Rate the Changes to Sugarbush? Good or Bad?

[wintersyndrome]

I appreciate the feedback. The Valley House is still available for brown bagging, but we are not running food service from there any more and plan to tear it down next summer. We do plan to construct our second lodge which will house all of our guest services: day care, the adventure learning center (ski & ride), repairs and rental, guest services and we will also most likely have some more boot storage and some additional cafeteria dining. I will look into lack of attention at Timbers. That is not acceptable. As far as Slide Brook, the tram authority requires that we have enough snow depth to get evacuation equipment to the lift. There was enough after Saturday's snow fall and we planned to run it on Sunday, but Saturday's wind tore off a communication line and we weren't able to get it fixed for Sunday, but it will be ready for this weekend. We are also building more shelving for more storage in the Gate House. Actually a number of ski areas do not allow bags in the dining areas. They take up needed seating. The lack of a fireplace had nothing to do with permitting, it was just our decision not to put one in.

I do think you will see the flow improve not only this year but as the second lodge comes on stream. There is more seating now than there was in the past. Nevertheless, we will watch and adjust as needed.

Where else does the president of the resort chime in on gripes about the resort he operates.This is why Sugarbush is the best, very classy...ws

 

[ThinkSnow]

I was there on Friday with two skier buddies who are architects, one of whom designed Wachusett base facility. We all agreed that SUGARBUSH DID IT RIGHT this time. I've been to over 50 major resort lodges around the world in the past 30 years, and watched many of them transform facilities over time. We make it a hobby of observing and critiquing infrastructure.
Bill

I was there skiing with a friend who is a building inspector. Aside from the CP most likely being over capacity on Saturday, many of the fire alarm-pulls were so low, they were hidden by tables.

Oh, and if you've ever been to Wachusett on a bad weather day (when it rains) you'd know that the Lodge roof leaks.

 

[billski]

Still Terrific

I was there skiing with a friend who is a building inspector. Aside from the CP most likely being over capacity on Saturday, many of the fire alarm-pulls were so low, they were hidden by tables.

Oh, and if you've ever been to Wachusett on a bad weather day (when it rains) you'd know that the Lodge roof leaks.

Those are all operational or construction issues, easily remedied. The facts stand. The overall design is terrific.

 

[WWF-VT]

.


So I'd give the Bush a lot of credit, they've come far. Sure, lots of transitional issues and startup problems, but they seemed to pale when you compare against issues in other places.

I'd say they gave it a LOT of thought. And I like what is coming.


Bill

Great points about Sugarbush and the new lodge / base area. I have been going to Sugarbush for 15+ years and impressed with the new facilities and the responsiveness of the ownership to their customers.

 

[KingM]

That is because of the "Vermont Premium" I guess. Kind of like VT Maple Syrup....people pay more for the "image" and the idea that it is "Vermont." This really hurts the locals...especially those who have grown up in VT.

Well, this is certainly a fair point. I wish I could say, as a business owner, that I was profiting from the "Vermont Premium." But with our property taxes increasing at double digit rates EVERY year (and we're about to be reevaluated - joy!), not to mention higher prices for everything ourselves, well, it's obvious to anyone who has seen the small quarters into which our framily is crammed that we're not getting rich off the gig.

It is expensive to maintain the feel of a place like Vermont, but that's the reason that most places in the country have developed in a hodge-podge way with strip malls and subdivisions as far as the eye can see. If I'm ever tempted to go back to a more lucrative corporate job all I have to do is look out the window at the snow-covered mountains, walk down to the woods and river behind the inn, or take a five minute ride up the mountain to some of the best skiing on the East Coast.

 

[from_the_NEK]

....seems to be covered. A building almost TWICE the size of Gate House is scheduled to join the base area....and, at least on paper, should take some "pressure" off GH lodge.

http://www.lincolnpeakvillage.com/guestservicecenter/

Perhaps Win could let us know:

-If there will maybe be space for brown bagging in the Guest SC facility ?

-Will ski school kids eat / warm up at Guest SC instead of GH ?

-The lockers sound good. Will there be a seasonal ski locker rentals/room ? Lots of areas used to have them.

Anyways....it's easy to forget the new base village has only been open for I think about 6 weeks.

Another question for Win:
It is tough to tell from the Site Plan but is this...

The same as this??...

That building looks like it is going to be pretty big and should move some of the beginner crowd out of the Gate House Lodge over closer to the beginner slopes.

 

[ThinkSnow]

So when all the proposed new buildings go up, where will all the cars park? North?

 

[KingM]

So when all the proposed new buildings go up, where will all the cars park? North?

They just paved the lot, so it seems I'm guessing the current parking configuration is the final plan.

 

[win]

The drawing that you see are still works in progress and they are not going to look exactly like what is drawn. The new Guest Services Lodge will continue the Vermont theme, however, so it works with Clay Brook and the Gate House. We are currently working on the programming of the Guest Service Lodge and that will determine the exact size and ultimate design. What we know is it that we plan to have Day Care, The Adventure Learning Center (Ski & Ride), Repairs and Rental, some retail, guest services and ticket operations and food and beverage of some sort. We will have eating space for the Micro, Mini and Sugar Bear programs and will also want the Blazers to use this facility. We will also likely have more storage space here as well. Not sure yet about seasonal lockers. We currently have 30. There will be some additional grading on the North side of the building to create better beginner teaching terrain and a new Village Chair with the terminal a bit higher up the hill with easy access from the Lodge for beginners. The Placement of the Lodge is on the foot print of where the intermim buildings currently are so it will not infringe on the existing parking lot. The Interim Village was planned with this in mind. If we continue with additional Residences in the future, we could use part of the unpaved lot to the right of the entrance. The paved lot is here to stay. However, these residences would have parking so there in not that much of a net loss. Right now with all of the parking lots at LP we have substantially more than before.

