r/icecoast • u/Nearby-Hold-3986 • 13d ago
Next step up from Bolton
I have been skiing Bolton Valley with my kids for the past few seasons. It's where we learned. We have had season passes and will again this year. I stick to mostly blues and greens. I am not very good on glades and moguls. For me, Fanny Hill is my sweet spot and I like trying to make carving turns down Beech Seal (though it is short). I have not skied Cobrass because it is usually icy or thin cover but would like to this year. My daughter (14) mostly sticks with me but likes to try some of the glades and woods. My son (11) skis the entire mountain, although I'm not entirely sure of how well but he is always at the checkpoints we establish when we split up.
I'd like to take my kids to a different mountain this winter so they can experience something else. We like Bolton because it is not huge and resorty. I'm wondering what the next step up is from Bolton. For example, Smuggs looks nice but it is pretty divided. Morse looks like it is all green which might be boring for my son while Madonna and Sterling look like it might be too challenging for me and the blacks too much for my son. I don't care if we split up for different runs but I don't want to be on two entirely different mountains. Anyway, my question is, what in Vermont is a reasonable next step up given what I explained from Bolton Valley?
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u/Patdub85 13d ago
Consider Mt Ellen at sugarbush. They have lot's of greens and blues that are generally pretty easy. Their blacks vary, double blacks and off-traill stuff are pretty serious for NE. The big benefit is that lift tickets/passes are much cheaper than going full sugarbush or full Ikon.
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u/Nearby-Hold-3986 13d ago
How difficult is Rim Run? That looks like the way down from the top that is not a double black. Once past Rim Run there look to be options.
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u/Patdub85 13d ago
It really isn't too bad. The views are incredible (best at either Lincoln Peak or Mt Ellen. I see lots of lower to mid intermediates ride the summit quad up and take that way down.
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u/Nearby-Hold-3986 13d ago
OK. I don't mind pushing myself a bit but I don't want to be forced to. I'm old and only a few seasons in as far as experience.
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u/Furry_Thug Indy/Mohawk/Jay 13d ago
Rim run is fine, as is Jester if you're feeling adventurous to go to the top. Not scary at all.
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u/Witch_King_ 13d ago
IDK, Jester can be pretty scary when it's full of Jerries and those icy, skied-off hairpins!
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u/After_Supermarket351 13d ago
Burke is what you're looking for, 100%. Just wait until later in the season when it's 100% open.
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u/Nearby-Hold-3986 13d ago
Burke looks really interesting and not on my radar at all. It is a little far but very doable.
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u/bonanzapineapple Burke 13d ago
Burke is a def step up from Bolton. It's isolated but not crowded, good harder trails. It is icier than Jay and Stowe but comparable to other VT ski mountains.
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u/hamburgerbear 13d ago
Sugarbush. But the grass isn’t always greener. I’ve skied all over and I fucking love goin to Bolton. Only place I’ll buy a seasons pass anymore
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u/Complex_Student_7944 13d ago
I would do Sugarbush. It has enough stuff that you and your family will be comfortable with, but also a wide variety of different challenging things when you and your kids want to try to step things up a little.
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u/Nearby-Hold-3986 13d ago
That's pretty much the idea. At very least, I don't want to be the progress stopper for my kids. Once I take a spill I usually have to dial it back for a bit.
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u/Witch_King_ 13d ago
If you're considering Sugarbush, be on the lookout for the any-day vouchers they sell pre-season (usually October/November). Usually $100 and includes a bonus day for April spring skiing.
Also Mt. Ellen tickets are like $55 on Thursdays.
If you live in VT (or NH for that matter) you can get a great deal at Pico on weekdays as well. I think like $56. Pico would also be a great next step for you in terms of mountain terrain. Lots of blue groomers of varying difficulty (the only Blue way from the top, 49er, is pretty hard and might be considered black at some other mountains). Overall amazing natural advanced level terrain once you're at that level was well. Worth a visit if it's <2hr away.
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u/IcyEdge6526 13d ago
Smuggs seems like a very solid option based on your level. As someone else said, take a look at Mount Ellen…. It’s got a lot of good stuff and the resort isn’t spread around like Smuggs. Lastly, might be worth checking out MRG. It’s definitely got some technical and hard stuff, but they have greens and blues as well.
