I agree. The location is absolute prime and that corner of nh is beautiful. I see the draw for a large population.
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Waterville Valley New T-Bar for 25/26
- Thread starter sull1102
- Start date
4aprice
Well-known member
I mean no disrespect to Waterville but I think I've taken 1 ride over to the village there (most likely to take a few photos of Snow Mountain) and there was nothing that stood out to me. I know there a couple of Inns but it seemed mostly a cluster of condo's not something that would draw me to want to stay there. Lincoln is a town with shops and restaurants that enhance the experience. When I want to hit Ski 93, I'm staying in Lincoln.
machski
Well-known member
Again, true now but a disconnected village like WV right now, what's to draw in the shops, restaurants and bars? Connect that village to the ski area directly though and lodging interest increases, increasing the demand for shops and restaurants. Now in no way do I see WV trying to build up the village themselves in a fashion like Killington is moving forward on their village. But do I think it could organically grow from outside $$ if the village becomes connected to the ski area? For sure if it draws heightened interest in visitation.
It's real nice in the summer imo. Conway and Lincoln get overrun and that area is kind of an oasis. It's a great starting point for hiking and fishing. If you're looking for indoor stuff to do then yeah its not the best but I'm assuming some development could change that.
Exactly
Same reason why I prefer Waterville to Loon on weekends during ski season. Much easier crowding to manage.
Smellytele
Well-known member
The village is where the hockey rink is. There are a few shops, a couple of restaurants and is the center of xcountry.
Edd
Well-known member
Interesting, wouldn’t have guessed that. I think I hit WV for the first time like 20 years ago on a Saturday and it was obviously busy, but never going to Loon on a weekend I can’t compare.
Night and day. We ski WV on Saturdays almost exclusively as the kids have their programs on Sundays at Gunstock. Other than the 6 pack, the lift lines aren't too bad. If the 6 gets really bad, we'll take the HSQ to Sunnyside. My guess is if Green Peak didn't have such a crappy, slow triple, it would also have bad kines.
Loon you really can't avoid crowds on weekends.
thebigo
Well-known member
Loon lift lines are approaching old wives tale territory.
I have averaged twenty something days at loon over the last several years but all were midweek or late season. This year I was at loon and waterville for races/training a total of seven holidays/weekends between Christmas and groundhog day. The gondola is brutal but nothing else at loon was more than a few minutes wait the holidays and weekends i was there. Was actually surprised at how quickly the lines moved, have seen worse at ragged. The 8 will back up when some dumbass falls on the loading carpet but otherwise absorbs the crowd well.
The waterville six pack on the other hand is a disaster. Regular 30 minute lift lines, late starts, extended downtime. It is to the point where it is faster for the kids to stack carpets than ride the six. Hopefully they get that lift figured out, the new t bar should also help but green really should have been an HSDQ.
Edit: someone mentioned lodge space. I agree, the WV lodge space is excellent, loon parking and lodge space is a disaster. They really need to move the learning programs and comp venue to south peak with appropriate facilities.
I have averaged twenty something days at loon over the last several years but all were midweek or late season. This year I was at loon and waterville for races/training a total of seven holidays/weekends between Christmas and groundhog day. The gondola is brutal but nothing else at loon was more than a few minutes wait the holidays and weekends i was there. Was actually surprised at how quickly the lines moved, have seen worse at ragged. The 8 will back up when some dumbass falls on the loading carpet but otherwise absorbs the crowd well.
The waterville six pack on the other hand is a disaster. Regular 30 minute lift lines, late starts, extended downtime. It is to the point where it is faster for the kids to stack carpets than ride the six. Hopefully they get that lift figured out, the new t bar should also help but green really should have been an HSDQ.
Edit: someone mentioned lodge space. I agree, the WV lodge space is excellent, loon parking and lodge space is a disaster. They really need to move the learning programs and comp venue to south peak with appropriate facilities.
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Edd
Well-known member
The lodge is impressive, but, if being picky, I’d like the top floor bar to be a warmer space in general. It’s overall a sterile feeling, with uncomfortable bar stools (which could be deliberate but I wouldn’t know). If it’s midweek you have to fetch food in the cafeteria downstairs I think. Just don’t feel welcome there.
Smellytele
Well-known member
Are you talking Loon's bar?
Edd
Well-known member
Smellytele
Well-known member
Is there still an upstairs bar there since they built the new one at the lift level?
Edd
Well-known member
Yes.
I've only sat in the main, large bar area that walks directly out to the lift. I didn't realize there was another level. That big bar area definitely has the sterile, industrial vibe. You see that design pretty commonly in new bars in Urban areas these days. Heck, even a couple in Newmarket have the metal / concrete look. (Panzanella and Wing-Itz).
But, aesthetics aside, the WV lodge is large and well appointed in comparison to most competitors in the area. Definitely a better lodge than Loon, Gunstock, Cannon, Ragged or Sunapee. Not as great as Breton Woods or Pats.
But, aesthetics aside, the WV lodge is large and well appointed in comparison to most competitors in the area. Definitely a better lodge than Loon, Gunstock, Cannon, Ragged or Sunapee. Not as great as Breton Woods or Pats.
sull1102
Active member
WV has done a great job redoing that top level bar area and opening up the space with the huge garage doors and everything.
I agree that the village has been struggling the past few years, but back when I was a kid and the family had a condo at Golden Eagle it was the perfect place for families. You could park the car on Friday night and not touch it again until you were going home on Sunday night. The rink does continue to do great business with tournaments booked all the time. If this gondola can move forward it could really change the entire area, especially if they build a summit restaurant on Green that would be it's own tourist attraction and year round business.
I agree that the village has been struggling the past few years, but back when I was a kid and the family had a condo at Golden Eagle it was the perfect place for families. You could park the car on Friday night and not touch it again until you were going home on Sunday night. The rink does continue to do great business with tournaments booked all the time. If this gondola can move forward it could really change the entire area, especially if they build a summit restaurant on Green that would be it's own tourist attraction and year round business.
Edd
Well-known member
To clarify, the only bar at the base I’m aware of is the large one on the top floor.
Smellytele
Well-known member
The bar used to be up another level. It was dark and dreary. The one with the garage doors is so much better. Other one was cramped and kind of had multiple different sections which made you feel like you didn’t belong with the cool kids at the actual bar.
urungus
Well-known member
FWIW, there is a second bar in the base area (although not technically in the base lodge), TBars, above Top Dog Rentals
