BC skiing in Bolton Valley, VT

Summary
OwnerMITOC Gallery Administrator
Creation Date2006-02-15 21:12:31 UTC-0500
Description


Actual snow!
Date: February 11-12th, 2006
Location: Bolton Valley, Vermont

Participants: Chris Glazner and Summer Austin


Trip Report
OK, OK. This wasn't a MITOC trip. This was Chris and Summer's passing generals/Summer's birthday/Valentine's Day retreat. Nonetheless, I'm posting pics and a report because we discovered something that has eluded me all year: powder. Yes, fluffy white powder, my friends.

We stayed at the Black Bear Inn (highly recommended; inexpensive, friendly, good food, optional private hot tub), which is right across the street from the network of backcountry ski trails in Bolton Valley. On Saturday morning, we were a bit apprehensive because there was a XC race there and a million people. The main access trail to the BC (Bryant) was really packed down, but soon Summer and I found an untracked trail off of it and it was untracked powder the rest of the day! This is perfect terrain for the club's new Cross Terrain skis with 3 pin bindings. Not so steep that you need climbing skins, but steep enough to make descents a lot of fun! We did a lot of climbing--I think our longest run in elevation was 1100 feet, and featured a nice view of Mt.Mansfield from the top. We like it so much we did it again the next day, as well as visits to the Cabot Creamery, the Ben and Jerry's Factory, and the Cold Hollow Cider Mill. Good trip.

Note: A hot tub after skiing all day is VERY NICE.