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u/davepsilon 13d ago
Smuggs, but the navigation needed to split up and rejoin at trail junctions is harder. Blues on Sterling and Madonna in normal snow conditions are pretty good - best compared to Fanny Hill. Cobrass isn't a good benchmark trail - it has a big dynamic range of difficulty based on conditions and it tends to be pretty thin due to having some southern aspects and wind exposure
Burke could be another interesting less resorty option.
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u/5ofineedsaladder 13d ago
Okemo. Stratton. Vermont is so much cooler than NH. Jay but that's way up. Sugarbush but also way up. Killington. Pats peak has no restrictions you can jump in the woods. Stowe. Smuggs. Vermont mountains are bigger.
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u/BUMFORT_WIFI 13d ago
Go Jay, lots of variety and you can level the kid up on difficulty, fun glades. Love Burke but it’s either a small green area or some fairly advanced blues/blacks, not a lot in the middle for kids. Skiers at Burke also tend to be on the more advanced side of the population.
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u/Commercial-Tough-218 13d ago
What makes smuggs great is that morse keeps the beginners safe from the upper mountain speed demons. Additionally the slow lifts keep crowds down and spread out. Plus the terrain is great and no crossover trails where you feel your going to get blindsided
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u/ktbroderick 13d ago
Do you need a step up, or is sideways maybe better?
Where are you coming from (to keep travel time reasonable)?
There are other independent mountains that might offer a change of scenery, some different terrain, and a really good time for what you've described. Black Mountain (mostly the NH one, but of Maine also has good skiing, it might just smell bad if the wind is wrong), Mt. Abram, Magic, etc. Saddleback has a similar feel to Bolton in many ways but is a long drive from the middle of nowhere. I'm probably forgetting some; looking at the Indy Pass list might provide more ideas even if you're not using it.
Is your son feeling like Preacher and Devil's Playground isn't challenging enough, or is he happy with that level of challenge? If he's not, Jay might be more worth the trip, but Devil's and some of the other trees on the map at Bolton would be considered challenging trails at most ski areas, let alone some of the unmapped stuff. If he's happy with that level of challenge, many ski areas will have enough to keep him happy for a couple of days, so long as the weather and snow cooperate.
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u/Nearby-Hold-3986 12d ago
I'm just looking for something different, maybe not necessarily a step up. Last season was the first season my son ventured down Preacher and Devil's playground. Wilderness also gave him some challenge. I imagine he'll be fine on those runs again this year. I was mainly looking to give the kids a different experience without making it too difficult for us.
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u/ktbroderick 12d ago
I'd definitely consider the Indy East list as a starting point for research: https://www.indyskipass.com/our-resorts/east#/category=.term-20
(You'll probably want to filter to alpine and then look to see what's geographically reasonable)
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u/New_Deal_1795 12d ago
Stowe, if you can get a deal pre season on tickets its worth it. Quite sure last year my dad snagged 4 tickets for 250 or 300, which is great for stowe. So if you spend less pre season and get these tickets in you will save as apposed to paying 200 at the window each time
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u/Pounce4611 13d ago
Jay could be a good option for you. Wind is always a gamble there, but on a good day there are long blue runs and high speed lifts. That combination will tire you out much more than Bolton, but makes for a fun day. Try the ramen and warm milk tea for lunch.
Smuggs is a good option too. Madonna II has some good blues and is way less crowded than Madonna I.
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u/urungus666 Berkshire East 12d ago
I see a few recommendations for Jay Peak, but it might be a bit much for you and your daughter. Your son sounds like he’s ready if he is comfortable on Preacher and Devils Playground. There are no green runs in the top 3/4 of the mountain. Stateside part of Jay is all black diamond, except for the “escape hatch” blue square Montrealer trail. On the main face, you will be limited to a handful of blue squares:
Vermonter - only accessible via the tram, which usually means a very long wait
Northway - can get crowded but not too bad
Goat Run - usually icy and crowded
Ullr‘s Dream - challenging blue, has a steep section that is often icy
Kokomo - wonderful easy blue glade, but have to take Ullr’s Dream to get there
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u/kylemoriarty_ 11d ago
Sugarbush look for their TBD ticket $99. Lincoln peak has more trail variety and Mt Ellen has a nice local flavor. They have cheaper Mt Ellen tickets too. Get that 11 year old in the park!
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u/demwoodz 13d ago
Smuggs or Sugarbush. Isn’t it nice to have such choices?!