Route Description

The third annual Bolton to the Barns Backcountry Ski Tour is a Nordic event for backcountry ski enthusiasts. On Saturday, March 10th, skiers will spend a fun day together in the hills of Vermont, helping the VYCC create opportunities for young Vermonters wishing to play an active role in conserving the Vermont landscape. 

The Route

Skiers will have TWO options: the 11-mile “Crew Member” route or the longer, “Crew Leader” route. Both routes will begin at the Bolton Valley Nordic Center and finish at the Monitor Barns. The Crew Member route will be mostly the same as last year while the Crew Leader route will take skiers on a (approximate) 2.5 hour loop on the trails of the Bolton Valley Nordic Center. This additional ski will be for the heartiest of skiers and led by Liz Hollenbach, Bolton Valley Ski Patroller and former Nordic Center Director. 

Skiers doing the longer Crew Leader route will start at 8:00 and those skiing the Crew Member route will start at 10:15. 

On all sections of the trail, skiers will find trail markers indicating the correct direction. To accommodate the wishes of private landowners, we are not publishing a map of the entire route. However, the combination of the descriptions below and the trail markers posted along the way will make route-finding clear—even for those unfamiliar with the route. For those interested in viewing a full-sized elevation profile of the route, click the image at right.

Crew Leader Loop: Exploring the Bolton Trails - ~6 Additional Miles

The Crew Leader Route will include a loop within the Bolton network of cross country and backcountry trails. This loop has several demanding climbs and descents. Skiers undertaking this route should be comfortable skiing narrow chutes on steeper terrain. On this map of Bolton’s Nordic trails, a likely route will have skiers ascend Gardiner’s Lane and Birch Loop trails to where the Birch Loop/Catamount Trails intersect with the Bolton-Trapps trail. Skiers will then descend on the steep and narrow Ravens Wind and George’s Gorge Trails, eventually making their way to Brook Run and Broadway where we’ll join the Crew Member route. Again, the exact route of this additional loop will bedetermined by snow conditions on the day of the event.

Eleven Mile Route: "Crew Members" start with Section One while "Crew Leaders" continue onto this route after their early morning loop.

Section One: Bolton Nordic to the Bolton Access Road - 1.3 miles

Crew Members will also start at the nordic center, heading out on Broadway to Maple Loop before rejoining Broadway and Grand View/Catamount Trail. This route will descend to where the Catamount Trail intersects with the VAST Trail, just below the S-turn on the Bolton Access Road (at the sugarhouse on the west side of the road). Skiers will then cross the Access Road and head west on the VAST Trail. 

Section Two: Bolton Access Road to Bolton Notch Road - 4.3 miles

Leaving the sugarhouse and heading west, skiers will face a long and challenging uphill climb. But, have faith, this is the longest climb of the tour, taking skiers through a beautiful beech and maple forest and eventually climbing a ridge high above the Notch Road. From here, the trail parallels the Notch Road, heading north for several miles on mostly rolling terrain before dropping steeply down the road.

Section Three: Bolton Notch Road to Stage Road - 1.5 miles

After crossing the Notch Road, skiers will be right at the base of the Bolton Cliffs, which loom high above the trail covered in mid-winter snow and ice. After climbing to a saddle, skiers then head north of Preston Pond before descending quickly to Stage Road. This section is the shortest leg of the tour, but we are exploring adding a one-mile loop that takes one up to Libby's lookout.  It's gorgeous up there so stay tuned for an update on this....

Section Four: Stage Road to Snipe Ireland Road - 1.7 miles

Having reached Stage Road, skiers are more than halfway there! This section is a hidden gem within Chittenden County, covering gently rolling terrain around secluded beaver ponds and the occasional meadow. Like all sections, there are a few steep descents where skiers should consider taking off skis if the conditions are too fast for a comfortable descent. 

Section Five: Snipe Ireland Road to the Monitor Barns - 2.2 miles

The home stretch! After crossing Snipe Ireland Road, skiers face the last (and long) uphill climb of the day. Hang in there—the barn awaits and is less than 3 miles away. Once you complete this climb, you will pass through a metal gate marking the boundary of the VYCC property. From here, follow the trail markers down to the welcoming crowd set to cheer you on!