Saturdays are for Skiing & Riding

Weekend warriors, ASSEMBLE!

T.G.I.S., right? Everybody knows Saturdays are way better than Fridays. Time seems to freeze and the world is, quite literally, your playground. There's so much to do on Saturday, plus, you know you've still got Sunday ahead of you before the anvil that is Monday gets dropped on you again. On Saturday, everything feels right. So, why not come join us for a little skiing and riding?

Shameless plug, I know, but seriously, you love skiing and riding, we love having you here with us - it's a match made in nature. Don't fight it. Embrace it. And, did I mention that we've seen 3-5" of new snow in the past 48 hours? Or that we've opened another lift and 3 more trails since yesterday? Yeah, that should do it.

Weather:
It's currently 25 degrees here at the base and 22 at the top, and we expect it to stay right around those temperatures through the afternoon before starting to rise a bit this evening. Yesterday turned out to be a little colder than anticipated, but it seems like today should be a bit more mild, and not quite as windy. If you're coming up for night skiing, you should see temps in the high 20s.

How's the Snow:
Honestly, it's skiing quite well. We don't have any natural snow trails open at the moment (because Mother Nature wiped those out last weekend) but we're expanding trail counts and lifts every few days. Snowflake is the latest lift added to our report, running 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. today, which also allows us to open Sprig 'O Pine, Lower Villager and Timberline Lane.

Alta Vista has been excellent all week, thanks to the hard work of our snowmakers early this season, and some of the best snow on the mountain is on and around Big Corner (the hairpin left turn after Alta Vista and Sherman's meet up). Beech Seal is hard and fast, just like a race hill should be, and the Jungle Jib's 11 features were riding very well yesterday with a fresh layer of fluff on top.

What's Going On:
We're going to finish making snow on Butterscotch today, so we expect to have that trail for tomorrow, and keep an eye on Foxy and Lower Foxy as well. They're almost ready to go. It's going to get warm tonight, so the guys will get a well-deserved night off while we let the weather pass. Once that's done, our they'll move up to Spillway and light that up Sunday night. We've got a few new techniques for making snow on Spillway/Hard Luck this year, and we're really pumped to see how they turn out. Look for that trail later next week.

It's also Holiday Week! That means bonfires, free hot chocolate, snowshoe tours, inflatable bouncy thingys for the kids, and our Torchlight Parade and Fireworks Show on New Year's Eve. Grab a seat by James Moore Tavern for the best view of the parade coming down the hill.

We've also got Bolton After Dark, College Days, Corporate Race League and Night Riders starting up soon, so keep an eye out for those events and get up here to enjoy them!

"Tonight's the Night...

... and it's going to happen again. And again. Has to happen."

Night skiing is back this evening, offering up five trails and three lifts for your cruising pleasure. We'd love to add some terrain to this list, so check our Snow Report later on today for an official word on the Jungle Jib. UPDATE: Jungle Jib is open! Yes, we're serious this time. It's took a while. You're sick of hearing "tomorrow, tomorrow." I get it. Now go shred it!

As a special treat for Holiday Week 2013, we're running night skiing every day from now until Jan. 4. Our lifts will remain open until 8pm for the next 10 days. That's a total of 115 hours over the next week-and-a-half, which gives you plenty of time to get up here and boot up for some skiing and riding on Vermont's most extensive night skiing terrain. Our snowmakers are working 'round the clock to expand our terrain, and we hope to get the Snowflake lift running this weekend, which would also add anther trail or two for your perusal.

Stay frosty, my friends.

~Mike

Here comes the Sun (maybe)

Well, the weather last weekend was frightful, but hopefully today will be delightful. Like a perpetually dark Alaskan village, we're ready to see the Sun again.

I said this last week, and it still rings true - I have yet to come to work this winter on a sunny day. Now, about a week ago, that was great news, as it had snowed 18-20 inches with no end in sight. Then, last weekend... well... we all know how that played out.

But today it might happen! I'm looking out my office window and I can actually see blue sky (what's blue sky?) and the sun coming up over the ridge line. I'm excited, because I love my fiery goggle lenses, and I might be able to wear them today. So, hooray for that.

But you don't really care about what I'm wearing today, you just want snow updates! Of course, of course. I'll oblige.

The snow guns are on! It's cold today (single digits) and should stay that way for the next few days. We're lighting up Timberline Line and the Butterscotch Park right now, along with some resurfacing on Beech Seal and Jungle Jib. The plan is to get Beech Seal open either today or tomorrow, and the Jungle Jib should be ready to go by this afternoon. But stay tuned to the Snow Report for official updates on that. We hope to get Butterscotch going without any features later this week, and once we can cover any waterbars and such, Timberline will follow. See? It's not so bad out there.

