One of the most notable indications that winter is coming in New England is the closing of Scenic Vermont Route 108. The road that connects Stowe Mountain Resort and Smugglers’ Notch Resort shut down for the 2023-24 winter season yesterday. Vermont has seen a few snowstorms recently, so it seems like the appropriate time to close the tight road.
The road has been in the news a bit lately for a few reasons. For one, the Vermont News & Citizen reports that barriers will be added next year around the entrance areas of the Stowe and Cambridge sides, in an attempt to stop truckers from entering.
Secondly, the road has seen more attention based on a proposal to connect Stowe and Smugglers Notch via gondola. This wouldn’t be on the road but rather connect the Sterling and Spruce Peak portions of the ski resorts.
This proposal was sidelined earlier this fall, but they have launched a new study to try and convince people about the project. Some have wondered whether the two ski resorts should pursue using the road for the wintertime, but the Vermont Agency of Transportation has said that they don’t want to maintain it.
I got to check out the road for the first time in October, and it was a fun experience. Would it work for a road in the winter to connect the two ski resorts? I personally don’t think it would, as it doesn’t have much room to push snow over, and some sections are only accessible to one-lane traffic.
On that note… We’ve received the following statement from truckers:
A reminder that no matter the season, truckers are not allowed to go on the Notch Road due to its very narrow nature.
Image/Video Credits: Vermont Agency of Transporation, Ian Wood, R3andMe/Warner Brothers Discovery
