Lots of Snow

We have snow!! We did some creative snow farming on Monday with the frozen granular that was left after last weekend’s warmup.    New snow on Tuesday night and Wednesday on top of the nice solid base has made for some pretty good skiing this week.  We don’t have everything open, but there is 10km groomed for skate and classic.

 

 

 

 

 

 

World Cup after a busy day of skiers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bryant Trail saw a lot of skiers last week and it almost looks groomed from all the skier/snowshoe traffic.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beautiful late afternoon sunset on Bryant Trail.  Snowshoe only in the backcountry this week- trail will be open for skiing once we get more snow.

 

 

 

 

 

Single track snowshoe path on North Slope.

Evidence of Snow.

The snow finally stopped today and the clouds lifted this afternoon…. at the Nordic Center we were  feeling like this was a never ending storm/instant winter.  In the late afternoon Zack and Liz got out for a ski and  these are our pictures. Enjoy.

Snow covered mountains- this is looking to the south west from the Broadway trail head.

Deep classic tracks headed out along the first tree line just above Joiner Brook on the way to World Cup/Broadway. It was thigh deep in some places here.

Scoping out some of the improved glades in the World Cup hillside.... these look great! Well done to our trail crew.

 

Zack looking over the edge and admiring more of the new and improved World Cup glades.

Knee deep snow at the Gardiners Lane/World Cup intersection!

 

Starting to Look Like Winter!!

Here are a couple of photos of the recent snow from last weekend.

Blast from the Past– This is the time of year that I often look back at old posts and see what the snow was like.  Today I looked at posts from December 2007–  We have our fingers crossed that this year is like December 2007… there was so much snow and we had great skiing. — Liz

Its March 24th and the Skiing is still GREAT!

Spring is official and the skiing remains with winter like conditions. We are nearly 100% open and the snow cover is really good. No trails were groomed today, but we groomed in the later afternoon yesterday.  Grooming of Broadway, Maple, Spruce, Deer Run, Beaver Pond, World Cup, Picnic, and Valley was done. Both classic and skate are recommended and the weather is going to be warming up into the mid 40’s for the rest of the week. So put on your t-shirts and get ready for some fun spring skiing.

Check out our Conditions page for lots more info.

Paul Stone took this photo on the backcountry trails Sunday, March 22. So much snow!!!

A view of Maple Loop from Saturday, March 21 and the trails on the Alpine Mtn in the background.

A perfect three day weekend starts NOW.

Sunday March 15: It’s another beautiful morning. At 9am it is 29 degrees and the forecast is for temps into the low 40s later. We have groomed 20km today for classic and skate. Trail surface is frozen granular and will transform as it warms up to spring conditions.

Backcountry report: skiers reported yesterday that the glades where no one had skied was really good. The strong sun and warm temps today should soften the snow by noon. It’s going to be a great spring skiing day in the backcountry.

Saturday March 14: 2pm update I was out grooming and things started to soften up around 11:30am, especially on the south facing trails. It is nice and soft out there now, but we have not seen the high temperatures expected today. It is about 32 degrees We had some adventurous backcountry skiers in late morning and we will report on their findings. – Liz

early am report: Today looks like a mirror image of yesterday, but a little warmer in the afternoon. It is going to be beautiful in the mountains. Clear sky, sun, great views and lost of snow pack. What does this mean for skiing? It means great things. The frozen granular surface should soften sooner and make for some really great skiing today. We are grooming 20km for classic and skate this morning.

If you are not keen on fast granular snow, but still want to escape to the mountain we recommend a snowshoe hike.

At 8am the temperature is 12 degrees and temps are forecast to rise into the mid 30s later in the day. Wax is klister today ot waxless… there is also fun crust skiing off the groomed trails.

Make a Day of It: Well it’s the start of sugar season. Sugar Houses around the state are boiling. Visit a sugar house after your ski today… sip some warm syrup, watch the fire, visit the horses and enjoy some sugar on snow. The official VT Maple Open House weekend is a couple weeks off, but if you drive by a sugar house on your way home stop in and see what’s going on.

