MarkC
New member
In this thread I noticed a few of you recommend Burke. This is one of the few mountains in the northeast that I have not heard much about. What is there to know about Burke?
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Burke
- Thread starter MarkC
- Start date
hardline
New member
its far away. just kidding. actually i think riv has spent a lot of time there so he would e the one to give the lay of the land.
I'll be checking it out for the first time this winter myself. Not sure when, probably later in the winter when the base deep. From what I read it's a great place to be on a powder day. Hopefully I get lucky
rueler
New member
I grew up going to Burke during February vacations up until I was in High School because my aunt lives in nearby South Wheelock. Even during Feb. week, liftlines were never an issue I ever dealt with. I am only going to comment on the mountain from a skiing perspective. I'm not well versed in the apres or lodging accomodations, etc.
Positives
lack of crowds
nice rolling natural terrain
snow quality is usually pretty reliable
beautiful glades
a touch of the way skiing used to be
easy to get to (long drive from CT, but it's all interstate...only about 6-8 miles off of 91)
new high speed quad
Downsides
not many
only one main lift to the summit (fixed grip quad)
The terrain is full of old school NE trails with a lot of great contours to them. Wilderness is a favorite of mine. There are also wider, mellow cruising runs like Willoughby. The glade skiing is very good when there's snow.
You can check out their website for more comprehensive info.
Positives
lack of crowds
nice rolling natural terrain
snow quality is usually pretty reliable
beautiful glades
a touch of the way skiing used to be
easy to get to (long drive from CT, but it's all interstate...only about 6-8 miles off of 91)
new high speed quad
Downsides
not many
only one main lift to the summit (fixed grip quad)
The terrain is full of old school NE trails with a lot of great contours to them. Wilderness is a favorite of mine. There are also wider, mellow cruising runs like Willoughby. The glade skiing is very good when there's snow.
You can check out their website for more comprehensive info.
abc
Well-known member
How would you compare Burk vs Mad River Glen?
(I know Burk is smaller, but that's not all that important for most of us here. How's the skiing stacking up?)
(I know Burk is smaller, but that's not all that important for most of us here. How's the skiing stacking up?)
nelsapbm
Member
I grew up at Burke and now predominantly ski MRG so I'll try to answer.
Burke & MRG are similar stat wise - vertical drop, # of trails, etc.
MRG's terrain is overall more challenging.
MRG is rougher around the edges (which I personally love) - Burke is a good mix of old school (mid-burke lodge, old poma etc) and new school (HSQ, higher-end restaurant/bar in lower lodge).
Mad River gets more crowded, but you don't notice it on the trails because of the uphill lift capacity (some complain of lift lines, but I'd rather wait a bit in line and then have the trail to myself-lift lines/crowded trails are rarely an issue at Burke).
Burke makes a lot more snow than MRG and grooms a lot (but not all) of the trails.
Burke is easy to get to as mentioned above - about 7 miles off I-91. Some would argue that MRG is tougher to get to.
Burke is known as a ski racing center thanks to Burke Mountain Academy.
Both have a similar vibe - locals and regulars are VERY proud of their mountain.
I love them both!
Burke & MRG are similar stat wise - vertical drop, # of trails, etc.
MRG's terrain is overall more challenging.
MRG is rougher around the edges (which I personally love) - Burke is a good mix of old school (mid-burke lodge, old poma etc) and new school (HSQ, higher-end restaurant/bar in lower lodge).
Mad River gets more crowded, but you don't notice it on the trails because of the uphill lift capacity (some complain of lift lines, but I'd rather wait a bit in line and then have the trail to myself-lift lines/crowded trails are rarely an issue at Burke).
Burke makes a lot more snow than MRG and grooms a lot (but not all) of the trails.
Burke is easy to get to as mentioned above - about 7 miles off I-91. Some would argue that MRG is tougher to get to.
Burke is known as a ski racing center thanks to Burke Mountain Academy.
Both have a similar vibe - locals and regulars are VERY proud of their mountain.
I love them both!
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abc
Well-known member
I'm convinced.
I'll be going to Burk for Christmas weekend.
I'll be going to Burk for Christmas weekend.
madskier6
Member
Burke is a fun mountain that is known mostly for good groomers & excellent tree/glade skiing. It's a great place to bring the family. I've brought mine there for a weekend trip the last 2 years & it's now become an annual family tradition. As others have said, there are no crowds there.
MRG has more quantities of challenging (& very challenging) terrain, including more bump runs because they groom a lot less than Burke does. Both areas have the old school feel. While I like the groomers at Burke (& so does my wife & children), I really like the glade skiing at Burke. When you hit a good day at Burke in the woods, it can be a really great ski day.
MRG has more quantities of challenging (& very challenging) terrain, including more bump runs because they groom a lot less than Burke does. Both areas have the old school feel. While I like the groomers at Burke (& so does my wife & children), I really like the glade skiing at Burke. When you hit a good day at Burke in the woods, it can be a really great ski day.
riverc0il
New member
Not really a fair comparison to compare any mountain to Mad River, IMO.
