WWF-VT
Well-known member
Date(s) Skied: 1/30/11
Resort or Ski Area: Bolton Valley
Conditions: Cloudy, snow showers and temps in the low 20’s
Trip Report: My kids were participating in a USASA Slopestyle event so I took advantage of a low priced ticket and a chance to ski at Bolton Valley. We got to the mountain early and I was on the Vista Quad shortly after the 8:30 opening. Bolton staggers the opening of the lifts so the first few runs my options were only off this lift. I did a first run down Hard Luck and soon found out that that Bolton’s reputation for being flat proved to be true. Once you get about 1/3 of the way down you’ll find yourself polling through the mid mountain area to find your way to the next gently sloping trail back to the bottom. My next run was down Spillway which was legitimately steep but short with pretty hard packed snow. My third lap I took a meandering Cobrass which was a winding blue trail with better natural snow but still wound up in the mid mountain green zone back to the base. From the Vista chair I did see some interesting terrain to my right and I was fortunate to be riding with a patroller who gave me some insight into the terrain. I took the very narrow black diamond trail Preacher which led to an adventure through Cobrass Woods. This woods was fairly tight, had a few mandatory air drops and though pretty tracked out was a helluva lot of fun. Back on top, my next run was through the Vista Glades which is a fairly wide spaced tree run with good bumps and optional lines to take. It reminded me of a mini Castlerock run with more trees. After a while the mountain got busier and I figured out that it is very much a locals’ mountain with lots of families with kids. Most people stuck to the groomed runs and any run designated with a black diamond was likely to offer natural snow, bumps and no one else on the trail with me. I really liked Vermont 200, the steep trees on TNT and the quick drop of Schuss. Late in the morning I took the Wilderness chair to check out that area. The trail map gives you the impression that the lift gains a lot in elevation and offers a lot of blue trail options. In reality it’s flat until you get past the mid station then you rise quickly to the top. I hit Bolton Oultaw to Cougar then Wilderness Woods. This was my one an only trip on this chair as there wasn’t much to make it worth a repeat. After an early lunch I decided to check out the Timberline Peak area. Took the quad up and skied Brandywine trail which was a short run and back to the chair. I asked another patroller about Adam’s Solitude and was told that it had a sketchy gully and a long run out so I elected to try Doug’s Wood’s. This was the pick of the day. Good snow, wide paces trees, mellow pitch and I was alone all three times I skied it. The best trail option at Timberline area is Spell Binder. It was a good mix of natural snow and soft bumps but all too short a run back to the lift. Late in the day I went back to the main area and took a few runs with my son and finished the day when the lifts closed at 4.
Overall I liked Bolton. The conditions were good, the people very nice, and it was a great was to spend a Sunday. My recommendation to people considering a trip there is to be sure to check out the woods, black diamond and natural snow trails - especially if you are fortunate to go after a fresh snowfall.
Resort or Ski Area: Bolton Valley
Conditions: Cloudy, snow showers and temps in the low 20’s
Trip Report: My kids were participating in a USASA Slopestyle event so I took advantage of a low priced ticket and a chance to ski at Bolton Valley. We got to the mountain early and I was on the Vista Quad shortly after the 8:30 opening. Bolton staggers the opening of the lifts so the first few runs my options were only off this lift. I did a first run down Hard Luck and soon found out that that Bolton’s reputation for being flat proved to be true. Once you get about 1/3 of the way down you’ll find yourself polling through the mid mountain area to find your way to the next gently sloping trail back to the bottom. My next run was down Spillway which was legitimately steep but short with pretty hard packed snow. My third lap I took a meandering Cobrass which was a winding blue trail with better natural snow but still wound up in the mid mountain green zone back to the base. From the Vista chair I did see some interesting terrain to my right and I was fortunate to be riding with a patroller who gave me some insight into the terrain. I took the very narrow black diamond trail Preacher which led to an adventure through Cobrass Woods. This woods was fairly tight, had a few mandatory air drops and though pretty tracked out was a helluva lot of fun. Back on top, my next run was through the Vista Glades which is a fairly wide spaced tree run with good bumps and optional lines to take. It reminded me of a mini Castlerock run with more trees. After a while the mountain got busier and I figured out that it is very much a locals’ mountain with lots of families with kids. Most people stuck to the groomed runs and any run designated with a black diamond was likely to offer natural snow, bumps and no one else on the trail with me. I really liked Vermont 200, the steep trees on TNT and the quick drop of Schuss. Late in the morning I took the Wilderness chair to check out that area. The trail map gives you the impression that the lift gains a lot in elevation and offers a lot of blue trail options. In reality it’s flat until you get past the mid station then you rise quickly to the top. I hit Bolton Oultaw to Cougar then Wilderness Woods. This was my one an only trip on this chair as there wasn’t much to make it worth a repeat. After an early lunch I decided to check out the Timberline Peak area. Took the quad up and skied Brandywine trail which was a short run and back to the chair. I asked another patroller about Adam’s Solitude and was told that it had a sketchy gully and a long run out so I elected to try Doug’s Wood’s. This was the pick of the day. Good snow, wide paces trees, mellow pitch and I was alone all three times I skied it. The best trail option at Timberline area is Spell Binder. It was a good mix of natural snow and soft bumps but all too short a run back to the lift. Late in the day I went back to the main area and took a few runs with my son and finished the day when the lifts closed at 4.
Overall I liked Bolton. The conditions were good, the people very nice, and it was a great was to spend a Sunday. My recommendation to people considering a trip there is to be sure to check out the woods, black diamond and natural snow trails - especially if you are fortunate to go after a fresh snowfall.
