Connector Lift Being Planned for Stowe, Smugglers' Notch

[ski diva]

This is pretty cool. Here in Vermont, Stowe and Smugglers' Notch are really close together. So it looks like the two are looking into installing a connector lift that'll ferry skiers back and forth.

More here.

 

[Soujan]

That would be amazing. In the winter, the pass between the two mountains is closed so you have to drive all the way around to get from one to the other. A 15 minute drive in the summer becomes almost an hour in the winter.

 

[Lmk92]

That would be amazing. In the winter, the pass between the two mountains is closed so you have to drive all the way around to get from one to the other. A 15 minute drive in the summer becomes almost an hour in the winter.

Funny story. Our first time visiting the area was in the summer, with an SUV and camper. I encouraged my husband to drive that route because it was shorter, and the turns were so tight at one point we had to take off the sway bar to get through!

 

[ilovepugs]

Big nope for me. Hard hard hard no. It would require the installation of gondola towers over a beautiful and quiet part of Smugglers Notch (the geographic feature that the resort was named after) that is a beautiful hike/snowshoe in the winter. The notch is used for recreation by non-skiers in the winter and this would definitely impair the scenic value of it.

Stowe has already ruined access to the notch from the Stowe side; I do not want it ruined from the Smuggs side too.

 

[ilovepugs]

Here’s a picture of my friend’s dog during our winter walk/hike up the notch to Sterling Pond. Love how peaceful it is.

Now insert gondola towers in the background. :/

Can’t do the exact hike I did in late November 2020 anymore because of paid parking at SMR. There is a free lot directly next do Lot D/E for the Barnes Camp on the Long Trail but parking is limited to 90 minutes on the weekend. It’s at least a 3-4 hour round trip to walk from where the notch road is closed to Sterling Pond. Have to do it from the Cambridge side now, which is a longer walk on the notch road.

I don’t begrudge the owner of Smuggs for trying to optimize his succession plan but I do take issue with Vermont’s most iconic and famous mountain pass being developed to further support the Disneyfication of Vermont. Sterling Pond and its surrounds is iconic and beautiful and should be left alone.

 

[jthree]

@ilovepugs I was wondering where the towers would go. I have the same gut reaction as you-- it would destroy the beauty of the notch. The backcountry people already make their own access. Not sure of the advantage of connecting the areas, unless Vail is planning to buy Smuggs (that will be a sad, sad day).

 

[marzNC]

The idea for a gondola to connect Smuggs to Stowe was initiated by the owner of Smuggs. Formal planning started six years ago. The idea is part of the evolution of thinking that started before Vail Resorts bought Stowe. Stuart interviewed Bill Stritzler on June 2.

June 3, 2023

Smugglers’ Notch Plans Gondola Interconnect with Stowe; “No Discussions” on Vail Buying Smuggs

“We have the possibility of creating what we think will be a very unique ski and riding experience by connecting these two resorts” – Smugglers’ Notch owner Bill Stritzler

www.stormskiing.com

" . . .
“The question for an independent like Smugglers’ became: what is an independent gonna do?” Stritzler said in an interview on Friday with The Storm Skiing Journal. “How are we going to survive, take care of our guests, take care of those who own homes here, take care of the employees in this new environment? Our team internally was asking ourselves ‘how are we gonna survive when we're surrounded by giants who have extraordinary amounts of capital to invest that we don't have?’ What are the things that we might be able to do that would enable us to continue to compete?”

The answer, Stritzler and his team decided, was a gondola. Seated just a half mile from the top of Smuggs’ mainly intermediate Sterling Mountain is the top of Stowe’s Spruce Peak. Skiers had been skating between the two resorts for decades. Why not connect the two mountains – both widely considered among the best ski areas in New England – with a fast, modern lift? A sort of Alta-Snowbird – or at least a Solitude-Brighton – of the East? Two owners, one interconnected ski experience.
. . ."

 

[RachelV]

The Storm Skiing article also includes an image from the planning document of what will be visible from Sterling Pond: a little bit of the cable, and a small portion of one tower from one part of the trail:

 

[RachelV]

Well, this project is paused for now:

Smugglers’ Notch and Stowe pause plan to build connector lift

Smugglers' Notch and Stowe Mountain Resort have put a plan to build a half-mile-long connector lift on pause after state regulators raised concerns about the environmental impact of the project.

www.vermontpublic.org

Connecting Gondola Plan for Smugglers’ Notch Resort and Stowe Mountain Resort, VT, Has Been Put on Ice - SnowBrains

Following opposition from the Barre District Stewardship Team within the Agency of Natural Resources, the controversial plans for a gondola-style connector between Smugglers’ Notch Resort and Stowe Mountain Resort, VT, have been put on ice. The two resorts have also withdrawn their request for...

snowbrains.com