Free Nordic Ticket Day!

Good morning BV Nordic and Backcountry Fans! As you may have seen on the Nordic Snow Report and BV Nordic and Backcountry Facebook Page, today is FREE Nordic Ticket Day. You show up at the Nordic Center and get your free ticket for the day. Pretty much that simple. That means you get to explore the 100km of backcountry terrain, take a spin on the 10km of both skate and classic trails or tromp through the snow and enjoy the sunshine on showshoes. We will have a free backcountry tour today starting at 1pm from the Nordic Center, so join us! The Point will also be here hosting an après party up in the James Moore Tavern, so once you're done on skis, grab a burger and a brew!

This weekend is also the 5th Annual Trapps to Bolton Backcountry Race and Tour.  You can read more about the race here, or sign up. Even if you're not racing from Trapp to get here, there will still be plenty to enjoy. 

This afternoon the sun is expected to roll in and stick around for the day Saturday. In fact, the sun is even trying to peek out from behind the clouds right now! The temperatures could climb into the upper 30s by Sunday, so it seems that we'll be shedding a layer and skiing on the less bundled side as we're visited by a bit of spring-like weather! Hope you get out an enjoy what looks to be a beautiful weekend. 

Backcountry=Awesome

Singing in the rain? Dreaming of a brown mud season? It’s okay Burlington, don’t sweat it Montpelier. It may not be snowy where you are, but it sure is here. In fact, we’ve picked up between 7-9 inches of snow since Wednesday and we have snow in the forecast both today, tonight and into Saturday. So if the grey and gloom is starting to get to you, just remind yourself of the magical winter paradise that awaits you at the top of the BV Access Road.

First off, the backcountry. My question is this...just what are you waiting for? It's outstanding. There are lots of places you'll find untracked powder this weekend without a doubt. This last storm really did heaps of good for any skiing in the trees, so now really is the time. Additionally, with the weekend weather looking mild, you'll be able to be at it a little longer without freezing your backside off! Snowshoeing is also a great bet right now, especially for a killer workout. 

Currently, we have some light grooming consisting of 5k for skate and 4.5k for classic. We hope to increase the amount of grooming for tomorrow and the weekend, so be sure to check the Nordic Snow Report for an update. 

Don’t forget, tomorrow is the GMARA Frigid Infliction Adventure Race! And looking ahead on the Nordic agenda, March 8th is Free Nordic Ticket Day, and you can enjoy a free Guided Backcountry Tour thanks to our partnership with the Vermont Land Trust and the community group, Friends of BV Nordic and Backcountry. 

Sittin' Pretty!

Over the last 72 hours, we have been the welcome recipients of 15-16 inches of snow. Now, you don't have to be some kind of "snow scientist" to know just what that kind of accumulation can do for the Nordic and backcountry trails. Add that to the base that was built up from winter storm Nemo just a few weeks back and the Nordic zone is sitting pretty. 

In terms of the groomed terrain this weekend, you can anticipate 9.5 km for skate skiing. Today we're setting tracks on those same 9.5km. On the ungroomed side, 100km is wide open for skiing and snowshoeing. 

Groomed Trail List:

• Pond Loop
• Tear Drop
• Broadway
• Lower Maple Loop
• Upper Maple Loop
• Picnic Loop
• Valley Loop
• World Cup

This weekend we also have a FREE backcountry tour!

Once again the Vermont Land Trust and Friends of BV Nordic and Backcountry will host a FREE guided tour of the Bolton backcountry property. 

These groups have been working hand-in-hand to raise the funds necessary to save over 1,100 acres from private sale and possible development. So join them on the land this Saturday February 23rd at 1:00pm. All you need to do is purchase a regular Nordic ticket that day and meet at the Nordic Center. Then you'll be off on a guided backcountry tour!

Tour space is limited; contact milena@vlt.org or 802-262-1241 for more information, or to sign up today! Note that this tour is geared toward intermediate and advanced backcountry and Nordic skiers, as well as for snowshoers.

Weekend Nordic Update

Bolton Valley has been very fortunate this week to not only have some downright pleasant weather, but also pick up a little fresh snow too! Our weekend looks to bring slightly colder temperatures, with Sunday being the chillier of the two days. Forecasts have us topping out between 10-20 degrees with chances of light snow both days. Overall, it should be pretty nice!

We have been working hard to get the Nordic trails set up nicely for the weekend. Thursday afternoon we began grooming and today we might try to get out and do any necessary touch up work and groom an additional few trails. We have 7km of skate groomed terrain and classic track set. Those trails include the following:

• Pond Loop
• Tear Drop
• Broadway
• Upper Maple Loop
• Picnic Loop
• Valley Loop
• Mid Maple (classic only)

So why not honor the presidents this weekend with a good old all-American, Nordic ski! Wait, that doesn't work. How about life, liberty and the pursuit of skiing?? Ya, much better. Hope to see you out and about this weekend. And don't forget about Bolton to the Barns this Saturday! 

Bustling Nordic Center!

A quick update to start your week! The Nordic Center was bustling with activity this weekend. We had the ALA Snowshoe Shuffle 5K, Vermont Land Trust was here leading free tours of the backcountry and Blue Cross Blue Shield of VT held their "Snow Day" event on Sunday. Not to mention all the folks who were out and about skiing and enjoying the great conditions. Here are a few photos from all the fun. 

Groups heading out and into the backcountry.

ALA Snowshoe Shuffle 5K takes off in a snowy sprint. 

Meet Terry, our Nordic Center Director. He's out grooming on Broadway. 

The Return of Nordic!

After what seems like far too much time away, we will re-open our Nordic and backcountry terrain for skiers and snowshoers tomorrow! Between the snow we picked up on Monday and Wednesday in addition to what is in the forecast for both tonight and Friday, our coverage should be significantly better. There are certainly some slick spots out there, some of which may be difficult to see, so keep this in mind when you’re out. We will not be grooming the trails for tomorrow. We will wait for the storm to pass through before machines head out. 

Overall we do expect a significant improvement on the trails by the end of Friday, especially if this storm system delivers big as forecasters are predicting. We could be looking at significant snowfall totals. So, why not throw on your skis and welcome back Nordic? Stick out your tongue…you’ll be bound to catch more than a few flakes tomorrow. 

Stand By for Snow

Our Nordic terrain is currently in a holding pattern as the mid-week weather which included heavy rain and warm temps dealt us a blow we have not yet recovered from. We are in need of a hefty snowfall to repair our base and fill in thin spots. So at this point, Nordic remains closed.

But don't dive into a Nordic depression. The good news is it’s already improving around here; the temps are now more on the winter side of things and look to stay that way for upwards of a week or more. Today it is snowing lightly and there is a fresh dusting on the ground.  Plus, snow is in the forecast for the next 3-4 days! 

We'll keep you posted with updates, so long as you keep snow dancin'. All it takes is one big snow and we'll be kicking and gliding in no time.