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Burke Mountain
Burke, Vermont
| Overview |
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Burke Mountain: East Bowl | High Speed Summit Quad | Sherburne Area | West Bowl
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| Sherburne Area - 1978 - Open |
The Sherburne Area (2011) |
With Interstate 91 recently being constructed through the Burke area, the owners decided to expand downward with the new Shelburne complex. Composed of novice terrain, the complex was served by a new 3,997 foot long by 605 foot vertical Hall double chairlift, starting from a new base lodge and terminating a bit uphill from the Willoughby double chairlift.
With the new complex, Burke was able to cross the 2,000 vertical foot threshold.
Years later, on the front end of a large proposed development, some towers from the Sherburne Double were used to construct a new 2005 Leitner-Poma detachable quad, Burke's first high speed chairlift.
The 2010 Burke trail map showing the Sherburne complex
Construction of the bottom terminal of the Sherburne Express Quad (2005)
The bottom terminal of the Sherburne Express Quad (2011)
The top terminal of the Sherburne Express Quad (2011)
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| East Bowl - Open |
The Willoughby Quad (2011) |
Though the East Bowl trail was cut decades ago, the area it encompasses has long been proposed for further expansion. As it stands now, the trail features a long run out to the main mountain.
One potential plan for the East Bowl would be to move the existing Willoughby Quad to the complex and cut additional trails. It is not known when this project would happen, however with the completion of the Sherburne area reconstruction and the pending installation of a summit detachable quad, it may soon be on the horizon.
The proposed East Bowl development in the 1993 Burke trail map
The East Bowl in a 2008 development map
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| Mid Burke Express Quad - Open |
Looking down the proposed lift line (2011) |
As part of Burke's massive expansion plan, a high speed detachable chairlift has been planned to complement the new Sherburne Express Quad.
In the spring of 2011, the State of Vermont approved plans for a 6,200 foot long high speed chairlift. The approved plans included a slightly different lift alignment, starting below the Mid Burke Lodge and passing just to the west of it (whereas an earlier proposal had the lodge removed and the lift going through the space). The top terminal of the lift is to be located a bit above the Willoughby Quad.
In April of 2011, reports emerged that Burke had purchased the North Peak Express quad chairlift from defunct Ascutney ski area for $1.55 million. Burke announced in July of 2011 that it would not purchase the Ascutney chairlift.
In September of 2011, Burke formally announced it would be installing a new Poma-Leitner high speed quad, called the Mid Burke Express, for the 2011-2012 season. The lift opened on December 24, 2011.
A map of the bottom of the proposed summit detachable quad (2011)
A map of the top of the proposed summit detachable quad (2011)
Looking up the proposed lift line (May 2011)
Looking up the proposed lift line (July 2011)
Bolt cage assemblies for tower footings (July 2011)
The proposed top terminal area of the lift (July 2011)
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| West Bowl - Proposed |
The proposed West Bowl area on the 1993 Burke trail map |
For multiple decades, there has been talk about expanding Burke westward to the slopes of West Peak. Known as the West Bowl, the proposed expansion was displayed on some 1990s Burke trail maps, calling for two lifts and multiple trails. The land leased for the potential expansion is part of Darling State Forest.
The West Bowl has not been included in recent proposal maps, so it is unknown when or if it will be developed. Some of the terrain is skied today via the Red hiking trail and fire road.
The West Bowl area as seen from the Sherburne parking lot (2011)
Open hardwoods in the West Bowl area (2011)
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| Resources |
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Burke Mountain - NewEnglandSkiHistory.com
Burke Mountain - official site
Burke Mountain - FranklinSites.com Hiking Guide
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| Feedback |
Do you have any additional information about Burke Mountain?
Last updated: January 8, 2012
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