Indy Ski Pass

[thebigo]

Not sure if you know about open ski maps, never need to look at an out scale trail map again.

OpenSkiMap.org

Explore downhill, nordic & backcountry skiing worldwide using this interactive map based on open data.

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[Keelhauled]

If you only have the Indy pass days, and if you think you'll be in the area again, I would wait to do Bolton until the Timberline lift opens. It is a much better mountain when that section is available.

It is frustrating how long it takes to get down there, but they just don't have the water.

 

[Naturalsnow]

Bolton skis much bigger than you would think based on the vertical (each pod is really less than 1000 vertical). They also tend to get a lot of nice light powder compared to areas further south. Agreed on waiting for Timberline to be open. It's well worth a trip when everything is open.

 

[Zand]

If you only have the Indy pass days, and if you think you'll be in the area again, I would wait to do Bolton until the Timberline lift opens. It is a much better mountain when that section is available.

It is frustrating how long it takes to get down there, but they just don't have the water.

I would definitely go back later in the winter. Just don't really want to deal with Stowe on a Sunday and Bolton makes the most sense. I guess Jay is an option but that adds almost an hour to the trip and I usually try to make Jay it's own special 2 day trip.

Depending on what Bolton has open maybe the best play would be to stop at Okemo on the way up on Sunday since it isn't too far off 91 and they are the only Vail owned mountain that knows how to actually make snow. Plus I know Okemo well enough to play the weekend game and not get stuck in line at the main lifts.

 

[Smellytele]

Love Bolton. Still pretty good without timberline. Wilderness area is all natural and a lot of fun.

 

[Edd]

I've never been to Bolton either. I always hear good things about the woods but it's kind of hard to figure out the map. I see a couple decent looking glades but most of them look super short. But sometimes maps can be poorly scaled.

They have a ton of glades there, a few really long. Excellent place, I’d bet you’ll love it.

 

[KustyTheKlown]

I've never been to Bolton either. I always hear good things about the woods but it's kind of hard to figure out the map. I see a couple decent looking glades but most of them look super short. But sometimes maps can be poorly scaled.

nah bolton skis bigger than it looks. you will like it.

cons - slow ass lifts. barely 1000 vertical on their main chairs. the t2b vertical would be if you went top of vista to the bottom of timberline, which is not really a real run. i barely crack 20k vert on a 9 to 4 day. i also dont love that their earliest chair is 9. they do the night ski thing but thats not my style

but the woods ski beautifully. on and off map. and if you look at the bolton nordic and backcountry map, you'll find some glades slightly out of map off of wilderness. some of bolton reminds me a little of mrg. not as challenging. but for some reason it gives me that thought. also the entire cobrass/devils/preacher area is awesome and skis bigger than it looks with many lines

i am planning to go to bolton this saturday, as i think ikons will be particularly crowded as we are now in a post snow weekend with rebounding temps and people have black outs next weekend

i was really hoping they would get timberline open this weekend. plenty to ski without it, but some very fun lines down there. its lower than the main base but after all this snow i am surprised thy havent gotten it going yet

 

[AdironRider]

I think Bolton is pretty rad, but it does ski pretty short. Just know that going into it and you will have a blast.

 

[deadheadskier]

I'm wondering if wind is the reason they haven't been able to get Timberline open yet. Trails are pretty wide and exposed over there

 

[Killingtime]

I always use two Indy days at Bolton but only go if Timberline is open. Its a cool little pod that has some fun trails. They seem to be a bit behind this year in getting terrain open but its definitely on the list for late January.

 

[KustyTheKlown]

oh also, if you go to bolton on indy, i have had particularly annoying waits to redeem. you need their $5 rfid card and to sign waivers.

show up very early or after the morning rush or you're gonna stand there frustrated for a bit

 

[Killingtime]

oh also, if you go to bolton on indy, i have had particularly annoying waits to redeem. you need their $5 rfid card and to sign waivers.

show up very early or after the morning rush or you're gonna stand there frustrated for a bit

I don't remember signing a waiver last year. Must be new. My only real complaint is that the main lodge is way too small. People stepping over each other getting ready. Get to Timberline lodge early!. It gets crowded for lunch

 

[KustyTheKlown]

nonfactor for me. my car is my lodge and my cafeteria is in my pocket

getting dressed at the car was slightly annoying in the dumping snow last weekend. lots of snow got in. im stubborn tho. no lodge for me

 

[Zand]

Post a few pics tomorrow! Still leaning Bolton for Sunday, even if I'm missing out on 1/3rd of the mountain it would still be cool to check out what's open as long as there are a reasonable amount of skiable woods. And then hopefully come back when its 100% open.

 

[KustyTheKlown]

Post a few pics tomorrow! Still leaning Bolton for Sunday, even if I'm missing out on 1/3rd of the mountain it would still be cool to check out what's open as long as there are a reasonable amount of skiable woods. And then hopefully come back when its 100% open.

Ended up at Jay. Didn’t wanna burn Bolton 2 before they’re fully open. Jay is skiing nicely. No wind blown/scour. Just got chop and fully covered tree skiing. Snowing nicely but would have really appreciated an inch or two of cream prior to open. Very good skiing but not untracked powder skiing.

Dunno what to do tomorrow. Only have time to ski the morning. Sugarbush early ups I guess but the sugarbush thread sounds like the tree skiing sucks. Wild if I decide to drive from Burlington to Stratton for better tree skiing!

 

[Zand]

I was looking at the remaining closed trails at Bolton and it looks like everything off Vista is open and only a few closed off of Wilderness.

Should be more than enough for a few hours tomorrow afternoon. Timberline next time.

 

[Zand]

You guys weren't lying about the ticket line here. I was on the access road at 12:25 and between the parking lot shitshow and the ticket line and the insane liftline I boarded the chair at 1:24. So much for coming here to avoid the Stowe crowds.

 

[deadheadskier]

You guys weren't lying about the ticket line here. I was on the access road at 12:25 and between the parking lot shitshow and the ticket line and the insane liftline I boarded the chair at 1:24. So much for coming here to avoid the Stowe crowds.

Maybe I've been just lucky, but we've done Bolton MLK weekend three years in a row and have never had an experience like that

 

[Zand]

Maybe I've been just lucky, but we've done Bolton MLK weekend three years in a row and have never had an experience like that

I think with the wind the past week people have been homebound a bit and were itching to get out on a beautiful day. Vista still has a line at almost 4:00.

Woods are skiing amazing! Just a bummer to only get 7-8 runs today after driving up at 12:30.

 

[deadheadskier]

I think with the wind the past week people have been homebound a bit and were itching to get out on a beautiful day. Vista still has a line at almost 4:00.

Woods are skiing amazing! Just a bummer to only get 7-8 runs today after driving up at 12:30.

Were they blowing down towards Timberline? Past two years all they've had open is the trail too and from Timberline. As much as I like the terrain over there, the real benefit is it's the better parking situation and typically pretty quick for Indy redemption. So, I'm hoping for at least that when ski there Sunday / Monday. Probably grab some turns at Whaleback or S6 on way up