Upcoming 1st Timers Trip to Burke

[xwhaler]

1st time up to Burke this coming wknd (3/9-3/11) Staying in one of the condos in Spruce Woods.
Have a good sense of the trails based on recent TR's and my research on the mtn so wondering more about good eats in the area.
How is Trout River for food? May stop there on the way up/back for dinner.
Tamarack Grille on the mtn worth going to for dinner Sat night? We may end up just cooking in the condo though unless there are some highly reccomended places off mtn that are nearby.

Also, given where we are staying (Spruce Woods) are we ok using the condo connector trail to access the lower base lodge? I've read that there is a lot of poling required on that and would we be better driving? Would like to boot up in the condo and just head out but wondering how far it is?

Can tickets be purchased at Mid Burke by chance? We'll be doing RSNE 2for1 on Saturday and then using vouchers on Sunday.

 

[from_the_NEK]

How is Trout River for food? May stop there on the way up/back for dinner.

Trout River sells pretty much only pizza (REALLLY GOOD PIZZA). The dining area is small and it is only open Fridays and Saturdays http://www.troutriverbrewing.com/. But it is definilety worth it if you don't have to wait in a long line. They often have seasonal and experimental brews on tap.
If the lines are long at Trout River, check out Timbuktu's just down the road on the right.

Save the Miss Lyndonville Diner for a breakfast :smile:

Tamarack Grille on the mtn worth going to for dinner Sat night?

The Tamarack has very good food and nice atmosphere. A full list of places around the mountain can be found here: http://skiburke.com/the-mountain/around-the-mountain/eats/

Also, given where we are staying (Spruce Woods) are we ok using the condo connector trail to access the lower base lodge? I've read that there is a lot of poling required on that and would we be better driving? Would like to boot up in the condo and just head out but wondering how far it is?

The Spruce Woods condos are the most out of the way condos on the mtn (in relation to trails). Although I've never skied it, the condo connector (red line) cannot be an easy traverse (.65 miles over 200 feet of elevation). There is a third of a mile walk option you can take directly across the mtn to the trails (Green line). I would probably recommend driving to one of the lodges. The Mid-Burke lodge is just a bit further up the road.

Can tickets be purchased at Mid Burke by chance? We'll be doing RSNE 2for1 on Saturday and then using vouchers on Sunday.

They sell tickets at the Mid-Burke bar,but I don't know if they will process vouchers or other special deals. You may have to go to the base lodge for that.

 

[thetrailboss]

Second the good comments about Trout River.

For a more conventional pizza place, try Hoagie's in the White Market Plaza right off of Route 5 and Interstate 91 Exit 23.

The River Garden in East Burke is also great.

 

[Boardguy]

There are lots of good places to eat in the area, the problem is you won't be there long enough to try them all, You will have to come back. To the above list I would suggest checking out the menu at the Cafe Sweet Basil as you come through Lyndonville. It is on the left in the middle of the second block after you take the left beyond the post office. It is a small store front kind of place with great food ranging from Burritos to pasta dishes and salad plates. If you go try the Holy Basil - can't miss with that one.

Staying at Sprucewoods I would just go up to MidBurke providing they can provide the "deal" tickets, maybe call up here first. You buy tickets at the bar at the left end of MidBurke, viewed from the parking lot. If you want to ski the lower moutain still go to MidBurke and get your tickets and go down the connector trail that begins just on the west side of the new lift on the far end of MidBurke, IMO that is much more direct than the condo connector with more pitch, takes you right to the main lodge. I saw people on it the other day and the coverage looked good from what I could see. As for coming back up to MidBurke the trail from the top of the lower lift to the new upper lift is kind of a pain, very flat (even a bit uphill) at the bottom, you will be skating. Don't need to do that often just stay up top and avoid it all together.

Have fun and do have a beer at MidBurke - nice spot after a day on the hill.

 

[noreasterbackcountry]

I always hit Trout River when skiing Burke or mountain biking at Kingdom Trails. Take a couple growlers home!

Also, if you're looking for white tablecloth meal, I ate at Willy's in E. Burke village recently and had a great dinner.. and it was pretty reasonably priced.

Lastly, make sure you have at least one Chicken Parm sub from the NEK Country Store in the village before you leave.

 

[thetrailboss]

Second Willy's and the old NEK Country Store (iirc that is what used to be Bailey's)

 

[xwhaler]

Great suggestions everyone. Really appreciate the help. Looking fwd to 1st trip up to the NEK