Stowe Opens its Luxury Hotel: The Capstone of the $400 Million Complex

[dropKickMurphy]

The new Lodge looked great last winter. Everything, well almost everything, in the building is from Vermont. But someone made a major no-no by using Brazil slate for the floor instead of Vermont slate (!)

I'm guessing the "Brazilian" variety is smooth and slick

Although I prefer to see Stowe remain as unchanged as possible, this development doesn't bother me too much. To me, "Stowe" means "Mansfield. As long as all the new stuff is across the street at Spruce, I can live with that.

The biggest change at Mansfield is the fact that you can now take a gondola to Deer Valley.

 

[Warp Daddy]

Ho Hum another monument to American Excess.

AIG and their "Bailout Buddy Greedhogs" can go pound salt in their nether regions as they spent OUR 700 billion

The Mtn is great but -------

 

[billski]

I'm waitin' for rooms to start showing up on Liftopia or Priceline

ha! In my dreams!

 

[Greg]

I think it's fucking gross. Everything about it. But Stowe has had no soul for quite some time now. All the banking execs will have alot of time off this winter, they can go and stay their on our tax dollars. Our excessive american lifestyle is unsustainable and is the root of most of the suffering around the world. It is the reason people hate us. I wish it would burn to the fucking ground. The parent company makes me sick, that kind of "ski" experience makes me sick, the clientel make me sick...so, I moved, and I take real pleasure in putting my big ol' tracks right down that Mtn. for free.

Tell us how you really feel...

Easy with the F-bombs, k?

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

I think it's fucking gross. Everything about it. But Stowe has had no soul for quite some time now. All the banking execs will have alot of time off this winter, they can go and stay their on our tax dollars. Our excessive american lifestyle is unsustainable and is the root of most of the suffering around the world. It is the reason people hate us. I wish it would burn to the fucking ground. The parent company makes me sick, that kind of "ski" experience makes me sick, the clientel make me sick...so, I moved, and I take real pleasure in putting my big ol' tracks right down that Mtn. for free.

I don't agree with everything you wrote, but I dig your passion. IMO, the more posts like this the better

 

[billski]

"The hotel says 90 percent of its clientele are first-time visitors to Vermont."

But do they ski or board????

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

"The hotel says 90 percent of its clientele are first-time visitors to Vermont."

But do they ski or board????

Does it matter if they ski or board???

 

[JD]

Tell us how you really feel...

Easy with the F-bombs, k?

Sorry about the language. I love the notch, they defaced it.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Sorry about the language. I love the notch, they defaced it.

What did they do to the Notch???

 

[prisnah]

I think it's fucking gross. Everything about it. But Stowe has had no soul for quite some time now. All the banking execs will have alot of time off this winter, they can go and stay their on our tax dollars. Our excessive american lifestyle is unsustainable and is the root of most of the suffering around the world. It is the reason people hate us. I wish it would burn to the fucking ground. The parent company makes me sick, that kind of "ski" experience makes me sick, the clientel make me sick...so, I moved, and I take real pleasure in putting my big ol' tracks right down that Mtn. for free.

POTD.

Nice JD, tell it like it is!

 

[JD]

What did they do to the Notch???

clear cut 400 acres for a golf course, built a ton of condos and a lodge that is something out of the hills of Aspen.....only Vermont is not in Aspen. Gross.

 

[riverc0il]

The thing at Stowe is a monstrosity. Much as I think it is aesthetically disgusting to plant such an upscale yuppy mansion in the right outside the notch at the base of one of New England's finest ski areas, the management of Stowe are no fools. Just like Bush before and Jay after wards, posh slope side hotels/time shares are a huge infusion of short and long term cash from the people most willing to spend it and the folks that have the most of it. Jay built a golf course too but I don't feel it detracts from the mountain. The golf course at Stowe is a big much on the eyes from the top of the mountain.... BUT what are ski areas but golf courses on a slant? Just like with skiing... you can play golf on the cheap... but you don't go to the best and biggest mountains to play on the cheap.

My biggest issue with the Stowe monstrosity (same with Bush... probably gonna be the same with Jay) is that these massive scale buildings just don't fit the scene of a New England base area. I could care less what happens inside of them... if it makes a crap ton of money for the resort to subsidize my dirt bag cheap skiing habit, sweet! Less increase on ticket rates. Whatev. But if the aesthetics don't fit... lame.

 

[riverc0il]

clear cut 400 acres for a golf course, built a ton of condos and a lodge that is something out of the hills of Aspen.....only Vermont is not in Aspen. Gross.

A lot of arces were already clear cut for the ski area. Not much difference, IMO. Some people see ski trails as eye sores just as much as some people see golf courses as eye sores. Aspen in VT is gross, I agree 100% with you there. I also feel and assent to your general vibe but gotta disagree on specific grievances.

