30 km
440 m - 960 m
Test report Bolton Valley
Skiresort.info Test of the ski resort Bolton Valley
Total result: 3.4 out of 5 stars
Test Bolton Valley
The review Bolton Valley was created by Skiresort.info, the world’s largest test portal for ski resorts.
Top evaluation criteria
These evaluations count double in the total result.
Further evaluation criteria
Evaluation criteria for special interests
In detail: Test report for ski resort Bolton Valley
Top evaluation criteria
These evaluations count double in the total result.
Bolton Valley is one of the mid-sized ski resorts in Vermont.
Runs/slopes
Altitude difference
520 m (Valley 440 m - Mountain 960 m )
Lifts/ cable cars
6
Number of lifts to get from one end of the ski resort to the other
→ 2 ← 1
Number of lifts to get from one end of the ski resort to the other
→ 2 ← 1
Bolton Valley ski resort offers 71 runs of all difficulty levels. The three mountain peaks are very well connected. You can ski through the forest as they have a lot of "gladed runs".
Runs/slopes
Total 30 km
Easy
15 km
(50 %)Intermediate
10 km
(33 %)Difficult
5 km
(17 %)
Longest run
3 km
Run location
under tree line
Worth knowing
- Valley run available
The entire ski resort is accessible via chair lifts. Some of these are a bit outdated. The Vista Quad is the newest lift in the resort and it can be used to access the peak comfortably.
Number of ski lifts
6
Total capacity
7200 Passengers / hour
Length of all lifts
4.7 km Total
Lifts and cable cars
5
1
Photos
Most of the main runs have snow-making capabilities. The gladed runs are dependent on natural snow.
Worth knowing
- Artificial snow-making
100 Snow canons
50 % of the slopes have snow-making capabilities
- The valley run is always open when ski resort is open; without the valley run, ski operation is not possible.
Season 2009/2010
120 Days open
120 Days when valley run open
120 Days when valley run open
Season 2010/2011
122 Days open
122 Days when valley run open
122 Days when valley run open
Photos
The slope preparation is very good.
Tip: By new snow, an optimal slope prepartion is not always possible, even with a large effort. In addition, the new snow can not combine with the snow lying underneath and moguls are created quickly. For safety reasons, usually no slope preparation is possible during operating times.
Further evaluation criteria
The ski resort is easy to access from Highway 89. There is sufficient, free parking at the Base Lodge and the Timberline Lodge.
Access via Highway 89, Exit Waterbury
- Timberline Quad (Waterbury, VT), Ideal entry for day visitors
Distance: 17 km · approx. 16 Minutes driving time
Roads: Side road, Mountain road, well-developed, with significant incline
Parking spaces: enough available, Tarred parking lot, Stone parking lot, free of charge
- Vista Quad (Waterbury, VT), Ideal entry for day visitors
Distance: 18 km · approx. 19 Minutes driving time
Roads: Side road, Mountain road, well-developed, with significant incline
Parking spaces: usually enough available, Tarred parking lot, Stone parking lot, free of charge
Access via Highway 89, Ausfahrt Richmond
- Timberline Quad (Waterbury, VT), Ideal entry for day visitors
Distance: 19 km · approx. 20 Minutes driving time
Roads: Side road, Mountain road, well-developed, with significant incline
Parking spaces: enough available, Tarred parking lot, Stone parking lot, free of charge - Vista Quad (Waterbury, VT), Ideal entry for day visitors
Distance: 20 km · approx. 23 Minutes driving time
Roads: Side road, Mountain road, well-developed, with significant incline
Parking spaces: usually enough available, Tarred parking lot, Stone parking lot, free of charge
Trail map and overview maps:
The trail map depicts the ski resort very well. All runs and lifts are indicated. In addition, information about accommodations and other activities is also included.
The trail map depicts the ski resort very well. All runs and lifts are indicated. In addition, information about accommodations and other activities is also included.
