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Spillway (2015)
Bolton Valley
Bolton Valley, Vermont
Status: Open
First Season:1966-67
Vertical Drop:1704 feet
Standing Lifts:2 quads, 3 doubles, surface lift
Past Lifts:1 double
Left: Spillway (2015)
Recent NewEnglandSkiIndustry.com News:
4/14/2017: Bolton Valley Sold to Founders
SkiNewEngland.net Profile
Located southeast of Burlington, Bolton Valley is the newest ski resort in Vermont.

Early Skiing in Bolton Valley

Lift served skiing in Bolton Valley almost commenced in the 1940s, when Edward Bryant attempted to get funding for construction of a base lodge and rope tow. While he had been successful in cutting nordic trails in Bolton Valley starting in the 1920s, he was not able to gain financing for an alpine area. As a result, the area remained quiet from a recreational standpoint, dominated by logging.

A Mega Resort

Mid 1960s Bolton Valley development map
Mid 1960s Bolton Valley development map

Things began to change circa 1963, when Roland DesLauriers sold farmland and used the proceeds to purchase 8,000 acres of Bolton Valley land from Plant and Griffith Lumber Company, Inc., reportedly for $45 per acre. DesLauriers and his son Ralph formed the Bolton Valley Corporation in 1965 and began developing ski trails. E. H. Lord-Wood Associates was hired to develop plans for the resort.

An aggressive development plan was released, stating "our objective in the valley below Bolton Mountain is to create an environment where people may do the things they enjoy, whether it be skiing, hiking and climbing, fishing, riding, tennis, swimming or simply sitting in the shade with a glass of wine, watching." Ski trails were designed so that "the brute force of the earth mover is never apparent." Parking lots were to have "tree belts in them so they don't become seas of steel." Architecture was to "create a happy marriage of land and man-made structure, one serving the other."

At full build out, the resort would have featured 75 miles of ski trails spanning over 3,100 vertical feet from the 3,720 summit of Bolton Mountain to Interstate 89. 14 chairlifts would have served the ski area, tying together five base areas. Lift served peaks would have included Stimson Mountain, Bone Mountain, Woodward Mountain, Ricker Mountain, and Bolton Mountain, the latter of which was considered for an aerial tramway. A golf course was planned for the lowest base area, adjacent to Interstate 89.

Initial plans called for 3 chairlifts to be constructed for the 1966-67 season, each climbing at least 1,000 vertical feet, the centerpiece being Ricker Mountain. Though the 1966 opening would be a reality, the lift and trail plans were scaled back.

Bolton Valley Opens

Bolton Valley in the late 1960s
Bolton Valley in the late 1960s

Debuting on Christmas Eve of 1966, Bolton Valley initially featured three Hall double chairlifts serving 9 trails and 3 slopes spanning 963 vertical feet. Adding to the resort atmosphere was night skiing and a hotel that could sleep 144 people.

For its second season, improvements included new glades, a heated pool, and a skating rink.

Bolton Valley's first sizable expansion took place for the 1969-70 season, when the new Vista Peak complex debuted.

Unfortunately for Bolton Valley, funds began to run low. In order to obtain more working capital, DesLauriers sold 1,000 acres to a lumber company in the winter of 1971-72.

The Mid Mountain Double circa the late 1970s/early 1980s
The Mid Mountain Double circa the late 1970s/early 1980s

While additional base area investments were made over the course of the next decade (such as an expansion of the hotel circa 1973 and the construction of the Sports and Conference Center in 1983), growth slowed until the mid 1980s.

Timberline Opens

$5.3 million was invested for the 1986-87 season, including the development of the new Timberline complex. Capitalizing on the abilities of Ralph's extreme skiing sons Rob and Eric, Bolton also worked to cater to advanced skiers by opening the double diamond Devil's Playground in 1990 and offering clinics with members of the North Face Extreme Team.

Unfortunately for the DesLauriers, debt and back taxes started to grow. The company reportedly filed for bankruptcy protection near the end of the 1994-1995 ski season, initially hanging on for a few more years.

Citing $2.8 million in debt, Lyndonville Savings Bank & Trust foreclosed in April 1997, ending the DesLauriers ownership era. By this point, the base facilities had been sold to a different owner and there wasn't much interest in purchasing 5,300 remaining acres of land and ski infrastructure.

Bolt'n and Closure

In August of 1997, 27 year old Mason Dwinell entered into a purchase agreement with Lyndonville Savings Bank & Trust for $2.5 million. Backed by his parents and grandparents, Dwinell quickly ran into trouble stemming from the bankruptcy, as he could not negotiate a lease to use the base facilities, nor get permission to use the name Bolton Valley. As a result, day skiers reportedly had to boot up in the parking lot or hotel facilities and the ski area was called Bolt'n. Bolt't closed for the season early and Dwinell backed out of the purchase agreement on July 31, 1998.

