Bolton Valley or Burke?

[LisaBatt]

Haven't posted in a long time...hope all is going well for fellow alpine zoners...Need suggestions for where to ski this Sunday/Monday jan 20 &21st. I know it's a Holiday weekend, and I am sure Smugglers will be very crowded. My daughter is in the process of choosing colleges, and has soccer tryouts at St. Michasel's.She needs to be on campus, so I would llike to ski. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

 

[SIKSKIER]

Either one should have fewer crowds than the major areas but Burke would be my choice for lack of crowds and terrain.

 

[billski]

Either one should have fewer crowds than the major areas but Burke would be my choice for lack of crowds and terrain.

really? I thought all the family masses would descend from Burlington to BV.
I would pick Burke, especially because it's a holiday weekend.

 

[riverc0il]

Burke is a superior mountain with more vertical and more challenging terrain, less natural snow fall. You may want to consider drive time as Burke is almost two hours from Burlington with more than half of the drive not interstate. If you are looking for a close option Bolton would be the closer of the two. You may also want to add Middlebury to your short list.

 

[andyzee]

Never been to Bolton, but loved Burke

 

[OppositeGeorge]

Yeah, Burke is better but it's gonna be a haul from Burlington. Pretty much your closest choices are going to be what's been already mentioned plus MRG and Sugarbush. Never done either one on a holiday weekend so no idea what either would be like in terms of crowds, but my guess has gotta be not great.

 

[kingdom-tele]

don't know the conditions at bolton valley but the drive to burke this weekend probably isn't worth it, if they were 100% then I would say sure, but even with the snow coming in they will be lucky to open a majority of trails, go to bolton, closer for cruising the groom

 

[thetrailboss]

Burke is a superior mountain with more vertical and more challenging terrain, less natural snow fall. You may want to consider drive time as Burke is almost two hours from Burlington with more than half of the drive not interstate. If you are looking for a close option Bolton would be the closer of the two. You may also want to add Middlebury to your short list.

The drive to Middlebury Snow Bowl from Burlington is not easy. You're looking at a pretty long drive as well...especially if it is snowing or the roads are bad...the last section of 125 up to the Snow Bowl can be treacherous.

That said, it's about 35 miles to Midd, and another 15 or so to the Snow Bowl. Route 7, which can be fast (45 minutes) or slow (1:15) and the last bit is about 20-25 minutes, so we're talking probably a solid 1:15-1:30 or so from BTV. Burke is about 1:45.

 

[thetrailboss]

On a non-holiday weekend, I'd say that Mount Ellen fits the bill... (Sugarbush North).