Oh So Much Snow!

If you're like me, your mind is already in that weekend territory. And while weekends do come around like clockwork, weekends like this certainly do not. Heed my advice reader; you won't regret a trip up to Bolton Valley this weekend. 

Weather:

We've had some excellent weather karma this week. Maybe it was because we burned all that sage and incense and covered the mountain with good voodoo. Or perhaps it was my funky snow dance. But let's get down to brass tacks: We got us some snow this week, most notably the addition of 18 inches in the last 7 days, with 15-16 of those inches falling in just the past 72 hours. Could we be any more set up for a perfect weekend? Ya we could, here you go: Temps today through Sunday look to stay right around that 30 degree sweet spot. Both Saturday and Sunday we expect to see some snowfall, with more potential accumulation on Sunday.

Trails and Conditions:

We have been nearly 100% open all week long, but with all the new snow and fine craftsmanship of our groomers, you'd think we'd only been running Mighty Mite for the last few days! Things look pretty beautiful out there on both the groomed and ungroomed surfaces alike. The woods are a real gem. The snow is keeping the trails very fresh and there's enough of it for you to still find untouched powder this weekend. We currently have 67 trails for the taking and we could add another trail or two to that count. All 6 lifts will spin this weekend, bringing you to the pow and some expertly groomed, luscious packed powder. We will also have night skiing tonight and Saturday so you don't have to say goodnight to Bolton once the sun goes down. 

Tavern:

Saturday in the tavern Blue Fox will join us once again from 8-11pm. Sip Woodchuck Cider on special and enjoy what Art Edelstein of the Times Argus newspaper calls, “One of the few authentic blues musicians in Vermont – well worth the listen.” 

Sunday, it's another night of trivia with Mike Germano from 6-8pm. Did you wash that thinking cap like I told you last week? You'll need it! 

Other Happenings:

Family Week is here! Maybe you're trying to figure out how to spend some real, authentic quality time with your kids over their school break. On the other hand, maybe you're trying to get them out of the house long enough to prevent them from starting a small kitchen fire. Or, keep them from punching a third major hole in the drywall. Whatever your motives, we're here to help. Check out next week's lineup. From puppet shows to dog shed rides, there's something for everyone.  

Also during Family Week, don't miss Vermont Peanut Butter Day. Bring a jar of Vermont Peanut Butter brand PB with you to Bolton Valley on Tuesday February 26th and pay 50% off the regular retail price of an All Access Lift Ticket.* That's it! As if you needed any more incentive, all the peanut butter collected that day will go directly to the Vermont Food Bank. Peanut Butter to the rescue! 

*Note that this offer may not be combined with any other offer or promotion.

Spillway and Wilderness

President's Day is coming up and thanks to our nation's forefathers and a few other presidents after that, you get an extra day off. Perhaps you were thinking of growing (or donning) a Lincoln-esq beard. While it is a fine tribute, we suggest honoring our leaders by exercising your right to life, liberty and the pursuit of powder.  February is short and sweet, so enjoy President's Day weekend with an extra day of skiing and riding! 

Weather:

This week we've had some excellent conditions on the mountain. The temps have remained cold, but not too cold, or as Goldilocks would say, "just right." We've also picked up some small snowfalls to keep things nice and powdery out there. We have a chance for snow today and into the late evening hours. We expect a temperature drop to the 10-20 degree range which will stay for most of the weekend. Both Saturday and Sunday bring along the chance of snowfall for us as well. 

Trails and Conditions:

That "just right" weather I mentioned also helped out our groomers and snowmakers. Snowmaking on Spillway kept chugging along all week and wrapped up last night. We began to push out snow piles early this morning and hope to have Spillway up and running for you on Saturday. We project nearly 65 trails for the weekend, which gets us very close to being 100% open! To get to those 65 trails we anticipate the addition of Wilderness starting at 10am on Saturday. The snow surfaces are a mix of powder and packed powder conditions, with the ungroomed and natural snow trails containing some thin or variable spots. Overall, it looks to be another great weekend of skiing and riding as we begin to creep ever closer to a season total of 200 inches of snow. And you'll get even more time to enjoy it with a bonus evening of $19 night skiing this Sunday the 17th. We'll be here 'til 8pm under the lights. 

Tavern:

Plenty of music in the James Moore Tavern for the listening this weekend. Blue Fox will join us tonight from 8-11pm. Sip Long Trail specials and enjoy what Art Edelstein of the Times Argus newspaper calls, “One of the few authentic blues musicians in Vermont – well worth the listen.” 

Saturday don't miss The Woedoggies, also from 8-11pm. Besides having a great name, The Woedoggies play classic, simple, honest, acoustic country. The perfect blend for a chilly Vermont après ski evening. 

Sunday catch Chad Hollister from 8-11pm. Trivia will return next Sunday, so throw your thinking cap in the laundry so it will be sparkling clean for the next competition. 

