Winners for 2010-2011: Who to Watch This Summer

[sull1102]

"Grant Application- USDOT Federal Transit Authority Grant
Bob Fries asks for the Selectmen’s support in applying for a federal grant up to 3 million dollars
for alternative transportation on federal land. He submits draft copies of the application for the
Selectmen’s review. The grant is for a gondola that would be constructed in the area of Town
Square and would be in conjunction with a multi phase project at the Ski Area including new ski
lifts and trails. The gondola ride would be 4,000ft long and would take about 4 minutes. A
private enterprise in not allowed to apply for the grant, so the Town would be responsible for
submitting the application. At which point, if selected for the grant, the Town would bestow the
monies to the Ski Resort. The Resort would own the lift, make up the difference in costs for the
project as well as maintain the lift at their own expense."

Just curious, is this a fantasy or is this a legit application because if it's legit it would be a HUGE change for the entire town.

 

[rockisland]

Town Selectman minutes

http://www.watervillevalley.org/Selectmen_Meeting_Minutes_files/April 27, 2011 Minutes.pdf

 

[sull1102]

WOW! That would be amazing!

 

[threecy]

Just curious, is this a fantasy or is this a legit application because if it's legit it would be a HUGE change for the entire town.

This was actually part of the original plans when the ski area was developed in the 1960s.

 

[sull1102]

I know, but so were a couple of other things that never happened.

 

[threecy]

I know, but so were a couple of other things that never happened.

Indeed. This will be interesting to watch...the new management dropped hints of the gondola last fall. Considering all of the moving parts involved (grant, crossing a road, etc.), I bet this will be a long process.

In the meantime, I have noticed an improvement in the facilities and quantity of snowmaking since the new ownership took over. It'll be interesting to see if they can get it back up to 300,000 skier visits.

 

[cannonist]

This is ridiculous. There are soo many other spots where the valley could use an investment. I just dont think a village to base gondola is in the best interests of the resort.

 

[sull1102]

Examples? I think this would be a great move, It would probably be a very "green" move because it would get rid of the four school/schuss busses they use now. I do agree that some new terrain is desperately needed. I definitely think that new terrain could be a higher priority, but what's easier to market and make a splash? A new Gondola.

 

[threecy]

I definitely think that new terrain could be a higher priority, but what's easier to market and make a splash? A new Gondola.

The proposal is for a 4,000 foot long gondola starting at Town Square...they'd have to add more terrain to connect that to the ski area.

 

[sull1102]

Kind of figured the gondola would go from Town Square up to the current base area.

 

[deadheadskier]

The proposal is for a 4,000 foot long gondola starting at Town Square...they'd have to add more terrain to connect that to the ski area.

I'm assuming any trails connecting the ski area proper to the village and gondola base would be similar to something like Snubber at Sugarloaf?

Gondola seems a bit overkill for what I assume the lifts primary function will be; connecting ski area with village.

Guess I need to see the drawings to fully grasp where the lift will be positioned and if any of the terrain off of it will greatly improve the skiing variety and experience.

 

[sull1102]

Looking forward to seeing these drawings as well.

 

[from_the_NEK]

Looking forward to seeing these drawings as well.

+3. Not sure how a 4000' lift is going to efficiently hook up the village with the ski area.

By the looks of things putting a lift terminal from somewhere between W Branch and Oceola Rd (northern fringe of the main village) and the base lodge would mean a minimum length of 5000'.
IMHO, if they really wanted to do it right put in the gondola from the parking lots across the road from the Town Square to above the Lower Meadows double lift which would be over 7000' long (roughly the same as going to the Base lodge).

 

[threecy]

I haven't seen any plans yet, but as noted, 4,000 feet wouldn't be enough to connect the village to the existing ski area.

There are only a few options to connect the Town Square to the ski area without cutting through existing buildings.

 

[bobbutts]

The proposal is for a 4,000 foot long gondola starting at Town Square...they'd have to add more terrain to connect that to the ski area.

I'd have to guess this would be a 2-way transport lift. It's not really ski-appropriate downhill from the resort to town square from my memory and looking at maps.

Also 4000' from town square doesn't get far enough to reach the resort. I wonder if this would access some new base area south of the existing one?

 

[deadheadskier]

wonder why they located the village so far from the slopes when the resort was initially built.

 

[threecy]

I'd have to guess this would be a 2-way transport lift. It's not really ski-appropriate downhill from the resort to town square from my memory and looking at maps.

Also 4000' from town square doesn't get far enough to reach the resort. I wonder if this would access some new base area south of the existing one?

Right, my guess is the lift would be similar to the transfer gondola at Stowe, and would connect to a new terrain complex.

wonder why they located the village so far from the slopes when the resort was initially built.

Much of Waterville is in the National Forest, so they were handcuffed in that respect. Also, the village was already there to an extent, prior to the ski area being built.

 

[DoublePlanker]

wonder why they located the village so far from the slopes when the resort was initially built.

Resort next to defunct Snow Mtn part of Waterville.

 

[Watatic Skier]

I'd have to guess this would be a 2-way transport lift. It's not really ski-appropriate downhill from the resort to town square from my memory and looking at maps.

Also 4000' from town square doesn't get far enough to reach the resort. I wonder if this would access some new base area south of the existing one?

Or they could make it like the gondola at Whittier, which started way below the ski area where people could get on, then get off and ski a smaller lift or ride to the Gondola to the top, then ski back down to the mid-station.

 

[thetrailboss]

So what is going on with Saddleback? Wildcat? Attitash?