Bolton Valley
300 acres, 71 runs near Burlington. Vermont's highest base elevation, extensive night skiing, Indy Pass.
Season 2026 - 2027
Opens
21 Nov 2026
Closes
11 Apr 2027
Days open
141
Annual snow
312in
The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Bolton Valley's summit reaches 3,150 feet, dropping roughly 1,700 vertical feet to a base at 1,447 feet across 71 runs spread over 300 acres near Bolton, Vermont. Terrain splits 38 per cent intermediate, 34 per cent beginner, 22 per cent advanced and 6 per cent expert, with average annual snowfall of roughly 312 inches, among the highest totals in the state. The resort carries Indy Pass affiliation. Six lifts, including two quad chairs and three double chairs, serve the mountain alongside one t-bar.
Bolton Valley holds the distinction of having the highest base elevation of any ski area in Vermont, a genuine advantage for snow reliability that has underpinned the resort's affordable, community-focused identity for nearly six decades. Its extensive night-skiing programme and direct backcountry access from the resort's boundary further distinguish it among Vermont's ski areas.
Ralph DesLauriers and his father Roland purchased land previously used by a logging company in the early 1960s, cutting trails, parking lots and an access road by hand to build what became the last major ski area constructed in the Northeast. Bolton Valley opened on 24 December 1966, and the DesLauriers family owned and operated the resort until financial pressures during a difficult decade for New England skiing led to its sale in 1997.
Following two decades under Red Stone Properties' ownership, Ralph DesLauriers and a small group of investors purchased Bolton Valley back in the spring of 2017, returning the resort to its founding family. Ralph DesLauriers, the resort's legendary founder, passed away in October 2025, though his children continue operating the mountain he built. Adult daily tickets run from 79 to 95 US dollars, with children aged 5 and under skiing free.
1,703ft
Vertical
71
Runs
300 acres
Skiable
312in
Annual snow
Indy
Pass
The Terrain
71 runs across 300 acres skiable
Bolton Valley spreads 71 runs across about 300 acres (121 hectares) in northern Vermont, climbing from a base at 1,450 ft (441 m) to a summit of 3,150 ft (960 m) for a vertical of 1,700 ft (519 m). The mix is friendly: 34% green circle, 38% blue square, 22% black diamond and 6% expert, so mixed-ability groups can ski together without much compromise. Around 312 inches of snow falls in an average winter, helped by a high base. Three double chairs, two quads and a T-bar serve a mountain that is compact enough to learn in a weekend.
Preacher carries some of the steeper pitches, Timberline offers long intermediate cruising, and Sleepy Hollow Woods, Vista Glades and Moose Woods give tree skiers somewhere to go after a storm. Sherman's Pass is a gentle beginner route reached from Vista Peak. Ten lit runs below the Vista Quad open for night skiing from Wednesday to Saturday, and lift-accessed backcountry terrain starts near the Nordic Center, linking with the Catamount Trail. Bolton Valley suits families, intermediates and anyone who wants glades and evening laps close to Burlington.
Terrain split
71
runs
71 runs across 4 grades
Beginner24 runs · 34%
Intermediate27 runs · 38%
Advanced16 runs · 22%
Expert4 runs · 6%
Time it right
When to visit Bolton Valley
The 2025-26 season at Bolton Valley ran from 6 December 2025 to 12 April 2026, a roughly eighteen-week season supported by average annual snowfall of around 312 inches, among the highest totals of any Vermont ski area. This substantial snowfall reflects the resort's genuinely high base elevation, the highest of any Vermont ski area.
Midwinter, from December through February, typically brings the most consistent, deep conditions to Bolton's intermediate-and-beginner-weighted terrain. As an Indy Pass resort, Bolton draws some visiting skiers holding that multi-resort pass alongside its core regional Vermont visitor base drawn to the mountain's affordable, community character and extensive night skiing.
