Bolton Valley Delivers

A storm was looming, but where to go? Feeling tired from the work week, and unprepared to spend the weekend away, we pondered the pros and cons of a handful of options. With Robert’s recent PSA to “get it while it’s good” front of mind, Evan and I hopped in the car Friday night to make the best of the weekend storm ahead.

access road

The last-minute decision was made to set out for a late-season powder day at Bolton Valley. We drove to Burlington VT, making hotel arrangements along the drive, arriving just after 1:00 AM. Saturday we woke to 5 inches of snow at the hotel, yet we were confident that this was just a taste of what awaited us.

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Peek’n Peak: Think Snow

Packing my ski gear Tuesday morning, I knew a good day was ahead. There was a beautiful sunrise to start the day that gave way to clear visibility for the drive to Clymer, NY. It was an early start to a long, but fun day. I had plans to meet my friends Kyle and Mike at Peek’n Peak later in the morning. We love PnP’s terrain park and it was the focus of our trip.

Peek’n Peak Main Lodge

My first visit to Peek’n Peak was eight years ago via I-86. This time I came on I-90 with views of Lake Erie and vines from the Wine Country Trail. I arrived 30 minutes before opening, to a near empty parking lot. I expected it to be a busy day during a holiday break, at a mountain so close to Erie PA. But the only line I saw all day was at the ticket window.

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Snow Ridge: Back at Full Strength

Snow Ridge has gotten a lot of attention from us this year, for good reason. Or maybe more accurately, for a bad reason. On August 7 of last year, the hill was ripped by an EF-3 tornado. Tornados are bad, and when they come to ski areas, late in the off-season, they are really bad. Snow Ridge scrambled to get ready for winter.

Lyons Falls cemetery
Lyons Falls cemetery

We covered the event, and the even more astounding recovery. Evidence of the storm is still obvious as many downed trees remain. But every functioning piece of the ski operation has now been restored. On Thursday, the last piece of the puzzle, the North Chair, was certified to run.

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