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Stratton in 2002
Stratton Mountain Resort
Stratton, Vermont
Status: Open
First Season:1961-62
Vertical Drop:2003 feet
Standing Lifts:1 gondola, 4 high speed six packs, 1 high speed quad, 2 quads, 1 triple, 1 double, surface lifts
Past Lifts:
Left: Stratton in 2002
Recent NewEnglandSkiIndustry.com News:
1/5/2019: Two New Chairlifts Open in Southern Verm...
12/11/2018: Leitner-Poma Completes First Brand New L...
8/20/2018: State Permitting Hampers Vermont Project...
5/18/2018: Initial Lift Construction Continues in T...
SkiNewEngland.net Profile
Located in Southern Vermont, Stratton Mountain is one of the tallest peaks in New England at 3,936 feet in elevation.

Construction and Debut

Stratton during the 1961-62 season
Stratton during the 1961-62 season

The development of Stratton Mountain dates back to the late 1950s, when a group of skiers became interested in constructing a ski area on the then-remote peak. 10th Mountain Division veteran and ski racer Robert Wright met with Frank Snyder, enticing him to visit the mountain in the fall of 1959.

The Stratton Corporation was established as a Vermont corporation on July 5, 1960. An arrangement was made to obtain matching loan funds for every dollar invested by stockholders. Work snowballed in 1961, continuing at a feverish pace through opening day, when the access road to the ski area was still under construction.

Lift served skiing debuted on the northern peak of the mountain when Stratton Mountain ski area opened with 3 double chairlifts (installed using a then-unique helicopter method) in December of 1961. Designed by Gene Gillis of Sel Hannah's Sno Engineering firm, the area also sported a three story base lodge.

While the facilities were top notch, the muddy access road was called a 'tank-proving ground' by the press. The road received much needed pavement in time for the area's second season.

Stratton's uphill capacity was improved for its third season with the installation of two T-Bars.

The North American double circa the 1960s
The North American double circa the 1960s

A sizable expansion took place the following season, when 30 acres of terrain, served by a new double chairlift, were opened in the new Snow Bowl.

1966-67 saw an expansion of the base lodge, as well as the installation of another double chairlift. The Grizzly Bear and Polar Bear trails were added for the following season.

A New Base Area

The upper mountain circa the late 1960s
The upper mountain circa the late 1960s

The Sun Bowl was developed for the 1968-69 season, adding a new base area, 5 miles of trails, and a new double chairlift.

An additional two chairlift expansion was planned for the 1971-72 season, however Stratton became one of the first ski areas in the state to run into trouble with the new Act 250 law, when residents of Winhall forced the ski area to first overhaul its sewer system in advance of potential increases in skier vists.

The Main Line pod was partially developed in the early 1970s, however development was halted prior to the installation of a chairlift.

Main Line (2004)
Main Line (2004)

In 1972, Warren Hellman and Donald Tarinelli founded the Stratton Mountain School to help their children advance their ski racing careers while not conflicting with their high school education The school continues to operate to this day.

On February 10, 1974, 20 year old James Sunday was paralyzed after a fall while skiing at Stratton. In a landmark decision three years on June 9, 1977, Sunday was awarded $1.5 million by a Vermont jury. The decision resulted in significant price increases throughout the ski industry, due to skyrocketing liability insurance costs.

Snowmaking was expanded to the summit of Stratton for the 1974-75 season, as pipes were installed on North American and Standard.

In 1975, Donald Tarinelli was named General Manager of the ski area following Harvey Clifford's departure to purchase Glen Ellen. In the spring of 1977, the International Paper Company donated 1,023 acres of land on Stratton Mountain, containing the bulk of the ski terrain, to the United States Ski Educational Foundation, to benefit the United States Ski Team. The USSEF then granted the Stratton Corporation a 99 year lease at 2.25 percent of the ski area's gross ticket revenues. Stratton then used the value of the lease to fund the purchase of two new chairlifts. The Stratton Corporation may have later acquired this tract.