 

[ThinkSnow]

How can there be more parking, when Claybrook now sits on part of the old parking lot?

 

[noski]

Claybrook has underground parking for its guests, and the footprint of the new facility is pretty much only taking the upper most lot that was for busses, service and drop-off vehicles. Parking off Inferno Road (aka 22 acres) with jitney service and the area down by the compressor buildings was improved. I am confident someone will correct me if I am mistaken.

 

[Tin Woodsman]

Claybrook has underground parking for its guests, and the footprint of the new facility is pretty much only taking the upper most lot that was for busses, service and drop-off vehicles. Parking off Inferno Road (aka 22 acres) with jitney service and the area down by the compressor buildings was improved. I am confident someone will correct me if I am mistaken.

noski is correct. The 22 acre lot off Inferno road was re-graded and improved last year so that customers could park there in addition to its previous job as an employee lot. Also, there is a HUGE new lot below the compressor bldg - just look to the right as you come up the Access Rd. near the Welcome to SB sign.

I'm as big a critic of the Gh lodge as anyone. I've made my feelings pretty well known over at SkiMRV. I agree with some of your issues, particularly overall roominess and the whole bag police issue, which is just silly. I'm glad to see Win and Co reacting to concerns expressed online as well as their own two eyes by re-opening the Valley House lodge for limited food service on weekends and holidays for the rest of the season. It is my sincere hope that the new Guest Services Center will be completed for next season, as the VH option won't be available anymore to handle the spillover.

I would imagine that much of this is dependant upon the success of sales at Clay Brook. Tough sell in the current real estate market, though I think SB is worth it. The new lodge will help to visually reduce the enormity of Clay Brook and really complement the nascent Base village - the current structures down there are mostly cut off from the hustle and bustle in the village plaza right now.

Regarding the gripes about the Castlerock Pub, there is no doubt in my mind that it's too small. You may be able to siphon some people off to Timbers, but that won't ever be a huge number, IMHO. If I had to guess, SB will eventually enclose either the South or East facing portions of the outdoor plaza of CR Pub to increase the permanent seating capacity. The heated outdoor thing is great, but really only usable on a small minority of days. Still, I'd love to see a grill get going on the warmer spring days out there. As for the fire alarm handles being to low, well that's just really nit-picking being taken to another level.

 

[win]

The paved part of the parking lot has been reworked and holds more cars because of its design. The lot in front of the Compressor Building accross Village Road has been regraded to hold more cars. The area behind the building has been cleared and parks many cars, and the area up Inferno Road which was only for employee parking now has been expanded for overflow guest parking. As part of the permitting we had to do a very exact parking plan so we know exactly how many cars can be parked in all the lots. Also Clay Brook has 60 plus parking spaces in the garage for residents.

 

[amf]

I think not allowing bags to clutter up the seating area is an excellent idea, as long as there's sufficient/convenient space for ones bags elsewhere.

Not to drift off topic, but that's one of the things at Mt Snow & $tratton that has impressed me this year - free bag check. If places don't provide a minimum amount of area to stow bags conveniently out of the way, I'd rather give the same amount as a tip to the bag checker than feed the corporate coffers.

amf

 

[ThinkSnow]

As for the fire alarm handles being to low, well that's just really nit-picking being taken to another level.

Yes, I guess it could be considered nit-picking, but my building inspector friend pointed this out to me. I probably never would have noticed it until there was a fire.......you know, like in Rhode Island where 100 people died in the bar? And I only mentioned it because if it was my money building this new place, I'd want it perfect from the start. Safety issues are never a small matter.

 

[ThinkSnow]

Not to drift off topic, but that's one of the things at Mt Snow & $tratton that has impressed me this year - free bag check. If places don't provide a minimum amount of area to stow bags conveniently out of the way, I'd rather give the same amount as a tip to the bag checker than feed the corporate coffers.

amf

I agree, a free bag check is something I'd definitely use. And instead of having to police the area, put those people to use behind the counter, and they could manage the bags in that small bag room.

 

[Tin Woodsman]

Yes, I guess it could be considered nit-picking, but my building inspector friend pointed this out to me. I probably never would have noticed it until there was a fire.......you know, like in Rhode Island where 100 people died in the bar? And I only mentioned it because if it was my money building this new place, I'd want it perfect from the start. Safety issues are never a small matter.

Wow. Talk about a red herring. I'll make sure to avoid the place when Great White brings their pyrotechnic-laden show to town. They're huge on the ski town circuit. And in Germany.

 

[CapeSkier]

I'm with you on that one, Tin. When I am in the Castlerock, I must admit that I am not in the least bit worried about a flash fire. Maybe if the Detonators started using wild pyrotechnics...but until that happens, I think I'm good.

Besides...Wasn't the building inspected prior to a Certificate of Occupancy being issued?

 

[Phildozer]

Yes, I guess it could be considered nit-picking, but my building inspector friend pointed this out to me. I probably never would have noticed it until there was a fire.......you know, like in Rhode Island where 100 people died in the bar? And I only mentioned it because if it was my money building this new place, I'd want it perfect from the start. Safety issues are never a small matter.

Are you insinuating that the building isn't safe? You'd better be able to back your assertion up with facts.

 

[maplevalleymaster]

Hey win, I am going to Sugarbush tomorrow and would love to ride the Slidebrook. Any chance it will be open?