Submitted by ThirdFirstName t3_yd656o in vermont

Hello, I was wondering where people like to backcountry ski near the Burlington area. I have skied Bolton and Brandon gap a few times. I know the Bolton up hill pass isn’t that much money but I can’t justify paying for it. I would like to go before work as much as possible, but not sure if this is possible unless I go to Bolton. Are there any spots you recommend I check out this year?

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SirAidandRinglocks t1_itrrw9x wrote

Are you seriously asking for people to post their stashes on reddit?

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[deleted] t1_itsecfl wrote

[deleted]

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rockpharmer t1_itsghlv wrote

You’re starting to expose how little you know on the topic. I’d suggest finding some locals to learn a little more from.

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[deleted] t1_itsanju wrote

[deleted]

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ThirdFirstName OP t1_itsfqmp wrote

Not asking for the best, just good options to get out and have some fun this season. Why do people feel like letting others have fun is going to take away from their experience? It’s back country, it’s not like every person who skis has the desire to climb up hill.

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YPG-Got-Raqqa t1_itswkmx wrote

Because the stuff that is skiable has been worked on by people during the summer. I spent an entire 10 hour day this summer with another dude to make probably 1000’ of vertical skiable. It is brutal back breaking work and after a good snow it will only have room for a few untracked lines.

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YPG-Got-Raqqa t1_itq8sqc wrote

There isn't much BC skiing in VT that isn't in areas where trees have been trimmed. I'm in Rutland county so I pretty much only know the areas around here but I think that Bolton is your best bet. What you pay for in the pass gets you the skiable lines.

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[deleted] t1_itsaq8u wrote

[deleted]

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YPG-Got-Raqqa t1_itswc2c wrote

There are almost no unimproved slopes in vt that are skiable. All I could think of is the stuff above tree line. Everything else has been trimmed and had blow down removed in order to be skiable.

Try to cut off the trail at a ski area where the woods haven’t been improved at all to see what I mean.

If you find yourself ripping trees in the vt backcountry, give a little thanks to whoever cut that line for you. Clearing a totally un worked line into skiable glades with hand tools will take a few guys an entire day to just do a thousand feet.

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RegalRhombus t1_itwulmw wrote

And where there is unimproved hardwood forest open enough to ski, it's short, low angle and not worth traveling for.

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PromiseNorth t1_itqbgww wrote

Dewey, laraway, Stowe & smuggs @ night, Bolton from notch rd.. etc etc.

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rockpharmer t1_itrvax9 wrote

Dude

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YPG-Got-Raqqa t1_itswopa wrote

If it is literally one of the largest ski areas in the state it is not a secret stash. Same if it’s in good man’s book

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rockpharmer t1_itvjugv wrote

Not all of those mentioned are published or resort sidecountry zones.

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PromiseNorth t1_itsgkis wrote

Sorry, too secrets?

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rockpharmer t1_itsguot wrote

Ehhhh, yeah…

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n0culture t1_itukpd7 wrote

Large, famous ski resorts are not secrets

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rockpharmer t1_itulpgq wrote

Thank you for your insightful contribution to the conversation.

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n0culture t1_ituo0su wrote

I can say the same about your comment insinuating Stowe and smuggs are even remotely secrets

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rockpharmer t1_itv6ekf wrote

Not all of those zones mentioned are published or accessed by ski resorts.

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VTpowpatrol t1_ittmlug wrote

Check out the Catamount Trail Association— there’s a wealth of info and ideas.

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Jerry_Williams69 t1_itsgfj3 wrote

If you are looking for a bunny hill, a lot of people ski the fire break at the north end of 289 where the VAST trailhead and park and ride lot are.

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ThirdFirstName OP t1_itsgm93 wrote

Thanks! I’m looking for a good climb, and some trees if possible!

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FunkyOldMayo t1_itu2gma wrote

There’s no skiable BC in Rutland or Windsor county, everything good is up north.

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YPG-Got-Raqqa t1_itv3ksu wrote

There's some goods in Rutland, you just gotta poke around

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FunkyOldMayo t1_itx8rky wrote

Nope, everyone should just go to Brandon Gap…

…Nothing to see here

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