Bolton Valley and Smugglers’ Notch ski resorts in Vermont are excellent choices for those who live in and around Burlington and Chittenden County. And for those who are visiting the area, they are worth checking out for sure. They are smaller and less glitzy resorts than Stowe and Sugarbush, but they have some great terrain and, well, one cannot live on glitz alone. (Especially when one has to dig deep into one’s wallet to pay for it.)
Here is a peak at the mountain improvements that are going on this summer for the 2009 – 2010 ski season:
Bolton Valley Resort in Bolton, Vermont, is extending the snowmaking line on the Cobrass trail, which is a long, intermediate trail off the Vista Quad with terrific views. I definitely ski Cobrass every time I ski Bolton; it’s just a lot of twisty, turny fun. Now, it’ll have improved snow coverage.
List this under "Sweet!": The Timberline lift will run seven days a week this winter instead of just turning on the weekends. As a midweek skier, I like the sound of this! Timberline provides access to some sunny cruising trails and some fun glades. The small base lodge there will be open every day, as well.
The resort’s Ratnik snowguns are also being retrofitted to be more energy efficient based on testing done by Efficiency Vermont.
The resort announced on September 10 that it is installing a 125-foot-tall wind turbine at the summit this fall. The turbine will be near the top of the Vista Quad lift and could generate one-eighth of the resort's power.
Over at Smugglers’ Notch Resort in Jeffersonville, mountain ops crews are extending the short but challenging Full Nelson trail on Sterling Mountain. It will run from above mid-point to the base, increasing the expert terrain on this side of the resort.
I enjoy spring bumps on Full Nelson. More bumps are a good thing. (I can say that now as I sit comfortably in my chair...)
Smuggs is also adding a Burton Learn-To-Ride Center at the resort.
