FAQs
Question
Are kids welcome?
Answer
Unfortunately, as much as we’d love to invite all of our friends’ children, we can only accommodate a few close family children. We hope that you will understand this decision and that you will still be able to join us on our special day
Question
Wait what? I have to take chairlift to the ceremony site?
Answer
Yes, there is no other way to access the ceremony site but trust us it will be safe and fun. On the ride you might even see wild turkeys, whitetail deer, and a couple of species of hawks. Maybe even a moose!
Question
What's a chairlift and how fast does it go?
Answer
The Gate House is a high-speed detachable quad chair. It has 81 chairs (carriers), goes up 832 vertical feet and travels 3868 linear feet. Each carrier rides on a large steel cable called a haul rope. In the winter, the speed of the lift is 4.5 meters/second or about 885 feet/minute. In the summer, it runs at 2.5 meters/second or 492 feet/minute. The main reason for this is the lack of snow, it is much easier and safer to get on and off at reduced speed on foot. Each carrier, as it comes into the terminal, is taken off the haul rope mechanically and pushed around the terminal by a system of pulleys, belts, and tires. This enables the carrier to move at a much slower pace for loading and unloading, about .8 meters/second or around 158 feet/minute.
Question
What if I've never riden a chairlift or have mobility concerns?
Answer
Sugarbush lift attendants can accomodate everyone! If you think you need any assistance loading or unloading, the lift attendants have the ability to slow the chair and even stop it. They do this for guests in all seasons for many reasons. Just ask the operators at either end prior to loading and they will assist you with loading and will let the staff at the other end know to slow or stop the chair upon your arrival at the other end. They can accommodate anyone with physical limitations, including wheelchairs and walkers. The capacity of the carrier is 4.
Question
What will the ride be like?
Answer
The carriers travel above ground at a maximum height of about 50 feet so be prepared for that. The overall ride time is about 8 minutes, and the views are spectacular but even in early summer, weather conditions could be quite different at the top of the chair. A warm jacket and comfortable shoes with good traction might be a good plan for the ceremony and make your trip that much easier. Lastly, for the download after the ceremony. Due to the engineering of the chair, they only download at 25% capacity. In other words, 2 people every other carrier or 4 every 4th carrier. Basically, it is because the electric drive motor and gearbox are much happier pushing people up rather than holding them back on the way down.