Stratton Mountain—Southern Vermont’s Highest Peak—Releases Long Term Development Plan

Located on Southern Vermont’s highest peak, Stratton Mountain Resort recently updated its master plan and invested 15 million dollars for the upcoming 2025-26 season. This Alterra-owned resort is one of two in the Northeast where skiers and riders can enjoy unlimited access with the full Ikon pass. Less than 50 miles away, nearby Killington has been in the headlines for new ownership and the new Superstar Six lift, with more lift upgrades coming down the line. These two ski areas seem to be at the forefront of upgrades for Northeast resorts. 

Scheduled to open for the 2026-27 season, Stratton is planning to upgrade the Tamarack lift, a significant improvement for beginners. This highly requested improvement project represents the first lift upgrade at Stratton since the Snow Bowl Express back in 2018. This should improve navigation around the mountain, as the proposed new high-speed quad would drop skiers a little higher on the mountain, allowing them to ski downhill via Grizzly Access to Ursa Express. Currently, skiers have to skate or walk uphill to get from the top of the Tamarack lift to the Ursa Express. Alternatively, skiers can ski down from the top of the Tamarack lift to the often highly congested main base area and take the American Express, South American, or the Gondola up to access Ursa Express. Extending the top terminal by just one pole length would address these challenges, allowing skiers and riders direct downhill access to Ursa Express and eliminating a major chokepoint. 

As part of the capital investment for the current 2025-26 season, Stratton is attempting to combat wind holds on the gondola by extending the wind-blocking fences. The gondola is the only top-to-bottom lift at Stratton. Unfortunately, it seems to go on wind hold more often than one would expect for a major resort gondola. When the gondola is running, the mountain can usually accommodate resort guests with manageable lift lines. However, when the gondola is not running, lift lines build to uncomfortable levels on the American Express, Ursa, and the Snow Bowl Express lifts. 

More snowmaking is coming. Stratton plans to add snowmaking on Rick’s Catch 22 and Rising Star next to Sunriser Supertrail on the Sun Bowl side. In a controversial move, snowmaking may also be added to Sun Beam, a run favored by many for its high-quality natural snow. 

Stratton also has a substantial long-term plan for the Sun Bowl area, including a new T-bar on Sunriser Supertrail. This T-bar is designed for the racing team, with the addition of a race course and a small mogul course near the bottom of the Sunriser Supertrail. Hopefully, this will move members of the racing team off the already crowded Ursa Express lift. Off the mountain, Stratton plans to expand the Sun Bowl Lodge, adding more seating in the lunch area. Located next to the lodge will be a brand new hotel offering a quieter option for guests who want to be away from the bustle of the main base. The expansion will provide additional parking capacity, so the Sun Bowl lot doesn’t fill up on crowded weekends and holidays. In addition, two new condominium developments, The Reserve and Whisper Woods, are being discussed, a short drive from the Sun Bowl parking area. 

In the proposals, the Mid-Mountain Lodge at the top of the South American lift would be expanded to provide more seating, easing congestion at the main base and the Sun Bowl Lodges during peak times. The master plan also proposes a redeveloped base village, with a new main base lodge and improved facilities from lunch places to hotels. One of the latest hotels is planned for across Stratton Mountain Road on the location of Parking Lot 1. Hotel guests would access the mountain via a new connector lift that would cross the road to the main base area. 

Stratton’s updated master plan showcases the future of the Vermont resort, including upgraded lifts, lodges, and brand new hotels and condominiums. Also included in the master plan are future updates to all existing lifts, as lifts don’t last forever. Stratton’s team and Alterra are fully invested in creating the best resort they can on Southern Vermont’s highest peak.