Since Jay Peak’s 50,000-square-foot, $20 million indoor water park opened in December 2011, roughly 223,000 people have splashed, surfed and shot through its 84 degree water. Its signature features are La Chute, the world’s only indoor AquaLoop, which drops brave swimmers a heart-pounding 60 feet per second, and the Double Barrel Flowrider, a standing wave. As water park director, Chris Stuart wears a different sort of suit.

SEVEN DAYS: So how many people have gotten stuck in La Chute?

CHRIS STUART [pauses]:Nobody’s ever gotten stuck. One out of every 200 people, someone doesn’t make it all the way around, even though we instruct people to cross their arms and cross their legs. It’s sort of an instinct to put out your arms and elbows. When those who do make it come out? Some are very pleased and they can’t stop giggling. Others, their eyes are as wide as saucers and they are terrified. One kid, he must have gone 60, 70 times in a single day. We put him in the unofficial La Chute Hall of Fame.  

—Sarah Tuff