The even better news is that our snowmaking trails held up quite well, despite all the water we saw this weekend, so we didn't need to do much work on those. Thank a snow maker this week if you happen to see one. Those are the guys bringing us the good news.

We should have a special Holiday episode of Bolton Valley Access for you today, too. So look for that this afternoon.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays,

~Mike

Back at it on Monday.

Looking ahead to Monday, we plan to open at 9am with 3 lifts and 7 trails. The recent warm and wet weather has not been kind to our natural snow trails. So, for Monday, we'll be skiing on the trails where we've made snow. Those trails have held up relatively well thanks to deeper base depths. The Vista Quad will get you to the top where you can ski and ride on Alta Vista or Sherman's Pass. The Mighty Mite will be open for beginners. Temperatures are expected to be above freezing overnight and throughout the day tomorrow. This will set us up for soft snow with variable and spring like conditions. Lift tickets will be $42 for adults and $32 for youth, college students and seniors. 

The temperatures will drop below freezing on Monday night. That means our snowmakers will get back to work. Their plan is to make snow on the Butterscotch Park, Timberline Lane and Lower Villager. We plan to get those three trails open later this week. Note, when the Butterscotch Park initially opens it will be as a trail with no features. The park crew will be hard at work in the Jungle Jib in an effort to get it open once temperatures drop and the snow firms back up. 

Food and Beverage Options

The power came back on here at around 11am. We will still remain closed for skiing and riding today, but you have a few entertainment and food and beverage options:

• Fireside Flatbread is open and will be open until about 4:30pm for flatbread and drinks. 
• The deli is open until 5pm. 
• We plan to get the James Moore Tavern open by 4:00pm. 
• The Sports Center is also open today until 6pm. 

Closed on Sunday, Dec. 22

Bolton Valley will be closed for skiing and riding on Sunday, December 22. The ice storm is expected to continue throughout the day. As of 8:45 am we lost power and even if we do get power back for some time this morning more power outages are probable. We plan to open again on Monday and will keep you posted later today. If we do manage to get power back, we will try to open the Sports Center for anyone staying in the hotel.

New England Weather is Weird

"I'm never going to listen to the weather guys again!"

I say this to myself every year, and every year I break that vow. It usually only takes a week or so. This season, it happened in December.

Seriously though, what a weird December this has been. It was bitterly cold early on with plenty of sunshine, then it warmed up a bit, only to drop back down to single digits once again. Then Winter Storm Electra hit us with 18-20" of fresh pow pow, and now we're in the aftermath of a 50 degree day and an overnight ice storm. All in the span of a week. It doesn't get any more strange than that, folks.

As I'm sitting in my office at 8 a.m., we still plan to open today, but it will be delayed. There are some downed power lines across the road just after Timberline Base Lodge, and right now, traffic can't pass that point in the road. Ski Patrol and operations staff have opened Timberline Lodge for anyone trying to get up the hill this morning, and crews are on the scene now trying to fix the issue, so don't rush up here this morning, unless you just really miss sitting inside Timberline.

Once the road is cleared, we'll still need Patrol and Mountain Ops to sweep the trails and assess snow conditions before we can make a final decision on what will be open today. Until then, sit tight, enjoy an extra cup of coffee or tea or whatever tickles your fancy, and we'll have more updates for you on the snow report soon.

~Mike

Wake Up - It's Wednesday!

It. Just. Keeps. Snowing.

Seriously, I have yet to come to work this winter on a bright blue, sunny day. And, to be honest, I'm quite OK with that. Now, if some of this fluff can turn into the heavy, wet stuff, we'll really be in business.

Weather:
Let's be honest, yesterday wasn't the most fun day to ascend a mountain. Now, I'm not saying it wasn't any fun, but it certainly couldn't have been much. Like most sane people, I barricaded myself indoors as soon as I saw the -18 on my thermometer. No bueno. Fortunately, it was my day off and that's an acceptable thing to do. But I digress.

Now that yesterday's bitter cold has moved on, it's comfortable up here in the upper teens. The forecast calls for increasing temperatures through this weekend with some sunny weather on the way as well. I'll believe it when I see it.

How's the skiing:
Our snowmaking crews have really had their "A" game thus far. We've been open for a total of six days and already I've heard people calling this "some of the best early season conditions" they've ever seen. Alta Vista is open earlier than we've ever seen it, and it's skiing great, to boot. Sherman's is holding up well for being the main highway down to the base, and after Winter Storm Electra dumped 7-9" on us, folks have been finding some sweet powder stashes all over the hill. Really, if you're in the area, I highly suggest beating the holiday rush and getting in some turns in the next few days. And it only gets better from here.