On December 28, 1998, Bolton Valley Holiday Resort, Inc. was registered as a Vermont corporation by Peter Glenn Ski Shops owner Ned Hamilton. The new company purchased Bolton Valley on December 31, 1998 for $2.3 million.

Bolton Valley Reopens

The Mid-Mountain Double (2002)
The Mid-Mountain Double (2002)

While Bolton Valley did not operate during the 1998-99 season, the new ownership reportedly poured $2.5 million into the area and secured a 50 year lease of the base lodge and sports center. The area reopened for the 1999-2000 season.

Financial trouble struck again, as the area filed for bankruptcy in December of 2001. While it was able to operate during the 2001-02 season, legal pressure was applied to find a new owner.

In November of 2002, former Stratton President and Waterville Valley General Manager Bob Fries formed Mountain Operations and Development and secured a lease to operate the ski area, eventually purchasing the 700 acre ski area tract.

Doug Nedde and Larry Williams of the Redstone Commercial Group joined the ownership group in June of 2004, initially holding 3,000 acres of land. Meanwhile, the Green Mountain Club and State of Vermont acquired about 1,000 Bolton Valley acres.

Vista Peak Rebuilt


In 2005, Bolton Valley was able to secure a Federal loan for the installation of a new quad chairlift on Vista Peak. Some terrain was re-worked to optimize skiing off the new lift.

Following the 2006-07 season, Doug Nedde and Larry Williams announced they had purchased Bob Fries' share in Bolton Valley, making them the sole owners.

In late 2009, a 121 foot tall wind turbine was installed on Vista Peak, making Bolton Valley the first ski area in Vermont to generate wind power on site.

In late 2010, owners Doug Nedde and Larry Williams announced the ski area was for sale. Nedde formed Nedde Real Estate in March 2012, leaving Redstone Commercial Group in March of 2013. Bolton Valley continues to be owned by the pair.

During the winter of 2011-12, word surfaced that Bolton Valley would be selling 1,161 acres of land to a private owner, resulting in the closure of many nordic ski trails. A local campaign was started to purchase the land, resulting in a $1.85 million fundraiser by the Vermont Land Trust. The land transfer was formally completed on June 13, 2013.

On April 14, 2017, Bolton Valley announced it had been acquired by a group of investors, including the DesLauriers family. By this point, the property spanned 700 acres.

NewEnglandSkiConditions.com Reports
Month Average Percent of Terrain Open
December68%    (2 reports)68 Open
January53%    (5 reports)53 Open
February89%    (6 reports)89 Open
March86%    (5 reports)86 Open
April87%    (2 reports)87 Open
Recent Conditions Reports
Mar. 17, 2024 by skiit
Packed Powder, Variable Conditions
Mar. 16, 2024 by skiit
Packed Powder, Variable Conditions
Feb. 24, 2024 by beccam
Frozen Granular, Ice
Feb. 17, 2024 by rocket21
Powder, Packed Powder
Jan. 25, 2024 by nordicgal
Wet Powder, Variable Conditions
Bolton Valley on NewEnglandSkiConditions.com


NewEnglandSkiIndustry.com News
Recent Articles
Bolton Valley Sold to Founders - Apr. 14, 2017
Bolton Valley NewEnglandSkiIndustry.com News Page


Expansion History
Project
Season
Bone Mountain
Cancelled
1960s
Woodward Mountain
Cancelled
1960s
Stimson Mountain
Cancelled
1960s
Ricker Mountain
Cancelled
1960s
Bolton Mountain
Cancelled
1960s
Vista Peak
Open
1969-70
Timberline Peak
Open
1987-88


Image Gallery
1966-67 Eastern Ski Map1967-68 Eastern Ski Map1995-96 Ski AmericaBolton Valley Aerial Imagery, 1996 vs. 2012
View All Images in Bolton Valley Image Gallery


Lifts
Click on lift name for information and photos
Standing Lifts
Installed
Mid Mountain Double in 2002
Mid-Mountain Lift
Hall
Chairlift - Double - Fixed
1966-67
Snowflake Double in 2002
Snowflake Lift
Hall
Chairlift - Double - Fixed
1966-67
The bottom terminal (2015)
Timberline Quad
Doppelmayr
Chairlift - Quad - Fixed
1986-87
Vista Quad in 2006
Vista Quad
Doppelmayr-CTEC
Chairlift - Quad - Fixed
2005-06
The bottom terminal (2015)
Wilderness Lift
Hall
Chairlift - Double - Fixed
1966-67

Past Lifts
Seasons
The Vista Double circa the late 1970s or early 1980s
Vista Lift
Poma
Chairlift - Double - Fixed
1969-70
-
2004-05


