Rockstar Parking

[zinger3000]

I saw someone else use the term "Rockstar Parking" in a thread a few months ago, so I'm going to borrow it from you as the title for my thread. (Urban Dictionary defines Rockstar Parking as "Parking up close to the venue being visited.")

General rule of thumb is the larger the ski area, the longer of a walk it is to the lifts. But that isn't always the case with quite a few areas. I wanted to come up with a list of smaller ski areas where you have a longer walk to the lifts, even if you're the first one to arrive, and larger ski areas where you might have a surprisingly short walk to the lifts.

For example, Mohawk Mountain is a pretty small ski area, but you do have sort of a long walk to the lifts, since you have to walk around the left side of the lodge, and the lifts are set back a little way.
Gore, on the other hand, (assuming midweek, non-holiday, when they don't have the Preferred Parking) is a relatively short walk to the lifts.

Whenever I go skiing on Saturday or Sunday, I always try to arrive at least 30 minutes before the lifts open. This gives me time to buy my lift ticket, hit the restroom, put my boots on, and grab a quick bite to eat.

Once again, when posting, assume you're the first one there with your choice of any parking spot, when determining how far of a walk it is to the lifts.

 

[riverc0il]

Smuggs is kind of the best and worst of rock star parking. The first lot off the Madonna lift is a long haul to the lodge even from the first spot. But you can park in the upper lot, boot up at your car, and then ski down to the lodge. I have always felt that Magic seems like a long walk from the closest spot because relative to other areas, it really is a long walk from the closest spot though not a terribly long walk even from the furthest spot. The closest spot is pretty far removed though. Sugarbush can be a bit of a haul if you aren't first but they do drive the truck around so I give the Bush points on Rockstar Parking being important.

 

[RootDKJ]

Windham is a pretty far walk, but they do run a shuttle bus. I usually catch the bus on the way in, but walk it on the way out.

 

[zinger3000]

Smuggs is kind of the best and worst of rock star parking. The first lot off the Madonna lift is a long haul to the lodge even from the first spot. But you can park in the upper lot, boot up at your car, and then ski down to the lodge.

When I went to Smuggs in January, I was one of the first ones there and parked next to the Village Lodge pizzeria at Morse Mt. Not that bad of a walk

 

[riverc0il]

When I went to Smuggs in January, I was one of the first ones there and parked next to the Village Lodge pizzeria at Morse Mt. Not that bad of a walk

I am talking about the upper mountain lots that service the Madonna and Sterling lifts.

 

[Brownsville Brooklyn]

at killington....

front row at bear & or pico & even skyship lot....if i stayed on the access rd side i'd buy a bay 1 pass....

 

[ERJ-145CA]

Mountain Creek in Jersey has a ridiculously long walk (unless you park at South peak).

 

[RootDKJ]

Mountain Creek in Jersey has a ridiculously long walk (unless you park at South peak).

Yeah, going over the bridge sucks. Good thing there's an empty hotel in the old parking lot:roll:

 

[deadheadskier]

Hands down, the best parking in Eastern skiing are the Gondi lots at Stowe. Smuggs upper lot is good, but not as good. You can still be a decent walk away. Gondi lots at Stowe you're never more than 150 feet from clicking in.

ski in, ski out to your car.

Wildcat overflow lot is very similar to Smuggs.

My home mountain Ragged offers very convenient parking. Only had to walk further than about a football field length once the entire season.

 

[deadheadskier]

Sunapee would also rank very high. The problem is the 1st lot is fairly small. If you're not there first thing, you're taking the shuttle from the lower lots.

I have no idea why more folks don't use the Gondi lots at Stowe. The Mansfield base parking often fills completely before the middle Gondi lot does. Mansfield requires a fairly substantial slog uphill to the 4 Runner. Always puzzled me why people park over there when the Gondi is spinning.

 

[hudsonhacker]

Tremblant - best & worst

North side lot, you will park 50 feet from the quad if you get there before 9 am. Unreal that hardly anyone parks over there. Even if you get there later in the day, you won't be more than 100 yards away.

South side- hike - take a weird lift over the village - hike some more. I couldn't imagine doing this with my kids in tow. Just a plain stupid set up.

 

[KevinF]

Cannon has a really short walk to the lifts, from both the tram and quad sides.

 

[RootDKJ]

I have no idea why more folks don't use the Gondi lots at Stowe. The Mansfield base parking often fills completely before the middle Gondi lot does. Mansfield requires a fairly substantial slog uphill to the 4 Runner. Always puzzled me why people park over there when the Gondi is spinning.

I guess people hit the Mansfield lot to hit the Forerunner for 1st tracks, since it opens earlier than the Gondubie. After my 1st time, I quickly realized it's much easier just to park at Midway.

 

[billski]

My home mountain Ragged offers very convenient parking. Only had to walk further than about a football field length once the entire season.

Only if you are there early enough. That lower lot is a pita when the road alongside gets icy and cars pass by close, which has happened regularly to me and the kids.

I really dislike downslope (relative to the lodge) lots. Bigger problem when you have little ones and have to carry their gear and yours. Dropoff works only when you have sufficient adults at hand, but it's usually just me.

Worst parking is Waterville Valley parking,which has long lots separated by rows of trees, essentially doubling your walk uphill. Waiting for the shuttle is forever. I only like BV down slope parking when I can do a dropoff. Stratton downslope parking works because their shuttles are very frequent and fast. Loon parking is a PITA if you have to park river-side (which happens a lot) and have to hoof the steep staircase by the bridge.

Needless to say, I'm a huge advocate for at-grade parking.

 

[4aprice]

Parking can be a strategy just like moving around the mountain with the sun in spring. Early bird gets the worm.

Alex

Lake Hopatcong, NJ

 

[Highway Star]

From what I've seen, Killington and Stowe have the best car->lift parking in the east.

Stowe: Park at the Gondi lot, or the upper sensation quad lot at spruce. Anywhere along the hill in the mansfield lot is quite reasonable too.

Killington/Pico: Really has the ultimate parking. Bay 1 or the start of Bay 2 are right at the K-1 and snowdon triple. Far side of KBL lot by Snowdon quad. The road by superstar quad. Ramshead parking starts reasonably close to the lift. Bear Mountain lot, near side next to the Skye Quad, far side next to the deck and bear quad. One side of the skyeship lot is very close to the lift. Pico has parking next to the little pico triple or lower quad. Only lodge with questionable parking is Snowshed.

 

[billski]

Parking can be a strategy just like moving around the mountain with the sun in spring. Early bird gets the worm.

Alex

Lake Hopatcong, NJ

Early is about the only strategy that works for most places, due to the limited number of lots.

 

[WWF-VT]

You guys walk from the parking lot ? Real Rockstars at Sugarbush valet park and have the Sugar Sherpas carry their gear to the base lodge.

 

[Geoff]

Killington/Pico: Really has the ultimate parking. Bay 1 or the start of Bay 2 are right at the K-1 and snowdon triple. Far side of KBL lot by Snowdon quad. The road by superstar quad. Ramshead parking starts reasonably close to the lift. Bear Mountain lot, near side next to the Skye Quad, far side next to the deck and bear quad. One side of the skyeship lot is very close to the lift. Pico has parking next to the little pico triple or lower quad. Only lodge with questionable parking is Snowshed.

You neglected the Vale lot where you can usually park a few steps from a ski trail.

 

[billski]

You guys walk from the parking lot ? Real Rockstars at Sugarbush valet park and have the Sugar Sherpas carry their gear to the base lodge.

Real rockstars never have to ask about parking :roll: