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
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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!
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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)
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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.
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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!
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The start of the tour 2010!
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.
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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!
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There have been a lot of questions floating around, and we’re sorry we weren’t able to post this earlier, but here are some answers:
Why does the website refer only to “6km of Nordic terrain” available to ski in the 2011-2012 season?
The general answer to this question is that there is a land sale in the works in which a large parcel of land that contains the majority of the Nordic skiing groomed and backcountry trail system. The Nordic center will return next season and will operate with 6km of trails made up of Valley Loop, Picnic Loop, Pond Loop, World Cup and Broadway to the Water Company Shed. The sale will be to a private individual and though there is no plan for major development on the land, there is currently no easement or agreement to use the existing trail network beyond those 6km of trails.
Season passes for next year are now on sale, but there’s no Nordic pass listed on the website. Is it possible to buy those in advance?
Due to the anticipated change in available Nordic terrain, it is unclear if Bolton will sell 2011/2012 Nordic Season Passes. Currently there is no option to buy Nordic Season Passes early. More information will be available in the early fall. If you have more questions regarding Nordic Season Passes please contact Josh Arneson, Marketing Director, at jarneson@boltonvalley.com.
What about the rest of this season? Can I still come ski Bolton backcountry this spring?
Yes! We’re still fully open for the rest of this season, and the March skiing should be fabulous. As we said, nothing is certain yet, but why not come take advantage of the backcountry terrain while you definitely still can?
We look forward to seeing you during a sunny (so far anyway) March!
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Bolton Nordic 
