“Ski It, Ride It, Love It”
Christina Johnson
“Ski It, Ride It, Love It”
A resort that once was lost but now is found!
Bolton Valley in Vermont was established in 1966 by dairy farmer Ralph DesLauries and his father. The family sold their farm to embark on a project to create family friendly ski resort. Upon the resort opening, it had 3 chair lifts that brought skiers to only a handful of trails. The resort thrived for many years until the mid 90’s when it began to struggle financially after being rotated through multiple owners.
The resort was sold in 1997 to a 27 year old college graduate, Mason Dwinnel, who renamed the resort Bolt’N and made the logo a lightening bolt. He was immediately buried under the estimated $5 million in debt and was forced to give up possession of the resort in 1998. As a result, Bolton Valley did not open for the 1998-1999 leaving many skeptic that the resort would ever open again. That didn’t stop the die hard skiers and riders from hiking up the mountain and skiing or riding down.
Near the end of 1998, Bolton Valley was bought by an investment group that poured millions of dollars into the resort and even restored it’s original name. The resort reopened for the 1999-2000 season. Things seemed to be looking up until a tourism slump that caused the resort to file for bankruptcy. Season pass holders were threatened of the possibility of Bolton Valley not opening for the 2002-2003 season. Their fears were relieved when a man by the name of Bob Fries purchased the resort and allowed for Bolton Valley to be open in time.
Under the ownership of Bob Fries, Bolton Valley stabilized. With the stabilization came the building of a terrain park and half pipe for the 2003-2004 season. Along with those changes, Bob Fries and local land developers maintained and upgraded many aspects of the mountain that created a buzz that the resort was there to stay. In 2007, Bob Fries sold the resort, making Bolton Valley 100% locally owned.
Bolton Valley has big mountain skiing with a small mountain feel. Bolton Valley has 64 trails, a variety of gladed areas, three terrain parks, and one of the states only Burton Progression Parks. There are 17 novice trails, 30 intermediate trails, and 17 advanced trails. The mountain now has 6 lifts, including two quads and three doubles. 2 SMI Pole Cat and Guns were bought and dedicated to the terrain parks during the 2008-2009 season. Bolton Valley also purchased a new Prinoth Bison snow groomer during the same season.
Off the mountain, the upgrades were just as intense. Their were new tables and seating placed in the lodge as well as all new equipment in the rental shops. Their were new hotels being built at the time with all the amenities anyone could ask for.
The mountain also started to work with Burton by launching the first “Chill” program approximately a decade ago to help underprivileged youth through snowboarding. The resort also implemented a Learn To Ride program, including one of a handful of clinics & lessons aimed specifically at women.
Last season, Bolton Valley hooked up with the Vermont Adaptive to provide access to skiing and riding to individuals with disabilities. The programs offered are inclusive to friends and family so all can learn together. To learn more, check out http://www.vermontadaptive.org
Through the ups and downs of financial struggle, it is safe to say that Bolton Valley is here to stay. Located in Northern Vermont, it’s worth checking out!
Sources/More information:
http://www.boltonvalley.com
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bolton_Valley
Google Timeline
http://NYTimes.com
http://thechamplainchannel.com
http://USAToday.com
Posted by Christina Johnson on 06/11
