Stowe Mountain Resort Wins Golden Eagle Award
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Golden Eagle Award for Overall Ski Area Operation- Stowe Mountain Resort, Vermont
Facing major competition from ski conglomerates, consequent loss of market share, the challenges of an aging facility and the potential loss of critical snowmaking capacity, Stowe had to make some major changes.
Stowe hosted meetings with 27 organizations to create the Stowe 2000 Collaborative Master Planning Initiative. It includes several key elements: enhanced snowmaking capabilities; water quality improvements; and on-mountain improvements including expanded base lodge, new trails, lifts and a hamlet-scale settlement at the foot of Spruce Peak for a residential base.
The process also brought about several adjustments including the elimination of a proposed ski trail, relocation of a new lift, wetland preservation, stream restoration and enhancement and commitments to incorporate the principles of sustainability.
The Community Plan provided a much-needed template for future project planning throughout Vermont. (Finalists: Whistler/Blackcomb, BC and Aspen Skiing Company)
