Bolton Valley
History
The resort was founded in 1966 by Ralph DesLauriers and his father. Bolton thrived for many years as a family-friendly resort and spawned two famous skiers, Rob and Eric DesLauriers, who went on to star in dozens of ski movies. With their brother Adam, they founded Straight Up Films; Adam remains in the area with a more recent venture, Beech Seal Media, named for a ski trail at the resort and a unique type of communication in Vermont lore.
In 1971 Chateau des Monts, a 20 unit hotel condominium complex was completed next to the base lodge (later connected) by Charles P Jones and Land Development Incorporated.
Beginning around 1997, the resort has been under the control of a handful of new owners and struggled with financial viability. However, it has stabilized under the leadership of industry veteran Bob Fries and seen steady improvement in the 2003-2004, 2004–2005, and 2005-2006 seasons, although just before the 2007-2008 season his shares in the company were bought by two locals, and Bolton Valley is now completely locally owned.
As of the Spring of 2017 the original owner Ralph DesLauriers and a small group of investors have purchased the mountain back from Red Stone Properties. Ralph, along with his children are now operating Bolton once again.
Lifts and trails
- Vertical drop: 1,704 ft (519 m)
- Trails: 71 trails
- Night Skiing: 12 trails
- Skiable area: 165 acres (668,000 m²)
- Bolton Valley has 6 lifts.
| Name | Type | Manufacturer | Built | Vertical (feet) |
Length (feet) |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vista | Quad | Doppelmayr CTEC | 2005 | 955 | 4389 | Main lift out of the base area, and has a wind turbine at the summit. |
| Timberline | 1986 | 940 | 3790 | Has a mid-station. | ||
| Wilderness | Double | Hall | 1966 | 963 | 4948 | Longest lift on the mountain, and also has a mid-station. |
| Mid Mountain | 1966 | 312 | 1798 | |||
| Snowflake | 1966 | 250 | 1230 | Services the terrain parks. | ||
| Mighty Mite | Rope Tow | Homemade | 1997 | - | - | Beginner lift. |
Nordic skiing
Bolton Valley has 100 kilometres (100,000 m) of nordic skiing, 35 kilometres (35,000 m) of which are groomed.
Westward orientation
Bolton Valley is one of the few westward facing ski areas in Vermont.
Wind turbine
In 2009, Bolton Valley installed a Northwind 100 wind turbine, which was made by Northern Power Systems. The turbine was projected to produce 300,000 kilowatt hours of electricity. It is located near the top of the Vista Quad chairlift.
Newsletter
Bolton Valley publishes a humorous weekly newsletter covering snow news, event listings, and deals.
References
- ^ Reports, Snow. "SnoCountry - Snow Reports - VT - Bolton Valley". www.snocountry.com.
- ^ http://winter.boltonvalley.com/upload/photos/196Trail_Map_web.jpg
- ^ "The Mountain". winter.boltonvalley.com.
- ^ "Vermont's Only Night Skiing and Riding - Bolton Valley". Archived from the original on September 14, 2010. Retrieved September 29, 2010.
- ^ Skiing. October 1972.
- ^ "Chuck Jones, CFP® | Chuck Jones & Associates, Inc". cja-planning.com. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
- ^ "Press Room". boltonvalley.com. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
- ^ "Bolton Valley, VT". October 13, 2018.
- ^ "The Mountain". winter.boltonvalley.com. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
- ^ "Bolton Valley Wind Tower Information" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on July 8, 2011. Retrieved September 29, 2010.
- ^ "The Final Weekend of 'Not-Ski-Season' and Other Wonders - Bolton Valley". Archived from the original on December 12, 2010. Retrieved December 17, 2010.
External links
44°24′57″N 72°52′11″W / 44.41583°N 72.86972°W
Municipalities and communities of Chittenden County, Vermont, United States | ||
|---|---|---|
| Cities |  | |
| Towns | ||
| Villages | ||
| CDPs | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||