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Big Burke announcement
- Thread starter the original trailboss
- Start date
Yep
There's a new creepy iPhone video posted of an empty base area and maybe an inch of snow on the ground. Some people just don't get it.
VTKilarney
Well-known member
The Tamarack closed due to "weather." Huh???
This was a late decision after announcing originally that it would be open.
This was a late decision after announcing originally that it would be open.
Yeah, those Tamaracks drip when they get wet.......
They said that they did not want folks on icy roads. Instead, Ary went out and made anotehr creepy stalker iPhone film of the empty base area.
Snow Making on Ledges
So they blew quite a lot of snow on the Ledges trails. They finished up on Saturday morning and folks skied it for a while. It was great good fun but ski patrol had to close it because the wales were too steep on the back side and some less clever were launching them and crashing big. Still closed Sunday & rumors that they are not sure they can groom them out. Seems odd to me to make huge piles of snow that are essentials useless. Does anyone know if they have gotten it groomed out?
So they blew quite a lot of snow on the Ledges trails. They finished up on Saturday morning and folks skied it for a while. It was great good fun but ski patrol had to close it because the wales were too steep on the back side and some less clever were launching them and crashing big. Still closed Sunday & rumors that they are not sure they can groom them out. Seems odd to me to make huge piles of snow that are essentials useless. Does anyone know if they have gotten it groomed out?
jimmywilson69
Well-known member
not sure if they can groom them out? put the blade down and push, its a 350 HP (minimum) bulldozer... They probably don't want to waste the fuel...
wtcobb
New member
Saving it to move around and fill in needed areas later?
I skied it yesterday. Tasted pretty good to me, but it did seem like an odd trail to blow snow on. It didn't bother me. That's a favorite trail.
Sent from my iPhone using AlpineZone
Both are working (thank God). Talked to one of the groomers on Friday. He said that they blew the head gasket on the "older" one last year and it still hasn't been fixed.
Sent from my iPhone using AlpineZone
So I spent the better part of the last week up in the NEK and was fortunate enough to get some skiing in at Burke. Needless to say it has been a brutal winter up there.
It was wonderful to see so many friends and family up there--Michelle G got a big hug from me (who was my 3rd Grade teacher and introduced me to skiing); the original trailboss was a bit bummed because of the weather but we had a wonderful lunch at Schillings with his Mrs. and a nice trip to the NE Ski Museum; the Dawn Patrol did not ski but had a great Apres Ski event at TOTB's home; Bruce R. is still tuning skis at the Village Sport Shop--congrats on the grandkids and upcoming wedding!; nice to meet Dave (ski patrol) and Scott S. who are Burke locals keeping the faith; and yes I saw Durwood still running things at the MBX.
Some observations: the snow was not as bad as I thought...what there was...but on Sunday it got very icy after about 11 or so. Lower Mountain is very thin. The main runs up top had an OK but very hard base. The new snow on Sunday made things decent for skiing. They were blowing snow off and on while I was up, which is impressive. Crowds, even for a race day, were very small.
The place looks depressed and tired. Buildings need new paint. Lifties need new coats--there does not appear to be a standard uniform anymore with some wearing dirty hoodies. MidBurke lodge needs new carpet. The few employees I saw were largely deadpan. The retail store had little Q stuff in it and a lot of soft-goods (Arc T'ryx?). The base lodge on all three days I visited was dead. A close look at the Tamarack Menu reveals that every option is pretty much a burger (or some version of it). As one of my friends said you can no longer get a burger and a beer for lunch...weird. Sunday greeted me with unshoveled stairs and blaring techno music in the empty lodge. One NEVER could have gotten a seat at the Bear Den on an average weekend day. They were all empty on all three days I visited. The Burke "book" features a section on the Hotel, Community, and "Vision" with a big picture of Q. Guess which section had the most words? Yep, Q. All in all, the resort looked like a captainless ship adrift in the sea.
In town there was a lot of energy. East Burke Sports had some snazzy new Burke Mountain logoed Outdoor Research polypro hoodies (the Starburst Hoodie) that I had to have. They also had shotglasses, lady-specific tops, and the famous and ubiquitous Burke Hoodie from last year that I saw at least four or five people wearing while up there...including a liftie at Burke (don't tell Ary!) Had a nice talk with the guys there on my three visits and they are ready for biking. Folks are ready for Mike's Tiki Bar.
Lyndonville was also in good shape. The Village Sport Shop is amazing now and I snagged some good deals on stuff there. It was nice to see so many young folks in there working and the energy of the place. I know that other businesses are doing well--Burke Mountain Confectioners cannot keep up with demand.
The Hotel is beautiful, but is a White Whale right now. It is so sad that it is not open. Those "in the know" believe that Q owes about $3-4 million on it. We cannot even fathom how much Q has lost this season.
So while Q is failing in so many ways, locals are actually stepping up and filling the void. A local runs a shuttle van (the "F-Q Bus") from the mountain into town for folks to go out to eat; Foggy Goggle is getting good reviews and along with the Publick House are the apres spots; VSS is opening a new pub and bike shop at the Wildflower; Lyndon restaurants were packed despite a snowless weekend; EBS is selling great Burke stuff.
