More Lifts Coming to Powder Mountain for 26-27

Peter Landsman1 Comment

Powder Mountain plans to invest $40 million on the public side of the resort over the next two years with a focus on the Sundown zone. Under new majority owner Reed Hastings, Powder operates a public-private model, with lifts on the eastern half of the resort open only to homeowners. So far, Hastings has added five new lifts since 2023 with up to five more on deck.

DMI expansion on the backside of James Peak seen last summer.

Sundown lies within the public western half of the resort with a variety of terrain for both day and night skiing. By fall 2026, Skytrac will complete a new public lift called DMI, serving 1,000 acres of steeps on the backside of Sundown. Construction began last summer on the triple chair, which will rise 1,796 feet and rank among Skytrac’s steepest-ever lifts. On the front side, Leitner-Poma will replace the existing Sundown quad with a detachable. Powder’s fourth high speed quad will expand both capacity and hours. The old Sundown chair will then move to become a beginner chairlift called Doodle. “Doodle allows beginners and ski school students of all ages to get efficient laps on a gentle, dedicated pitch,” said Powder. In addition to three new lifts, the Sundown Lodge will be replaced with a modern 15,000 square foot facility featuring ski school, rentals and dining for 2027-28. “This development plan is a demonstration of our commitment to keeping Powder a thriving public ski resort for generations to come,” said Powder President Brandi Hammon. “As a local and an avid skier, the team and I are committed to our community and season passholders and will continue investing in their on-mountain experience.”

PowMow didn’t announce specifics for the private side known as Powder Haven, though construction began on a new Half Pint chairlift last summer that could also be completed this year. For this project, Powder opted to repurpose equipment from the old Paradise quad for a new high-alpine neighborhood. Powder’s master plan also calls for a new lift up Cobabe Canyon, which could eventually replace the aging Sunrise Poma. For now, Powder Mountain says the Sunrise lift will remain publicly accessible for the 2026/27 season regardless of further lift development on the private side.

Powder Haven Half Pint lift under construction last summer.

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Bear Den Partners Invests in Smugglers’ Notch

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The new owners of Burke Mountain today acquired a majority stake in Smugglers’ Notch, another of Vermont’s largest independent mountains. Under the deal, prior owner Bill Stritzler and his family retain a minority ownership stake while Bear Den Partners becomes the primary owner and operator. Bear Den’s chairman, Ken Graham, is a lifelong skier and investor with local ties. Jon Schaefer leads the company as CEO. Schaefer also runs Berkshire East and Catamount in Western Massachusetts and helped rebuild Hermitage Club at Haystack Mountain and Bousquet in recent years. “We were intentional about finding an operator who truly understands what makes Smuggs special,” said Stritzler, who stewarded the mountain for 29 years. “We sought out Bear Den Partners as an equity partner because they share our belief that this resort is about families, employees, and community, not trends or shortcuts. This transition is about continuity and stewardship, and we’re confident Smuggs is in the right hands.”

Smuggs features incredible terrain and a family-friendly vibe but also aging infrastructure. The mountain’s seven Hall lifts date back to the 1960s and ’70s. Several were relocated to Smuggs in the ’90s from other mountains as the rest of the industry modernized. The largest top-to-bottom lift, Madonna, dates back to 1963 and takes some 15 minutes to ride. In 2023, Stritzler floated a gondola connection with Vail-owned Stowe, a proposal that garnered significant environmental opposition. Under this new ownership model, less flashy investments are likely. “Smugglers’ Notch will continue to operate with its existing culture, values, and commitment to guests, employees, and the surrounding community,” the new owners noted. “Future investments will be targeted and collaborative, focusing on core infrastructure, guest experience, employee support, and long-term stewardship of the resort.” They specifically cited snowmaking, trail and lift improvements as near-term priorities. “Longer-term, Bear Den will initiate a full master planning process for lift, lodging, and base-area modernization while preserving the Smuggs identity: authentic, family-focused, and proudly independent.”

Pass changes are also likely. Berkshire East, Bousquet, Burke and Catamount all participate in the Indy Pass but Smuggs shuns multi-mountain passes entirely. No changes are planned for the current season other than lodging discounts for passholders of other Bear Den and Schaefer mountains. “Bear Den is evaluating future season pass reciprocity among Burke Mountain and now Smuggs to provide added value without compromising each mountain’s independence or threatening its comfortable carrying capacity with unanticipated crowds,” the company said. Future passes may also include Berkshire East and Catamount.