Tuesday, June 20, 2017

Summer Dining and Activities

Winters at Bolton Valley are pretty busy with skiers and riders joining us day and night. Summers, however, have been relatively quiet for the past few years.

But that is now changing.

As you may have heard the DesLauriers family is back at the helm at Bolton Valley and highly involved in the community, they actually live slopeside in the Bolton Valley neighborhood. With the return to owners who live and work here, we are excited to introduce expanded dining and activities this summer.

Let’s start with food. New this summer, a hot breakfast will be served Tuesday – Sunday in Bailey’s, with Sunday featuring a brunch menu. The deli will fill in for breakfast on Mondays and will be open seven days per week for lunch, featuring sandwiches and wraps as well as an expanded selection of grab and go items and groceries.

Gather for dinner with the neighborhood five nights per week. Tuesday through Thursday the James Moore Tavern will feature appetizers, salads, sandwiches, burgers, and a selection of entrees. Friday and Saturday, catch the game on the big projection television in Fireside Flatbread while enjoying  flatbreads, wings, salads, beers and sodas.

In addition to tasty food, every good neighborhood party needs some fun games and a pool. The Sports Center will be activity central this summer. If you ski with us in the winter you are no doubt familiar with the pool, hot tub, sauna and bounce houses  located at the Sports Center. This summer, those favorite attractions will be joined by new activities such as swing set, slack line, corn hole, bocce ball, croquette, horseshoes, Can Jam and a disc golf "putting green”. You’ll even be able to gather around our bonfire and enjoy some S’Mores. Daily rates will apply and season long memberships are available. Each membership comes with a 20% discount on summer food and beverage. The Sports Center will be open Wednesdays through Sundays starting on June 25.

Please check the website for complete details, rates, and schedules. We are looking forward to seeing you around the neighborhood this summer.

Friday, April 21, 2017

The Welcome Home Sale

Ralph DesLauriers founded Bolton Valley in 1966 and ran the mountain until the late 1990’s. After a 20 year hiatus Ralph has re-purchased the mountain with his son and daughter, Evan and Lindsay DesLauriers, and a small group of local investors. The three DesLauriers family members live slopeside at Bolton Valley and we're thrilled to have the DesLauriers family back home at Bolton Valley.

We'd like to invite you to join the DesLauriers' this season and we're excited to announce the Welcome Home Sale for 2017-18 Bolton Valley All Access Season Passes. Season passes for next winter had been on sale through early April at the lowest prices at which they are offered; the Welcome Home Sale extends that deadline through April 30.

A regular adult All-Access pass can be purchased for just $489 and passes for anyone age 7-17 start at $99. Bolton Valley's Ski Bum Pass, for anyone age 18-25, is also on sale for just $159.

Passes will be on sale at these special rates through Sunday, April 30. A complete list of pass products and rates is available online.

Wednesday, March 1, 2017

VT Vacation Week Events

Monday, February 27        
10am - 6pm: The Sports Center is open with a pool, hot tub, sauna, bounce houses and games for the kids.

2 - 4pm: Camp fire, cookies and hot chocolate. Sit and warm up or just stop by in between runs! Fire will be held slopeside outside BV Sports.

10am - Noon: She Flies - Group Yoga & Arts for Girls (Two day event. $45)

Tuesday, February 28
10am - 8pm: The Sports Center is open with a pool, hot tub, sauna, bounce houses and games for the kids.

4 – 5pm: Free magic show in Fireside Flatbread, upstairs in the Base Lodge.

10am - Noon: She Flies - Group Yoga & Arts for Girls (Two day event. $45)

6 - 7:30pm: Public Race Training. Run the gates on Beech Seal. $5 per person.

Wednesday, March 1
10am - 8pm: The Sports Center is open with a pool, hot tub, sauna, bounce houses and games for the kids.

6 - 8pm: Free Ice Cream Social and kids’ movie in Fireside Flatbread upstairs in the Base Lodge.

Thursday, March 2
10am - 10pm: The Sports Center is open with a pool, hot tub, sauna, bounce houses and games for the kids.

2 - 5pm: DUX the Balloon Man: Free balloon sculptures for everyone. Located in the main base lodge near Guest Services.

Friday, March 3
10am - 10pm: The Sports Center is open with a pool, hot tub, sauna, bounce houses and games for the kids.

Saturday, March 4
7:30am - 2:30pm: Vertical Challenge Race for the whole family. All Day Frigid Infliction Adventure Race.

8:30am - 10pm: The Sports Center is open with a pool, hot tub, sauna, bounce houses and games for the kids.

