January 15, 2010 E-MAIL PRINT

Burke delivers great runs and smaller crowds

by Tony Chamberlain/

Burke Mountain in northern Vermont is perfect for those who want to escape the crowds. (photo: Steve Legge/Burke Mountain)

Burke Mountain in northern Vermont is perfect for those who want to escape the crowds. (photo: Steve Legge/Burke Mountain)

Experienced skiers and riders know that there are times to head just a little further out, away from the population centers and well worn highways, to find some semblance of solitude on the slopes.

Even though January isn’t a historically busy ski month — compared to what’s coming — after the holiday season people start getting focused on the winter ahead and, without distractions, seriously get into their mountain time.

We all know those hugely popular places that draw crowds partly for their good terrain and excellent snow, but also because skiers and riders like the social life of a Wobbly Barn or Foggy Goggle to hove into at the end of the afternoon.

But for those who like to escape crowds and find something like a wilderness experience, there are other options.

Even though it is home to one of the legendary winter sports schools — Burke Mountain Academy, producer of about 40 Olympic competitors at last count — the mountain it is named for remains wonderfully unspoiled.

Perhaps this is because Burke is in the remote Northeast Kingdom of northern Vermont and seems a little harder to reach than the central tier of the Green Mountains. But like much of New England travel routes, this is illusory. Coming from points south such as Boston, Interstate 93 straight up through Franconia Notch then into Vermont brings one into the Kingdom with surprising ease and decent roads.

Though not a splashy item in the slick mags, for sheer terrain and good snow, Burke stands up very well with the big boys. It surpasses that magic vertical feet number of 2,000, with 250 skiable acres and the very same number of inches in annual average snowfall.

The 45 trails and glades serviced by four lifts — one a high-speed quad — just never seem to get crowded.

Obviously, since the academy started out as owner and developer of Burke, there’s plenty there for the hot shots. The glades can be deep and nasty, the bump runs tortuous, and the cruisers fast and show-offy. Check out Big Dipper and Willoughby if you want it fast and slick.

But the runs I like most are the New England throwbacks such as The Jungle and Dixieland — runs that are true ski trails in the old New England fashion: narrow, twisty with fractured fall lines and big 180 degree switchbacks. These trails never give you breathing room.

Again, because of the “Burkies” (Academy kids) at the area, the terrain parks are said to be sweet. Though I do not personally indulge, several of the Burkies sang their praises in my direction. And yes, they were really flying high off those jumps and pipes.

With new ownership, Burke is also under a development plan that could change the entire patina of the place. So far, it has resulted in a boost in snowmaking to cover 80 percent of the terrain and the upgrade in lifts.

Also, the base lodge has been enlarged and renovated with all the services and amenities, and excellent dining at the Tamarack Grill.

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