Note: whenever you are skiing at Bolton, please stay safe and socially distance, and abide by any current VT guidelines for COVID-19. Thanks!
With a lot of new activity and skiing opportunities at Bolton this winter, now is a good time to address some questions. Hopefully this post will provide some key info and point readers to new helpful resources!
When can I ski at Bolton? Do I need a pass?
The requirement of a pass technically does not begin until the resort opens. The alpine and nordic operations begin in tandem: that is, the Nordic skiing will not be officially “open” until the alpine skiing is.
Until then, you can ski at Bolton without a pass requirement, however understand that you are assuming any and all risk.
Where can I get a pass? What does it include?
All MNC Members can purchase discounted passes for Nordic, Backcountry, and Uphill skiing. Bolton is offering our club a special $93 (incl. tax) weekday pass or a full week pass at the pre-season rate of $161 (incl. tax), either of which can be purchased on our registration page. Input your MNC Membership number and select either the midweek club discount pass, or a full week season pass.
MNC programs that take place at Bolton (BKL, Juniors, Afternoon Masters) have a registration option to purchase the pass bundled with programming, or just programming itself if you already have purchased your Bolton pass.
Where do I see conditions?
Before you email, text, or message coaches, take a peek at the Bolton Snow Report on Twitter. This account is maintained by MNC coaches who will make every effort to keep updates current. You can also find this report as a feed on the right-hand side of the MNC homepage.
Bolton itself maintains a condition report page, but do not rely on this to always reflect the most current or accurate conditions.
You can view alpine webcam from the base area and top of Vista lift here.
How do the lights work?
First off, thanks again to Green Mountain Electrical Supply for the materials and expertise involved with lighting an entire 1.4km trail.
The lights are powered by a generator and they are not on a set schedule until MNC programs begin and/0r the resort officially opens.
Always have a headlamp if you are skiing after dark, lights notwithstanding.
Operation of the lighting system is limited to MNC lead coaches, Bolton Valley Nordic staff, and coaches from teams training at the facility. When night skiing is in full effect, plan on the lights turning off around 8pm.
Before the resort opens, we will announce on the Bolton Snow Report Twitter if we will be offering night skiing on particular days. If there is snow and skiing to be had, remember to check that page!
Who does the grooming?
Bolton does not own a snowmobile or Nordic grooming equipment for use with a snowmobile (funny for a Nordic center, right?) but they do have access to large Pistenbully groomers. These large Pistenbullys are great, but they cannot groom without at least a foot of snow.
MNC sled and groomer, new (to us) for 20/21
To fill the gap in grooming quality and consistency, MNC is purchasing a snowmobile and Tidd Tech groomer and tracksetter for this season. It is currently being worked on but should be operational by the first significant snows. MNC will be doing all grooming at Bolton when the snow is at low levels. We are able to groom not only the low-snow-enabled and lighted Picnic Loop but other trails as well. Please note this is all done on a volunteer basis by Coach Adam.
Our aim is to groom as much as possible, regardless what day of the week it is. We want Bolton to be a great Nordic center for everyone at any time! However please realize that Coach Adam and other possible groomers are all coaches first and snowfarmers second, but we will do our best to create awesome skiing conditions.
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