SAM Magazine—Stowe, Vt., Oct. 12, 2023—Plans for a proposed gondola connecting Smugglers’ Notch Resort and Stowe Mountain Resort have been withdrawn following initial disapproval from the Agency of Natural Resources, according to reporting by the News & Citizen. 

Stowe, owned by Vail Resorts, and privately-held Smugglers’ Notch have reportedly been in discussions with Vermont state officials about building the 2,600-foot lift since 2017. That work included an initial environmental analysis and proposed mitigation measures. 

The Barre District Stewardship Team, a committee within the Agency of Natural Resources that evaluates public land project proposals, stated its opposition to the project in an August memo. In it, forester Brad Greenough detailed the committee’s unanimous denial of the project, according to the News & Citizen report.  

Greenough wrote that the state lands where the gondola were to be built were not compatible for such a project and that any measures to minimize the impacts would be ineffectual. Julie Moore, secretary of the Agency of Natural Resources, reportedly said it would be likely impossible to meet acceptable requirements of the Barre District Stewardship team.  

In an interview with SAM, Smuggs’ owner and general manager Bill Stritzler said: “We’d like to express our deep respect and gratitude to the Barre District Stewardship Team for their response. At this time, we’re going to pause and evaluate these considerations, alongside other factors including the economic, recreational, and community benefits. We remain committed to keeping our community fully informed and we appreciate the continued engagement we are receiving.”  

Stritzler has withdrawn the two resorts’ request for an Act 250 permit for the connector plan.

On Sept. 15, Stritzler was joined by Mark Delaney, chief of corporate matters and mountain guest experience at Smugglers’ Notch, on a video conference detailing the project to shareholders and season pass holders, among others. The two had presented the same information to state officials about a year ago. 

Delaney has been working with the SE Group, Doppelmayr, and Arrowhead Environmental of Vermont on the project plans and potential environmental impacts. He explained that there are two existing trails between Stowe’s Spruce Mountain and the western portion of Sterling Mountain at Smuggs’ dating back several decades. 

“They are known to be a little narrow and flat in places and rely on wetland crossings, so the experience is not for everyone, but recognizing that access to both resorts could deliver one of the greatest winter experiences in the East, we decided to take a look at what a lift connection might look like,” he said. 

The gondola would travel through the Mount Mansfield Natural Area. Delaney explained that the gondola was the preferred option to minimize overall impacts, including traveling above tree line and requiring fewer towers than a chairlift or other options. The proposed gondola design would include nine towers, with 26 carriers, with a capacity to move 1,200 people per hour. Total travel time between the two peaks would be under six minutes.

“This alignment is the one that we think can best minimize the impacts of the connector lift,” he said. 

While the project is described as being on indefinite hold, Stritzler said he his team “will now turn to analyzing the potential economic impact a lift connecting Sterling Mountain and Spruce Peak could potentially have for the Lamoille Valley region and Vermont’s ski industry.”