Maps
2023-24 Bolton Valley Trail Map
Mid 1960s Bolton Valley Development Map1967-68 Bolton Valley Trail Map1969-70 Bolton Valley Trail Map1973-74 Bolton Valley trail map1981-82 Bolton Valley Trail Map1984-85 Bolton Valley Trail Map
View All Bolton Valley Trail Maps

Year by Year History
Adult Weekend Full Day Lift Ticket; Adult Full Price Unlimited Season Pass
2020s Ticket Price Season Pass Price
Pass Payback
Opening Day
Closing Day
Skier Visits
2023-24$94.002023-24 Ticket Price Graph$952.942023-24 Season Pass Price Graph10.1 daysNovember 242023-24 Skier Visit Graph
2022-23$94.002022-23 Ticket Price Graph$952.942022-23 Season Pass Price Graph10.1 daysNovember 25April 92022-23 Skier Visit Graph
2021-22$94.002021-22 Ticket Price Graph$952.942021-22 Season Pass Price Graph10.1 daysDecember 4April 32021-22 Skier Visit Graph
2020-21$94.002020-21 Ticket Price Graph2020-21 Season Pass Price GraphDecember 11April 42020-21 Skier Visit Graph
2019-20$80.002019-20 Ticket Price Graph$719.742019-20 Season Pass Price Graph9.0 daysNovember 29March 152019-20 Skier Visit Graph
2010s Ticket Price Season Pass Price
Pass Payback
Opening Day
Closing Day
Skier Visits
2018-19$79.002018-19 Ticket Price Graph$740.942018-19 Season Pass Price Graph9.4 daysNovember 24April 72018-19 Skier Visit Graph
2017-18$74.002017-18 Ticket Price Graph$687.942017-18 Season Pass Price Graph9.3 daysDecember 8April 142017-18 Skier Visit Graph
2016-17$69.002016-17 Ticket Price Graph$687.942016-17 Season Pass Price Graph10.0 daysDecember 9April 92016-17 Skier Visit Graph
2015-16$69.002015-16 Ticket Price Graph$687.942015-16 Season Pass Price Graph10.0 daysDecember 31March 202015-16 Skier Visit Graph
2014-15$69.002014-15 Ticket Price Graph$677.342014-15 Season Pass Price Graph9.8 daysDecember 12April 122014-15 Skier Visit Graph
2013-14$69.002013-14 Ticket Price Graph2013-14 Season Pass Price GraphDecember 13April 62013-14 Skier Visit Graph
2012-13$66.002012-13 Ticket Price Graph$666.742012-13 Season Pass Price Graph10.1 daysDecember 15April 72012-13 Skier Visit Graph
2011-12$64.002011-12 Ticket Price Graph$634.942011-12 Season Pass Price Graph9.9 daysDecember 10March 242011-12 Skier Visit Graph
2010-11$59.002010-11 Ticket Price Graph$581.942010-11 Season Pass Price Graph9.9 daysDecember 10April 102010-11 Skier Visit Graph
2009-10$59.002009-10 Ticket Price Graph$592.542009-10 Season Pass Price Graph10.0 daysDecember 11April 42009-10 Skier Visit Graph
2000s Ticket Price Season Pass Price
Pass Payback
Opening Day
Closing Day
Skier Visits
2008-09$59.002008-09 Ticket Price Graph$634.942008-09 Season Pass Price Graph10.8 days2008-09 Skier Visit Graph
2007-08$55.002007-08 Ticket Price Graph$634.942007-08 Season Pass Price Graph11.5 daysApril 62007-08 Skier Visit Graph
2006-07$52.002006-07 Ticket Price Graph$634.942006-07 Season Pass Price Graph12.2 daysApril 82006-07 Skier Visit Graph
2005-06$49.002005-06 Ticket Price Graph$528.942005-06 Season Pass Price Graph10.8 daysNovember 252005-06 Skier Visit Graph
2004-05$48.002004-05 Ticket Price Graph$486.542004-05 Season Pass Price Graph10.1 daysApril 32004-05 Skier Visit Graph
2003-04$49.002003-04 Ticket Price Graph$528.942003-04 Season Pass Price Graph10.8 daysApril 4160,0002003-04 Skier Visit Graph
2002-032002-03 Ticket Price Graph$418.952002-03 Season Pass Price Graph2002-03 Skier Visit Graph
2001-02$44.002001-02 Ticket Price Graph$576.452001-02 Season Pass Price Graph13.1 days2001-02 Skier Visit Graph
2000-01$39.002000-01 Ticket Price Graph$586.952000-01 Season Pass Price Graph15.1 days2000-01 Skier Visit Graph
1999-00$39.001999-00 Ticket Price Graph$499.001999-00 Season Pass Price Graph12.8 daysDecember 41999-00 Skier Visit Graph
1990s Ticket Price Season Pass Price
Pass Payback
Opening Day
Closing Day
Skier Visits