Direct backcountry access from the resort's boundary continues to draw experienced skiers seeking terrain beyond the lift-served trails, a distinctive feature among Vermont's mountains. School holiday periods bring increased family visitation given the resort's substantial beginner and intermediate terrain and free access for children aged 5 and under.
Specific event programming beyond standard operations and night skiing is not confirmed in available resort information. Following founder Ralph DesLauriers' passing in October 2025, his children continue operating Bolton Valley much as the family has since its 1966 founding, aside from a two-decade interlude under Red Stone Properties. This enduring family stewardship remains central to the resort's seasonal identity.
Season 2026 - 2027
21 Nov 2026
Opens
11 Apr 2027
Closes
141
Days open
312 in
Annual snow
The record
Historical snowfall at Bolton Valley
Daily snow reports at Bolton Valley go back to 2025, 2 winters on the books. Open the record to compare winters, lifts and piste.
0 in
Snowiest day
1 Dec 2025
0 in
This winter · 2026-27
so far
0 in
Typical winter
average of complete seasons
Winter totals
in
Past wintersThis winter
Getting there
Getting to Bolton Valley, and where to stay
Bolton Valley sits near Bolton, Vermont, with a base elevation of 1,447 feet and a summit at 3,150 feet across a roughly 1,700-foot vertical drop over 300 acres. This setting gives the resort the highest base elevation of any ski area in Vermont, a genuine advantage for consistent snow conditions.
Bolton and the broader Chittenden County region offer modest local lodging and services within a short drive of the resort. Burlington, Vermont's largest city, lies within a reasonable drive, providing a considerable regional population base and additional visitor amenities.
Interstate 89 provides convenient access to the resort from Burlington and the broader region. Winter driving conditions on the access road climbing to the resort's high base elevation can include significant snow and ice, reflecting the mountain's genuinely elevated setting. There is no direct public transport service to the resort.
Burlington International Airport, within a reasonable drive, is the nearest airport with substantial commercial service, making Bolton Valley accessible for visitors flying into northern Vermont. This combination of highway and air access supports the resort's popularity with both regional and visiting skiers.
Where to stay
Search all stays →Stays map loads when you scroll here
Hotels and lodges near Bolton Valley, powered by Stay22.
Latest News
From the SnowStash desk
Sierra Nevada Halloween Storm: Dodge Ridge Forecast to Lead With 19 Inches
Halloween weekend brings a wet, windy storm to the Sierra Nevada. Our five-day forecast has Dodge Ridge on top with 19 in, followed by Bear Valley at 15 in and Mammoth Mountain at 12 in, with most of it landing on Saturday. A winter weather advisory covers the Tahoe Basin and Mono County until 7 AM Sunday, gusts could reach 47 mph and the freezing level swings between 4,900 and 8,700 ft, so some bases will see rain. A dry spell follows from Monday.
31 Oct 2026
Lake Louise Opens Early on 1 November With Juniper Express and Easy Street
The Rockies get their first lift-served turns of the season early. Lake Louise opens Sunday 1 November, five days ahead of schedule, after a cold October and round-the-clock work from the snowmaking and mountain crews. Terrain is limited to Juniper Express Chair and Easy Street, with two small terrain parks and the beginner area for lessons. Opening-day tickets are over 60% off, with prices rising as more lifts open. First chair is at 9:30 am under the resort’s new lift hours.
31 Oct 2026
Kitzbüheler Horn Summit Cable Car to Be Replaced After 70 Years
A Tyrolean summit lift that has been carrying guests up the Kitzbüheler Horn since 1955 is on borrowed time. Its licence runs to 2045, but a new inspection rule has made refurbishment uneconomic, so Bergbahn AG Kitzbühel will spend around €15 million on a replacement on the same line. It should hold roughly 100 people and keep running in winds that would stop today’s lift. Building starts in autumn 2027, which makes this winter and next summer the last chances to ride the old one.