New Ownership, Part 1

The base area circa the late 1970s or early 1980s
The base area circa the late 1970s or early 1980s

Late in 1979, Stratton purchased nearby Bromley and assumed its multi-million dollar debt. Stratton's debt was now reportedly up to $7 million. Moore and Munger, Inc. came to the rescue and purchased Stratton in early 1980. During during the 1980s, Jake Burton found an ally in Stratton, when it became the first ski area to allow snowboarding. In addition to this, Stratton also became home to the first snowboard school, and would start hosting US Open snowboard races in 1985. Stratton would later become home to the first half pipe and formal terrain park on the east coast.

The US Open snowboard races weren't the only non-skiing event to make a splash at Stratton in 1985. With the Cranmore facility in limbo, the Volvo International Tennis Tournament was moved to Stratton. Tennis star Ivan Lendl became a Stratton skier during 1985-86 ski season, after winning a season pass at the tournament.

In the mid 1980s, in conjunction with the expansion of Stratton Village, the lift network at Stratton was modernized. Four new Poma chairlifts were installed in 1985 and 1986, replacing aging Heron-Pomas.

In the fall of 1987, Moore and Munger, Inc. sold Bromley to the owners of nearby Magic Mountain. The following year, the famous Gondola was installed to the summit of Stratton.

New Ownership, Part 2

In the spring of 1989, Victoria USA, Inc., a Japanese sporting goods company that owned Breckenridge, purchased Stratton. Later that year, the Kidderbrook area debuted. Along with the lift and new trails, a new 12,000 square foot Sun Bowl base lodge, the projects represented a $7 million investment into the resort.

New Ownership, Part 3

The Stratton base area in 2014
The Stratton base area in 2014

Intrawest purchased the ski area from Victoria USA, Inc. in 1994 and quickly started another round of new lift installations, eventually rolling out four new high speed six pack chairlifts.

With the installation of these new high speed chairlifts, the fixed grip quads of the area quickly lost popularity. With its parent company facing some tough times, Stratton removed the often-idle Kidderbrook chairlift following the 2006-07 season.

The North American trail was renamed in honor of founder Frank Snyder during the 2007-08 season, becoming Frank's Fall Line.

Intrawest announced $6.5 million of projects for the 2013-2014 season, including new snowcats, improved snowmaking, two new glades, and base resort improvements.

Following a fire, a $9 million base lodge expansion took place in 2015.

In 2017, Stratton's parent company Intrawest was acquired by what would become known as Alterra. Its first major investment was a new high speed detachable quad in the Snow Bowl, which debuted in January of 2019.

NewEnglandSkiConditions.com Reports
Month Average Percent of Terrain Open
November9%    (10 reports)9 Open
December34%    (9 reports)34 Open
January74%    (4 reports)74 Open
February80%    (4 reports)80 Open
March70%    (3 reports)70 Open
April5%    (1 report)5 Open
Recent Conditions Reports
Mar. 16, 2024 by rocket21
Variable Conditions, Variable Conditions
Dec. 2, 2023 by rocket21
Spring Snow, Spring Snow
Nov. 23, 2023 by brianna
Variable Conditions, Variable Conditions
Nov. 23, 2023 by rocket21
Variable Conditions, Frozen Granular
Nov. 23, 2023 by nordicgal
Frozen Granular, Variable Conditions
Stratton Mountain Resort on NewEnglandSkiConditions.com


NewEnglandSkiIndustry.com News
Recent Articles
Two New Chairlifts Open in Southern Vermont - Jan. 5, 2019
Leitner-Poma Completes First Brand New Lift of Season - Dec. 11, 2018
State Permitting Hampers Vermont Projects - Aug. 20, 2018
Initial Lift Construction Continues in Two States - May. 18, 2018
Magic to Install Quad Chairlift - May. 9, 2018
Stratton Moving Forward with Snow Bowl Lift Replacement - Mar. 11, 2018
Stratton Sold to Owners of Aspen, Squaw Valley - Apr. 10, 2017
Rumors Continue to Swirl Around Stratton - Mar. 24, 2017
Stowe Sets New England Record with $124 Lift Ticket - Oct. 1, 2016
Vermont Construction Projects in Full Gear - Aug. 9, 2015
Stratton Mountain Resort NewEnglandSkiIndustry.com News Page


