The "Sugarbush Thread"

[Newpylong]

I missed his talk but that sounds right. Back a few years ago it was to be HG '24 and NRX in '26. Since there is no activity on the A250 front to date, '27 would be the earliest. I wonder how K was able to pull off Snowdon so quickly. The permitting process is usually 12-18 months.

One to one lift replacements usually only run a few months from application acceptance to approval.

 

[cdskier]

One to one lift replacements usually only run a few months from application acceptance to approval.

And that's in line with what happened for VH, Village, Sunny D/Q, and HG based on the official dates listed in the ACT 250 database.

 

[vtboarder]

Wasn't any maintaining going on at NR while I was at ME today....

 

[vtski802]

"North Ridge Express will be closed today and tomorrow for maintenance as the lift ops crew diligently works to remedy an electrical problem on the tower monitoring circuits with the manufacturer."

Finally! Geezus. They could have posted that a week ago

 

[doublediamond]

There will be significant regrading with the new Snowdon Quad.

There is back end work that needs to be done before submission: environmental consultants and engineering work, sign off from GMP that thy can serve the project (can be issue if capacity upgrade).

For example wetlands need to be delineated. That can't be done during ski season.

At best consultants are on ground a day or two in September before the ground freezes.

Then the lift would need to be engineered (read tower placement) to not disturb them.

Complicating the NRX project would be the relocation of cell equipment up top. It's currently against code to have it on the terminal. Can they add a tower up there so close to Long Trail? Even if they could that might necessitate high elevation clearing which would require a 2:1 offset of abandoned trails.

NRX is not as simple as a one off replacement. But not as complicated as a new lift or pod.

 

[Hawk]

Cell equipment??? Northridge ??? I don’t remember seeing cell transmitters.

 

[cdskier]

Cell equipment??? Northridge ??? I don’t remember seeing cell transmitters.

There's a ton of equipment at the top of NRX. Right before unloading you can see a big box on the ground over there as well that says AT&T on it...

That said, I feel like I remember something mentioned months ago about a plan to relocate the cell equipment from the top of NRX. I'd try searching, but the search feature on this forum is still broken.

 

[urungus]

I'd try searching, but the search feature on this forum is still broken.

use Google search and add “site:forums.alpinezone.com” to your query

 

[Lotso]

I thought VH had significant site work on both terminals as well as a lot of tree cutting for wider line. Had to re-route VH Traverse, and move terminal to next to Mushroom

 

[cdskier]

So now GMX is down as well with no ETA for getting it back up.

You'd never know this reading the snow report. They posted on Social Media about it before their own Snow Report...

Hi everyone, we wanted to share a quick lift update regarding Mt. Ellen. As you might have seen in the snow report, North Ridge remains closed for continued maintenance as our crew diligently works to remedy an electrical problem on the towers monitoring circuits with the manufacturer. Unfortunately, in addition this afternoon the main fuse on the drive for GMX blew, and we are rapidly working with a third party to diagnose and fix the issue. We currently do not have a time line for reopening either lift, but we will provide another update as soon as we have more information.

Separate from that, the recent warm weather has finally taken its toll on snow depths under the Slide Brook Express Quad and that lift will now be closed for if/when we have the snow to reopen it.

Despite the wet forecast tomorrow, we do still plan to open Mt. Ellen with Inverness and Sunny Q. Summit will be closed since neither GMX nor North Ridge will be spinning. We appreciate everyone's patience and understanding as we work through this, and will provide more information as soon as we have it.

 

[cdskier]

use Google search and add “site:forums.alpinezone.com” to your query

Found what I was looking for...it was this past summer when it was discussed that one of the towers from the old Superstar lift was being moved to Sugarbush to be used as part of a communications tower...the theory was it was part of planning to eventually upgrade NRX since they'd have to move the comms equipment off the lift terminal as current regulations no longer allow that.

 

[Blurski]

So now GMX is down as well with no ETA for getting it back up.

You'd never know this reading the snow report. They posted on Social Media about it before their own Snow Report...

I already see people asking if their ME pass will honored at South if they don’t get the lifts fixed.
If they do that do you think IKON pass will get a credit, ha ha.
Bonus for the mountain, now that the snow melted, they say they can’t run Sliddy.

 

[vtski802]

So now GMX is down as well with no ETA for getting it back up.

You'd never know this reading the snow report. They posted on Social Media about it before their own Snow Report...

Hey, at least they told us something!

 

[thetrailboss]

I just saw announcement on social media that both NRX and GMX are down, so Mount Ellen will feature, wait for it, Sunshine and Inverness. The only silver lining is that with the weather being what it is that traffic will be light the next few days.

And I agree with CD that the snow report is holding out for hope and reporting that GMX and Summit are "scheduled".

"Every silver lining has a touch of grey......."

 

[solar]

Maybe this will help…

Jared Smith to Exit as Alterra CEO

Tenure included huge expansion at Deer Valley, multiple resort acquisitions, and sizable expansion of Ikon Pass roster

www.stormskiing.com

“Jared Smith will exit Alterra Mountain Company… at the end of the 2025-26 ski season, the company announced today.

The departure was unexpected”

 

[eastcoastpow]

Was GMX running on backup engine yesterday? Webcam shows it running all day yesterday

 

[Blurski]

Was GMX running on backup engine yesterday? Webcam shows it running all day yesterday

I was riding it from 8 - 9:10 yesterday and was running at full speed on electricity after that I switched to the summit lift and did not notice when I skied down to the car at 11 if it was even running.

 

[Lotso]

NRX cam stuck in night mode. Probably down for "scheduled maintenance"

 

[Blurski]

O'Boy it even gets better!
March 11th, 7:55 AM
*GMX, North Ridge, and Summit will be closed for the day* *Mt. Ellen will still be open with Inverness at 8:00 AM and Sunny Quad at 9:00 AM, with the option for hike access ONLY on the upper mountain terrain.*

 

[VTSkiBike]

The lifts are so bad that I'm tempted to just get an Epic pass just for Stowe next year but the Sugarbush Local Pass price and access to just too good to make the switch.

I'm just astounded that Alterra has let these lift issues persist for several seasons. It's just so embarrassing and an f--- you to the people who ski there regularly.