1997-98$38.001997-98 Ticket Price Graph$375.001997-98 Season Pass Price Graph9.9 days1997-98 Skier Visit Graph
1996-97$35.001996-97 Ticket Price Graph1996-97 Season Pass Price Graph1996-97 Skier Visit Graph
1995-96$37.001995-96 Ticket Price Graph1995-96 Season Pass Price Graph1995-96 Skier Visit Graph
1994-951994-95 Ticket Price Graph1994-95 Season Pass Price GraphApril 161994-95 Skier Visit Graph
1992-93$30.001992-93 Ticket Price Graph1992-93 Season Pass Price Graph1992-93 Skier Visit Graph
1991-92$34.001991-92 Ticket Price Graph1991-92 Season Pass Price Graph1991-92 Skier Visit Graph
1990-91$33.001990-91 Ticket Price Graph1990-91 Season Pass Price Graph1990-91 Skier Visit Graph
1989-90$33.001989-90 Ticket Price Graph1989-90 Season Pass Price GraphNovember 221989-90 Skier Visit Graph
1980s Ticket Price Season Pass Price
Pass Payback
Opening Day
Closing Day
Skier Visits
1988-89$30.001988-89 Ticket Price Graph1988-89 Season Pass Price GraphNovember 241988-89 Skier Visit Graph
1987-88$28.001987-88 Ticket Price Graph1987-88 Season Pass Price Graph1987-88 Skier Visit Graph
1985-86$24.001985-86 Ticket Price Graph1985-86 Season Pass Price Graph1985-86 Skier Visit Graph
1984-85$22.001984-85 Ticket Price Graph$310.001984-85 Season Pass Price Graph14.1 daysNovember 231984-85 Skier Visit Graph
1983-84$21.001983-84 Ticket Price Graph$310.001983-84 Season Pass Price Graph14.8 days1983-84 Skier Visit Graph
1982-83$20.001982-83 Ticket Price Graph$295.001982-83 Season Pass Price Graph14.8 days1982-83 Skier Visit Graph
1981-82$18.001981-82 Ticket Price Graph1981-82 Season Pass Price GraphNovember 261981-82 Skier Visit Graph
1980-81$16.001980-81 Ticket Price Graph1980-81 Season Pass Price Graph1980-81 Skier Visit Graph
1979-801979-80 Ticket Price Graph1979-80 Season Pass Price GraphDecember 171979-80 Skier Visit Graph
1970s Ticket Price Season Pass Price
Pass Payback
Opening Day
Closing Day
Skier Visits
1978-79$12.501978-79 Ticket Price Graph1978-79 Season Pass Price Graph1978-79 Skier Visit Graph
1977-78$11.001977-78 Ticket Price Graph1977-78 Season Pass Price Graph1977-78 Skier Visit Graph
1976-77$10.001976-77 Ticket Price Graph1976-77 Season Pass Price Graph1976-77 Skier Visit Graph
1975-76$9.001975-76 Ticket Price Graph1975-76 Season Pass Price Graph1975-76 Skier Visit Graph
1974-75$8.001974-75 Ticket Price Graph1974-75 Season Pass Price Graph1974-75 Skier Visit Graph
1973-74$8.001973-74 Ticket Price Graph1973-74 Season Pass Price Graph1973-74 Skier Visit Graph
1972-73$8.001972-73 Ticket Price Graph1972-73 Season Pass Price Graph1972-73 Skier Visit Graph
1970-711970-71 Ticket Price Graph1970-71 Season Pass Price GraphNovember 261970-71 Skier Visit Graph
1969-70$7.501969-70 Ticket Price Graph1969-70 Season Pass Price Graph1969-70 Skier Visit Graph
1960s Ticket Price Season Pass Price
Pass Payback
Opening Day
Closing Day
Skier Visits
1968-69$7.001968-69 Ticket Price Graph1968-69 Season Pass Price Graph1968-69 Skier Visit Graph
1967-68$6.501967-68 Ticket Price Graph1967-68 Season Pass Price Graph1967-68 Skier Visit Graph
1966-671966-67 Ticket Price Graph1966-67 Season Pass Price GraphDecember 241966-67 Skier Visit Graph


Visitor Memories
""God gives all men all Earth to love, But, since Man’s heart is small, Ordains for each one spot shall prove beloved over all." Rudyard Kipling This pretty much sums up my feelings about Bolton Valley Resort. Although I have lived in other places, and held season passes at other resorts, there is only one that I can call my home. I am forever indebted to the original owners for giving me my first job in the ski industry, and that changed my life. "
Michael Nixon, Sep. 2, 2022
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External Links
  • Bolton Valley - official site
  • Last updated: December 4, 2018

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