Expansion History
Project
Season
Snow Bowl
Open
1964-65
Sun Bowl
Open
1968-69
Main Line
Open
1972-73
Kidderbrook
Open
1989-90


Image Gallery
1962-63 Eastern Ski Map1964-65 Eastern Ski Map1965-66 Eastern Ski Map1966-67 Eastern Ski Map1967-68 Eastern Ski Map1971-72 Eastern Ski Map
View All Images in Stratton Mountain Resort Image Gallery


Lifts
Click on lift name for information and photos
Standing Lifts
Installed
The base terminal (2017)
American Express
Doppelmayr
Chairlift - Sixpack - Detachable
1995-96
The lift line (2017)
Gondola
Poma
Gondola - 12 Person
1988-89
The base terminal (2017)
Shooting Star Express
Garaventa CTEC
Chairlift - Sixpack - Detachable
2001-02
The base terminal (January 2019)
Snow Bowl Express
Doppelmayr
Chairlift - Quad - Detachable
2018-19
The base terminal (2018)
Solstice Quad
Poma
Chairlift - Quad - Fixed
2001-02
The South American Quad in 2014
South American Quad
Poma
Chairlift - Quad - Fixed
2001-02
The top terminal (2017)
Sunrise Express
Garaventa CTEC
Chairlift - Sixpack - Detachable
2001-02
The Tamarack Triple in 2014
Tamarack Triple
Borvig
Chairlift - Triple - Fixed
1977-78
The base terminal (2017)
URSA Express
Garaventa CTEC
Chairlift - Sixpack - Detachable
1999-00
The Villager Double in 2014
Villager Double
Poma
Chairlift - Double - Fixed
1985-86

Past Lifts
Seasons
Betwixed Double
Borvig
Chairlift - Double - Fixed
1982-83
-
1994-95
Grizzly Double
Borvig
Chairlift - Double - Fixed
1977-78
-
1998-99
The top of the Kidderbrook Quad in 2006
Kidderbrook Quad
Poma
Chairlift - Quad - Fixed
1989-90
-
2006-07
Lower T-Bar
Hall
T-Bar
1963-64
-
1975-76
The North American Double circa 1962
North American Double
Heron
Chairlift - Double - Fixed
1961-62
-
1984-85
North American Quad
Poma
Chairlift - Quad - Fixed
1985-86
-
1998-99
The SMS Poma in 2004
SMS Poma
Heron-Poma
Platter
1971-72
-
2017-18
Snow Bowl Double
Heron
Chairlift - Double - Fixed
1964-65
-
1985-86
The Snow Bowl Quad in 2006
Snow Bowl Quad
Poma
Chairlift - Quad - Fixed
1986-87
-
2017-18
The bottom terminal (1960s)
Standard Double
Heron
Chairlift - Double - Fixed
1966-67
-
1994-95
Sun Bowl Double
Heron
Chairlift - Double - Fixed
1968-69
-
1985-86
Sun Bowl Quad
Poma
Chairlift - Quad - Fixed
1986-87
-
2000-01
The bottom terminal (1960s)
Suntanner Double
Heron
Chairlift - Double - Fixed
1961-62
-
1994-95
Tamarack Double
Borvig
Chairlift - Double - Fixed
1976-77
-
1976-77
Teddy Bear

Platter

-
Tyrolienne Double
Heron
Chairlift - Double - Fixed
1961-62
-
2000-01
Upper T-Bar
Hall
T-Bar
1963-64
-
1977-78


Maps
2023-24 Stratton Trail Map
1964-65 Stratton Mountain Trail Map1965 Stratton Trail Map1967-68 Stratton Mountain Trail Map1968-69 Stratton Trail Map1992-93 Stratton Trail Map2005-06 Stratton trail map
View All Stratton Mountain Resort Trail Maps

