Bolton Valley @ MLK weekend

[lerops]

Would Bolton Valley be less crowded then other nearby mountains?

Also Wilderness and Timberline seems to be closed right now for the most part. Any idea whether they would open them? If they stay closed, then would the mountain be crowded just because they can really distribute the people?

My plan is to drive to So Vt Saturday morning, ski there for the day, stay there; drive to BV early next morning, and ski there for 2 days. If it means limited terrain and the same crowds I will probably come up with another plan.

Any help will be very much appreciated.

 

[Talisman]

Yes Bolton Valley will be less crowded than Stowe or Sugarbush. BV has great snow, but is practically all run out. I wouldn't bother unless they are 100% open with all the lifts turning.

This weekend will be cold and doubt crowds will be a huge factor at smaller areas like Magic, Bromley, Ascutney and Bear Creek.

 

[jaywbigred]

We skied Bolton last year for Prez. wknd. It was great. Lines were minimal all weekend, though it did rain on Monday. Conditions were good before that, I think 100% of the mountain was open. It def. has a "different" feel to it, and though I know there are knocks on it as being not challenging, but we found some fun and interesting stuff in the woods in and around Devil's Playground and Preacher, as well as the slackcountry (I guess?), sidecountry, whatever you want to call it (mostly just gladed terrain) skier's left off the Timberline Peak. Lots of fun in there.

There was a kids' race on Timberline one afternoon, resulting in the only liftline we waited in all weekend (3 minutes maybe?). The rest of the time it was basically ski to the chair.

Also, night skiing was lots of fun, though cold! Nice not to have to rush inside right at 4.

 

[billski]

Call the mt. and ask about lift closures. It would be crazy for them to not run them all on their busiest weekend. Resorts often limit open lifts during the week,so you can't read into this, but a call wouldn't hurt.

 

[Chesser]

BV has great snow, but is practically all run out.

If you mean that the bottom of the mountain is pretty flat, I can't argue with that. If you mean the snow is skied out right now, I think it's in better shape than that--but I haven't been up there since Sunday.

For beginner tree-skiing, the flatish lower terrain is pretty good--the low-angle glades are an easy introduction to in-bounds trees. But for ripping down cruisers, the flat stuff is definitely a limitation. As others have said, it's a good place for beginners and intermediates, with some short expert terrain and noteworthy sidecountry trees. It depends what you're looking for.

If you're thinking about staying overnight and skiing two days, there's a $149 package deal that's all over the Bolton website. I haven't checked, so it might be blacked-out for the holiday weekend, but it's worth looking in to. No matter where you go, be prepared for frigid temps.

 

[knuckledragger]

Wilderness lift is mainly open on the weekends. Timberline was open last Thursday and on the weekend.

 

[lerops]

Thanks guys. They say on today's snow report that there is a problem with the Timberline lift, and there is not timeline, but they are trying. I guess I will check back.