¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý is independent, community-supported media, serving Vermont with trusted, relevant and essential information. We share stories that bring people together, from every corner of our region. New to ¿ªÔÆÌåÓý? Start here.

© 2025 ¿ªÔÆÌåÓý | 365 Troy Ave. Colchester, VT 05446

Public Files:
· · · ·
· · · ·
· · · ·
· ·

For assistance accessing our public files, please contact [email protected] or call 802-655-9451.
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Smugglers' Notch and Stowe are exploring a half-mile connector ski lift

The view from a gently graded ski slope at Stowe Mountain Resort on a bluebird day.
Abagael Giles
/
VPR File
Smuggler's Notch and Stowe are eyeing a connector gondola between their two resorts.

Smugglers' Notch and Stowe Mountain Resort are exploring building a gondola-style lift between the two ski areas. That's according to records from Vermont's Agency of Natural Resources.

The proposed ski lift would run for more than 2,500 feet between Stowe's Spruce Peak and Smugglers' Notch's Sterling Mountain.

It could carry 1,200 people an hour between Vail-owned Stowe and Smuggs � one of the last remaining independently owned and operated ski areas in the state.

broke the news this week.

In the winter when Route 108 is closed, the resorts are separated by an hour's drive � though they're just a few miles apart.

Documents show Smugglers' Notch was exploring the lift six years ago, shortly after Vail acquired Stowe.

In a statement to passholders Thursday, Smuggs confirmed the resort's in a connector lift.

A map showing the proposed path for a gondola connecting Smuggler's Notch and Stowe Mountain Resort.
Arrowwood Environmental
A map showing the proposed path for a gondola connecting Smuggler's Notch and Stowe Mountain Resort.

Under the current proposal, it would pass over the Long Trail and be visible from Sterling Pond.

Regulators at ANR are reviewing the proposal and what impact it would have on the environment and public, among other factors.

Have questions, comments or tips? or get in touch with reporter Abagael Giles.

Abagael is ¿ªÔÆÌåÓý's climate and environment reporter, focusing on the energy transition and how the climate crisis is impacting Vermonters â€� and Vermont’s landscape.

Abagael joined ¿ªÔÆÌåÓý in 2020. Previously, she was the assistant editor at Vermont Sports and Vermont Ski + Ride magazines. She covered dairy and agriculture for The Addison Independent and got her start covering land use, water and the Los Angeles Aqueduct for The Sheet: News, Views & Culture of the Eastern Sierra in Mammoth Lakes, Ca.

Have questions, comments or tips? Send us a message.

Loading...


Latest Stories