The Skiers' Guide to Burke Mountain: Expert Analysis & Reviews

Great views (wish more of the land north and east of the mountain could be preserved as some good chunks of public land for wilderness and hunting access-Vermont doesn't have much public land so it would be great to see some focus on this as the state loses its dairy farms and the fields and woodlots turn into houses). My Burke ski experience has never recovered from the change to the trail system and my favorite trail (Powderhorn) about 20-25 years ago now. I loved how that trail had so much character and made you feel like you were on a journey through the forest-closest thing to a roller coaster ride on the mountain. East Bowl is a fantastic trail experience in this way and even more so in some ways, but snow conditions have to be right so that the ground is well covered but you don't lose too much speed at the bottom and have to use your downhill skis as cross-country skis. I believe that many years ago a skier had a collision with a deer on this trail (I think they recovered though maybe they had a cracked rib) which is very surprising given how few deer there are in Vermont compared to other states. At some point the upper lift was moved and the big hotel was built. I can't blame them for doing that but I miss how much more quaint and "local" the mountain felt before that. It is New England skiing so the snow isn't always the best, but it is one of my favorite mountains ever.

Great local quiet mountain, not much special terrain, great tree runs and a variety of secret trails to find. Park is never great and usually only open a couple months starting in february-march. Great for skinning up, very easy access road and 2 good lifts. The bike park is also amazing.