STOWE, VT ??” If you could ceremonially flip a switch and turn on Stowe Mountain Resort’s ten year 300 million dollar revitalization project, that’s what’s happening on Saturday December 11 at 3pm.

Vermont Governor Jim Douglas, Senator Bartlett, State Representative Marron and resort officials will take part in a ceremony to initiate the operating of Stowe’s master plan and celebrate the new Sunny Spruce lift. The new high-speed detachable quad is one of several improvements to the mountain that can be experienced this winter in Stowe. The new chair lift is the result of over 50 million dollars in on mountain developments that took place over the summer, including the Adventure Triple Chair, Inspiration Trail and new snowmaking systems. The ceremony is taking place at the base of Spruce Peak, the future site of a dynamic new alpine village at Stowe Mountain Resort.

NEW LIFTS – The Little Spruce Double, built in 1963, has been replaced with a new, high-speed, detachable quad called Sunny Spruce that will double the hourly lift volume from 1,200 to 2,400 passengers per hour. In addition, the new Adventure Triple chair will offer rides to another 1,400 passengers per hour.

NEW TRAIL – The “Adventure” triple chair at Spruce Peak will bring guests to the new pride and joy of the Stowe Ski and Snowboard School, a beginner’s trail – called Inspiration – with a perfect 8-10% pitch and single fall line, perfect for learning to ski or ride.

NEW SNOWMAKING – The new 117 million gallon snowmaking pond on Spruce, coupled with enhanced snowmaking systems increases the snowmaking capacity by 40% throughout the resort.

Next year the expansion continues with another new high-speed quad and snowmaking on Big Spruce Mountain (circa 1954), bringing improvements to Stowe’s beloved “wild side” for the first time in over 50 years. Also slated are a stunning new base lodge, hotel, community center, and slopeside homes.

For more information about Stowe’s revival, visit www.sprucepeak.com.