steamboat1
New member
I don't think they can replace the Mansfield Base Lodge. Some kind of historical significance. I'm sure if they could have they would have already done so.
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Stowe announces new Adventure Center, ice skating, underground parking
- Thread starter steamboat1
- Start date
I don't think they can replace the Mansfield Base Lodge. Some kind of historical significance. I'm sure if they could have they would have already done so.
I think you are correct. Not suggesting a replacement, just an upgrade of some sort. If the historical restrictions are too strict and they can't add on to the Mansfield lodge, then perhaps a second lodge built over by the Over Easy terminal makes sense. Day skiers could access both the gondola and the forerunner from that location.
steamboat1
New member
Parking is already limited on the Mansfield side. I don't see a new base lodge helping with that. The present base lodge seems to be ample for the amount of skiers able to park there now. They are adding additional parking on the Mansfield side this year. They are presently extending the lot further out on the road that you exit the parking lot from. From what I could see the size of the additional parking won't make a significant difference with the parking situation, especially with public parking at Spruce being closed. I think they will be using the two large maintenance lots on either side of the road when you first turn into the gondola & Mansfield lots for parking this year. The Over Easy gondola will be getting quite a work out this year shuttling people from Mansfield over to Spruce & back. By the way the Mansfield parking lot is now completely paved with striped parking spots, no more dirt/gravel.
On weekend's and holidays, I completely disagree.
steamboat1
New member
That goes for any ski area. Killington even with it's five base lodges gets extremely crowded on weekends from what I've heard. You can't even find a seat in the new Peak Lodge on weekends/holidays (that's six lodges). Not to mention you can also eat at Anna's Panada's at Needles, Sunrise Cafe at Sunrise or the Yurt off the Middle Brook & Snowshed chairs (that's nine on mountain lodges). Stowe with only two parking areas as opposed to Killingtons five already has five places to eat on mountain (not including the restaurants in the Spruce hotel or the additional eating venues planned for the new plaza). Like I said I think that's plenty ample. Fortunately for me I don't get to see the overcrowding since I mainly only ski weekdays during non-holiday periods.
mbedle
Well-known member
The Mansfield base lodge will never be updated to much. It on the historical register. Plus, I like it rough and laid back.
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mbedle
Well-known member
Actually, the comment about a second lodge near the over easy would be nice. Does anyone know if they have some kind of master development plan for the land on mansfield side?
I often wonder why they chose to put the Midway lodge where it is, instead of something down near the base of the Gondola.
Midway Lodge is usually where I start my day at Stowe. It's nice to have ski in / ski out access to those parking lots; best ski area parking in the east IMO. That said, the parking is so limited that if you get there after 8:30 on a weekend, you won't find a spot. Hence, why everyone piles into the MBL and it can be a congested mad house. There simply isn't enough space in that building to handle all the ski bags nor are there enough seats for people to start their day or have lunch comfortably on busy days.
I imagine with the parking restrictions steamboat mentions at Spruce for the upcoming winter, the congestion at MBL will be exasperated even further. That will be a turn off for folks arriving by car and paying $98 a day to ski there.
Midway Lodge is usually where I start my day at Stowe. It's nice to have ski in / ski out access to those parking lots; best ski area parking in the east IMO. That said, the parking is so limited that if you get there after 8:30 on a weekend, you won't find a spot. Hence, why everyone piles into the MBL and it can be a congested mad house. There simply isn't enough space in that building to handle all the ski bags nor are there enough seats for people to start their day or have lunch comfortably on busy days.
I imagine with the parking restrictions steamboat mentions at Spruce for the upcoming winter, the congestion at MBL will be exasperated even further. That will be a turn off for folks arriving by car and paying $98 a day to ski there.
mbedle
Well-known member
I think the reason the gondola base lodge is up the hill a bit, is because the old gondola bottom terminal was at that location. When they installed the new gondola, they extended it down to the current location.
mbedle
Well-known member
Not much space down there for parking, plus the ride back to your car is brutal. They could tear down the old tennis courts! I was up there for the month of February this year and did really notice any parking problems on the weekends. However, with parking limited this year on the spruce side, it might get pretty bad on the Mansfield side. Hopefully, they will get the word out to renters along 108 and in Stowe, that it might be better to take the shuttle to the resort, than drive.
steamboat1
New member
If there is a problem parking it will only be for this coming season. No need for a high speed lift at Toll house. I'm sure they have it all figured out.
mbedle
Well-known member
Just got an email and apparently they completed the Gondola rehab and also replaced the Alpine and East Street Doubles, with a new Meadows Quad. I thought I recently read a post from someone checking out the activities at the resort and they didn't see anything going on with the chair replacement.
steamboat1
New member
A liftie back in July told me Alpine will be replaced with a carpet loading quad chair & Easy Street with an enclosed magic carpet lift. Looked like they were excavating for the magic carpet lift when I was there.
KD7000
New member
How about at least a medium speed lift? That thing is slower than death.
steamboat1
New member
Yeah & it's flat too.
mbedle
Well-known member
Flat is an understatement.... If its not groomed, you might as well walk down.
Looks like the new haul rope is up with the refurbished cabins:
Looks good.
Looks good.
mbedle
Well-known member
Finally, I don't have to bring the board into the gondola. Was a pain in the ass when you are ridding on a 170 alpine board.
steamboat1
New member
Haul rope was replaced 4 years ago. What she did get, besides refurbished cabins, is a new drive train & bullwheel
