Bolton Valley Resort, located near Burlington, Vt., may not be as well-known as its larger neighbors, but it has a lot to offer for visitors looking for a more intimate and affordable ski experience. With six lifts, 71 trails, and a vertical drop of 1,700 feet, Bolton Valley is a popular destination on the Indy Pass, offering night skiing and lift tickets under $100, making it a more budget-friendly option compared to nearby resorts like Stowe and Sugarbush.
Founded in 1966 as a “working man’s resort” by Ralph DesLauriers, Bolton Valley nearly faced closure in the 1990s before being saved by devoted locals and backcountry skiers. After being repurchased by the DesLauriers family in 2017, led by Lindsay DesLauriers, the resort has undergone a renaissance with improvements, including mountain biking trails, a wedding venue, and a focus on backcountry skiing.
Bolton Valley’s backcountry terrain, including the fabled Bolton Backcountry powder preserve, has attracted skiers like father and son duo Ryan and Steve Rogers from Massachusetts, who came for an instructional backcountry tour. With the focus on backcountry skiing, Bolton Valley offers a unique experience for skiers who are looking to explore off-piste terrain.
Under Lindsay DesLauriers’s leadership, Bolton Valley has seen a significant increase in revenue and profitability, challenging the dominance of larger resort conglomerates with multimountain passes like Epic and Ikon. By offering a more affordable and intimate ski experience, Bolton Valley has carved out a niche in the competitive ski industry, providing a unique and welcoming atmosphere for visitors looking for a different kind of ski vacation.
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