New Bolton Valley Uphill Policy For 2019-20 Season

Submitted by: The Bolton Valley Team

To our beloved uphilling friends,

Wow, what a few years it’s been for our backcountry programs here at Bolton Valley. We’ve watched this community grow and thrive from a small group of dedicated folks to a burgeoning community of alpine touring skiers and splitboarders. Most mornings we see a steady stream of ants marching up the hill to snag first turns and a quick workout before work. Some days we bask in the glory of our uphillers and downhillers sharing the alpine terrain in harmony during lift operating hours. And it’s so fun to see the train of headlamps heading up after work in the mid-winter and to bump into friends at the top of Wilderness or Timberline in the spring to catch the sunset out across the Adirondacks.

Bolton Valley has a proud tradition of pioneering growth within the sport. Years ago as skiers and riders sought out fresh tracks, we were amongst the first to really embrace in bounds gladed trails on our trail maps. Now we aim to blaze a similar trail with respect to our uphill and backcountry community.

We’re asking for your support as we update our uphill policy in advance of the 2019-20 winter season. Starting next season, all uphill traffic will need either a lift ticket or season pass (all access season pass or backcountry/nordic/uphill pass) to be in compliance with our Uphill Trail Policy. This will include before, during, and after lift operations. Acknowledging that we don’t have a ticket window at all times, you will be able to purchase the appropriate uphill ticket or nordic/backcountry/uphill season’s pass on your phone anytime.

Additionally, we’ve heard from several of our regular uphill skiers and riders, that wish they could access the terrain off Vista Peak. We are looking for an appropriate uphill route to get you there. And while we can’t promise we’ll find it in time for next season, we are really excited to announce that starting in 2019-2020, every nordic/backcountry/uphill season pass will come with 3 one ride lift tickets. These tickets can be used all at once to bring 2 friends or take 3 separate trips yourself throughout the season.

Our mountain operations team works tirelessly day and night to keep our parking lots clear and to groom and maintain our trails. As interest in in-bounds uphilling grows, it has a corresponding impact on our day to day mountain operations. Some mornings, most of the upper base and Timberline parking lots are nearly full with backcountry enthusiasts. That makes our mountain hearts sing! It’s clear to us that in order to fully embrace this exciting evolution in our sport, it’s time to look for support from our uphill friends.

At Bolton Valley, we are all about access to the mountain and we are so grateful to be a part of this human powered, uphill revolution. As we look to the future, we are committed to offering a quality resort experience for both uphill and downhill skiers and riders every day at Bolton Valley.

We appreciate your support.