9pm - Midnight: Blue Fox performs live music in the James Moore Tavern

Sunday, March 5
8:30am - 6pm: The Sports Center is open with a pool, hot tub, sauna, bounce houses and games for the kids.

6pm: Trivia Night in the James Moore Tavern

Monday, March 6
10am - 6pm: The Sports Center is open with a pool, hot tub, sauna, bounce houses and games for the kids.

Tuesday, March 7
6:00 - 7:30: Public Race Training. Run the gates on Beech Seal. $5 per person.

10am - 8pm: The Sports Center is open with a pool, hot tub, sauna, bounce houses and games for the kids.

Thursday, February 2, 2017

Nordic and Backcountry Events

Bolton Valley is host to a number of fun and exciting events in our Nordic and Backcountry areas. Whether you're looking to try things out for the first time, or are already experienced and looking to find those secret stashes, we've got you covered. Here's a list of the various events happening throughout the year that will take you to all the action.

Wednesday Night Uphill Race Series: January 18 & 25 and February 1, 8, 15 and 22
The Wednesday Night Citizen Skimo Race Series will take place at Bolton Valley Resort for some casual competition. There are two main courses we will be alternating between, and one longer course which we will bring out for our last race of the season. The Series is a citizen race series organized by the Catamount Trail Association. 

Catamount Trail Express BC Ski Shuttle: February 4, 11 and 18
Explore one of the more natural and beautiful backcountry ski trails in Vermont along Section 22 of the Catamount Trail. The Catamount Trail Express will offer shuttle service between the parking lot off Old County Road in Nebraska Valley, and Bolton Valley Nordic Center. 

Get Out & Backcountry Insturctional Series: February 5 and 12
This winter the Catamount Trail Association will again be providing a selection of backcountry instructional courses with a single goal of helping as many people as possible develop the skills and confidence necessary to safely explore the winter woods here in Vermont! Each course is designed to teach a very specific set of skills and competencies moving you closer to becoming competent, self-sufficient, backcountry skier.

Bolton-to-Trapps Tour: February 11
Stowe Nordic is excited to revive this iconic Stowe backcountry event.  This low key tour features classic sections of the Catamount trail. The tour will depart from the Trapp Family Lodge Outdoor Center with a bus ride to the start, and will end back at Trapps with a party to celebrate the wonderful terrain you will have just skied over.

24 Hours of Bolton: February 11-12
Native Endurance is hosting New England's first ever 24-hour backcountry ski and splitboard race here at Bolton Valley. The race will offer two challenging courses - a daytime loop in Bolton's backcountry, and an overnight loop on Bolton's groomed terrain.
Participants will compete for the most overall laps in a 24-hour (or 12-hour) period. Randonnée (alpine touring/skimo racers), tele skiers, and splitboarders are welcome to test their endurance in what is sure to be the most talked about race in Vermont this winter.

Frigid Infliction: March 4
Frigid Infliction is a 8-hour winter adventure race for teams of two or three. We use an accelerated cutoff system which allows us to really challenge experienced teams while providing a great race for the first timers. If you have never done an adventure race before, this is the perfect one to start with. This was the first adventure race for about a third of the participants the past four years, so don't be intimidated! 

Split and Surfest: March 11
Splitfest is back again to fill your day will demos, merchandise, food and some local beer from Lost Nation. You'll be exploring our terrain on splitboards and all mountain snowboards. There will be free demos available if you don’t have your own equipment or happen to be interested in trying something new. During the day there will be clinics, games, tours, food and beer! 

Vermont Land Trust Tours: March 12
Come explore some of the 1,100+ acres that VLT protected in 2013, and see why the community rallied to the cause of saving this special place. Join VLT, the Catamount Trail Association, Bolton Friends, and the Green Mountain Club for a day of ski and snowshoe tours followed by an après-ski gathering.

Friday, March 11, 2016

Fat Biking at Bolton Valley

Calling all fat bike enthusiasts! We are happy to announce that for the remainder of the season we will be allowing fat biking on Picnic and Valley Loops. This is very much a trial run to see how we may be able to incorporate fat biking into our Nordic Center moving forward.

If you're unfamiliar with fat biking, imagine riding a bike with 4" thick tires, trudging through snow like an off-road vehicle. The increased contact point allows the bikes to gain more traction on slick and loose surfaces. Additionally the huge volume of the tires makes for less air pressure, which helps you float above the snow.

Since this is a trail run, we are looking for your feedback. Is our terrain fit for fat biking? How are Picnic and Valley Loop for fat biking? What could be do to improve the trails for fat biking? Any and all feedback is welcome. If you do venture out onto the terrain have fun, and be sure to follow these best practices.