What's Going On:
This week, it starts. Night skiing commences tonight, with skiing and riding on five trails. Saturday, we're doing a "soft start" of Bolton Valley After Dark. Originally slated to begin in January, we wanted to throw one of these mini-parties earlier in the season. We'll screen "Snow Gods" from Meathead Films at Fireside Flatbread, which will now be open for the season.

Don't forget to check out the 12 Deals of Christmas sale going on at BV Sports! Every day one pre-selected item will be discounted until Christmas Day. Sort of like an advent calendar. But with outerwear.

Looking ahead a little, Holiday Week happenings will begin on Dec. 26 with fun family events each day until New Year's Day, culminating in our annual Torchlight Parade on New Year's Eve.

Opening Weekend Presses On

Yesterday was one of the best opening days we've ever had here at Bolton Valley. We received six inches of fresh snow just in time to open the lifts for some first-day freshies. If you've been watching the weather like we have, it might be even more epic tomorrow. But we'll let you know when we find out for sure.

Today, we're running the Vista Quad (8:30), Mid-Mountain (10:00) and Mighty Mite (9:00) lifts, with seven trails open for top-to-bottom skiing and riding. Alta Vista, Sherman's Pass, Hard Luck Lane, Spillway Lane, Bear Run, Primer Loop and Mighty Mite are all open, giving you plenty of variety in your journey down the slopes. We're also making snow on Jungle Jib and Beech Seal. We hope to get those open by early next week, as weather conditions allow.

We're also running a retail special from now until December 25 called, "The 12 Days of Christmas". Original, I know, but bear with me here. It's a cool special. Each day the retail shop will have one specific item for sale, and it will continually rotate each day until Christmas Day. For instance, today, Gordini face masks will be 20% off for guests and 30% for season pass holders. And, what a coincidence, it's pretty chilly out there today. It might be a good thing to pick up in the morning, and Gordini makes some of the warmest clothing I've ever owned.

Stay tuned for tomorrow's special deal. And don't forget you can still purchase $25 lift tickets in advance when you order online. These will be valid until Dec. 25 and can only be purchased until Sunday!

Also, check out our new Bolton Valley Access video series that will be running all winter long for an inside look at conditions and general goings-on around the mountain.

Until next time, stay warm, be safe and have a blast, Bolton! Welcome back to Winter.

~Mike

Opening Day is Friday, Dec. 13

Who's pumped for Opening Day?!?

Thanks to some cold days that helped the snow makers get ahead of schedule, Opening Day has been bumped up a day and we'll open for the season on Friday, December 13th! There's some snow in the forecast for this weekend.

We’re super excited to announce that we'll have top-to-bottom skiing from the Vista Quad with a 1.5 mile run down Sherman’s Pass and Bear Run. Hard Luck Lane and Spillway Lane will be open as well, giving some variety to the upper mountain. The Mighty Mite learning area will be open for beginners, too. Expect conditions to be groomed with a mix of packed powder and granular on a firm base.

We can't anticipate what future conditions might allow, but we are making snow on Alta Vista and hope to open it on Saturday. Once that is complete, snowmaking will move to Beech Seal. We will not have any terrain park features this weekend but plan to add some in the near future. The first night of night skiing will be on Wednesday, December 18th.

Pre-purchase lift tickets and save $10 per day this weekend. Lift tickets on Friday, Saturday and Sunday will be $35 for all ages at the window. Purchase online now for just $25 and save $10.

Get ready for the season by purchasing a 2013-14 Bolton Valley All Access Season Pass.

Powder Passes are also on sale now and allow you to ski 5 days for the price of 3. Each Powder Pass is loaded with five All Access Lift Tickets that you can use any day this season for just $199 Adult and $149 Youth/College/Senior. Hurry, Powder Passes will not be on sale after December 13th.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get the latest news on conditions, deals and events.

Welcome to Winter 2013!

Hello, Bolton Valley!

I'm Mike and I'm the new Snow Reporter for the '13-'14 season. I'm stoked to be here at Bolton and I can't wait to get to know everyone. We're going to be doing some really fun things with the Snow Report this year, so be sure to follow that when we open up next week.

Now, trust me when I tell you we're all as excited as you are about getting up on the slopes again, and fortunately, after a bit of a warm spell, we're looking at some colder temps outside today. Overnight drizzles turned into snow early this morning, and we've picked up about an inch or so of the white stuff. It's currently 29 degrees and overcast here at the base, and it looks like we could be seeing some more snow showers starting this evening and on-and-off through Monday night.

Our snow makers are also expected to start working their magic again tonight. So that's awesome.

We're in full-on winter mode here around the resort and hopefully you're all ready to get going when we open up on December 14th. With a little luck, who knows - we might even be able to start the season on Friday the 13th instead.

