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Sugarbush Mountain
Warren, Vermont
| Overview |
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Sugarbush Mountain: Glen Ellen | Castlerock | Gatehouse Area | Slide Brook Express
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| Castlerock - 1959 - Open |
The 1963-64 Sugarbush trail map showing the Castlerock complex after the addition of the nearby Gate House area |
After a successful opening season in 1958-59, the owners of Sugarbush continued investing money by building a new complex. Serviced by a new Carlevaro & Savio double chairlift, the Castlerock area would quickly become legendary throughout New England.
As the rest of the resort around it grew and modernized, Castlerock retained its classic feel throughout the years with narrow expert steeps.
In 2001, it was finally time to replace the aging lift. Rather than install a high capacity, high speed lift, Sugarbush's replacement was similar to what would happen at nearby Mad River Glen a few years later - a modern install of the same type of lift.
A brand new Poma double chairlift, running 4,707 feet while climbing 1,670 vertical, was installed, thus ensuring reliable service whilst not overcrowding the prestine Castlerock trails.
The Castlerock area as seen on the 2009-2010 Sugarbush trail map
The top of the Castlerock area (2005)
The Middle Earth trail (2010)
The top of the Castlerock double (2006)
The top of the Castlerock double (2005)
The bottom of the Castlerock double (2005)
The top of the Castlerock double (2010)
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| Gatehouse Area - 1963 - Open |
The 1963-64 Sugarbush trail map showing the new Gate House area |
In trying to create more novice and intermediate terrain with the thought of real estate development, the Gatehouse area was built for the 1963-64 season (the same season that nearby Glen Ellen Ski Area would open).
Intially composed of four easy trails, the complex was serviced by a new 4,100 foot long by 850 foot vertical Carlevaro & Savio double chairlift. The following season, a shorter Carlevaro & Savio double chairlift was added, helping to connect the Gatehouse area to the new village.
In 1995, to provide better access to the Inverness Area, as well as the new Slide Brook Express, the Gatehouse Double was replaced with a new Doppelmayr high speed detachable quad, running 3,868 feet over the course of 831 vertical feet.
The Gatehouse area as seen on the 2009-2010 Sugarbush trail map
The Village Double (2002)
The Gatehouse Quad (2004)
The Gatehouse Quad (2006)
The Gatehouse Quad (2010)
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| Slide Brook Express - 1995 - Open |
The northern side of the Slide Brook Express (2004) |
In trying to unify the two separate Sugarbush ski areas, LBO Resort Enteprises decided to forgo the long-proposed Slide Brook Basin expansion and instead reach a compromise to connect the two areas via chairlift.
In 1995, a new 11,012 foot long Doppelmayr high speed detachable quad was installed, with terminals located at the top of the new Gate House and Green Mountain quad chairlifts. At 1,150 feet per minute, the lift was the fastest high speed quad in the country, as well as the longest.
The Slide Brook Express on the 1996 Sugarbush trail map
The Slide Brook Express (2004)
The Slide Brook Express (2004)
The Slide Brook Express (2004)
The Slide Brook Express (2006)
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| Resources |
Sugarbush - NewEnglandSkiHistory.com
Sugarbush Resort Official Site
SugarbushResortHistory.com
Sugarbush Resort - Wikipedia
Last updated: January 25, 2011
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