Burke is one of the most over looked ski areas in New England. Part of a trio of the best over looked mountains along with Magic and Saddleback. All three mountains have that old school feel, lots of narrow trails, but still lots of cruisers, and great trees. Great lodges new and old alike.
The mentality is "Burke is too far". If I sound like a broken record on this point, forgive me. But Burke is just a hair under three hours from Boston which is closer than Sunday River and the same distance as Wildcat from Boston. It is actually one of the closest Vermont ski areas to Boston which surprises most people (Ascutney being the closest). From points south and south-west, Burke may seem like a stretch because it is further than many more well known Vermont resorts but it isn't much further than Sugarbush or Stowe if you are going I-91 to I-89 to those areas and of course closer than Jay and Smugs.
Some of the greatest groomers in the East (I would put Willoughby up against any groomer on the East Coast as best around) and some amazing trees both on and off the map, Burke has a little bit for everyone. Lots of trails left natural and plenty of interesting terrain features and rolls. Burke's trails have not been rolled flat and de-cornered like many other bigger resorts.
It's skiing the way I love skiing to be and Ginn hasn't ruined the place yet :lol: Definitely worth a visit if you haven't been yet and you enjoy inexpensive, uncrowded, quality skiing with a old school vibe. Here are some reports from Burke...
http://www.thesnowway.com/category/trip-reports/reports-by-area/vermont/vt-burke
thetrailboss can really give you the best perspective on Burke and if there is anyone that can sell Burke, it is TB!
riverc0il
New member
JD
New member
Lately we've been getting good snow early and Burke ussually waits to open so it's been a bit of a stash for those of us that enjoy self-powered skiing. Last 2 years we've made trips there with over 2 feet of snow on the ground and it was basically our own personal playground. Woods were opened and everything. We really liked the maple glades off the skiiers right side that drop you down to the bottom of east bowl. I think we got around 10, 000 vert there last time, just couldn't leave so much untracked snow. We wondered if any locals had anything off the skier's left side of the resort, out past the birch glades.....anyone?
Stoke:
http://broadbandsports.com/node/13189
Stoke:
http://broadbandsports.com/node/13189
kingdom-tele
New member
JD - there are acres of skiing in west bowl - usually to mellow for most people but some nice ravines - there is so much in the ropes that everyone else prefers, much like any other VT mtn the upper section can sometimes become a maze of evergreens, beautiful woods though and if that alone can get you excited its worth the cruise
late december is usually hit or miss if your planning a trip, seems like that past few years x mas week has been warm, but if you like the groom you will still have a blast, the dippers never get old - just faster
late december is usually hit or miss if your planning a trip, seems like that past few years x mas week has been warm, but if you like the groom you will still have a blast, the dippers never get old - just faster
Very nice vid! I went there a lot in my teens during February break. We'd get a condo at Mountain Brook IIRC. A really fun place to ski. I always loved that Poma lift! One of the coolest surface lifts I've ever been on. That trail is steep! :-D
JD
New member
Sounds like a great area for lower angle woods, when the steeps rean't where it's at. Access righ t off the top by the sign? PM me if you don't wanna sell it right out.
Thnks. ps, snowing at stowe.
billski
Active member
Agree with everything before. From my experience, people go to Burke for many of the same reasons people go to MRG: To ski and board. Period.
Don't look for much apres-ski at Burke or fancy lodging or bnb, or fine dining. don't bring your Obermeyer or Prada.
Don't look for a lot of homogeneity. It's the kind of place you walk into and say, " Gee, I wonder if they take charge cards? JUST KIDDING!
If you want to have a GREAT day skiing/boarding, that's the place to do it.
Remember, you may feel a little lonely, so bring a partner!
Don't look for much apres-ski at Burke or fancy lodging or bnb, or fine dining. don't bring your Obermeyer or Prada.
Don't look for a lot of homogeneity. It's the kind of place you walk into and say, " Gee, I wonder if they take charge cards? JUST KIDDING!
If you want to have a GREAT day skiing/boarding, that's the place to do it.
Remember, you may feel a little lonely, so bring a partner!
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Well, half of your statement might be true... :razz:
billski
Active member
from_the_NEK
Active member
Never been there myself...;-)
Crap, my cover's been blown by Riverc0il 8)
http://www.thesnowway.com/v/0708season/20071208burke
I think most everything important has already been pointed out. I will reiterate the point that Burke is a GREAT place to escape crowds on Holiday weekends.
Part 1:
Part 2:
Crap, my cover's been blown by Riverc0il 8)
http://www.thesnowway.com/v/0708season/20071208burke
I think most everything important has already been pointed out. I will reiterate the point that Burke is a GREAT place to escape crowds on Holiday weekends.
Part 1:
Part 2:
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