Burke Mountain, VT 3/4/6

[billski]

Date(s) Skied: 3/4/6



Resort or Ski Area: Burke, VT

Conditions: Powder, Scratchy

Trip Report:



It was weird getting up and leaving Stowe this morning. It had snowed heavily all night and was continuing to do so. Winds were gusting pretty strongly, forecasts for 15-25mph winds, not looking good for a pleasant day. Snow was piled about 8" deep at the doorstep this morning.



We piled 6 of us in the minivan and took the long trek from Stowe, through Morristown to Burke. Windy, slippery roads took us 1.75 hours to arrive.

We went to the mid mountain lodge. Big mistake if you have a beginner in the group. From the beginner trails you have to walk UPHILL to get to the mid-burke lodge. Better to start from the Sherburne Base.

The winds were much more moderate. However, the winds got the better of the snow. Trails were pretty scratchy pretty much everywhere. It didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out where all the 6" of new stuff was.

So, true to form, we start looking for the woods. Geeze, Burke is much more controlling of their glades. Couldn't believe that their green "enchanted forest" glade was closed. totally roped. would have been perfect. Not as much off-trail potential as bolton. We started to find small-ish cutthroughs on the upper mt., a number of things on deer run.

In general, the conditions were much better at Bolton, that was everyone's consensus. While the price was right, the drive was a bit too much for a day trip.

I skied Burke last season and the conditions were much better. I can only hope that spring skiing, when all this fgr loosens up with make it right for us...

Tommorrow: Stowe

p.s. get your lunch early at the mid burke - this is my second time, they always run out of food or drinks by 1pm.. Must be by design.

 

[riverc0il]

there is a beginner trail that goes from the mid-burke to the sherburne base lodge without walking uphill. it runs out behind the lodge by the snow making pond.

burke is good about opening their glades when the cover isn't perfect. i have hiked enchanted forest during the summer. it should have a two foot base before opening, there are lots of rocks and underbrush in there. the 6" likely fell on barely anything underneath. i am surprised burke has even one glade open considering the snow fall this year. this has definitely not been the best year for burke, last year wasn't too great either. hopefully next year will be a jackpot year.

 

[billski]

there is a beginner trail that goes from the mid-burke to the sherburne base lodge without walking uphill. it runs out behind the lodge by the snow making pond.

burke is good about opening their glades when the cover isn't perfect. i have hiked enchanted forest during the summer. it should have a two foot base before opening, there are lots of rocks and underbrush in there. the 6" likely fell on barely anything underneath. i am surprised burke has even one glade open considering the snow fall this year. this has definitely not been the best year for burke, last year wasn't too great either. hopefully next year will be a jackpot year.

The problem is not getting TO the green stuff, it is returning FROM it to mid-Burke that is the problem.

I guess it really highlights how much less snow Burke received as opposed to their westerly neighbors.

 

[riverc0il]

oh my bad, i miss read. the topography around the mid-burke is tough. whether you are going to the mid-burke or to the quad, you kinda gotta deal with a little up hill, but it is harder going back to the lodge. not too bad for folks who can skate easily, but definitely not fun for beginners. i wouldn't be surprised if they terraform that are and try to flatten things out a bit more eventually. a lot likely depends on the disposition of mid-burke down the road...

 

[thetrailboss]

Definitely odd that MidBurke ran out of food.

The snow bit is not a surprise. Last week was good, but not the best.

Bolton DOES GET a lot of snow.