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Burlington, Vermont/Burlington VT and Skiing!
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Question
i want to take my family skiing in February. Burlington will allow me to use my Marriott points. I want to know what the closest big ski mountains are. Also want to know what there is to do at night in Burlington. I am familiar with Lake Placid which is a vibrant village at night even in the winter. Want to be able to walk around and enjoy restaurants and shops. Thanks for your time
Hi Jeff -
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The closest ski area to Burlington is Bolton Valley. It has the highest base elevation in the state so the snow is pretty reliable. It's big enough to spend 2 or 3 days at without it boring any member of a skiing family, regardless of ability and interest, I think. It has a reputation as a very good area for locals, kids, and school groups. There are two seperate base areas, and plenty of skiing for folks at all skill levels. Lifts are good, - a mix of high speed and fixed grip - with a recently added high speed chair taking skiers from the main base area to the highest summit. I skied there a lot as a kid, and ski instructed there very happily for a couple of years. Another somewhat similar area is Smugglers Notch, which has gotten particularly good reviews for it's childrens ski school over the years. While all of the areas have very good ski schools and childrens programs, you may want to give Smugglers a closer look if you'll have kids in lessons/programs for significant parts of the trip.
By driving just a bit farther (one hour in each case) you can get to either Sugarbush or Stowe, by going through Waterbury. Both of these areas I'd describe as World Class, (at least by East Coast standards) and quite storied as well, offering both excellent new amenities at the base areas, as well as very good lift systems. You'll pay a bit more for lift tickets at both of these areas, as you'd expect. They are both enormous, (having taught skiing part time at Sugarbush for 17 years, there are still a few trails I never got to - and Stowe is similarly large) and both offer premium grooming and snowmaking, as well as spectacular views - particularly if you know where to go*
The focus of your nightlife will likely be The Church Street Marketplace in Burlington. It's a charming pedestrian main street lined with shops and restaurants. Just park in one of the city-owned parking garages (free for the first 2 hours, inexpensive afterwards) and enjoy the pretty and compact downtown area. It's even within walking distance to stroll to Lake Champlain weather permitting. In any case, give the Waterfront park at least a drive-by on your way in our out. There are even some nice restaurants right down in the lakefront area, as well as a spectacular childrens lake/science museum called The E.c.h.o. Center.
Since there are so many good restaurants in Burlington, I'd suggest looking at Seven Nights either online and/or in print to see menus and get some ideas. www.7dvt.com
There's a nice little movie theatre right downtown, too, and you might even check www.flynncenter.org to see if anything interesting coincides with your trip. Burlington's quite a music and performing arts town.
*Please don't hesitate to let me know if after settling on a ski area you'd like some more specific recommendations about favorite trails, views or restaurants for the specific interests of family members...
Have fun!
David Beckett
david (at) askdavidbeckett.com
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David Beckett
Expertise
I`ve lived in the Burlington area since 1961. I can answer questions about the Greater Burlington area, The Burlington music and performing arts scene, Vermont, Chittenden County, Burlington Discover Jazz Festival (I sit on the board), Real Estate (I`ve been a Realtor since 1988 and a Certified Buyer Representative since 1995), Skiing (I grew up skiing and have taught skiing professionally since 1986).
Experience
I can email comprehensive custom MLS listing data sheets with multiple photographs and information. These can be followed up with automatic email notification of New listings within specified criteria. Numerous written references from Real Estate Clients and Relocation packages provided upon request.
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