Information boards and sign-postings on the slopes:
At all significant points in the ski resort, trail maps are located. The runs are sign-posted with names. As the ski resort is not that large, it is easy to find your way.
At all significant points in the ski resort, trail maps are located. The runs are sign-posted with names. As the ski resort is not that large, it is easy to find your way.
The resort is well-maintained. However, they could pay a bit more attention to the level of cleanliness at the Base Lodge.
They use wind energy here and this is the reason for the large windmill at the peak. They have many partnerships with the local energy suppliers and are also a member of "Sustainable Slopes".
Public transportation/ on-site mobility
- No direct train connection
- Ski busses
- No scheduled busses
The staff is friendly and helps guests who are entering the chair lifts.
The available restaurants are the Base Lodge with its cafeteria, the James Moore Tavern, and the Waffle Cabin as well as the Timberline Lodge (at the quad by the same name). There are no restaurants up on the mountain.
2 Mountain restaurants & Ski huts
Photos
There is more of a calm atmosphere in Bolton Valley. Après Ski can be enjoyed in the James Moore Tavern in the Base Lodge.
The Inn at Bolton Valley and some apartments are located at the Base Lodge. The Black Bear Inn and additional apartments are also located directly on the slopes.
Ski-in/Ski-out
There are some accommodations with direct access to the slopes and to lifts (Ski-in/Ski-out)
Note: For the evaluation, only the accommodations which are located directly on the slopes and lifts, or have very easy access to the ski resort have been considered.
Photos
Evaluation criteria for special interests
There are special offers for children at Bolton Valley. Kids as of 4 years old can participate in the ski school at the Honey Bear Childcare Center. The lower part of the mountain and the rope tow are very well suited for children.
Information for families and children
- Wave ride for children
- Adventure course
- Children's lifts
- Beginner's lifts near the valley
- Ski kindergarten
- Child care
Photos
With the exception of Wilderness Peak, beginners can ski the entire ski resort. Slopes ranging from easy to very easy lead down to the base.
Information for beginners
- Easy and manageable slope offering, which is easy to achieve
- Wide slopes
- Beginner's area
- Special slopes for slower skiers / beginners
- Easy valley run
- Beginner's lifts near the valley
Photos
Advanced skiers love the gladed runs, of which there are many at Bolton Valley. A differentiation is made here between intermediate, difficult and very difficult runs. The runs are good for advanced skiers, but don't offer any particular attractions.
Information for advanced skiers, freeriders
- some freeride / deep snow areas
- few mogul slopes
- no extremely difficult, steep and unprepared runs (Double Diamonds)
Slope offering advanced skiers
Runs/slopes
Total 30 km
Difficult
5 km
(17 %)Most difficult run
-
Show Off · Length 0 km · Altitude difference 200 m
Note: Always mind the avalanche warnings and barriers, please. Never ski into a closed and unsecured area.
Photos
Bolton Valley offers 3 floodlit snowparks for beginners and advanced skiers/snowboarders.
Information for Snowboarders
- few cat tracks
- no runs with ascent
- some freeride / deep snow areas
Snow parks
- Jungle Jib
The Jungle Jib Park is located at the Mid Mountain double chair lift and is very well-suited for beginners.
- Butterscotch
The snowpark for everyone is located at the Snowflake double chair lift.
- Burton Progression Park
This is the park for the profis with high jumps. It is located at the Snowflake double chair lift.
Offering snow parks
- Snow park/ Fun park
- No halfpipe
- Kicker (Jump/ Ramp)
- Rails/ Slides
- Boxes
- Wallride
- Corner / Hip
- Waverides
- Pro Line
- Medium Line
- Beginner/ Easy Line
- Chill area
- Cross-country trail offering
Total trail length: 100 km
30 km of tracks are groomed, the other 70 km are unprepared. The day pass for use of the cross-country tracks costs $17 ($13 for a youth pass).
Conclusion
Nice view over Vermont, a lot of gladed runs
No high speed chair lifts, no lifts with cover, fee for the cross-country tracks
Test Report issued on 2011-03-28
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