The "Sugarbush Thread"

[thetrailboss]

According to this post on r/icecoast, the Quad replacement for Heavens Gate was officially confirmed for next season:
https://www.reddit.com/r/icecoast/comments/17291ua

2024 New Lifts

This is a list of new lifts likely to be built in the United States and Canada during the 2024 construction season. Last updated 7/18/2024. Have an addition or correction? Comment below or email P…

liftblog.com

 

[urungus]

2024 New Lifts

This is a list of new lifts likely to be built in the United States and Canada during the 2024 construction season. Last updated 7/18/2024. Have an addition or correction? Comment below or email P…

liftblog.com

Liftblog shows “lifts likely to be built”. Has NRX replacement been officially announced, until today I thought the only official announcement was that 2 unnamed lifts would be replaced for next season.

edit: my bad, NRX and Heavens Gate replacement was officially announced months ago

The Valley Reporter - MRVPD drafting five-year work plan

Planning is underway at the MRVPD offices

www.valleyreporter.com

 

[thetrailboss]

The only

Liftblog shows “lifts likely to be built”. Has NRX replacement been officially announced, until today I thought the only official announcement was that 2 unnamed lifts would be replaced for next season.

edit: my bad, NRX and Heavens Gate replacement was officially announced months ago

The Valley Reporter - MRVPD drafting five-year work plan

Planning is underway at the MRVPD offices

www.valleyreporter.com

The only thing that is not set is who is building them. I would think permitting would be easier because they are replacements. A new NRX is huge.

 

[doublediamond]

It was announced like 3 or 4 months ago

 

[Hawk]

I wasn't up this weekend of the first time in a while. I can't belive there is no report. I will find out.

 

[giantfan]

No mention of NRX replacement in the press release on capital improvements today -

New Heaven’s Gate Chairlift Highlights $12.6 Million in Capital Improvements​

New Heaven’s Gate Chairlift Highlights $12.6 Million in Capital Improvements - SugarBlog

Sugarbush Resort has announced $12.6 million in capital improvements through next summer.

blog.sugarbush.com

 

[thetrailboss]

No mention of NRX replacement in the press release on capital improvements today -

New Heaven’s Gate Chairlift Highlights $12.6 Million in Capital Improvements​

New Heaven’s Gate Chairlift Highlights $12.6 Million in Capital Improvements - SugarBlog

Sugarbush Resort has announced $12.6 million in capital improvements through next summer.

blog.sugarbush.com

I noticed that as well (?)

 

[Hawk]

John Hamond or anybody else I spoke with never said that NRX was happening soon. They only said that it would happen. Basically it is on the list. I am sure that North Linx, summit and bravo will be on the list soon also.

That article is about the 5 year plan and discussions with the local authorities. I think the article back 4 or 5 months ago misstated that both were happening this year. I think they were planning both so the ground work would be further along when they get funding for the NRX. Just my guess but again I never heard both for 24/25.

 

[urungus]

John Hamond or anybody else I spoke with never said that NRX was happening soon. They only said that it would happen. Basically it is on the list. I am sure that North Linx, summit and bravo will be on the list soon also.

That article is about the 5 year plan and discussions with the local authorities. I think the article back 4 or 5 months ago misstated that both were happening this year. I think they were planning both so the ground work would be further along when they get funding for the NRX. Just my guess but again I never heard both for 24/25.

On June 8, “Sugarbush representative Margo Wade, the resort’s director of planning and compliance, reported that resort parent company Alterra is funding two new lifts next summer. Those lifts are Heaven’s Gate at Lincoln Peak and Northridge at Mount Ellen. Wade said it was going to be a hustle to complete permitting for the two projects.”

The Valley Reporter - MRVPD drafting five-year work plan

Planning is underway at the MRVPD offices

www.valleyreporter.com

 

[Hawk]

Yes but I was also told that they didn't have permitting approved or even a quote and commitment from the lift manufacturer back then so I think it was wishful thinking. Based on the blog post, we now have our outcome.

 

[MadPadraic]

One item buried in there is that they are going to convert the downstairs warming area at Walts to restaurant seating. This is both good and bad, but I often see a lot of people warming up in there when we stop for bio-breaks. It would be nice if they'd either expand Walt's footprint or build a second facility on that plateau.

 

[cdskier]

One item buried in there is that they are going to convert the downstairs warming area at Walts to restaurant seating. This is both good and bad, but I often see a lot of people warming up in there when we stop for bio-breaks. It would be nice if they'd either expand Walt's footprint or build a second facility on that plateau.

Count me as one of the people you may have seen at some point warming up down there. That's really the only place I stop at ME if I need a break or need to warm up briefly.

 

[djd66]

Walt’s could easily be 4x the size. Id rather see that than a lodge at the top of gatehouse.

 

[MadPadraic]

Walt’s could easily be 4x the size. Id rather see that than a lodge at the top of gatehouse.

I agree for two reasons. First, Green Mountain Lodge at the base of Mt Ellen has far more crowding issues than the village at LP. Expanding Walts would help here. Second, I find the runout from GH a lot nicer than the runout from GMX.

 

[Newpylong]

I think you need to look at the ROI of expanding the Glen House. It is only a 4 day operation for essentially ~12 weeks. Not sure if it's worth it with the lift work needing to occur.

 

[MadPadraic]

I think you need to look at the ROI of expanding the Glen House. It is only a 4 day operation for essentially ~12 weeks. Not sure if it's worth it with the lift work needing to occur.

I don't think this is an either/or. It's responding to what they said they were doing in the press release.

 

[Newpylong]

There is no ability to expand Walts "4x" without expanding the Glen House. That is what I was referring to.

What am I missing here?

 

[djd66]

Sorry, I meant expanding the "Glen House" 4X - which would include Walt's If the lodge were 4X the size, i would never come to the base - except at the end of the day. On a weekend, its pretty much standing room only. As far as them expanding the downstairs to restaurant seating, not sure how that will work with the bathrooms right there and the stench that tends to envelop that space with all the people using the bathrooms.

 

[Hawk]

There is no ability to expand Walts "4x" without expanding the Glen House. That is what I was referring to.

What am I missing here?

I was wondering this also. I thnk they will have a really hard time getting Act 250 approval for an expansion without getting approval and expanding the water and Sewer capibilities. From what I understand they are stretching to operate the lodge as it is. Something that costly will probably take years.

 

[Newpylong]

No doubt a larger building would be nice (on busy days), but if you put yourself in the mountain's shoes, that's a tough spend for a 12 week Thur through Sunday facility at their already less busy of the two mountains.

Extending Walt's downstairs while not ideal is certainly thinking outside the box and worth a try?