Burke's New Owners and New Start (2025)

[thetrailboss]

I will try to find the most recent version. Northern Star had started the major work. The idea was to add more top to MidBurke snowmaking routes. One “new” trail was going to link Carriage Road to Little Dipper. They thinned the trees more than 20 years ago. One can also see the snowmaking pipe stub passing under the Toll Road for this route (and maybe the Doug’s Drop line). Those are two easy top to MidBurke routes.

IMHO I think adding a snowmaking line up Dipper Doodle, to Powderhorn, then up Wilderness would be really easy and add another snowmaking route.

I don’t think that they had big plans for West Bowl/West Peak. The exposure is a bit more SW and in my experience that slight angle makes a difference in terms of holding snow. But that is great pitch.

The East Bowl has been on expansion plans for now almost 40 years. It has never really progressed. As I’ve outlined, they can add three snowmaking routes with relatively little cutting using existing trails. That step would help a lot.

 

[deadheadskier]

I think just perfecting what they have with a bit more snowmaking is the best path for now. Everybody loves new terrain (when done well), but each expansion requires that much more overhead and skier visits to support. I especially think adding new lifts wouldn't be prudent until they see significantly more traffic.

The beauty about Burke is you can ski the entire mountain off of just two lifts, so you can really keep overhead down midweek when it's always going to be even more quiet there than most other places due to its bad location.

 

[B-Eastski]

Terrain expansion Year after next? I hope West Bowl not East Bowl. Leave glades alone. Also add more glades

What The New Owners of Burke Mountain Plan To Do In The Next 24 Months

New owners plan for maintenance projects, snowmaking enhancements, and new terrain.

unofficialnetworks.com

One of Burke’s biggest Problems is there is Zero Green runs on the main mountain and some of the blues would be blacks at many ski areas. I’m guessing with Jon involved he is trying to figure out how to get an easier way down off the summit. Everyone no matter their ability wants to ski off the summit. Not all that long ago that was Berkshire East’s problem and he cut two runs off the top that curl around back at a much more gentle slope. Not sure this is possible at Burke, but the mountain needs this.

 

[B-Eastski]

I think just perfecting what they have with a bit more snowmaking is the best path for now. Everybody loves new terrain (when done well), but each expansion requires that much more overhead and skier visits to support. I especially think adding new lifts wouldn't be prudent until they see significantly more traffic.

The beauty about Burke is you can ski the entire mountain off of just two lifts, so you can really keep overhead down midweek when it's always going to be even more quiet there than most other places due to its bad location.

Its really not a bad location, being right off 91. Its just not off ROUTE 100 which is arguably the one of the best ski roads in North America. 91 is one if the easiest drives too.

 

[thetrailboss]

One of Burke’s biggest Problems is there is Zero Green runs on the main mountain and some of the blues would be blacks at many ski areas. I’m guessing with Jon involved he is trying to figure out how to get an easier way down off the summit. Everyone no matter their ability wants to ski off the summit. Not all that long ago that was Berkshire East’s problem and he cut two runs off the top that curl around back at a much more gentle slope. Not sure this is possible at Burke, but the mountain needs this.

That will be a tough order to fill. Toll Road/Deer Run is not THAT bad for someone who can ski the Lower Mountain without any issues. But it largely lacks snowmaking and is narrow (and a bit steep) near the bottom.

Now for a Burke trivia question: what trail has been a green circle, blue square, and now a black diamond during my lifetime?

 

[Edd]

That will be a tough order to fill. Toll Road/Deer Run is not THAT bad for someone who can ski the Lower Mountain without any issues. But it largely lacks snowmaking and is narrow (and a bit steep) near the bottom.

Now for a Burke trivia question: what trail has been a green circle, blue square, and now a black diamond during my lifetime?

East Bowl? I skied it a couple seasons ago, surprised to see it rated black because it was blue my previous visit. I could see it being green as it meanders alot.

 

[thetrailboss]

East Bowl? I skied it a couple seasons ago, surprised to see it rated black because it was blue my previous visit. I could see it being green as it meanders alot.

You got it. It was a green in the 1980's through maybe 1991 or so, then blue from 1990's right up to maybe 2011 or so. Now a black diamond.

 

[Edd]

You got it. It was a green in the 1980's through maybe 1991 or so, then blue from 1990's right up to maybe 2011 or so. Now a black diamond.

Awesome trail, a couple of friends with me were doing it for the first time. Even being snowboarders (bad skate out), they loved it. Pow day, so it was a total blast.

 

[thetrailboss]

Awesome trail, a couple of friends with me were doing it for the first time. Even being snowboarders (bad skate out), they loved it. Pow day, so it was a total blast.

It is my favorite Burke run. I have many there. Lots of memories of friends and family.

 

[thetrailboss]

Other favorites: Ledges, Wilderness/Powderhorn/Dipper Doodle, Carriage Road.