Vermont Maple Association hosts the Vermont Maple Open House Weekend March 27-29.

Friday March 13: It’s a great day out there. Cool this morning… it’s about 12 degrees at 9am, but the sun is strong and warm.

Snow surface is frozen granular. It’s nice fast snow. In the woods there is a pretty solid crust and some ice. Wax of the day is klister or waxless. We are grooming all our widest trails with an alpine groomer followed by a tracksetter. Picnic and Valley Loops, World Cup, Broadway, Spruce Run and the top part of Maple Loop. 15km skate and classic groomed.

10am update- There is some really hard snow out there. The groomed snow is pretty sugary on top of a frozen solid base and the track is setting really well in some places and really shallow in others.

Today is Ski and Ride with the Point. Get 1/2 off your ticket at Bolton today. more info

New Snowfall: 20″, Last 6 Days: 72″

So much snow! Nothing to do but ski? Not so bad.   12k groomed today. All skate.

Special deal – this week only: Buy an adult full day ticket and get a free kids ticket!  Come up and enjoy the snow!

New Snow (and a lot of it!)

Sunday: Bolton By the Numbers looks pretty good and skis even better.

Base: 20°	Snowfall	Average Base Depth: 29″-55″
Summit: 14°	Last 24 Hours: 1-2″
Trails Open: 64	Last 48 Hours: 10-14″
Lifts Open: 6	Last 7 Days: 34-38″
Primary Surface: Powder	Season Total: 247

Wax is Blue. Today we have 20km Skate and Classic Groomed.  It is forecast to just keep on snowing for the next 24 hours, so trail surfaces will be a mix of packed powder and powder.  We will be grooming through the day… but it’s going to be pretty soft.

Backcountry trails are all powder.  Lots of groups skied Bolton to Trapps on the Catamount Trail- conditions are perfect.

Make a Day of It: Today’s spotlight is on Jericho Settlers’ Farm.  Krista and Mark do a great job providing

Stop by their farm store for some great local food year round.

awesome locally produced all year round and they are skiers.

Eggs and baked goods, jam and meat in the winter- then it’s veggies, flowers, meat, in the summer.  Jericho Settlers’ Farm also has CSA Shares… check out their website for more information.

The farms is located on Barber Farm Rd in Jericho… it’s worth the detour when you are in the Richmond/Jericho area.  directions

Saturday: All the rumors are  true.  While valley locations have only a dusting in the last 48 hours, Bolton has been hammered with powder.  Today might be about the best day of skiing of the year.  With some nice heavy snow on Wednesday topped with some of the lightest powder.  Justin, our ace  snow reporter, is saying 23-27″ of new powder in the last 48 hours.  full report

Harold is grooming 25km this morning and on the groomed trail surface is packed powder/powder.  It is going to be pretty soft, fun skiing today.  Wax is blue and at 8am the temperature is 15 degrees.  The forecast is for warming a little  through the day and maybe some sun later in the afternoon.

In the backcountry first tracks are the name of the game today….. it’s a no consequences powder day.

Event Update: All this new snow is great for next Sunday’s Catamount Trail BC Challenge Trapps to Bolton.  Conditions don’t get much better. Register online  today.

Friday: It certainly is a winter wonderland once again up here at Bolton Valley. With 6″ two nights ago and 6-8″ last night, the backcountry is in great condition. We have not been able to groom the nordic trails as of 10am, but anticipate having it finished by noon. We will post what has been groomed as soon as we know. So come on up and enjoy the snow! There is even more on the way!

Snow in our forecast.

3:45pm Update. It just started snowing.  It is a very fine snow. Wind has picked up through the day.  Temp is 22 degrees.

At 9am Wednesday morning the only evidence that we are supposed to get a storm tonight is the wind. Eye on the Sky forecast reports 6-8″ in the next 24 hours. Check back through the day today and we will report what time the snow starts.

A perfect long weekend.