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Backcountry and Nordic Events

As we near February, it feels like the winter is already flying by. But not to fear, we are just getting started with events in the Nordic Center and Backcountry. Between some recurring and daily events, there are plenty of opportunities to get out there and have some fun.

  •  Blue Cross Blue Shield Snow Days: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont is hosting its annual Snow Days event on February 6, 2016. This event gives Vermonters and Blue Cross Blue Shield members the opportunity to try cross-country skiing and snowshoeing for free. 
  • Frigid Infliction: Frigid Infliction, the longest running winter adventure race in America, returns to Bolton Valley on March 5, 2016. This 10-hour adventure race is for teams of two or three, and is a great segue into adventure racing if you've never participated in one before. Register here for Frigid Infliction 2016.
  • Vermont Land Trust Tours: Join the Vermont Land Trust, Catamount Trail Association, Friends of Bolton, and the Green Mountain Club on March 6, 2016, as they explore some of the 1,100 + acres in Bolton's Backcountry. The event will be held from 2 - 6pm, followed by an apres-ski gathering.
  • Split and Surfest: Splitfest is back once again on Saturday, March 12, with a day full of demos, obstacle courses, food, and beer. For those looking to try it out for the first time, there will be a splitboarding 101 class held by the Catamount Trail Association. Meet at 8:30am outside the deli, then head inside at 4pm for drinks and a raffle. 
  • 24 Hour Backcountry Skimo and Splitboard Race: From March 19-20 Bolton Valley, along with Native Endurance, will be hosting New England's first ever 24-hour Backcountry race. Participants will compete for the most overall laps in either a 24 or 12-hour period. There are numerous categories, so click here for registration and more information. 
There are several series/ recurring events this year that aim to get people off the couch and out into the Nordic terrain and Backcountry.

  • Get Out & Backcountry Instructional Series: This winter the Catamount Trail Association is offering over a month of Backcountry instruction at Bolton Valley. This will include a total of 12 courses covering introduction to Nordic Touring, intermediate Nordic Touring, the Telemark Turn, and Introduction to Vertical Touring. The fun kicks off February 7, so check out the events calendar and see which one best suits you.
  • Catamount Backcountry Trail Express: For the first three Saturdays in February, join us in exploring Section 22 of the Catamount Trail. There will be a shuttle between the parking lot off Old Country Road in Nebraska Valley, allowing you to ski from Bolton Valley back to your car without having to set up your own car shuttle. The event kicks on February 6 with a 10am pickup at the Old Country Road Parking Lot.
  • Wednesday Night Citizen Skimo Race Series: Starting February 7, Bolton Valley along with the Catamount Trail Association will be hosting 7 uphill races on Wednesday nights. There will be two main courses, and one longer course which we will break out for the final race of the season.

Thursday, March 12, 2015

Guest Blog: March Events Season Starts With Split & Surfest



For the first time in Vermont, the Bolton Valley backcountry host to an event that caters specifically to backcountry snowboarders.  This Saturday, March 14, we're hosting the first annual Split and Surfest at the entrance to Bolton’s backcountry terrain.  

Alex Showerman of Protect Our Winters and I have been working together since the fall to create a one of a kind event that would get snowboarders into the backcountry on all different types of backcountry gear. And I'm really excited for how it's all coming together. There will be demos provided by Voile, Mtn Approach, Rome, Venture, Powder Jet and Grassroots powder surfers.  We’re hoping that this event will bring people together who share the same passion for having a great time in the backcountry.  

With the help of the Catamount Trail Association (CTA) and the Vermont Backcountry Alliance, there will be a Spilt 101 class given throughout the day.  The class will cover everything from how to set up your splitboard for uphill travel to switching it over for downhill shredding. With the free class and demos hopefully everyone will be able to learn how easy and fun it is to splitboard effectively and safely. You don't always need a lift to make your turns.

What's a great spring event without beer? Lost Nation Brewery in Morrisville, VT was kind enough to donate a keg for the event and we'll have it on sale for $2. There will also be plenty of tailgate food like burgers and dogs as well. Plus, there's a raffle, too. Exciting stuff. The proceeds of the keg and the raffle will all go to CTA to help continue their efforts on maintaining and expanding the Vermont backcountry, so hopefully we'll be able to do events like this even bigger and better in the coming years.

All you need to experience all this is a regular Nordic or Alpine ticket for the day or a current season pass. So, come out this Saturday to support CTA and have a good time out in the woods. Have fun and be safe.

~Joe

Joe Gaynor is Bolton Valley's Events Coordinator. Reach him at events@boltonvalley.com