Bolton Valley
Encyclopedia
Bolton Valley is a mid-sized ski
area in northern Vermont
in the United States
.
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.
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.
Bolton Valley is currently seeking investors.
and Jay Peak
offer a joint discount season pass to area college students.
Bolton Valley is now owned by Tom Wallish
, 35 kilometres (35,000 m) of which are groomed.
, 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.
Skiing
Skiing is a recreational activity using skis as equipment for traveling over snow. Skis are used in conjunction with boots that connect to the ski with use of a binding....
area in northern Vermont
Vermont
Vermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd in land area, , and 45th in total area. Its population according to the 2010 census, 630,337, is the second smallest in the country, larger only than Wyoming. It is the only New England...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
History
The resort was founded in 1966 by Ralph DesLauriers and his father. Bolton thrived for many years as a family-friendly resortResort
A resort is a place used for relaxation or recreation, attracting visitors for holidays or vacations. Resorts are places, towns or sometimes commercial establishment operated by a single company....
and spawned two famous skiers, Rob
Rob Deslauriers
Rob DesLauriers is one of the originators of extreme skiing.-Biography:DesLauriers began skiing at the age of two. His parents owned Bolton Valley Ski Resort in Vermont, which gave the young man and his brother Eric the opportunity to ski almost every day...
and Eric
Eric Deslauriers
Éric Deslauriers is a professional Canadian football slotback for the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League. He played college football at Eastern Michigan University....
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.
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.
Bolton Valley is currently seeking investors.
Bolton Valley Now
Bolton Valley has 2 quads, 3 doubles and 1 surface lift. Ski and Snowboard Rentals and Lessons are readily available in the base lodge. There are also After School Programs which provide the students of participating schools very low rates on lift tickets and lessons. Bolton Valley, Mad River GlenMad River Glen
Mad River Glen is a ski area in Fayston, Vermont. Its terrain has been ranked by SKI magazine as the most challenging on the east coast of the United States. Located within the Green Mountain range, it sits in the Mad River Valley, close to the larger Sugarbush Resort...
and Jay Peak
Jay Peak
Jay Peak Resort is an American ski resort located on Jay Peak, outside the village of Jay in the town of Jay, Vermont in the Green Mountains. Its vertical drop of is the eighth largest in New England and the fifth largest in Vermont....
offer a joint discount season pass to area college students.
Statistics
- Vertical drop: 1704 ft (519.4 m)
- Trails: 71 trails
- Skiable area: 165 acres (668,000 m²)
- Lifts: 2 quads, 3 doubles, 1 rope tow
Bolton Valley is now owned by Tom Wallish
Nordic Skiing
Bolton Valley has 100 kilometres (100,000 m) of nordic skiingNordic skiing
Nordic skiing is a winter sport that encompasses all types of skiing where the heel of the boot cannot be fixed to the ski, as opposed to Alpine skiing....
, 35 kilometres (35,000 m) of which are groomed.
Wind Turbine
In 2009, Bolton Valley installed a Northwind 100 wind turbineWind turbine
A wind turbine is a device that converts kinetic energy from the wind into mechanical energy. If the mechanical energy is used to produce electricity, the device may be called a wind generator or wind charger. If the mechanical energy is used to drive machinery, such as for grinding grain or...
, which was made by Northern Power Systems
Northern Power Systems
Northern Power Systems is an electrical engineering company that designs and manufactures small-scale wind turbines. The company was founded in 1974, and has since grown into a multinational corporation headquartered in Barre, Vermont, with operations on three different...
. The turbine was projected to produce 300,000 kilowatt hours of electricity. It is located near the top of the Vista Quad chairlift.