Monday: Overnight temps around 10degrees and morning grooming will make great skiing to

Our grooming advisors.

day on our groomed trails.  We have 25km groomed classic and skate.  And it doesn’t get much better than this- extra blue.  Temperature at 8am is 12 degrees and forecast is for temps to rise into the mid 20s.

There is still nice power on our backcountry trails.  And folks skiing Bolton to Trapps trail report good skiing.

Sunday: It’s another great ski day today.  Groomed and Backcountry Skiing is awesome.  25km groomed, trail surface is packed powder mixed with frozen granular.  at 8:30am it is 12 degrees and no wind.

Backcountry reports are great.  And we have heard that there is powder everywhere and no breakable crust.  Out pass holders are calling it “BOLTON MAGIC”– great powder when you lease suspect it.

Make a Day of It– Our spotlight today is  On the Rise Bakery

yum

This place is amazing.

They make a mean pizza, fab baked goods, coffee, great music and if you get there early enough in the morning a bag of day olds.  And everything is local!!!  Also live music Wednesday-Saturday.

They are just off Rt 2 in Richmond.  Turn at the light in Richmond onto Bridge street and they are down the hill on the right.

[do you have an idea of a place that we should add to our Make a Day of It listing… let us know. send an email nordiccenter@boltonvalley.com]

Happy Valentines Day! Bring your valentine skiing and check out our Make Your Own Valentine Table.

Saturday: Conditions are perfect today. 4-6″ of powder on Thursday afternoon and some cold temperatures in the past 48 hours will make for some great skiing all weekend. Today we have 25km groomed Classic and Skate. Trail surface conditions are packed powder with some granular snow tilled in. Wax of the day is Blue. Temps at 8am is 7 degrees, it’s a perfectly clear blue sky and the sun is just rising over the mountains. The forecast is for warming through the day.

We recommend getting here early to ski for the next couple days so you can get parking. And don’t forget there is often space in the Tennis Court Lot down behind the Sports Center building.

Today we have Groups lessons at 10am and 1pm. Our Explorer Snowshoe Tour is today from 2-4pm.

Make a Day of It- Today’s spotlight is on Williston Farmers Market Winter

Market. Grab breakfast at the market on your way to Bolton and you will be fueled for a great day of skiing with some yummy locally made food.

Friday 2/13 we hosted the CVU/CHS High School 5km Freestyle Race. Thanks to everyone who helped make this race happen. We had great trail conditions and it was fun to see so many parents and spectators cheering.

Link here to the CVU Ski Team Results Page [results will be posted asap]

What a difference a day makes.

I just returned from grooming and wow is it good out there. We had very minimal snow loss in Saturday night’s warm up and this combined with several inches of new snow Sunday morning makes the skiing great.

Today Broadway, World Cup, Spruce, Maple and Pond Loop are groomed for classic and skate. Trail surface are packed powder. Other trails were groomed Sunday morning and have a nice hard pack surface with skied in powder on top.

At 10am it is 10 degrees, sun is shining strong and there is no wind.

In the woods it’s powder on a base. Our regular backcountry skiers are out now surveying conditions and we will report on their findings later in the afternoon.  The finding on backcountry conditions have concluded that it is a couple inches of powder on a crust.  It is decent skiing, but a little more challenging than skiing on powder.

I have taken lots of photos recently.   We still have lots of great snow.  Enjoy.

Have a great day, Liz

Ice forms each winter on the exposed rock ledge along the bottom of Broadway.

Maple Loop is one of our favorite trails. It is so peaceful and the scenery is amazing.

Clem and Herman have been skiing together at Bolton for 20 years... Picnic Loop before lunch, then Maple or World Cup in the afternoon.

There is always such a great variety of equipment on our ski racks. Racing skis, touring, light backcountry, heavy backcountry, alpine touring, snowshoes, pulks and the occasional wooden skis with pine tar base.

The groomer heading away from the Nordic Center. Check out how big those snow piles are. We might have snow until June this year.