Burke at Xmas

[hudsonhacker]

My GF and I were driving up through Vermont today and stopped at Burke to check it out for potentially skiing there at Xmas. The hill looks good! A few questions (all answers appreciated):

1) Anyone know of a studio/ 1 bedroom condo for rent from Dec 26th for 3 or 4 nights?

2) Does Burke have telemark instructors or is there anyone who teaches telemark up there ?(or is there an accomplished telemarker that would be willing to teach for beers?) I am okay on my Telemark skis, but am not accomplished enough to teach my GF. She is a good skier, but is just learning to telemark. I am a a very good alpine skier, and a good alpine instructor, but know my limits. I do not know enough about Telemarking to teach someone else.I have figured out how to do it on my own, but really want my GF to learn correctly.

3) What are the lines like during Xmas? I am leaning towards Burke because I have heard the hill is not overly crowded, but everywhere is busy at Xmas (understandably).

Any input is appreciated, especially with respect to lodging. We really want to stay in a ski in ski out condo, so a house which requires even a 10 minute drive does not work. I can ski bell to bell, but my GF usually needs some down time,so ski in ski out is imperative for us to have a good week.

Thanks

Paul

 

[riverc0il]

Christmas is a crap shoot no matter where you plan on booking. You have a bit of a catch 22 in regards to Christmas. The resorts with the best snow making systems that are the most reliable for the holidays are also going to be the most crowded. Burke has a respectable snow making system but does rely more on natural snow than most other major resorts.

Burke is a great mountain and one of my favorites for classic no frills old school skiing. Even during Christmas holiday period, you are unlikely to wait more than a minute or two during the busiest times of the day and will likely be skiing right onto the lifts more often than not. I can't help you with the lodging or instruction questions but I can all but guarantee you won't find shorter lines at any other 2000' vertical ski area during a holiday!!!

 

[hudsonhacker]

The short lift lines are what interest me. That translates into relatively quiet trails rather than the interstates at most hills over xmas. Hey, I grew up on a hill (literally, I put my sis on outside my kitchen and skied down to the lift.) I understand the need for the hills to be busy at peak times,but am looking for a place where I can get some good skiing in and Burke seems to offer that. Assuming I can find a place at a reasonable cost.

 

[billski]

Burke is definitely be one of my "hiding places" (for many reasons including what you speak) during any holiday/blackout period.

I would pick up the phone and call the ski school desk. They shoot pretty straight and are all good people there.

I'm no help on lodging, I'm sure you've looked at this:
http://www.burkeslopesidelodging.com/private.html

 

[thetrailboss]

Not sure how I missed this....

My GF and I were driving up through Vermont today and stopped at Burke to check it out for potentially skiing there at Xmas. The hill looks good! A few questions (all answers appreciated):

1) Anyone know of a studio/ 1 bedroom condo for rent from Dec 26th for 3 or 4 nights?

Contact the mountain for referrals as the Condos are now independently rented out. I'd suggest looking at Powderhorn, Burkeside, or Wintergreen units which are close to the base area.

2) Does Burke have telemark instructors or is there anyone who teaches telemark up there ?(or is there an accomplished telemarker that would be willing to teach for beers?)

Good question. I don't know. In the past they did not. I'd suggest calling the mountain.

3) What are the lines like during Xmas? I am leaning towards Burke because I have heard the hill is not overly crowded, but everywhere is busy at Xmas (understandably).

Crowds? What are crowds? Burke doesn't have them ever! The Sherburne HSQ does get busy with the park rats and families. Willoughby Quad rarely has a line, but at most it is a five minute wait if that on the busiest day (?). The average is one or two chairs before you get on.

Any input is appreciated, especially with respect to lodging. We really want to stay in a ski in ski out condo, so a house which requires even a 10 minute drive does not work. I can ski bell to bell, but my GF usually needs some down time,so ski in ski out is imperative for us to have a good week.

Thanks

Paul

Look at the units I named for the best. Bear Path is another option, but those aren't generally in the rental pool.

I also agree that conditions can be a crap shot. Burke generally will have done some snowmaking and will have generally covered all runs except for Upper Dipper and Upper Warrens Way by that time. They generally build base for MLK and President's Week in January. That said there are some exceptions. In 2006 we had NO snow at all and the mountain was limping with a handful of trails. In 2007 it was the BEST skiing I have seen there with the woods and natural snow runs choked with powder. It really is variable. If the skiing is not good, be creative because there aren't any big shopping destinations or anything near by.

 

[darent]

call the mountain and get a referral to rent a condo. You could get lucky with natural snow in late december, I have a friend that lived on the mountain while attending college and he always liked december for natural snow--good luck

 

[Masskier]

Christmas is a crap shoot no matter where you plan on booking. You have a bit of a catch 22 in regards to Christmas. The resorts with the best snow making systems that are the most reliable for the holidays are also going to be the most crowded. Burke has a respectable snow making system but does rely more on natural snow than most other major resorts.

Burke is a great mountain and one of my favorites for classic no frills old school skiing. Even during Christmas holiday period, you are unlikely to wait more than a minute or two during the busiest times of the day and will likely be skiing right onto the lifts more often than not. I can't help you with the lodging or instruction questions but I can all but guarantee you won't find shorter lines at any other 2000' vertical ski area during a holiday!!!

Burke is adding 5 new fan guns for this season.

 

[thetrailboss]

Burke is adding 5 new fan guns for this season.

That will help, but let's be honest; with 250 acres that won't make a real dent. I'd be willing to bet that they will all go to the lower mountain as well which would be a real shame.

 

[riverc0il]

Burke is adding 5 new fan guns for this season.

So they will have one more trail (off the HSQ I bet?) open earlier?

 

[whitemtn27]

I've stayed in Spruce Woods via the burkeslopesidelodging.com website. They are ski in/out, although it is a pretty decent skate to the base and you have to cross a couple of streets. The way home from the mid mountain lodge is much easier. If you don't mind the greater distance away it's a very economical option.

I have never waited more than 3 minutes for a lift at Burke, even on a holiday weekend. And very rarely even that long.

 

[Masskier]

That will help, but let's be honest; with 250 acres that won't make a real dent. I'd be willing to bet that they will all go to the lower mountain as well which would be a real shame.

Burke has a big snowmobile race on Dec 11th. So I think the plan is to use them on the lower mountain first to build the base for this event and then move them to the upper mountain to add to the the fire power there.