Burke for Beginners

[billski]

My family is going to Burke for a day the first weekend in March. My youngest, age 9 is really under-confident about her abilities. I don't see too many greens at Burke, and am afraid I'll have to spend all day on the lower mt.

Surely not all blues are created equal. What are the low-grade blues at Burke.

Second, for her lack of confidence, her enthusiasm makes up for it. She absolutely loves beginner-level "glades" if you will. Does Burke do anything like that?

Our 2nd day will be at Bolton.

Thanks!

[thetrailboss]

Originally Posted by billski

My family is going to Burke for a day the first weekend in March. My youngest, age 9 is really under-confident about her abilities. I don't see too many greens at Burke, and am afraid I'll have to spend all day on the lower mt.

Awesome that you are going to Burke! :beer;

Surely not all blues are created equal. What are the low-grade blues at Burke.

Depends on what you mean by 'low blues.' Low as in not so steep? Not so bumpy? What can she ski?

First place to look would be the tried and true Toll Road run that goes from the top down to the bottom. It may be tough to follow, so be aware. IIRC you did ski Burke last season, so you are somewhat familiar with the place.

After that, maybe do Toll Road to Big Dipper for something wider, steeper. Then go on to Willoughby (steeper), Carriage Road or Powderhorn (narrow and bumpy). The Shoot down over to Upper Fox's and Toll Road is an easy black run.

Second, for her lack of confidence, her enthusiasm makes up for it. She absolutely loves beginner-level "glades" if you will. Does Burke do anything like that?

YES. Enchanted Forest off of the new Lower Mountain HSQ. After that, Marshland on the upper mountain is a good intermediate/low expert glade.

Enjoy.

[riverc0il]

the glade in the beginner area is phenomenal, something very rarely seen at other areas and a 'true' glade, not just a few trees that the groomer avoids on a wide open slope, but still at a beginner pitch and sparse enough to have no worries.

burke's greens are definitely self contained, so if you are skiing with your kid you may be stuck down there most of the day. but you'll be stuck on green's with your kid regardless of where on any mountain you'd be, so it seems all the same from my perspective. toll road as trail boss mentioned (aka deer run) really is more green circle than blue square but it has a lot of intersections.

some of the lower mountain blues off toll road are also good for lower intermediate. most of burke's blues ski harder than most areas blues though, so it might be easy to get in over your head. willoughby has a consistant pitch with good snow and is a good option.

if anything, the lower mountain will be a huge confidence boost for the young one. it really is a great learning area.

[billski]

she loves bumps, just doesn't like long sustained pitch. Unlike her older sisters, I'm having a hard time getting her to lose that snowplow stance. Time for an outside influence (called a lesson)...

Yes, I was there last year, 1st time. Enjoyed it. Because I'm an inter-mountain "wanderer" (my definition) and can ski most anywhere I please, I have a bad habit of not paying attention to trail signs and mixing up trail names between resorts. As such, I give lousy trail reports cause I don't remember what trail had what....So while I remember, I don't remember. see my problem? [hope I never have to radio for help, I'm better off with a GPS beacon than a radio! ]

Don't want to make the little one be my guinea pig!

[thetrailboss]

Just have a trail map in your pocket and stay on the Deer Run and you'll be fine. Don't take any cutoffs or side trails to Mountain Marsh or anything And you can always PM me...I may be up there that weekend.

[billski]

Thanks. These are great suggestions, esp. the glades stuff. I'm going to have to print them out and stuff the in my jacket. I'm taking the little one out for some lessons this weekend. Spare the umbrella, hopefully. Going to Berkshire East. My daughter found an instructor there that she "bonded" with last year, still there today, so hopefully we'll be in the woods again soon.

[billski]

Originally Posted by thetrailboss

Just have a trail map in your pocket and stay on the Deer Run and you'll be fine. Don't take any cutoffs or side trails to Mountain Marsh or anything And you can always PM me...I may be up there that weekend.

Thanks. I'll make a note to do that. If for nothing else, at least to meet and shake your hand. Geez. I wish they had Nastar at Burke. I'm getting addicted...

[thetrailboss]

Originally Posted by billski

Geez. I wish they had Nastar at Burke. I'm getting addicted...

They did at one time recently. No more? Check their site.

[billski]

Originally Posted by thetrailboss

They did at one time recently. No more? Check their site.

been there done that. Negatory.... no Burkie listed on nastar.com