So, who's got dibs on first chair?

~Mike

Happy Holidays $25 Lift Ticket Special

Love to rip all the early-season turns? This is your chance.

• Lift tickets from Opening Day through December 25th are just $25 when you purchase online by December 15th. You'll get an email with a print-at-home voucher that you can use any day from Opening Day through Dec. 25th. This makes a great early holiday gift for friends or family. Or, heck, treat yourself! You deserve it.
• $65 Happy Holiday ski and stay lodging package. When you book a slopeside hotel room for two and arrive on one of the twelve days from December 13-24, you pay only $65 per person for a night of lodging and a day of skiing. 
• Includes continental breakfast and free access to our Sports Center which includes an indoor pool, hot tub and sauna.

Powder Pass

• Get a 5 lift ticket package for less that the price of 3 when you purchase by Dec. 15. Redeemable at any time during the '13-'14 season.

Santa Sunday

• On December 15th, guests dressed in full Santa Suits will receive a FREE lift ticket for the day.

Cyber Monday

After a fairly snow week last week we saw a brief warm up earlier this week. However, the cold returned a few days ago and it has even been snowing a bit here on Friday morning. The forecast is calling for colder temps over the next several days, so cold in fact that we'll be firing up the snowmaking system on Monday! 

We're getting ready for winter, now here are a few deals to help you get ready to save some money on skiing and riding this winter.

Cyber Monday Specials

• On Monday, December 2nd the following products will be on sale for 24 hours:
• Free lift ticket with purchase of a $100 Gift Card
• Powder Pass Lite: 5 night lift tickets for just $99
• Smuggs Bolton College Pass on sale for just $299, a $50 savings over the retail price

Powder Pass

• Get 5 lift tickets that you can use any day this season for less than the price of 3 when you purchase by December 13th.

Happy Holidays $25 Lift Tickets

• Lift tickets from Opening Day (scheduled for December 14th) through December 25th are just $25 when you pre-purchase by December 15th.

Season Passes

The weather is getting colder, the leaves are changing colors, and the season is right around the corner. Make sure you're ready for the season by purchasing your 2013-14 Bolton Valley All Access Season Pass today. 

Season Leases on ski and snowboard equipment are on sale now for just $109 for all ages.

Season long ski and snowboard programs, including Ridge Runners and Ridge Riders are also open for enrollment. 

The Smuggs Bolton College Season Pass is also on sale for just $249 until Halloween. It gives full time college students unlimited skiing and riding at Bolton Valley and Smugglers' Notch all season long.

Season Pass Deadline: Sept. 23

If you have not already purchased your 2013-14 Bolton Valley All Access Season Pass, make sure you get it before prices go up. Monday, September 23 is the last day to purchase before prices increase to the full retail price. Check the season pass page for the complete details on all passes.

Adult (18-64)	$569
Youth (7-17, with parent's pass)	$159
Youth (7-17, without parent's pass)	$299
Senior (65-74)	$299
Nordic Adult (18-64)	$120
Nordic Youth/College/Senior	$90

New This Year:

Senior Plus (75+)	$29
Night Pass (All Ages)	$119

Season Leases on ski and snowboard equipment are on sale now for just $99 for all ages.

Season long ski and snowboard programs, including Ridge Runners and Ridge Riders are also open for enrollment.

The Smuggs Bolton College Season Pass is also on sale for just $249 until Halloween. It gives full time college students unlimited skiing and riding at Bolton Valley and Smugglers' Notch all season long.

Labor Day Weekend Events

Vermont's Largest Ski and Snowboard Sale kicked off last night at the Sports Center. The sale will continue each day through Monday then open back up again for the weekend of September 6-8.

This evening we'll be hosting the Labor Of Love Rail Jam. This on snow jam is the first of the season in Vermont and WCAX will be broadcasting live from the event. The photos on the right show the guys having some fun with an old logo while prepping the rail.

On Saturday we'll trade in ski boots for running shoes and get muddy in the Bolton Valley 5K Trail Run to benefit Vermont Adaptive. Come on up and run in the event or just cheer on all the runners.

We'll also be printing and selling season passes at the sale and all 2013-14 Bolton Valley Season Pass Holders get an extra 5% off on all sale items.

Save $5
This week we are running ads in the following papers and each ad has a coupon to save $5 off of a purchase of $25 or more at the sale. Clip the coupons and get the savings:

• South Burlington's The Other Paper
• Waterbury Record
• Williston Observer
• Stowe Reporter
• Valley Reporter
• Seven Days
• Burlington Free Press (8/29, 8/31 and 9/5 issues)
• Colchester Sun
• Essex Reporter
• Times Argus (8/29 and 8/30 issues)

Ski and Snowboard Sale

Vermont's Largest Ski and Snowboard sale returns to Bolton Valley! More than $1 million worth of name brand skis, boots, snowboards and skiing/riding accessories will be on sale for liquidation prices as part of Vermont's Largest Ski and Snowboard Sale. The sale is being produced in conjunction with Sport Thoma, a New England company with years of experience producing large scale ski and snowboard sale events. Qualified technicians will be on site for binding mounting and adjustments. 

