NewEnglandSkiIndustry.com SkiNewEngland.net
Plans Emerge for Smugglers Notch to Stowe Lift
The two areas are planning for a connecting gondola.
Thursday, June 1, 2023, NewEnglandSkiIndustry.com

Stowe-Smugglers Notch
Stowe-Smugglers Notch aerial

Smugglers Notch Resort and Stowe Mountain Resort are planning to connect their ski areas via a gondola lift, the News and Citizen reports.

According to the story published today, the project has been privately discussed since Vail Resorts acquired Stowe Mountain Resort in 2017.

The two ski areas have been informally connected by crossover trails for decades, however access from Stowe was hampered with the removal of the Big Spruce Double and the subsequent lower Sensation Quad top terminal location.

Stowe-Smugglers Notch
Stowe-Smugglers Notch gondola proposal map

According to the map released by the News and Citizen, the gondola would connect from near the top of the Spruce Peak complex at Stowe to near the top of the Sterling complex at Smugglers Notch, crossing the Long Trail but staying west of Sterling Pond.

Smugglers Notch
Smugglers Notch six person chairlift proposal

In 2005, Smugglers Notch received a Vermont Act 250 permit to replace the Sterling double chairlift with a high speed six person chairlift. The permit was valid for three years. At present, Smugglers Notch's entire chairlift fleet is vintage Hall doubles.

Smugglers Notch
Smugglers Notch Sterling chairlift

Neither resort has issued an official comment on the project, or the possibility that it could portend the acquisition of Smugglers Notch by Vail Resorts. Owned by Bill Stritlzer since 1996, Smugglers Notch is one of the last independent large resorts in New England.

H/T: LiftBlog.com

  • Connector lift eyed for Stowe, Smugglers’ Notch resorts - News and Citizen External link


  • Related Stories on NewEnglandSkiIndustry.com
  • Mid-Fall Lift Construction Continues - November 6, 2022
  • Sugarbush Sets New England Record with $170 Lift Ticket - October 16, 2021
  • Vail Announces Four New Lifts for 2022 - September 24, 2021
  • Vail Releases Information About 2020-21 Operations - August 27, 2020
  • Stowe Sets New England Record with $147 Lift Ticket - December 19, 2018
  • Vermont Lift Ticket Prices Up 8% - November 27, 2017
  • Vail Proposes Additional Parking Expansion at Stowe - September 23, 2017
  • Vail Completes Stowe Transaction, Plans Parking Expansion - June 9, 2017
  • Vail Resorts Announces Purchase of Stowe - February 21, 2017
  • Vail-Stowe Rumors Continue to Fly - January 30, 2017


  • More Information
  • Stowe Mountain Resort on NewEnglandSkiIndustry.com
  • Smugglers Notch News on NewEnglandSkiIndustry.com
  • Stowe Mountain Resort on NewEnglandSkiHistory.com
  • Smugglers Notch on NewEnglandSkiHistory.com


  • comments powered by Disqus
    Copyright 2014- NewEnglandSkiIndustry.com, All Rights Reserved