Stowe Mountain Resort has just announced that parking will cost $30 at all lots Friday-Sunday, and Holidays next season.

Stowe General Manager Bobby Murphy stated the resort’s intention to charge guests for parking on April 18th, 2022.

There are a few exceptions- The Cross Country Center and Toll House area lots will remain free and offer bus service. Parking will remain free Monday through Thursday, and after 2PM everyday.

Guests who arrive in vehicles with four or more people will not be charged for parking.

The move comes as Stowe is feeling pressure to curb heavy traffic that plagues the access road to the resort each weekend.

Here’s an explanation for implementing paid parking from the statement last month:

“By encouraging more people to use public transport, carpool or visit during non-peak times, we hope to move congestion off of the two-lane road leading to the resort and from our main lots.”

Paid parking sucks, but I’m not sure what else Stowe can do to free up the road on weekends and holidays. Vail Resorts has made it clear that they keep wanting to sell an excessive amount of Epic Passes, and each resort is dealing with the fallout independently.

Stowe Mountain Resort to implement paid parking on weekends, holidays

^Stowe traffic. Photo Credit: WCVB

Will charging $30 on weekends really help out with traffic?

I don’t know, but I could see it being a deterrent for buying an Epic Pass in the first place. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see how this move plays out…

Here are the full details according to Stowe:

“We are implementing a new parking plan for the 2022-23 winter season. Parking will be free at all lots Monday through Thursday during non-holiday periods, and after 2 p.m. every day. Paid parking will be implemented Friday through Sunday and on holidays at all lots, with the exception of the Cross Country Center and Toll House area lots which will remain free seven days a week. Free parking will also be offered at all times in all lots to cars arriving with four or more guests.

The rate for paid parking will be $30 per space, per day. This fee will be paid through a smartphone app with advanced payment and license plate verification, or through on-site kiosks for those without smartphones. There will be no in-person, on-lot transactions or gates/checkpoints that slow down guest arrival. This system will help ensure faster, more efficient parking, especially at our busiest times. A limited number of season parking passes will also be available for $450. More details will be shared on this page as the season approaches.

Net proceeds from paid parking will be reinvested to help further improve guest arrival and departure through increased shuttle and bus service and improvements to infrastructure such as lots and bus stops.”

Featured Image Credit: Gordon Miller, Stowe Reporter

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