benski
Active member
Such skiers that don't know about Toll house can probably be flocked like sheep to wherever the resort suggests them too. If Vail charges for parking or replaces then lift the more experienced will also go down there.
-
Welcome to AlpineZone, the largest online community of skiers and snowboarders in the Northeast!
You may have to REGISTER before you can post. Registering is FREE, gets rid of the majority of advertisements, and lets you participate in giveaways and other AlpineZone events!
Vail to buy Stowe?
- Thread starter deadheadskier
- Start date
Such skiers that don't know about Toll house can probably be flocked like sheep to wherever the resort suggests them too. If Vail charges for parking or replaces then lift the more experienced will also go down there.
There was also at least 100 spots by the old Big Spruce double. The only people who really used them were ski club members. I used to park there all the time though. Start my day with a Big Spruce Birthday Bowls loop
Sent from my XT1565 using AlpineZone mobile app
from_the_NEK
Active member
This configuration, before construction of the Adventure Center, had roughly 318 marked spot.
from_the_NEK
Active member
A far as creating parking at the Toll House area. I just don't see where they can put it. There looks to be an area on the other side of the Mountain Road, but I really find that whole area to be rather unfavorable for any kind of parking development.
On the other hand, adding a parking deck to the main lot that looks something like this could add an additional 300 spots.
Or an alternative would be this area (roughly 225 spaces), but it would require shuttles to the Mansfield Base lodge.
The argument for a parking deck over an existing lot is that it does not increase the area of impervious surfaces. In the case of the alternate site above, the deck would actually help reduce erosion to the gravel surface of the satellite lot. The water entering the retention pools on the lower side of the garage would be much clearer.
On the other hand, adding a parking deck to the main lot that looks something like this could add an additional 300 spots.
Or an alternative would be this area (roughly 225 spaces), but it would require shuttles to the Mansfield Base lodge.
The argument for a parking deck over an existing lot is that it does not increase the area of impervious surfaces. In the case of the alternate site above, the deck would actually help reduce erosion to the gravel surface of the satellite lot. The water entering the retention pools on the lower side of the garage would be much clearer.
I believe the last area is where the mountain is currently proposing to add 140 spaces. I'd imagine most people using that lot would opt for the Midway lodge over the Mansfield one.
Sent from my XT1565 using AlpineZone mobile app
Sent from my XT1565 using AlpineZone mobile app
BenedictGomez
Well-known member
Aha! Good sleuthing.
And before that photo, when there was far less built over there, it had even way more parking spots than that. IIRC, it was a giant gravel parking lot back in the late 90s to early 00s. I dont believe there was any markings if memory serves me, you just parked next to folks and made your spots, similar to Smuggler's notch parking up at Sterling.
Jully
Active member
Its amazing how much more parking can happen (Assuming there is some staff to prevent people from parking in a wildly inefficient manner) when there are NOT marked spots.
benski
Active member
Yes but I think having people park the cars creates a bottleneck at some ski areas. I think Mt. Ellen has the right idea with a road heading up the middle of the parking lot with clearly defined rows but no defined spots, so all you have to do is park at the end of the row, well except its so steep.
mbedle
Well-known member
The proposed parking is actual under the gondola, between the lift base and the midway lodge. I don't think you will ever see a parking deck near the Mansfield base lodge, especially since they do not own that land. I don't think it would pass the visually appealing test for Act 250. As far as toll house goes, I am not sure if Vail got any of the land at the base. They recently just subdivided the 1795 acres that Stowe owned, creating 5 parcels at the Toll House area (overflow parking for employee's lot, the Bingham Cottage property, the president's house, the Toll House base area and the rest (1,753 acres), most likely, going to Vail. Stowe keep the base area for planned residential development near the bottom of the lift. Vail might have gotten the Bingham Cottage and overflow employee parking lot. Also the Toll House Lodge and condos did not go to Vail (it was already its own separate parcel and is currently an HOA). They also removed the limitations on the number of cars they can park in the current lots (was 4,040). Apparently the regulations changed since the original permit was issues, removing the emissions limitations per acres of parking. So, I'd expect that on the weekends, the staff is going to be a little more diligent in getting people to park a little closer. With more bussing, they could definitely expand the parking down at the cross country center. One thing to keep in mind is last year, during the busiest weekends, they exceeded the comfortable carrying capacity of the resort. I think I heard the CCC was 7,500 skiers and on one weekend they hit 9,200. If they keep the college and 30 something pass this year, you can bet they will exceed the CCC on more weekends. If they get rid of those passes, things might stay similar to what we saw this past season.
I think this is the first post on AZ where someone praises the Mount Ellen Parking Lot. :lol: Most gripe about the climb. Of course I just got there early on a regular basis and scored great parking up top.
ExtremeRyan
New member
- Joined
- Nov 24, 2016
- Messages
- 13
- Points
- 0
I've heard rumors that they might build a connector gondola from Spruce Peak to Smuggs. But these are just rumors, some idiot online could have made the whole thing up. However, it is entirely possible for them to do so, there is already a trail from Spruce to Sterling so they wouldn't need to do much work on the Liftline.
Sent from my iPhone using AlpineZone
Sent from my iPhone using AlpineZone
BenedictGomez
Well-known member
I cant believe that's actually a thing.
yeah, that sounds made up
The trail in between Spruce and Smuggs is the Long Trail and is only 10 feet wide and isn't entirely straight. They'd actually need to do significant work to accommodate a lift. There's no way I'd ever see the state allowing this.
BenedictGomez
Well-known member
I really hope Vail runs into debt/equity problems before they're able to acquire Smuggler's Notch.
benski
Active member
Some construction company must have good lobbyists. Environmentalists would never support paving and clearing more land the necessary.
djspookman
New member
Trail from Smuggs side to Stowe (spruce peak) was called Snuffy's to Stowe. Went across the pond, due south off the top of Sterling to the little depression shown in your map. The LT is what you take from the OLD top of spruce down to Sterling. Now way the state or Smuggs would even consider a gondi.. total interwebz farce !
DoublePlanker
Member
How about a tunnel/magic carpet like Snowbird did? They could have 1 going in each direction.
Then they could install a bubble 6pack on Smuggs. :evil:
Then they could install a bubble 6pack on Smuggs. :evil:
benski
Active member
Smuggs once wanted to install a six pack. I know they made even synced an environmental consultant.
VTKilarney
Well-known member
The last skier of the year at Stowe.
https://www.tetongravity.com/photo/snowboard/last-call-at-stowe.-7-1-2017
https://www.tetongravity.com/photo/snowboard/last-call-at-stowe.-7-1-2017