Year by Year History
Adult Weekend Full Day Lift Ticket; Adult Full Price Unlimited Season Pass
2020s Ticket Price Season Pass Price
Pass Payback
Opening Day
Closing Day
Skier Visits
2023-24$203.302023-24 Ticket Price Graph$1309.002023-24 Season Pass Price Graph6.4 daysNovember 222023-24 Skier Visit Graph
2022-23$202.232022-23 Ticket Price Graph$1229.002022-23 Season Pass Price Graph6.1 daysNovember 25April 162022-23 Skier Visit Graph
2021-22$180.832021-22 Ticket Price Graph$1149.002021-22 Season Pass Price Graph6.4 daysNovember 27April 172021-22 Skier Visit Graph
2020-21$148.732020-21 Ticket Price Graph$1149.002020-21 Season Pass Price Graph7.7 daysDecember 10April 112020-21 Skier Visit Graph
2019-20$139.102019-20 Ticket Price Graph$1099.002019-20 Season Pass Price Graph7.9 daysNovember 23March 142019-20 Skier Visit Graph
2010s Ticket Price Season Pass Price
Pass Payback
Opening Day
Closing Day
Skier Visits
2018-19$129.002018-19 Ticket Price Graph$1049.002018-19 Season Pass Price Graph8.1 daysNovember 21April 142018-19 Skier Visit Graph
2017-18$115.002017-18 Ticket Price Graph$1099.002017-18 Season Pass Price Graph9.6 daysNovember 22April 152017-18 Skier Visit Graph
2016-17$105.002016-17 Ticket Price Graph$1199.002016-17 Season Pass Price Graph11.4 daysNovember 25April 92016-17 Skier Visit Graph
2015-16$105.002015-16 Ticket Price Graph$1119.002015-16 Season Pass Price Graph10.7 daysNovember 28April 102015-16 Skier Visit Graph
2014-15$98.002014-15 Ticket Price Graph2014-15 Season Pass Price GraphNovember 26April 122014-15 Skier Visit Graph
2013-14$92.002013-14 Ticket Price Graph$999.002013-14 Season Pass Price Graph10.9 daysNovember 23April 132013-14 Skier Visit Graph
2012-13$87.002012-13 Ticket Price Graph$1229.002012-13 Season Pass Price Graph14.1 daysNovember 21April 142012-13 Skier Visit Graph
2011-12$87.002011-12 Ticket Price Graph$1229.002011-12 Season Pass Price Graph14.1 daysDecember 4March 252011-12 Skier Visit Graph
2010-11$84.002010-11 Ticket Price Graph$1159.002010-11 Season Pass Price Graph13.8 daysNovember 272010-11 Skier Visit Graph
2009-10$82.002009-10 Ticket Price Graph$1139.002009-10 Season Pass Price Graph13.9 daysDecember 8April 112009-10 Skier Visit Graph
2000s Ticket Price Season Pass Price
Pass Payback
Opening Day
Closing Day
Skier Visits
2008-09$79.002008-09 Ticket Price Graph$1109.002008-09 Season Pass Price Graph14.0 daysApril 122008-09 Skier Visit Graph
2007-08$78.002007-08 Ticket Price Graph$1059.002007-08 Season Pass Price Graph13.6 daysApril 202007-08 Skier Visit Graph
2006-07$75.002006-07 Ticket Price Graph$1059.002006-07 Season Pass Price Graph14.1 daysApril 82006-07 Skier Visit Graph
2005-06$72.002005-06 Ticket Price Graph$999.002005-06 Season Pass Price Graph13.9 daysNovember 23April 9390,0002005-06 Skier Visit Graph
2004-05$72.002004-05 Ticket Price Graph2004-05 Season Pass Price GraphApril 10400,0002004-05 Skier Visit Graph
2003-04$72.002003-04 Ticket Price Graph$1479.002003-04 Season Pass Price Graph20.5 daysApril 11368,0002003-04 Skier Visit Graph
2002-03$72.002002-03 Ticket Price Graph$1449.002002-03 Season Pass Price Graph20.1 daysNovember 23417,0002002-03 Skier Visit Graph
2001-02$62.002001-02 Ticket Price Graph$1379.002001-02 Season Pass Price Graph22.2 days387,0002001-02 Skier Visit Graph
2000-01$60.002000-01 Ticket Price Graph$1260.002000-01 Season Pass Price Graph21.0 days2000-01 Skier Visit Graph
1999-00$59.001999-00 Ticket Price Graph$1200.001999-00 Season Pass Price Graph20.3 daysApril 91999-00 Skier Visit Graph
1990s Ticket Price Season Pass Price
Pass Payback
Opening Day
Closing Day
Skier Visits
1998-991998-99 Ticket Price Graph1998-99 Season Pass Price GraphApril 111998-99 Skier Visit Graph
1997-98$50.001997-98 Ticket Price Graph$1150.001997-98 Season Pass Price Graph23.0 daysNovember 151997-98 Skier Visit Graph