Skis and snowboards starting at $99 and kids snowboards starting at $59. Top manufacturer names will be sold including skis from Volkl, K2, Dynastar, Atomic, Elan, and Nordica as well as adult snowboards from Burton, Forum, K2, and Atomic. Youth ski packages begin at $99 for used and $199 for new. A large selection of adult and youth clothing and accessories also will be for sale. 

We'll be printing and selling 2013-14 Bolton Valley Season Passes at the sale. You'll also be able to sign up for season long equipment leases and season long ski and ride school programs. 2013-14 Bolton Valley Season Pass Holders receive and extra 5% off on items purchased at the sale.  

The sale will be held at the Sports Center located at the opposite end of the parking lot from the main base area.

Schedule:

• Thursday, Aug 29: 4 – 8pm
• Friday, Aug 30: 10am-8pm
• Saturday, Aug 31: 10am-8pm
• Sunday, Sept 1: 10am-6pm
• Monday, Sept 2: 10am-4pm
• Friday, Sept. 6: Noon-8pm
• Saturday, Sept. 7: 10am – 8pm
• Sunday, Sept 8: 10am – 4pm

Full line up of events on Labor Day Weekend at Bolton Valley: 

• Vermont’s Largest Ski and Snowboard Sale, August 29 - September 2 and September 6 - 8
• Labor of Love Rail Jam, Friday, August 30
• Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports 5K Trail Run, Saturday, August 31

Closed for the Season

That's a wrap! The 2012-13 season at Bolton Valley has come to a close. A big thank you to everyone who came out to ski and ride with us this year. Have a great summer and we look forward to seeing you again next winter.

Speaking of next season, 2013-14 All Access Season Passes and season long products are now on sale.

Extra Innings Weekend

We can sum up the weekend projections with just two words: Spring Skiing. If that's good enough for you, then feel free to skip ahead to the next headline which has something to do with $29 lift tickets, or even further ahead to read about your chance to score next year's pass at a great price. But, if you'd like to hear more about conditions for this weekend stick with us and head to the next paragraph.

Thanks to over 3 feet of snow since March 15, and colder than usual temps the past couple of weeks, the mountain is in excellent shape. Base depths are solid and snow should corn up nicely this weekend. We expect temps in the 30s under sunny skies on Saturday. Sunday, we'll see more clouds but the mercury will rise into the mid 40s. All in all, it looks like it is going to be a tremendous weekend of spring riding. Talk about closing out the season on a high note!

$29 Lift Tickets

As an avid reader of this Blog, you know that Bolton Valley's closing day was planned for this past Sunday, March 31. Also, you probably already know that thanks to mid-winter conditions lasting into late March, the season is going into Extra Innings and Bolton Valley will be open for one final weekend on April 6 and 7. Our plan is to run the Vista Quad Saturday and Sunday from 8:30am - 4:00pm. Pretty much every trail off of Vista will be open giving you about 40 trails and glades to choose from. Lift tickets will be just $29 each day.

We plan to set the BBQ up on Saturday and you can grab a burger and a drink for just $6. The Tavern and Deli will also be open this weekend, each with a limited menu. Ski school will be offering private lessons all weekend for intermediate and advanced skiers looking for those late season tips for spring skiing and riding. 

Thanks to deep base depths we plan to have about 11km groomed for both skate and classic skiing on our Nordic terrain. The remainder of our 100km of backcountry terrain will be open for the more adventurous souls. Nordic day tickets this weekend will be just $5. 

Special Sale on 2013-14 All Access Season Passes

The deadline for the early prices on season passes was on April 1st, but in honor of Extra Innings Weekend we have decided to give you one more shot at getting a 2013-14 Season Pass at a fairly reduced rate. When you purchase your pass before midnight on April 7th, you'll pay just $10 more than the early spring price for an All Access Season Pass and just $5 more than the early price for a Nordic pass. Season long leases and lockers are also on sale for just $10 more than the early price.
As another bonus, you can use your 2013-14 Season Pass to ski and ride this weekend for free.

Closed Midweek, Re-Open 4/6 at 8:30am

Bolton Valley is going into Extra Innings April 6^th and 7^th! That means you’ll get a bonus weekend of skiing and riding with lift tickets at just $29. Conditions have been nice and springy, so plan ahead for a great weekend. Please note that we are closed midweek, April 1^st through the 5^th, and we will reopen on Saturday April 6^th at 8:30am for Extra Innings. You can expect more updates to come as the week progresses, so stay tuned.

