Kingdom Trails to Expand to Include Lift Served Biking on Burke Mountain

[thetrailboss]

I was reading the August Edition of Vermont Sports Magazine last night (the link may not work because you need to be a subscriber to read it online but if it does, flip to the Kingdom Trails article on Page 8 IIRC) and they reported that Kingdom Trails just got an Act 250 Permit to build new trails on Burke Mountain, including a top to bottom bike run that will likely be "one of the longest off-road descents on the east coast." These trails will be open maybe this fall, but more interesting was the fact that the article said that next summer the Willoughby Quad will be running during the summer for biking off the summit. :beer: For those that are familiar with Burke Mountain, this is a big step forward for them as they have a reputation of being a quiet place in the summer.

 

[thetrailboss]

I just found this press release:

Kingdom Trails Building Down-Hill Bike Park on Burke Mountain

July 17, 2010 http://www.kingdomtrails.com/blog/k...down-hill-bike-park-on-burke-mountain#respond



Burke Mountain received ACT 250 permitting to construct lift-service mountain bike trails. Work is set to begin very soon, with the construction of a down-hill mountain bike park on the lower slopes of Burke Mountain. Kingdom Trail Association (KTA), a not-for-profit recreation organization, will build, maintain and manage the trail system and Burke Mountain Operating Company will operate the chairlift. Built in the late fall of 2005, the Sherburne Express High Speed Quad will be fitted with bike racks, giving the many mountain bikers that flock to the Kingdom Trails each summer, a new way to reach the top of the trail. Kingdom Trails, voted the BEST TRAIL NETWORK in North America by Bike Magazine, will utilize the collaboration and expertise of Burke Mountain and IdeRide to develop several trails from the top of the chairlift. These trails will also add to the pre-existing trails already maintained by KTA. The park plans will feature fast, flowing trails with elements of varying difficulty. An anticipated opening is set for September 2010.”To be able to add this to our system is a very exciting opportunity. The fact that we can now provide professionally built and maintained lift accessed trails on Burke Mountain will be such an attractive feature for our riders. The side of mountain biking that is more gravity assisted is growing, and introducing this to our popularity will keep us in the forefront of mountain biking in not only Vermont, but throughout the country,” says CJ Scott, Trails Manager at Kingdom Trails.The addition of the new trail system also excites many small businesses in town; Lilias Ide, co-owner of IdeRide Mountain Bike Camps & Shuttles agrees with CJ, “We’re excited about Burke running their high speed quad for biking-it will make the new and existing trails on the mountain accessible for fun and flowy runs all day long!” John Worth, of East Burke Sports, states “These trails are the type of opportunity KTA doesn’t currently offer and will appeal to a larger audience”.“The operation of lift served Mountain Biking is a perfect way for Burke Mountain to expand its offerings and allow our customers four season recreation at the resort” said Tim McGuire General Manager of the Resort. “The trail network in Burke operated by Kingdom Trails Association is known throughout the country as a premier destination for biking. Burke Mountain Resort is excited to partner with Kingdom Trails to expand the already nationally renowned offerings. The new lift served trail system is one of the first of the many improvements that Burke has been planning for some time, we will continue to improve our ski and off season amenities and see this project as a precursor of additional improvements to come.”Kingdom Trail Association provides recreation and education opportunities for local residents and visitors while working to conserve natural resources and create economic stimulation. KTA has permission of 50 landowners and businesses that make the 100 mile four season non-motorized trail system possible.
For more information visit www.kingdomtrails.org or www.skiburke.com

Looks like they will be doing the park on the Lower Mountain.

 

[thetrailboss]

:-?

Despite what VSM said, it looks like the lower mountain is the only area where there is going to be lift served biking.

Here's the project map:

http://www.anr.state.vt.us/Imaging/Planning/7C0206-14/7C0206-14%20Map.pdf

 

[kingdom-tele]

don't forget there is already a shuttle service to the upper parking lot, so there is still easy access to full mountain descents - highly recommend upper jbar > jbar > burnham down.

 

[Masskier]

I was up hiking on Burke last weekend and the trail building is well underway. They are planning to operate the lift in September.