From the April 8, 2013 Planning Commission & Zoning Board Meeting Minutes:
http://www.jayvt.com/index.asp?Type=NONE&SEC={5DF662C1-47F9-4F1A-AA78-2339124E601B}
The Power Line Lift was discussed breifly giving the impression the project is still a go.
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Jay Peak Conceptual Development Plan (2011-2016)
- Thread starter JPTracker
- Start date
From the April 8, 2013 Planning Commission & Zoning Board Meeting Minutes:
http://www.jayvt.com/index.asp?Type=NONE&SEC={5DF662C1-47F9-4F1A-AA78-2339124E601B}
The Power Line Lift was discussed breifly giving the impression the project is still a go.
from_the_NEK
Active member
The Act 250 site still doesn't indicate an approved permit for either the new lift or hotel. Both applications had a few modifications. I'm wondering if the full removal of the Bonnie is contingent on the permits coming through. Removal of the chairs a base terminal could probably be done without a permit since those task result in little to no ground disturbance. Pulling the haul rope and towers is likely more invasive requiring the permit before continuing.
Telemechanic
Member
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I think the absence of an official announcement from Jay about the proposed State Side six-seater is a bad omen for the project. I suspect only the lodge will be built in 2013 and the Bonny will be shortened and used for another season.
fbrissette
Well-known member
That could explain why they have not already proceeded with the removal of the old stateside lodge. The original plan was firm in shutting the station on April 21. Good for us it did not happen as it gave us an extra week-end with outstanding conditions.
ACT250 site shows the permits for the hotel now.
Jonni
Member
The Bonnie Quad is not being removed this year, just moved. I emailed them a short while ago asking, and here is their response:
^^OK NOW I OFFICIAL HAVE A LOVE/HATE RELATIONSHIP WITH JAY PEAK!!! All this new stuff for the "ski and stay" family and yet no new significant lift on par for next year???? Really, this is getting ridiculous.
The solution on days when the flyer and tram is on windhold should not be "too bad, no one can ski so now families will just buy a ticket for the waterpark and we get more money!" That is the wrong mentality! It should be "how can we, as a SKI INDUSTRY provide fast lift access to the top when it is windy". That is the thinking that is lacking in recent years.
"build it and they will come"---no not at all. When I saw that Jay only had a few trails open on MLK weekend, I didn't come. While I was there, yes I would have gone to the waterpark, but that is not the main attraction!! After all, I could always go to Coco Keys one hour away!
[End Rant]
The solution on days when the flyer and tram is on windhold should not be "too bad, no one can ski so now families will just buy a ticket for the waterpark and we get more money!" That is the wrong mentality! It should be "how can we, as a SKI INDUSTRY provide fast lift access to the top when it is windy". That is the thinking that is lacking in recent years.
"build it and they will come"---no not at all. When I saw that Jay only had a few trails open on MLK weekend, I didn't come. While I was there, yes I would have gone to the waterpark, but that is not the main attraction!! After all, I could always go to Coco Keys one hour away!
[End Rant]
fbrissette
Well-known member
The 6-pack was not a solution to the "how can we, as a SKI INDUSTRY provide fast lift access to the top when it is windy" problem. This is why I never really understood the reason for the change. That's a lot of money for 'status quo' at best, and a turn for the worse if is results in more frequent wind-holds. A new chair in the Ulr Bowl or opening the West Bowl would be money much better spent to enhance skiing experience.
I understand that they were trying to provide full resort access by positioning the new lift higher up, but exposing the repositioned chair to more winds was a strange idea to begin with. Jay Peak is still enjoyable with the Tram and Freezer down but if the Bonnie closes, it is a real nightmare - you cannot service a major ski area with a triple chair. Gaining access to the north part of the resort from the Bonnie was a marginal gain compared to the increase likelihood of having the chair on more frequent wind holds.
The real question is 'are they short on cash' or have they decided to go into a totally different direction with respect to development ? I'd be surprised if it's the former as attendance was markedly up this year. If it's the latter, lots of money was wasted.
The homeowner meeting is in one month and we'll definitely get some answers then. Well, the question will definitely be asked. As to whether or not we get a clear answer remains to be seen.
Conrad
Member
It's pretty crazy that they didn't follow through. When I was there a couple weeks ago the booklets said they were going to have a new six pack in for next winter.
Which is why, In a perfect world (in my opinion) they would keep the Bonnie in place as well to act as a backup lift for the new Powerline lift (at least for the first season) then, even if the powerline lift doesn't live up its great expectations of "with-standing-wind-ness" then they can keep it forever as a backup on those windy days. 8)
fbrissette
Well-known member
Nope. It's only being shortened to make room for the new hotel.
Wow. Thanks for the clarification.
Tin Woodsman
Well-known member
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- Jul 12, 2004
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When was the last time they dropped any material coin into the mountain itself? It's been about $100M of real estate and non-skiing stuff since then.
Sure, this isn't changing what Jay is. Steve Wright is really impressive at PR, b/c if this was happening anywhere else, there'd be an uproar.
Sure, this isn't changing what Jay is. Steve Wright is really impressive at PR, b/c if this was happening anywhere else, there'd be an uproar.
from_the_NEK
Active member
Wow, that is quit the turn of events.
fbrissette
Well-known member
Over the last three years, they added snowmaking capabilities, replaced the T-bar with the taxi Quad, added modules in the terrain park and built the new carpet (with the Disney figures) near the learning center. All of these improvements are squarely targeted at families and beginners.
What have they done for the expert/tree skier ? Nothing. From a pure skiing perspective, what we got from all the investments are longer lift lines, more rapidly tracked snow (while these are still much better than at other resorts, this decline is real) and the threat to butcher the orchard.
I'm kinda hoping that the 6-pack delay/cancellation is somehow linked to investments in the West Bowl to be announced but I'm not holding my breath. We'll keep exploring the backcountry in the mean time.
First time commenter, however I've been reading this thread for a while now. I'm perplexed by what is going on here. So they are going through the cost of mitigating intrusion of the new hotel by shortening the Bonnie, holding off on the six pack (whatever, I'm fine with the Bonnie as is) and nothing has been announced concerning any new skiable acreage? What the hell is going on here? Have we, the skiers, just been given a giant middle finger?
Longing for my learn to ski days back in the 80's. T-bars, chalet lodge, and being scared to death on my first tram ride, swinging in the breeze just outside of the summit terminal.
Longing for my learn to ski days back in the 80's. T-bars, chalet lodge, and being scared to death on my first tram ride, swinging in the breeze just outside of the summit terminal.
from_the_NEK
Active member
Technically they have announced cutting a trail through the Orchard. which, on paper, would increase skiable acreage since the Orchard is outside the boundary rope.
from_the_NEK
Active member
That may be most cost effective in the long run.
Ordering 2 or 3 (or maybe even 4 or 5!) lifts and having a couple crews from Dopplemayr installing them all in the same summer/fall may result in discounts and cost savings. The helicopter could hang out just at for a couple weeks flying components up and down the mtn.
fbrissette
Well-known member
Let's hope you are right. The most optimistic scenario was cutting the trails this summer and installing the lifts in the summer of 2014.
As mentioned earlier, we should get fresh news in early June at the annual homeowner meeting.