Have you picked up your 2013/2014 All-Access Season Passes yet? What are you waiting for?!? This is the absolute lowest price of the year and you only have until April 1^st to take advantage of Adult Passes at $449 and Youth passes for as low as $99.

We’ll see you next weekend! Snow Reporter Sam signing off with an Extra Innings-inspired song. To the tune of “Take Me out To the Ballgame…”

Take me over to Bolton

Take me out to the hill

Buy me a ticket and ski all day

Extra Innings are coming our way

So it’s root, root root for Cobrass

If you don’t ride, it’s a shame

For it’s one, two, three runs let’s go

Catch the Quad a-gaaaaain! 

Extra Innings to Come!

A few updates as we head into another weekend of great conditions!

Weather:

It seems that we are heading into a few days of relatively mild temperatures. Friday and Saturday should be in the mid to upper 30s. Both days bring a chance of flurries and Saturday could turn partly sunny. Sunday is still a bit of an unknown right now. Forecasts indicate we could hit the low 40s with possible precipitation late in the day. Hopefully any wet weather will just pass us by, as precip chances still look to be fairly low at this point. 

Trails and Conditions: 

We will be very near 100% open yet again this weekend! We can safely project 68 of our 70 trails to be open. We will run 5 lifts: Vista, Timberline, Wilderness, Snowflake and Mighty Mite. The snow conditions are abundant packed powder. Thursday we woke up to 1-2 inches of snow that gave the surfaces a little refresher. But overall, the skiing is just phenomenal and with more terrain to get at this weekend, you can't go wrong. 

Bonus Night Skiing!

We're offering some bonus night skiing on Friday and Saturday. Night skiing will run from 3-7pm and will cost a mere $19. We will also honor any Night Passes including the Powder Pass Lite. On Sunday, we'll keep Vista open for an additional hour and it will close at 5pm. From 3-5pm that day, tickets will be $19 as well, so squeeze in every last run you can! 

Weekend Events: Pond Skimming, Karaoke and an Easter Egg Hunt

This Saturday March 30th at 1pm is Rock and Roll Pond Skimming presented by WIZN watch the gutsiest Bolton Valley skiers and riders attempt to cross our man made pond. The stakes are high; one adult and one youth winner will take home a 2013/2014 All Access Season Pass for the best skim. Registration begins at 10am. The entry fee is just $5 per skimmer and you must have a lift ticket or season pass to enter. If you feel like dry is more your style, come out to watch the splashes and listen to some great music. WIZN radio host Joey Vega will be the special guest announcer for the afternoon. 

On Easter Sunday, we'll throw on our bonnets for a good old fashioned Easter Egg Hunt. Kids aged 12 and under won't want to miss the candy and prizes the bunny has in store. 

We'll keep the Rock 'n Roll theme alive on March 31st with Spring Ski and Ride Karaoke starting at 1pm! So grab your hairbrush and come in costume because we'll give away a 2013/2014 All Access Season Pass to one adult and one youth winner. Registration starts at noon, entry fee is just $5.

BV Heading into "Extra Innings" Bonus Weekend of skiing April 6th and 7th 

Over 3 feet of snow since March 15th is a bit of a game changer. The last day of the season was scheduled for Sunday, March 31st, but because of the prime conditions we have decided to extend our season. After this weekend, we will be closed mid-week (April 1st-5th) and we will re-open April 6th and 7th with a bonus weekend of skiing and riding we're calling "Extra Innings." That means you get more skiing and riding AND, pay less for it.  Find out more about Extra Innings, including info on how to snag a $19 Lift Ticket in the next few hours! 

No Foolin! Lowest Prices of the Year on Season Passes

Don't be an April fool and end up paying more for your 2013/2014 All Access Season Pass. Because right now, the prices are the very lowest they will be, with Adult Passes at just $449 and Youth Pass offers starting at $99.  

With only a few days left to take advantage of this offer, don't be tempted to put it on the to-do list, put it on the done list and save yourself some cabbage in the meantime!

Extra Innings!

The last day of the season was scheduled for Sunday, March 31st. But, thanks to over 3 feet of snow since March 15th conditions are as good as they've been all year. So, we’re extending the season and heading into “Extra Innings” on Saturday and Sunday, April 6 and 7. (We will be closed mid-week from April 1-5). 

36 Hour, $19 Lift Ticket Sale

Lift tickets for Extra Innings will be just $29 per day. Want more savings? Then get your Extra Innings ticket during the 36 Hour Sale and save 33% off of the already reduced rate. From noon on Thursday to midnight on Friday (March 28-29) you can purchase your Extra Innings lift tickets online for just $19 per day. 