1996-97$49.001996-97 Ticket Price Graph1996-97 Season Pass Price Graph1996-97 Skier Visit Graph
1995-961995-96 Ticket Price Graph1995-96 Season Pass Price GraphNovember 151995-96 Skier Visit Graph
1994-95$43.001994-95 Ticket Price Graph1994-95 Season Pass Price GraphNovember 24April 161994-95 Skier Visit Graph
1993-94$41.001993-94 Ticket Price Graph1993-94 Season Pass Price Graph1993-94 Skier Visit Graph
1992-93$39.001992-93 Ticket Price Graph1992-93 Season Pass Price Graph1992-93 Skier Visit Graph
1991-92$39.001991-92 Ticket Price Graph1991-92 Season Pass Price GraphNovember 91991-92 Skier Visit Graph
1990-91$38.001990-91 Ticket Price Graph1990-91 Season Pass Price Graph1990-91 Skier Visit Graph
1989-90$36.001989-90 Ticket Price Graph1989-90 Season Pass Price Graph1989-90 Skier Visit Graph
1980s Ticket Price Season Pass Price
Pass Payback
Opening Day
Closing Day
Skier Visits
1988-89$35.001988-89 Ticket Price Graph1988-89 Season Pass Price GraphNovember 23April 161988-89 Skier Visit Graph
1987-88$34.001987-88 Ticket Price Graph1987-88 Season Pass Price Graph1987-88 Skier Visit Graph
1986-87$27.001986-87 Ticket Price Graph1986-87 Season Pass Price Graph1986-87 Skier Visit Graph
1984-85$25.001984-85 Ticket Price Graph$725.001984-85 Season Pass Price Graph29.0 daysNovember 22April 261984-85 Skier Visit Graph
1983-84$25.001983-84 Ticket Price Graph$725.001983-84 Season Pass Price Graph29.0 days1983-84 Skier Visit Graph
1982-83$24.001982-83 Ticket Price Graph$520.001982-83 Season Pass Price Graph21.7 days1982-83 Skier Visit Graph
1981-82$23.001981-82 Ticket Price Graph1981-82 Season Pass Price GraphNovember 25350,0001981-82 Skier Visit Graph
1980-81$20.001980-81 Ticket Price Graph1980-81 Season Pass Price Graph310,0001980-81 Skier Visit Graph
1979-80$18.001979-80 Ticket Price Graph$475.001979-80 Season Pass Price Graph26.4 days1979-80 Skier Visit Graph
1970s Ticket Price Season Pass Price
Pass Payback
Opening Day
Closing Day
Skier Visits
1978-79$16.001978-79 Ticket Price Graph1978-79 Season Pass Price GraphNovember 241978-79 Skier Visit Graph
1977-78$15.001977-78 Ticket Price Graph1977-78 Season Pass Price GraphNovember 26April 91977-78 Skier Visit Graph
1976-77$14.001976-77 Ticket Price Graph$385.001976-77 Season Pass Price Graph27.5 daysNovember 251976-77 Skier Visit Graph
1975-76$12.001975-76 Ticket Price Graph$350.001975-76 Season Pass Price Graph29.2 daysNovember 271975-76 Skier Visit Graph
1974-75$12.001974-75 Ticket Price Graph1974-75 Season Pass Price Graph1974-75 Skier Visit Graph
1973-74$11.001973-74 Ticket Price Graph1973-74 Season Pass Price Graph1973-74 Skier Visit Graph
1972-73$11.001972-73 Ticket Price Graph1972-73 Season Pass Price Graph1972-73 Skier Visit Graph
1971-72$10.001971-72 Ticket Price Graph$250.001971-72 Season Pass Price Graph25.0 days1971-72 Skier Visit Graph
1970-71$10.001970-71 Ticket Price Graph1970-71 Season Pass Price Graph1970-71 Skier Visit Graph
1969-70$10.001969-70 Ticket Price Graph1969-70 Season Pass Price Graph1969-70 Skier Visit Graph
1960s Ticket Price Season Pass Price
Pass Payback
Opening Day
Closing Day
Skier Visits
1968-69$9.001968-69 Ticket Price Graph1968-69 Season Pass Price GraphNovember 161968-69 Skier Visit Graph
1967-68$8.001967-68 Ticket Price Graph1967-68 Season Pass Price GraphDecember 11967-68 Skier Visit Graph
1966-67$8.001966-67 Ticket Price Graph1966-67 Season Pass Price GraphApril 101966-67 Skier Visit Graph
1965-66$8.001965-66 Ticket Price Graph1965-66 Season Pass Price Graph1965-66 Skier Visit Graph
1963-64$7.001963-64 Ticket Price Graph1963-64 Season Pass Price GraphDecember 71963-64 Skier Visit Graph
1962-63$6.501962-63 Ticket Price Graph1962-63 Season Pass Price GraphDecember 81962-63 Skier Visit Graph
1961-62$6.501961-62 Ticket Price Graph1961-62 Season Pass Price GraphDecember 23April 101961-62 Skier Visit Graph


