The "Sugarbush Thread"

[thetrailboss]

In those discussions the two lifts that are being replaced everyone agreed were older and most likely would be the next ones to be replaced. It was in their plan to replace them so it isn't like they were ignoring them.

NRX is an unfortunate situation. Sugarbush rebuilt the motor 2 years ago so again they weren't deferring maintenance or anything like that. They essentially did exactly what they should have done and what pretty much any major resort probably would have done. They were nowhere near the theoretical end of life of that motor after the rebuild.

I still maintain the core SB lifts are very reliable at the moment. SB has been very proactive the past few years with lift upgrades and maintenance and it shows (NRX issue aside).

I get all that, but look at it from the big picture perspective: we're going into the final stretch of the season and Stowe has all of its lifts going. Sugarbush has two lifts down--one vital for an entire side of the resort and the other apparently "condemned" and visible to those who come into the main base area. I get that two lifts were old and "they were planning to replace them," but the time for that is in the offseason, preferrably before they go bad. We can say, "but, but" all day, but the optics just don't look good. And remember I am a former passholder who loves SB. If I were still there I would be shaking my head about this. It just doesn't look good at all especially when you are getting ready to compete against the Vail behemoth.

 

[WWF-VT]

I get all that, but look at it from the big picture perspective: we're going into the final stretch of the season and Stowe has all of its lifts going. Sugarbush has two lifts down--one vital for an entire side of the resort and the other apparently "condemned" and visible to those who come into the main base area. I get that two lifts were old and "they were planning to replace them," but the time for that is in the offseason, preferrably before they go bad. We can say, "but, but" all day, but the optics just don't look good. And remember I am a former passholder who loves SB. If I were still there I would be shaking my head about this. It just doesn't look good at all especially when you are getting ready to compete against the Vail behemoth.

Most passholders don't bother skiing at Mt Ellen and likely have no idea that there is an issue with the Northridge chair. Sugarbush has made a good move allowing Mt Ellen passholders to ski at Lincoln Peak and even then there are plenty of Mt Ellen people that are OK with the GMX and Summit options. The Village Double is another out of site, out of mind chair for the majority of passholders and it primarily affects the ski school which has Gatehouse as an alternative.

We're going into the final stretch of the season and my bet is that Sugarbush will still be spinning lifts weeks after Stowe has closed.

 

[thetrailboss]

Most passholders don't bother skiing at Mt Ellen and likely have no idea that there is an issue with the Northridge chair. Sugarbush has made a good move allowing Mt Ellen passholders to ski at Lincoln Peak and even then there are plenty of Mt Ellen people that are OK with the GMX and Summit options. The Village Double is another out of site, out of mind chair for the majority of passholders and it primarily affects the ski school which has Gatehouse as an alternative.

We're going into the final stretch of the season and my bet is that Sugarbush will still be spinning lifts weeks after Stowe has closed.

Good for them to allow ME skiers to go to LP. One thing that they have done well is customer service.

 

[cdskier]

I get all that, but look at it from the big picture perspective: we're going into the final stretch of the season and Stowe has all of its lifts going. Sugarbush has two lifts down--one vital for an entire side of the resort and the other apparently "condemned" and visible to those who come into the main base area. I get that two lifts were old and "they were planning to replace them," but the time for that is in the offseason, preferrably before they go bad. We can say, "but, but" all day, but the optics just don't look good. And remember I am a former passholder who loves SB. If I were still there I would be shaking my head about this. It just doesn't look good at all especially when you are getting ready to compete against the Vail behemoth.

They made the decision to replace Village before it went bad. Unfortunately it happened to break after they made that decision. They could have fixed it, but being near the end of the season for a lift that is not critical at this point and with already knowing they were replacing it, they decided it wasn't worth the time and instead to start taking it apart. For people that come into the base area and "see" it...many will not even realize it broke and could easily assume SB is simply getting a head start on the replacement project.

Also not sure where the term "condemned" came from exactly. It isn't one Sugarbush used. Sugarbush's official stance on the Village lift is that it is "retired".

You can play armchair quarterback all you want after the fact, but if it was my money, I can't say I would have decided to replace the lift any sooner than what their plan called for that they are executing.

NRX...again...I don't know how you prevent something like that. Obviously we don't know all the details, but on the surface SB did very much what other mountains would have done in the same scenario. Simply proactively replacing a lift when it hits 20-25 years old is not something you see most resorts doing.

Also as WWF said, many people probably don't even realize NRX is down. These 2 lift issues aren't nearly as visible to most people as you suggest. Remember, most of the people on forums like this are not your average skier.

 

[tumbler]

Could Sunny D lift line be extended further up the hill? Some new trails would need to be cut but I think there is some pitch in there and access to woods going towards Lower FIS. Seems like a lot of capacity for a quad when it is really for the terrain park.