$58 Ski and Stay Packages

Ski and Stay packages for Extra Innings are also available for just $58 per person, per night. Hurry, this offer is only available until noon on Sunday, March 31. After noon on Sunday the ski and stay price will be $79 per person / per night. Book online or call 877-9BOLTON.

Extra Innings Weekend will  Consist of the Following:

• Vista Quad only from 8:30am – 4pm (Timberline, Wilderness and all other lifts will be closed)
• We are anticipating intermediate and advanced skiing and riding on about 40 trails, weather permitting. 
• $29 all ages, all day lift tickets (No afternoon or late day pricing. Coupons or discounts cannot be applied to this rate.)
• Season passes will be honored including night passes (Nordic passes will not be valid at the lifts)
• BV Sports will continue with their 20% off sale on most items.
• The James Moore Tavern and the Deli will be open with a very limited menu for food and drinks.
• Nordic will be open and we will have a plan for grooming as we get closer to next weekend. Tickets will be just $5. 
• The Sports Center will be open from 8:30am – 4:00pm each day for video games and the Sports Center field house. There will be no pool, hot tub, sauna or inflatable games.
• There will not be group lessons but private lessons will be offered. There will not be Nordic lessons.

The Following Will Not Be Open:

• Pool, hot tub, sauna
• Inflatable games at the Sports Center
• Cafeteria
• Timberline, Wilderness and all other lifts except the Vista Quad will be closed
• Terrain Parks
• Child Care

Pond Skimming Postponed

Pond Skimming has been postponed due to temps in the low 20's and gusty winds. We will now hold Pond Skimming next Saturday, March 30. Spring Ski and Ride Karaoke will be bumped to Sunday, March 31.

20 Inches Since Tuesday and Pond Skimming!

It may be spring on the calendar, but it looks like deep midwinter here at Bolton Valley. Check out these photos from Wednesday morning...and remember, add 3 - 4 more inches of snow to what you see. 

Weather:

There's not much 'splainin' to do in terms of weather this week. It could basically be summed up with one statement: We got a ton of snow. But, I suppose if you're looking for the particulars you'd want to know that our storm total was between 18-19 inches. And, that the temperatures look to keep that snow around for the foreseeable future. Going into the weekend there is a chance of snow on Friday and Saturday with comfortable temps in the low 30s. Sunday could live up to its name as we may see some sunny skies. Not bad as we near the end of March, not bad at all. 

Trails and Conditions:

This weekend we will have 5 of our lifts running, including Timberline and Wilderness. Timberline will open at 10:30am on Friday; Wilderness will come in on Saturday at 10am. We project a near 100% opening for the weekend, as 68 of our 70 trails should be online.  

The snow this week started on the heavier and wetter side, but quickly transitioned into that lighter, more delicate powder we are all so fond of. So the combination of snow types has not only helped to pack down a tad more on the base, but it has also provided some really ideal surfaces to ski on. Both the groomed and ungroomed trails remain soft and should stay that way into the weekend. Whatever trails you choose to hit this weekend (or heck, maybe you plan to hit them all) you're going to be in store for a treat. From from the snow-filled woods to the groomed terrain, there’s really no going wrong.

Spring Lift Ticket Prices

With the mountain in the great shape that it is and spring lift ticket rates that let you ski on the cheap, there's no reason to stay home. Here's the lift ticket pricing for the rest of the season:

• $39 for an Adult Full Day ticket
• $29 for a Full Day Youth, Senior, or College Student ticket
• Just $19 for an "all ages" Night Skiing ticket (4-8pm)

Please note: No other discounts or coupons may be applied to spring lift ticket rates.

Great snow, great weather, lots of open trails and bargain lift tickets would all be reason enough to get out on the hill this weekend. But we don't stop there. Call us overachievers, go ahead. For the rest of the month, we're keeping the fun going on and off the slopes.

Pond Skimming and Other End-of-March Happenings! 

This Weekend:

On Friday (3/22) head to the JMT for a performance from Donna Thunders and the Storm from 8- 11 pm. Quell your burning legs with the evening's Long Trail specials.

On Saturday (3/23) the biggest event of the year returns to Bolton Valley and this time, it's Rock 'n Roll themed. WIZN presents Rock 'n Roll Pond Skimming. What's pond skimming you ask? Let me give you a visual. We groom out a tasty incline and build a pond. You throw on your best rock-themed costume and your skis or snowboard and head down that incline in an attempt to cross the pond. And to the victor go the spoils, as one adult and one youth winner will take home a2013/2014 All Access Season Pass for the best skim. Registration begins at 10am, skimming commences at 1pm. The entry fee is just $5 per skimmer and you must have a lift ticket or season pass to enter. For those who don't care to skim, come spectate! There will be great music and even better splashes. WIZN radio host Joey Vega will be the special guest announcer for the afternoon. 

