) I was thinking the "safe" thing to do was to put a deposit on something now and get a refund if I am able to rent a TS unit at a later time--thanks for confirming that it's a good idea to do that.

4) We are 2 families trying to go up together for spring break--with a total of 10 people including 6 kids ranging in age from 8 to 16. After thinking about it, I wondered if 2 2BR units might be more comfortable than trying to squeeze that many people into one larger unit. That gives the kids some "away time". Also, I was thinking it would be easier to get 2 BR units than 3-4 BR units. They don't have to be near eachother.

5) I know about some of the rental sites you mentioned but didn't know about others. I'll keep my eyes open and maybe we can luck out for this week.

You guys have been a great help. If you think of anything ellse let me know!

BTW Helen: I know you go weeks 51 & 52. It was so mild this past Dec/Jan--how was the skiing?

[SamH]

Originally Posted by 3gymrats

4) We are 2 families trying to go up together for spring break--with a total of 10 people including 6 kids ranging in age from 8 to 16. After thinking about it, I wondered if 2 2BR units might be more comfortable than trying to squeeze that many people into one larger unit. That gives the kids some "away time". Also, I was thinking it would be easier to get 2 BR units than 3-4 BR units. They don't have to be near eachother.

Most of the newer 3 bedroom units (timeshare and family share) sleep 10 but it might be a tight fit. The sleeping configuration is as follows:

1. Master bedroom - king size bed (sleeps 2)
2. Second bedroom - queen size bed (sleeps 2)
3. Third bedroom - 4 twin beds (sleeps 4)
4. Living room - queen size sleeper sofa (sleeps 2)

There is a bathroom in the master bedroom and a second bathroom. We have had 9 and been fine. Depending on the kids and how much time they spend in the bathroom, having only 2 bathrooms may be a bigger issue.

The Balsams 3 bedroom units have 3 bathrooms, a king size bed in the second bedroom and a two twins / one queen in the third bedroom.

Two 2 bedroom units will provide more space but would cost considerably more to rent.

Sam

[IreneLF]

I am not a winter owner but enjoy looking at the snow pictures and blog.
Christmas didn't seem to be any good --- others who were there can certainly answer better - but right now is fabulous.
They got 4 feet of snow in April (!) and a foot the last 2 days. you never know with the weather, do you?
Too bad the lifts end Sunday.