 

[JD]

The thing at Stowe is a monstrosity. Much as I think it is aesthetically disgusting to plant such an upscale yuppy mansion in the right outside the notch at the base of one of New England's finest ski areas, the management of Stowe are no fools. Just like Bush before and Jay after wards, posh slope side hotels/time shares are a huge infusion of short and long term cash from the people most willing to spend it and the folks that have the most of it. Jay built a golf course too but I don't feel it detracts from the mountain. The golf course at Stowe is a big much on the eyes from the top of the mountain.... BUT what are ski areas but golf courses on a slant? Just like with skiing... you can play golf on the cheap... but you don't go to the best and biggest mountains to play on the cheap.

My biggest issue with the Stowe monstrosity (same with Bush... probably gonna be the same with Jay) is that these massive scale buildings just don't fit the scene of a New England base area. I could care less what happens inside of them... if it makes a crap ton of money for the resort to subsidize my dirt bag cheap skiing habit, sweet! Less increase on ticket rates. Whatev. But if the aesthetics don't fit... lame.

exactly. Vermont ain't vail. For the Record, I also see big, wide ski trails as scars on an otherwise beautiful landscape. And they don't hold snow. Another example of western style development not working back east. It can snow 2 feet and Lift Line, National, Gondolier, Upper Nosedive, Perry Merril can be Bullet Proof. But, when we're talking about a resort that is proud of the fact that you don't have to go outside to get on the transfer gondi....it's not really about the ski experience for the Bling Bling Gapers that shuffle into the corral on their wat to the cliff house for some lamb chops and fourless chocolate crap. It's about being able to spend the money so they can say they spent the money...it's the only way they know they had a good time.
Quality is often times inversely proportional to the quantity of coin dropped....IMO.

 

[Vinny]

exactly. Vermont ain't vail. For the Record, I also see big, wide ski trails as scars on an otherwise beautiful landscape. And they don't hold snow. Another example of western style development not working back east. It can snow 2 feet and Lift Line, National, Gondolier, Upper Nosedive, Perry Merril can be Bullet Proof. But, when we're talking about a resort that is proud of the fact that you don't have to go outside to get on the transfer gondi....it's not really about the ski experience for the Bling Bling Gapers that shuffle into the corral on their wat to the cliff house for some lamb chops and fourless chocolate crap. It's about being able to spend the money so they can say they spent the money...it's the only way they know they had a good time.
Quality is often times inversely proportional to the quantity of coin dropped....IMO.

Let's not forget that there are an awful lot of people that think any type of man made ski trail on a virgin mountain is a monstrosity and destroys the natural beauty of a mountain. So, everyone chooses their own poison or passion.

 

[deadheadskier]

I would love to rewind and go back to the original front four and nosedive (I never got a chance to enjoy it as such) and minimal development at the base. Unfortunately, outside of a few exceptions (MRG, Wildcat) such operations for ski areas are no longer economically sustainable nor competitive.

It is what it is......just have to enjoy what is there. It may not be what it once was, but Stowe is still my favorite mountain in the east. I just wish I could afford to ski it more often. Hope the one day I make it up there this winter is a good one.

 

[JD]

Mansfield is sick.

 

[faceplant]

then this should cheer you up somemore JD- last wintr this HS kid on line behind me leapfroged passed us all when he waived some card he had. Being nosy faceplant finds out he got it from his girls father whose an exec at AIG- they brouht the kid along for a weekend The card meant evrything paid for..no lines...hell he didnt even havta bring his equipmt- all provided. At the time I didnt know AIG owned the mountain Like I said before.. they dont need a bailout- they need a parole officer Stowe was aspecial place but that was bak in the day

 

[deadheadskier]

Mansfield is sick.

agreed

in terms of terrain and natural snow, there is no equal in the eastern US. I can see how many people might like Sugerbush or Killington or wherever better in terms of 'ski' areas. I can understand how Jay fans appreciate more snow most years. I can see how the naturalist/extremist might have a more prominent place in their heart with Mt. Washington as it for certain has the most hardcore terrain. I can understand how some like the remoteness and vibe of Sugarloaf. I can see the draw for the Whiteface enthusiasts.

Mansfield is the pinnacle for me though. It reigns supreme in the number of deep snow days spent on outrageous terrain that can be had in a winter on the East Coast. All the development does indeed suck, but if you can just focus on true skiing.....there's none better than Mansfield.

 

[billski]

when this financial debacle subsides, they execs will return to their playground once again. On the backs of the shareholders.
Alan Greenspan had a profound admission - the presumption that free market corporations would take care of their shareholders is, badly mistaken. Execs take care of themselves. Greed will re emerge, it is just lying low until the politicians back off....