Vermont Week:

Vermont Week is right around the corner, in fact, it starts up February 25th!  In next Friday's blog post, be sure to look for detailed Vermont Week information. Until then, check out the events calender on our website to see what we have planned. 

It's snowing. A lot.

A week ago I was writing that we had to close for a day due to unfavorable conditions. And what a difference a week makes. A glance out the window gives you all the information you really need: It's snowing. A lot. 

Weather:

This week we have benefited from two heavier than expected snowfalls, with 6 inches falling on Monday and 4 on Wednesday. Both snows helped refresh the terrain and give us a little extra something to pack down, aiding the base. And as of right now, we've picked up nearly 8 inches of snow from our current storm and it does not look to stop any time soon. The past 7 days have given us 18 inches of snow...talk about a real change in the weather!

Trails and Conditions:

Our current trail count stands at 38 after only 8 inches of snow this morning. Add a foot of fresh snow or more to the mix and it's a whole new ballgame. If the snow continues as it is supposed to, we could have nearly all trails open off of Vista and Timberline as well as Snowflake and Mid-Mountain. There may be a few exceptions here and there, but it's looking promising. Wilderness is still in a bit of a holding pattern until we're really able to see what this storm does for us. But as soon as conditions allow, we will re-open Wilderness. Snow surfaces are rapidly turning to powder all over the mountain. 

Entertainment:

Today you can catch Milo Greene in the tavern between 3-5pm as part of Ski and Ride with the Point. 

There's also tavern fun for everyone with the Dewey Drive Band from 8-11pm on Saturday in the JMT. Harpoon will be on special. And, Sunday means intellectual Olympics from 6-8pm as Mike Germano hosts trivia night!

Other Happenings:

The next few days are action packed, so check out the links below:

Saturday February 9th: American Lung Association Snowshow Shuffle 5K and it's another weekly installment of $19 night skiing and a movie with Bolton After Dark. We'll be showing Work It Out by Meathead Films.

Sunday February 10th: Blue Cross Blue Shield of VT Snow Days and Subaru/Hyundai Customer Appreciation Days. 

See you on the hill, there will be plenty of snow waiting for you!!

Welcome February!

Today we will reopen at noon after some less than favorable conditions forced us to close for a day. But it’s already improving around here; it is snowing lightly and there is a fresh dusting on the ground.

Weather:

The good news is, after heavy rains and some messy conditions, we're out of our second January thaw. The temps are now more on the winter side of things and look to stay that way for upwards of a week or more...so the weather news is much better than it has been. Plus, snow is in the forecast for the next 3-4 days!

Trails and Conditions: 

With the cold brings more snowmaking and the opportunity for us to patch up spots that were impacted by the weather. We're currently making snow from the top of Mid-Mountain on down and next in line are Sherman's Pass and Hard Luck Lane. While we're only able to project 14 trails for the weekend, we hope to emphasize quality over quantity and ensure that the skiing surfaces that we do have open are the very best they can be. And, once we add a little natural snow to the mix, we'll be upping our trail count in no time!

We're doing our utmost to give you some great skiing and riding for the weekend, so put away the umbrella and throw those layers back on, because winter is starting up once again. 

Events and Entertainment:

Plenty to enjoy in addition to skiing and riding on the mountain this weekend!

Saturday:

• We ride again from 4-8pm with Bolton After Dark. It's $19 night skiing, $2 flatbread slices, soda and PBR drafts. And once you've clocked out from skiing for the day, you can count on Meathead Films to keep you entertained. This week we'll be showing Schooled. 
• Live Music in the JMT: Donna Thunders and the Storm perform live in the James Moore Tavern from 8-11pm. Sam Adams will be on special. Donna Thunders and the Storm describe themselves as "outlaw country" and include band members Donna "Thunders" Moran on lead vocals, guitar and fiddle, Chris Martin on bass and vocals, Quenn on fiddle, banjo, guitar and vocals, Frank Pavlik on mandolin, guitar and vocals, and Cooper on drums.

Sunday:

• Are you ready for some football?  We suggest celebrating Super Bowl 47 with your two favorite things: Skiing and riding at Bolton Valley and the big game on the big screen. Catch a life size Colin Kaepernick, or cheer for the Ravens on every screen in the house. The JMT will be Super Bowl HQ, so you won't miss a single play (or commercial). We'll keep you well fed too, with a menu of $6 appetizers and Woodchuck on special all evening long. So head on up for Super Ski Sunday and enjoy America's favorite February holiday! 

Shout out to BV Patrollers:

As of last Sunday, our Bolton Valley Ski Patrol eclipsed 3,000 hours of volunteer service for the season. The BV Ski Patrol is a team of 65 strong, of which 55 are unpaid volunteers. These skilled, dedicated professionals are a valuable part of the mountain and essential to all who ski it. We want to truly thank them for their efforts and ask that on your next trip up to BV, you give them a shout out as well!