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.
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.
Bolton Valley was forecast to get 1-2 feet for Saturday atop of the foot they received the week prior, and we were ready! The mountain’s access road is one of the most challenging we’ve been to but to our delight, the roads were well maintained.
We arrived an hour before first chair at the Vista Quad. It was snowing heavily and a solid 7 inches had already fallen in the parking lot. Strong winds had been an issue earlier in the week, but today the mountain was set to be fully open.
We chatted with locals as we waited for the chair to spin, hoping for the inside scoop on where to head for our first run. As we rode up, our excitement was through the roof — spring who?! It was time for snow and we were basking in the storm. When we got to the peak we went straight for Hard Luck and it was everything but. Snow blew through my shins as we glided through the untouched snow. Winter felt like it was just arriving.
The snowfall never relented throughout the day, treating us to “endless free refills” just as Bolton Valley’s snow report had promised. After a few runs, we ventured to the uncharted territory of Wilderness Peak. Although Evan and I had been to Bolton two times prior, this area of the mountain had been closed for various reasons and was new to us.
We spent the next few hours at Wilderness weaving in and out of the trees, blasting down the trails, and waiting in 0 lift lines. We couldn’t help but laugh to ourselves — as the 23-24 ski season is our 4th on Indy, the irony was no surprise to us.
Decision-making from then on was a breeze. Debating whether to tackle trees or trails — with snow everywhere, it hardly mattered. It felt as though we were playing in a snow globe. Our favorite run combos of the day were taking Wilderness Liftline or Cougar to Lower Turnpike followed by the fluffy, low-angle, glades of Wilderness Woods.
Around 1:30 we headed to the base for a quick intermission. Snow dropping, music playing, a campfire, hot miso, and Onigiri from the Miso & Kome hut felt good for the soul. It’s the perfect Indy vibe we love to support and enjoy.
With our energy replenished, we were back on the chairlift and ready to hit up Timberline. We took Five Corners to Timberline Run, scooting past beautiful ski-in ski-out homes we arrived at the Timberline lift and headed to the peak. The snow was still coming down heavily. Here we hit every run but chose to repeat Tattle Tale and Brandywine as Evan dipped into the woods of Lost Boys.
We considered extending our stay to night ski, it was too fun to call it quits. But as the Timberline Chair was winding down for close at 3:45, reality reluctantly nudged, reminding us of the journey ahead of us, back to New York. The snow continued to fall as we ventured to the base and it was time to say goodbye.
Evan used his snowboard belly down, as a surfer would swimming out to sea, down the entrance hill which was blanketed with snow. I continued walking behind bringing my tired legs back to the car.
Claiming Saturday was a day well spent would be an understatement. The storm brought us 18” of fun, proving once again that the best adventures are often the ones we least expect. Until next time Bolton Valley!
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It seemed like Saturday was all time everywhere coast-to-coast. Glad you got out and got some.
You hit the jackpot! I remember [nordic] racing at Bolton Valley in 2004. Rain down in the valley, nuking snow starting about halfway up the access road. A bus in the ditch trying to leave.
Way to get after it. I’ve only been to Bolton once and I didn’t get the conditions you did but I could tell it was a cool place. You guys appear to have maximized it. Excellent post.
Bolton Valley is officially on my bucket list for next year!! I want to make sure I am there when the wilderness lift is running. Looks awesome, love the pics.
Tiff, you and me and my crew skied the same epic day on the same epic lifts. We skied Bolton friday, saturday and sunday. 10 to 7 friday, 9 to 8 saturday, 9 to 4 sunday. No joke, Bolton’s main lift Vista Quad runs until 10pm along with two mid mountain lifts, and they don’t close non lit trails until after 6. For that area of VT Bolton is often overlooked but has some of the most fun and unique terrain you will find anywhere.
Same here! But we left NJ sat am like 3:30 in the morning to drive in snow covered roads, mostly unplowed back roads. We were prepared for that though! We also parked on the Timberline chair side. Best day ever in the east in a LONG time!! Perfect just perfect!!!
Also was there that day. Epic day. I was so mad I had to leave it all up there.
I almost certainly saw some of you on the Vista chair that day. I checked the basecam several times during the weekend and esp. on Sunday before I hit the local bump. It looked awesome. Jealous…
I agree this was an inspired call. It’s interesting connection with readers, I was there! I was watching the cam! I was wishing I was there!
Sweet debut piece Tiff, welcome.