As you drive down route 2 and turn up the Bolton Valley access road, you’ll start to see a glimpse of leaves already changing colors. The yellow and reds are beginning to pop through the sea of green that consumes the green mountains surrounding Bolton Valley. 

As September and October begin to close upon us, the idea of taking a scenic chair lift ride to the top of a peak becomes more and more enticing. Who wouldn’t want to see a sea of green slowly morphing into a rainbow of fall colors? Around here at Bolton Valley, that view is much loved by everyone who has gotten the chance to view it from Vista Peak. 

However, this year is a little different; instead of having to hike/bike up and down in the past, you may now take a lift ride up to the top of Vista Peak to view the trees filled with colors while overlooking Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks. 

To me, that sounds like a pretty amazing way for everyone to come and view the leaves changing. This September, we are running our lifts on Friday through Sunday from 10 am – 5 pm. Tickets are $20 for Adults & just $10 for folks 17 & underfor a lift up and down. Lift riders must have closed toe and heeled shoes, as well as there is no age limit, but a child must be able to sit still for 15 minutes next to an adult. 

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This hike is easy to follow and well marked. It uses blue trailblazers, which start right by Vista Lift. The beginning has a gradual pitch up to the top of the Snowflake lift but then levels out for most of the hike. Once you reach the top of the Snowflake lift, head towards Timberline by walking down Timberline Lane, then walk across Sure Shot, Upper Tattle Tale, and Lost Boyz. Once you reach Brandy wine, there will be a pitch down, and you venture up Woods Hole. From there, follow the path up to the right, and you’ll come upon Timberline Mid-Station. 

There are a few different places to grab trail maps around the resort. There are two boxes with hiking maps in them, located right next to the sidewalk walking up from the parking lot towards the base lodge, and also one located on the left walking up to the Vista Lift. The other places you can grab hiking maps are the base lodge, and the ticket cube.

The view from Timberline Mid-Station has a stunning view of showtime and the steep pitch it offers as a ski slope, the lift as it descends the mountain, trees surrounding on every side, and Champlain Lake off in the distance. 

This hike is doable for most family members as the pitches are few and far, but some areas are steeper. It’s also one of the hikes that dogs are allowed to accompany their owners on. What more could you ask for from a hike? With only a handful of pitches, gorgeous views, dog-friendly hike, I’m not sure if it gets better than that.

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Hey, It’s Andrew from the BV marketing squad!   While winter is undoubtedly my favorite season at Bolton Valley (duhh), I’ve been slowly but surely falling in love with summer up on the hill.  More specifically, Bolton Valley has become one of my new favorite hiking spots in the Green Mountains.

If you’re like me and you’ve been living in Northern VT for a while, chances are you’ve hiked Camels Hump, Mansfield, Philo, etc more than a couple times.  Ive found hiking at Bolton Valley to be a breath of fresh air for my summertime explorations.  Also, having a base elevation of 2000’ is a huge plus!  While I haven’t personally found any scientific evidence to back this up, I have definitely encountered far less ticks at elevation than when I have hiked at sea level.

Another awesome part about hiking at Bolton Valley is the close proximity to both the greater Burlington and Montpelier areas.  It takes me just over 30 minutes to get from Winooski to Bolton, which gives me more time to hike.  This leads to me getting outside on more days, which is awesome!  

Something else that’s been really cool for me is seeing the trails in a completely different light.  For the past several years, most of my exploring around BV has been done in the wintertime.  As I’ve spent more time up here, I’ve become quite familiar with some of the trails.  It’s awesome to see a rock drop that I’ve hit plenty of times on my snowboard covered in ferns and glistening in the summer twilight.  I’m always dreaming up new wintertime lines no matter what season it is!

It really is amazing how lucky we are to live in such a beautiful area, and one of my favorite places to take it all in the Fire Tower at the top of Vista Peak. If you’e never heard of the fire tower I feel like this picture should tell you everything you need to know….  

And it’s no secret!  Check out this map HERE for the exact route, and you’ll be up there in no time!

We like to say that there’s a little something for everyone at BV, and I believe that this holds true for the summer and winter.  Whether you want a quick walk on the work road, a long hike from peak to peak, or even a nice vantage point as you hike The Long Trail (that’s right, the long trail actually cuts right through BV!) you’ll find it at Bolton Valley.  Check out all the other cool stuff that we’re doing this summer HERE.  There’s plenty of space up here!

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It is no secret that Vermont is one of the most beautiful and inviting places on earth. The mountains and lakes call all adventurers to explore and connect with nature. The trees are so lively, the ground is so welcoming, and the mountains reach the stars. It is easy to fall in love with the earth around you, which makes Vermont impossible to leave. We are so lucky to smell the colorful flowers, feel the wind kiss our skin, watch the sunset dance across the lake, and connect with the outdoors. Vermont is the place I found myself through nature, and I cannot be more grateful for the journey this beautiful state has led me on.

Hiking is one of the most popular and accessible activities to do in Vermont. As COVID changed the course of life for all, being accessible to open, outdoor spaces has helped my health and happiness tremendously. Stowe Pinnacle is one of my favorite hikes, as it is long and steep enough with breathtaking 360 views at the top.

The first time I hiked Stowe Pinnacle was magical. I was introduced to this hike by a friend I had not seen since I was 16. It was amazing to reconnect with her and experience the love for my earth with another spirit. I had found a shell with powerful positive energy a few weeks before and I carried it to leave at the top of the mountain for someone else to find. I hoped it would bring them positive energy and brighten their day.

When we arrived at the top lookout, we engaged in a short yoga flow, breathing in the fresh crisp air. We hugged the rocks and thanked the sun for this beauty day. It was so moving, and I felt I was linking with my peer as well as the mountains beneath my feet. Vermont connects me to all beings around me, and hiking feels more than just a trek up a hill. The sights, sounds, and smells of the outdoors just make me want to find more mountains to climb.

There is always a new mountain to climb, sight to see, and earth to feel, but Vermont is unique. It is so special to me because I found myself here, and I could not have asked for a more beautiful place for this to happen. I do not see myself leaving Vermont anytime soon, as there is always a new adventure to seek. I am excited for the remainder of the fall season to hike and explore the change this new season brings. “And the sun took a step back, the leaves lulled themselves to sleep and autumn was awakened.” – Raquel Franco

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