Stowe Mountain Resort HELP!

We are a group of 5 intermediate to advance skiers ranging in a age from 17 to 52 and we have a ski trip planning to Stowe, VT. We plan to ski this coming Thu, Fri, Sat and Sun (1/9, 10, 11, 12). We are staying in a condo off the mountain. This will be our 1st time skiing Stowe.

Questions:

• We usually pack a lunch. Do any of the base areas have lockers or cubbies? Do any of the base areas allow you to eat food in them?
• Where should we park? Paid vs Free? Is the shuttle reliable?
• Where the most affordable drinks on the mountain?
• Any other advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advanced... I know of all the complaints about Vail but we're pretty stoked!