My own visit demonstrates what is happening--I spent a considerable amount of $$$ on outdoor gear and goods at EBS and VSS. Buying local felt great. We ate at Hoagie's, the Diner, Everybuddy's (nice place to sit in the sun at the bar), and Schillings instead of the mountain. I did not buy my tickets at the mountain but discounted on Liftopia. My suitcase is carrying back Vermont whiskey, cheese, maple candies, and stuff from VSS and EBS. The consensus is that it is time for Q to move on but in the meantime we are hoping for the best.
It was wonderful to see so many friends and family up there--Michelle G got a big hug from me (who was my 3rd Grade teacher and introduced me to skiing); the original trailboss was a bit bummed because of the weather but we had a wonderful lunch at Schillings with his Mrs. and a nice trip to the NE Ski Museum; the Dawn Patrol did not ski but had a great Apres Ski event at TOTB's home; Bruce R. is still tuning skis at the Village Sport Shop--congrats on the grandkids and upcoming wedding!; nice to meet Dave (ski patrol) and Scott S. who are Burke locals keeping the faith; and yes I saw Durwood still running things at the MBX.
Some observations: the snow was not as bad as I thought...what there was...but on Sunday it got very icy after about 11 or so. Lower Mountain is very thin. The main runs up top had an OK but very hard base. The new snow on Sunday made things decent for skiing. They were blowing snow off and on while I was up, which is impressive. Crowds, even for a race day, were very small.
The place looks depressed and tired. Buildings need new paint. Lifties need new coats--there does not appear to be a standard uniform anymore with some wearing dirty hoodies. MidBurke lodge needs new carpet. The few employees I saw were largely deadpan. The retail store had little Q stuff in it and a lot of soft-goods (Arc T'ryx?). The base lodge on all three days I visited was dead. A close look at the Tamarack Menu reveals that every option is pretty much a burger (or some version of it). As one of my friends said you can no longer get a burger and a beer for lunch...weird. Sunday greeted me with unshoveled stairs and blaring techno music in the empty lodge. One NEVER could have gotten a seat at the Bear Den on an average weekend day. They were all empty on all three days I visited. The Burke "book" features a section on the Hotel, Community, and "Vision" with a big picture of Q. Guess which section had the most words? Yep, Q. All in all, the resort looked like a captainless ship adrift in the sea.
In town there was a lot of energy. East Burke Sports had some snazzy new Burke Mountain logoed Outdoor Research polypro hoodies (the Starburst Hoodie) that I had to have. They also had shotglasses, lady-specific tops, and the famous and ubiquitous Burke Hoodie from last year that I saw at least four or five people wearing while up there...including a liftie at Burke (don't tell Ary!) Had a nice talk with the guys there on my three visits and they are ready for biking. Folks are ready for Mike's Tiki Bar.
Lyndonville was also in good shape. The Village Sport Shop is amazing now and I snagged some good deals on stuff there. It was nice to see so many young folks in there working and the energy of the place. I know that other businesses are doing well--Burke Mountain Confectioners cannot keep up with demand.
The Hotel is beautiful, but is a White Whale right now. It is so sad that it is not open. Those "in the know" believe that Q owes about $3-4 million on it. We cannot even fathom how much Q has lost this season.
So while Q is failing in so many ways, locals are actually stepping up and filling the void. A local runs a shuttle van (the "F-Q Bus") from the mountain into town for folks to go out to eat; Foggy Goggle is getting good reviews and along with the Publick House are the apres spots; VSS is opening a new pub and bike shop at the Wildflower; Lyndon restaurants were packed despite a snowless weekend; EBS is selling great Burke stuff.
My own visit demonstrates what is happening--I spent a considerable amount of $$$ on outdoor gear and goods at EBS and VSS. Buying local felt great. We ate at Hoagie's, the Diner, Everybuddy's (nice place to sit in the sun at the bar), and Schillings instead of the mountain. I did not buy my tickets at the mountain but discounted on Liftopia. My suitcase is carrying back Vermont whiskey, cheese, maple candies, and stuff from VSS and EBS. The consensus is that it is time for Q to move on but in the meantime we are hoping for the best.
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TB = That about summarizes my every week in the area.........pretty honest review right there with no real leanings, it is what it is. I say the town of East Burke is carrying on and keeping a solid heartbeat through the winter despite Q not because of Q. Gone is the River Garden Cafe and Willys (I don't consider the last version of the Pub a loss at all), in their place we have the Publick House and the Goggle......and in the summer the Tiki and Truck......
2016 is the year winter skipped.......
2016 is the year winter skipped.......
KustyTheKlown
Well-known member
i stayed on willoughby lake last weekend to ski at jay. we ate at publick house. it was not packed but was very busy. i was very pleasantly surprised, and the meal and vibe were great.
VTKilarney
Well-known member
I heard that the food truck is not returning this summer. Hopefully the food truck in downtown Lyndon will take its place.
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It is too bad that the River Garden is gone.....and that building is sitting empty. What a waste.
the original trailboss
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Bear Den bartender was laid off yesterday - Is the Bear Den really closed for the season ? Or is this the first step for an early closing of the ski area formerly known as Burke Mountain ?
Well they made it all the way to March 1st........ :-(
Interesting.
VTK - I hope Rachel and her husband come back with the truck this year, it really provides the best lunch option for us from a bike perspective.
VTKilarney
Well-known member
Are they really selling so few drinks that they can't cover the bartender's wages?
Haven't we learned enough to know looking for logic in the tea leaves is a fruitless effort on Burke Mountain?
Smellytele
Well-known member
So now no place to get an adult beverage at lunch.
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