 

[thetrailboss]

They made the decision to replace Village before it went bad. Unfortunately it happened to break after they made that decision. They could have fixed it, but being near the end of the season for a lift that is not critical at this point and with already knowing they were replacing it, they decided it wasn't worth the time and instead to start taking it apart. For people that come into the base area and "see" it...many will not even realize it broke and could easily assume SB is simply getting a head start on the replacement project.

Also not sure where the term "condemned" came from exactly. It isn't one Sugarbush used. Sugarbush's official stance on the Village lift is that it is "retired".

You can play armchair quarterback all you want after the fact, but if it was my money, I can't say I would have decided to replace the lift any sooner than what their plan called for that they are executing.

NRX...again...I don't know how you prevent something like that. Obviously we don't know all the details, but on the surface SB did very much what other mountains would have done in the same scenario. Simply proactively replacing a lift when it hits 20-25 years old is not something you see most resorts doing.

Also as WWF said, many people probably don't even realize NRX is down. These 2 lift issues aren't nearly as visible to most people as you suggest. Remember, most of the people on forums like this are not your average skier.

Armchair quarterback? Pretty sure that I said months ago that lifts were a concern. From my POV a resort does not want to be in a position to have to explain why things aren't working. That's all.

My criticism is because I want the place to succeed.

 

[benski]

No lift was condemned. The village needs a significant repair that will take 2 weeks to due so they decided it was no longer worth maintaining.

The north ridge rebuild was a screwed up. The lift barely ran for a few weeks after the rebuild, and I think the motor had to be rebuilt in the middle of the 2015 season. I think it overheated a few times. I remember horror stories of lift rides that ended up taking over an hour.

 

[tumbler]

self condemned. Choosing not to fix two lifts doesn't send a very good message. As for no one knowing about Northridge it's all over the snow report.

 

[cdskier]

self condemned. Choosing not to fix two lifts doesn't send a very good message. As for no one knowing about Northridge it's all over the snow report.

Last I heard on NRX they were still actively trying to get it back up and running this year, but it didn't seem overly likely due to what is involved. The motor they purchased was being shipped from CA, but since it is smaller (size not horsepower), a new mounting plate needs to be fabricated or something like that and then it needs to be inspected/approved.

So I wouldn't say they are "choosing" not to fix two lifts. They are only choosing not to fix one and instead get a jump start on the replacement project of that lift.

As to your point about the snow report, true, but it simply says it is down for maintenance. I've mentioned it to a couple people and they said things like "oh yea, I remember reading that but didn't realize it was down for an extended period." I'm sure ME regulars know what is going on, but people that ski mainly LP may not truly have it "click" as to the implications.

 

[benski]

Could Sunny D lift line be extended further up the hill? Some new trails would need to be cut but I think there is some pitch in there and access to woods going towards Lower FIS. Seems like a lot of capacity for a quad when it is really for the terrain park.

If they would do that it would add a headwall and ruin the area as a beginner area. I think some beginners still learn on sugar run. There 2008 master plan shows an additional trail on skiers right. They really should build a a better runout to lower FIS. It would be much easier if it went strait to the bottom of lower FIS.

 

[rocks860]

The last 2 days at mt Ellen were probably my 2 best days of skiing ever. It's absolutely fantastic out there


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[WWF-VT]

Today was a killer Mt Ellen powder day. Maybe 50 people in line at 8 AM and then the GMX was practically ski on the rest of the morning. There was another line waiting for the Summit chair at 9 AM then it was once again ski on after the first wave. I was literally all alone on runs on Exterminator, Bravo and Semi Tough and at 3 PM it's still snowing.....

 

[hovercraft]

SB pass holders should be dancing in the streets with the news that Vail bought SB. People would always use the excuse that Stowe had more money behind them and more expensive tickets so that is why Stowe's snowmaking and lifts were better. Now that the season pass will be on the same cost basis as SB Win has no choice but to pony up. I see this as a big WIN for the SB pass holders.

 

[rocks860]

Did some touching up on this picture from today, think it turned out pretty nice

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[bushpilot]

The last 2 days at mt Ellen were probably my 2 best days of skiing ever. It's absolutely fantastic out there


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Wow wow wow!!!

Wow! It was spectacular out there today!!! Son had off from school and we ripped it all day!

 

[rocks860]

Wow wow wow!!!

Wow! It was spectacular out there today!!! Son had off from school and we ripped it all day!

Agreed


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[cdskier]

Did some touching up on this picture from today, think it turned out pretty nice

Brambles?

 

[rocks860]

Brambles?

Exactly


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[cdskier]

Exactly

Looks awesome. You picked a perfect week to be there. I'm stuck working while looking at the webcams all day. I did take Friday off though so I'm heading up tomorrow night once I finish work.

 

[dlague]

SB pass holders should be dancing in the streets with the news that Vail bought SB. People would always use the excuse that Stowe had more money behind them and more expensive tickets so that is why Stowe's snowmaking and lifts were better. Now that the season pass will be on the same cost basis as SB Win has no choice but to pony up. I see this as a big WIN for the SB pass holders.

I think you meant Vail bought Stowe?

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