30 Oct 2026
What’s New in Japan Skiing This Winter: Niseko Gondola, a Private Resort and a Bigger Ikon Pass
Niseko Village is replacing a lift from the early 1980s with an eight-person gondola, Tsugaike gets a six-person chairlift, Madarao joins the Ikon Pass and Togari opens Asia’s first private ski resort. Here’s what is actually new in Japan skiing for 2026/27, plus what is still a year or two away.
30 Oct 2026
Wolf Creek Opens on Halloween Weekend as Colorado’s Early Season Gathers Pace
Colorado’s early-season dominoes keep falling. Arapahoe Basin opened on Wednesday, Keystone follows on Friday, and now Wolf Creek is joining in on Saturday 31 October, just in time for Halloween. A storm on 23 and 24 October left 20 inches of natural snow in the San Juans, and three lifts will turn from 9:00 am, covering about 30% of the mountain. Expect rocks, unmarked obstacles and open water, but also Local Appreciation lift tickets at $73 for adults.
30 Oct 2026
Keystone Resort Opens for 2026/27 With More Than Two Miles of Skiing
Keystone is next. After Arapahoe Basin claimed the first chairlift skiing of the season on Wednesday, Keystone opens on Friday 30 October at 9:00 am with more than two miles of snowmaking-built terrain on Schoolmarm and Silver Spoon, plus free donuts, coffee and a live DJ. Last year the order was reversed, when Keystone squeezed in a three-hour afternoon session to beat A-Basin by a day. Snowmaking has been running since 15 October.
29 Oct 2026
Beaver Creek Installs 16 Automated Snow Guns on Birds of Prey Ahead of Record World Cup
Beaver Creek is getting ready for the biggest Birds of Prey ever, and this time it is not leaving the snow to chance. Crews started making snow on 27 October with 16 newly installed automated guns on the lower third of the course, after last December’s warm spell forced a downhill off the schedule. Seven races across two weekends run from 3 to 13 December, the most the course has hosted since its 1997 debut, and the guns start themselves whenever the weather allows.
29 Oct 2026
Arapahoe Basin Opens First for North America’s 2026/27 Ski Season
Winter has officially started in North America, and it is one blue run long. On Wednesday 28 October, Arapahoe Basin fired up the Black Mountain Express at around 10:30 am after a surprise announcement just hours earlier, becoming the first major North American resort open for 2026/27. Cold nights, a dusting of natural snow and a lot of snowmaking made it happen in the resort’s 80th winter. More terrain is promised as the snow guns keep running.
28 Oct 2026
Bolton Valley Lift System
Bolton Valley runs six lifts: three double chairs and two quad chairs, serving 71 runs across 300 acres near Bolton, alongside one t-bar. This network has grown from the resort's hand-built origins, when Ralph DesLauriers and his father Roland cleared trails, parking areas and an access road themselves on former logging company land in the early 1960s.
That resourceful, do-it-yourself founding approach supported Bolton Valley's December 1966 opening as the last major ski area built anywhere in the Northeast. The double chairs and quad chairs that now serve the mountain have developed considerably from this modest beginning, supporting the resort's genuinely high base elevation and extensive terrain access.
The two quad chairs distribute the bulk of skier traffic across Bolton's intermediate-and-beginner-weighted terrain, while the double chairs and t-bar provide additional capacity across the mountain, supporting an extensive night-skiing programme that extends well into the evening throughout the season.
Following Ralph DesLauriers and a small investor group's 2017 repurchase of the resort from Red Stone Properties, and continued operation by his children since his October 2025 passing, investment has continued to support this six-lift network. Specific recent individual lift replacement projects are not confirmed in available resort information. Bolton Valley's lift infrastructure remains central to its identity as an accessible, family-run Vermont mountain.
6lifts across 3 types
2
Quad Chairs
3
Double Chairs
1
T-Bar
Bolton Valley lift system
Bolton Valley is served by 6 lifts, listed here by type. Check which lifts are turning against the live conditions before you plan your first laps - early lifts and high-speed chairs get you to the best snow fastest.
More Bolton Valley intelligence: trail map, snow report, webcams, resort overview.