Also on Saturday, Blue Fox appears for some live tunes in the JMT. Be there from 8-11pm. And don't miss the last trivia night of the season this Sunday with Mike Germano, from 6-8pm. 

Next Weekend:

We'll keep the Rock 'n Roll theme alive on Saturday March 30th for Spring Ski and Ride Karaoke! So grab your hairbrush and come in costume because we'll give away a 2013/2014 All Access Season Pass to one adult and one youth winner. 

And on Easter Sunday, we'll throw on our bonnets and whip out our egg-detecting radars for a good old fashioned Easter Egg Hunt. Kids aged 12 and under won't want to miss the candy and prizes the bunny has in store. 

Season Passes: Lowest Pricing of the Year!

Although you wouldn't know it from a quick glance around...it's almost April 1st. And maybe a little bird told you that was an important date for some reason. Okay the bird was me. The date is important because I want to save you money. That way you'll have $4 to spare to buy me a waffle. We're talking the lowest prices of the year on Season Passes folks and you only have a little over a week to get to it! Get your 2013/2014 All Access Season Pass before April 1st! 

Snow

There are lots of ways to talk about getting more than you pay for. "A filet for the cost of a hamburger" or "Playoff tickets at pre-season prices" and our favorite "Mid-winter conditions at spring ticket rates". I probably made all of those up but the point is simple. We've picked up 9-10 inches of new snow as of 2pm on Tuesday and it is still coming down. Heavily. We should see several more inches overnight. Tomorrow will be a certifiable Powder Day. And, starting yesterday, we lowered our lift ticket rates for the spring. So, there you have it, mid-winter conditions at spring ticket rates.

Plenty of Winter 'Round Here!

Weather:

We made it through the wilderness, somehow we made it through. Sometimes it's best to just leave the explaining to the Material Girl. Okay, Monday and Tuesday...well, they stunk. Over 24 hours of warm weather and rain was obviously not our idea of optimal skiing conditions. But the great news is, the weather turned around pretty quickly. By Wednesday afternoon the temps were back in the 30s and the snow was a-falling. Thursday morning we woke up to 2 inches of fresh snow with continued snowfall until midday, adding another inch to our total. The weather will stay in the winter zone this weekend. We're looking at highs in the mid to upper 20s with a mix of clouds and sun. 

Trails and Conditions:

Even more to celebrate is the fact that the snow held up nicely under some unfavorable, early-week conditions. On Wednesday we made a strategic move to keep our trail count low. The mountain needed to dry out and grooming would have only done more harm than good. Wednesday night brought a grooming plan that has already paid off and we're currently enjoying the results. We've gone from 11 trails to 49 today. Snow surfaces are a combination of frozen granular and packed powder. The groomed snow especially is plenty soft, while you may find the ungroomed snow to be firmer or more variable. All in all, we're in great shape considering the date on the calendar and what we dealt with this week, so don't miss out on another great weekend on the hill!

Tavern and  Events: 

Both Friday and Saturday night you can catch some tunes in the JMT. Friday the 15th it's The Woedoggies from 8-11pm. The Woedoggies are a 3-piece string band made up of Vermont music veterans who play classic, simple, honest, acoustic country. On Saturday come on out for Bad Dog, featuring a night of original music with band members Joe Byers, Dan Sharp, Tim Gregg and Shane Roya.

Two major events are going on this weekend as well, including the Mountain Dew Vertical Challenge on Saturday and Skier and Rider Appreciation Day on Sunday. Join us for both! We also have events every weekend for the rest of the month. Check out our spring events calendar for more info!

Season Pass Deals: $119 Season Night Pass and Senior Deals! 

Alarm set for 2pm? Never seen an episode of Good Morning America? Your status as a vampire is undetermined? Sounds like you need yourself a Night Pass. For just $119 you can enjoy Vermont's most extensive night skiing for the entire season. That's right, ski late from 4 to 8 for just 119 bucks, it's that simple. 

Senior Passes are now on sale as well with some serious discounts. If you're age 65-74, you'll be skiing for the whole season for just $199* if you purchase your pass before April 1st. And seniors age 75 and up can take advantage of the Senior Plus Pass which enables you to enjoy the slopes season-long for just $29. 

And don't forget if you're looking for an adult 2013/2014 All Access Season Pass, it's just $449* until April 1st. Find out more, including the offer we have for a youth pass for just $99.* Get 'em while they're hot (and significantly cheaper). 

*Prices valid until April 1st 2013.