New Blog

Hi , The Nordic Blog has moved. This one can still be accessed , however our updates will be on our new blog which is  linked with the Nordic link on the Bolton Valley web site. Come see us at http://www.boltonvalley.com. Thanks Rob D

2011-12 season

Hi friends of Boltn Valley Nordic and BC touring scene. I will be managing the center this season, Liz will be a rookie patrol here on the Alpine side so I am sure you can visit her on the trails . I actually come from a patrol background myself. Twenty five years of that career finds me here at the center looking forward to being a part of the amazing trails up at the end of the Bolton Valley access road. We have many events this season , I hope to use this site to help  keep folks in the loop. I will also be using the Bolton Valley FB page to post events , photos and other nordic and touring happenings. Start thinking about snow , I look forward to skiing with you this season.  Rob D

Photo of the Day

Last Sunday was our closing day.  It wasn’t spring skiing at all.  Our friend Trum send a photo of Heavenly Highway from April 2nd.  There is going to be snow on some trails for a long time!

UVM Ski Team goes Bolton to Trapps

It’s become a post race season tradition for the UVM Nordic Ski Team to ski Bolton to Trapps on the Catamount Trail each spring.  Yesterday was the day they planned…. but it wasn’t like spring skiing at all.  The mountains between Bolton and Trapps are more like mid winter conditions.  I heard that part of the team also skied up to the Cabin at Trapps once they arrived at Russell Knoll at Trapps.  If you missed your annual Bolton to Trapps ski this season… there is still plenty of snow!   -LH

No snow at my house, but lots of snow at Bolton Nordic!

It’s amazing how much snow we have at Bolton right now.  Our weather pattern has been very consistent for the last week and it’s more comparable to early February than late March!  There is a great base of snow and with about 12″ of new snow this week on top of the base the skiing is awesome.  The normal spring time obstacles are non existent at this point– NO stream crossings and NO ribbons of snow on the trail.  It’s just plain old boring great skiing!  We want to encourage everyone for get up to this mountain for a couple more skis.

One more sign of spring- UVM Ski Team backcountry practice. On Thursday, they did Raven's Wind on skinny skis.

There are a couple signs of spring up here- daylight is back, the March sun is strong and we are forcing some Hobble Bush and Birch branches to flower inside the Nordic Center.

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Today I took photos along the way to work from Shelburne to Bolton on the Hunt for Snow!  Check out the progression:

Is this what it looks like outside your house? Or maybe there is a pile of gross crusty and dirty snow? This is what it looks like outside my house and the Daffodils are up about 4".

Driving through Richmond there is a little more snow!

Prospects looked a little better at the bottom of the Bolton Access Rd . . . some new snow overnight still visible on the road.

On the hunt for snow... at the Bolton sign there is a ton more snow!

New snow on the Bolton car.

2100' in the Bolton base area is covered! I wonder what the trails will look like?

Beautiful dusting of snow on top of early morning grooming!

Old skis with new bindings!

Event Report: Bolton to the Barns

On the first Saturday in March, 91 skiers traveled in soft snow and warm conditions to make the 2nd Annual Bolton to the Barns a smashing success. A hearty and adventurous group collectively skied over 1,100 miles and raised more than $18,000 to benefit the VYCC’s conservation and education programs.

On scenic terrain between the Bolton Valley Nordic Center and the West Monitor Barn, snow conditions were excellent and skiers endured only an occasional sprinkle of rain. Upon arrival to the barn, skiers feted to the lively tunes of Something with Strings, and enjoyed well-deserved hot chili, tasty crepes, and a cold beverage.

We would like to sincerely thank all of the Bolton to the Barns sponsors, skiers, donors, and volunteers for making it such a fantastic event! To view photos of the tour, visit the VYCC website or check out our new Facebook page (and while you are there, don’t forget to “Like” us).  (from VYCC Email newsletter)

Winter is back and the skiing is great!

We’ve received close to 10″ of fresh powder since Monday, add this to our enormous base ranging from 3-6′ depending on the elevation to make skiing as good as it’s been all year. The days are long, the sun is out more than ever, and the season is ending soon…get in a few more powder days while you can.

Spring Skiing and Waffle Weekend!

Our waffles look a lot like this, but this photo is from mikes-table.themulligans.org

Waffles and Skiing this weekend!

Saturday 10am-12pm

Sunday 10am-12pm

Complimentary waffles for Bolton Season Pass holders.  If you are a All Access Season pass holder  you need to be an active Nordic Skier to be eligible for a comp waffle.  Otherwise waffles are $5 each.

Enjoy fresh local syrup with your waffle… this is a photo on one of the trees that made the sap used for the maple syrup that comes with our waffles.  Thanks to our friends at Valley View Farm, Georgia, VT for fantastic syrup!

Trapps to Bolton Tour/Race

The start of the tour 2010!

2011 Results

Tomorrow is the 4th Annual Cataomount Trail Challenge Trapps to Bolton Race/Tour.  The  weather looks pretty good and we have received record snow this week.

Come on out cheer on everyone who is skiing from Trapps to Bolton tomorrow morning.

Course: Race or tour this beautiful but physically challenging course on one of the most spectacular sections of the Catamount Trail. Course length is 17km from the start at the Trapp Family Touring Center in Stowe, with a 2300 ft vertical climb over Bolton Mtn and a 1300 ft vertical descent to Bolton Valley Nordic Center.  70% of the trail is ungroomed, 30% is  groomed. Non-competitive skiers should plan on taking 3.5 to 4.5 hours to complete the full length of the course.

In a record setting place- Eli Enman croses the line.

Course Times:
The men’s course record for this event is held by Eli Enman of Huntington, VT set in 2010 with a time of 1:31:02 while the women’s course record was set by JoAnn Hanowski of Underhill, VT in 2009 with a time 2:16:45.

Start Times:
Leisurely Tour Start at 10:00am for non-competitive skiers.

Mass Start Race at 11:30am for competitive racers.

Time Estimates: Tour participants should expect to take at least four hours while racer’s times may vary from one and a half hours to almost three hours.

Post Race Activities: Meal following finish and raffle and awards for participants at 2:30pm.

Click here for more info.

2010 Results

2009 Results

2008 Results

B2B

Skiers gather for a pre ski photo outside the Bolton Nordic Center.

What is B2B?  Bolton to the Barns- it’s a ski tour from the Bolton Nordic Center to the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps (VYCC) West Monitor Barn (RT 2, Richmond, VT).  It’s also a benefit for VYCC and a fun ski followed by a great party inside the West Monitor Barn!

In it’s second year 90 folks participated and helped raise over $15,000 for VYCC!  Thanks to all the participants, sponsors, volunteers and friends/family sponsored a skier!