Though it sounds impossible, Vermonters have been able to keep the 5,000-acre stretch of pristine wilderness that includes Bolton Valley largely to themselves. The resort is the kind of place that hosts local high school ski-team practices, league races composed of corporate types from Burlington, and employees of other northern Vermont ski resorts who’ve called in sick to sneak in a perfect day on the slopes. There’s no gimmick at Bolton; it’s not the state’s biggest resort, and it doesn’t have the most luxurious base area. But it does have what really matters: lots of snow and diverse, exciting trails.

Bolton Valley is an easy place to get to, and an easy place to be. It’s a quick 20-mile trip from the Burlington airport, and the ski resort has a shuttle that will pick you up. Or you can take the train to Waterbury, only ten miles away, with routes to D.C., New York, Albany, and Montreal, where resort shuttles will bus you to the mountain Once there, you’ll find that everything you need—lodging, dining, and off-mountain recreation—is all within walking distance to the base area, completing the laid-back, no-fuss atmosphere.

There’s no “village” to speak of, so this isn’t the place for someone who wants to find a riotous and varied apres-ski scene. But after a long day on runs such as Spillway and Hard Luck, which carves under the Vista Quad chairlift, an evening by the fireplace in the slope-side James Moore Tavern will feel just right. Of course, hardcore skiers will still be out on the slopes come dinnertime—Bolton is known for its night skiing Wednesday through Saturday on 10

Though it sounds impossible, Vermonters have been able to keep the 5,000-acre stretch of pristine wilderness that includes Bolton Valley largely to themselves. The resort is the kind of place that hosts local high school ski-team practices, league races composed of corporate types from Burlington, and employees of other northern Vermont ski resorts who’ve called in sick to sneak in a perfect day on the slopes. There’s no gimmick at Bolton; it’s not the state’s biggest resort, and it doesn’t have the most luxurious base area. But it does have what really matters: lots of snow and diverse, exciting trails.

Bolton Valley is an easy place to get to, and an easy place to be. It’s a quick 20-mile trip from the Burlington airport, and the ski resort has a shuttle that will pick you up. Or you can take the train to Waterbury, only ten miles away, with routes to D.C., New York, Albany, and Montreal, where resort shuttles will bus you to the mountain Once there, you’ll find that everything you need—lodging, dining, and off-mountain recreation—is all within walking distance to the base area, completing the laid-back, no-fuss atmosphere.

There’s no “village” to speak of, so this isn’t the place for someone who wants to find a riotous and varied apres-ski scene. But after a long day on runs such as Spillway and Hard Luck, which carves under the Vista Quad chairlift, an evening by the fireplace in the slope-side James Moore Tavern will feel just right. Of course, hardcore skiers will still be out on the slopes come dinnertime—Bolton is known for its night skiing Wednesday through Saturday on 10 trails. Parents take note: That’s a great way to really tire out the kids.

Bolton Valley’s seeming isolation (which is ironic, given that it’s the closest mountain resort to a commercial airport in the United States) really works to its advantage. Families appreciate the safe, confined nature of the base area. Advanced skiers love the accessible backcountry terrain. And everyone on the slopes can appreciate the breathtaking views of the surrounding wilderness. You’ll get uninterrupted panoramas of Lake Champlain and the Adirondack Mountains from the Vista Quad chair, which, incidentally, accesses a new bowl atop Vista Peak, along with new trails and 20 acres of glade skiing.

Take a day off from downhill skiing and check out the Nordic Center, which has more than 26 miles of trails for skinny skis or snowshoes. If you really need some time off the snow, head to the Sports Center for the pool, hot tub, or sauna. It's all part of living the good life at Bolton Valley.