Visitor Memories
"I remember the beginning. Our family property was one of the first purchased for the access road. I remember the trucks hauling dirt and gravel up and down the road. I finally got to ski the mountain in the early 1970s,all day lift ticket $12.00!"
Bruce Frazer, Mar. 6, 2021
"I am the daughter of Robert Wright I remember the 3 D ski mountain in our dinning room when I was about 2 yo when he was designing Stratton. I loved skiing there as a young child. "
Valerie Brock, May. 12, 2019
"I remember trips up and down the unsaved access road in our Jeep with trash can tied to the back, to carry all the skis....amongst so many other memories!"
Bubsy Tuttle, Jan. 26, 2019
"I began skiing at Stratton in the mid 60s. At age 13, my parents gave me a special gift of spending a week on my own skiing. I took lessons from Emo's terrific staff of instructors and stayed in the bunk room of Birkenhaus. I met many families who invited me to join them for meals. These memories are still vivid 50 years later. I am grateful to my parents for giving me this unique opportunity. "
Jerry Lucas, Jul. 30, 2017
"I was a supervisor in the ski school for a number of years, late 70's early 80's. Those years were spent with folks both co-workers and paying skiers,from the 4 corners of the globe, some of the greatest people I've known in my life. Most fun, morning demo's and doing sync skiing with Hansi B and Alois on N American"
Jon Person, Jul. 14, 2015
"Every year I go with my friend Revel, and we always have the greatest time! I remember when I graduated ski school it was one of the proudest moments of my life! I recommend this to ANYONE! See you on the slopes!"
Augustus Stimpson, Jan. 29, 2015
"I remember going to Stratton for a grooming trade show. I was a groomer at nearby MT Snow at the time. We were able to hop into any machine that was on the snow and running to operate it and get a feel for it. Others would have an operator take you for a ride. The Hagglund was most impressive and fast. I believe this was 1990. Also fond memories of ski trips from school."
Jim Hall, Feb. 21, 2013
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External Links
  • Stratton Mountain - official site
  • Stratton Mountain - FranklinSites.com
  • Last updated: January 26, 2019

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