Burke Mountain and Kingdom Trails Announce Ribbon Cutting Ceremony with Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin

East Burke, VT - Burke Mountain Ski Area & The Kingdom Trails Association will hold a special Ribbon Cutting Ceremony to mark the beginning of lift served mountain biking operations this summer at Burke Mountain with special guest speaker and official "ribbon cutter," Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin. The ceremony will take place Saturday, June 25th at 12:00pm outside the Sherburne Base Lodge. The ceremony also marks the beginning of a special partnership between Kingdom Trails and Burke Mountain to expand spring, summer & fall outdoor recreation opportunities, create a healthy community, and boost travel and tourism in the Burke Area and surrounding communities.

Burke Mountain will open the Sherburne Express chairlift from the Base Lodge on weekends and holidays until mid October. The chair lift will access four already established, but improved and re-routed single track trails, and the new premier jump trail, Knightslayer, featuring world class table tops, step ups, step downs, rollers and sky high berms. A full service mountain bike shop offering rentals, tune-ups, and lessons will also operate out of the Sherburne Base Lodge.

Kingdom Trails and Burke Mountain Entering the World of Lift-Access Mountain Biking

East Burke, VT - Now among the hundred miles of cross country mountain bike trails, Kingdom Trails will now offer lift served mountain biking at Burke Mountain Ski Area and the addition of a new downhill bike park. Burke Mountain will open the Sherburne Express chairlift from the Base Lodge beginning mid June, on weekends and holidays until mid October. The chair lift will access four already established, but improved and re-routed single track trails, and the new premier jump trail, Knightslayer, featuring world class table tops, step ups, step downs, rollers and sky high berms. "Collaborating with Burke Mountain to offer a variety of downhill mountain bike trails for all abilities will keep us as a premier mountain bike destination." says CJ Scott, KTA Trail Manager.

A special grand opening date is tentatively set for June 25, 2011.

Kingdom Trail Association, voted the BEST TRAIL NETWORK in North America by Bike Magazine, provides recreation and education opportunities for local residents and visitors while working to conserve natural resources and create economic stimulation. KTA has permission of 50 landowners and businesses that make the 100 mile four season non-motorized trail system possible.

Bromley’s “Mom’s Day Off” Raises $7,905 to Battle Breast Cancer

Bromley Mountain, VT - On Friday, February 4, the ninth annual “Mom’s Day Off,” a breast cancer fundraiser sponsored by and held at Bromley Mountain, drew 527 moms and raised the hefty and record-breaking sum of $7,905. That brings the eight-year total to just shy of $43,000.

The notion behind the annual event is that any mom can ski or ride Bromley on “Mom’s Day Off” for $15 when they show the ticket seller a snapshot of their kids. Bromley, in turn, donates the entire $15 to the VT/NH Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the Race for the Cure people (Bromley’s been a sponsor of the race since 1995).

As they have since the first Mom’s Day Off in 2002, the Chicks on Sticks, a group sponsored by the Alpine Sport Shop in Saratoga Springs, New York, arrived en masse, tipping 2011’s “Largest Team” scales in their favor by bringing two chartered busses filled with moms. Another perennial team, The Women of Willard (a.k.a. WOW) made the trip from the Willard Mountain Ski Area in Greenwich, New York, bringing the next largest group.

“We couldn’t be happier,” says Rich Wiseman, Bromley’s President. “We had 420 moms last year and, to tell you the truth, I had my fingers crossed that we’d hit 500 this year. To top last year’s total by 107 is pretty terrific.”

Bromley is also a sponsor of the annual Komen VT/NH Race for the Cure, held each year in July at Hildene Meadows, in Manchester (this year’s Race will be on Saturday, July 23).

Burke Mountain Ski Area Offers Military Family Ski and Ride Day

East Burke, VT - Burke Mountain invites all military personnel and their families for a ski & ride day this March, 27, 2011. Full day lift tickets will be just $10 for anyone in the military (including veterans) and their immediate family members along with $10 ski rentals and $15 snowboard rentals. Heavily discounted Group lessons will also be available starting at 12:15pm for just $20. Activities for the day will include a morning pancake breakfast and family fun race.

Burke Mountain is located in the heart of the Northeast Kingdom and has received over 15 feet of snow this winter season, providing the best snow conditions that the mountain has seen in a number of years.

Bromley Dedicates Kare Andersen Telemark Center

Bromley Mountain, VT - On December 30, Bromley Mountain honored its long-time telemark instructor, Kare Andersen, by rededicating and renaming its Telemark Center after the 93-year old telemark phenom (telemark, aka “free heel skiing,” is a downhill skiing style in which boots are bound to the skis only to the toes, similar to cross-country skiing).

Among those who gathered to honor Kare Andersen were John Schweizer, past president and CEO of Garmont Boots, Bill Cairns, Director of Resort Operations at Bromley Mountain and Peter Robertson, Director of the Bromley Mountain Ski & Snowboard School, and John Tidd, Andersen’s longtime friend, colleague and fellow PSIA telemark instructor and Examiner.

Andersen, who learned the sport as a child in his native Norway and skies regularly still, has helmed Bromley’s Telemark Centerl for the past twenty-one years. He’ll be stepping down from his instructional role as of now, passing the torch to Greg DeCell.

10 to 100% rebate at Owl’s Head, Mont SUTTON and Burke Mountain

Sutton, PQ - Again this year, Owl’s Head and Mont SUTTON have joined together to offer rebates on their lift tickets with the return of the Carte Blanche. For the 2010-2011 season, Burke Mountain, a Vermont based ski center, have joined the two resorts in the Eastern Townships.

The carte Blanche allows the customer to choose the participating center they want and save each visit on the regularly priced ticket for the complete day for an adult or student. The very first time you use the card, you save 10% followed by increasing rebates for each subsequent visit by using the card. You can save up to 40% and after each 4th visit, your 5th visit is FREE again at the center of your choice. In total the Carte Blanche offers up to 15 visits of rebated skiing and riding.

“Kudos” to Bromley’s Adventure Park Staffer Leah Ryan

Bromley Mountain, VT - As Bromley Mountain prepares for its annual transformation from amusement park to ski resort, the Sun Mountain Adventure Park’s management team of Pete Robertson and Mike Scholz congratulate and thank the Summer 2010 Adventure Park staff and announce the winner of this year’s Andrea Coolidge Kudo’s Award, Leah Ryan.

The award was created to commemorate the life of a long-time and much loved Bromley employee, Andrea Coolidge, who passed away in May of 2008. “Andrea loved this place and gave it her all, all day, ever day,” says Pete Robertson. “It’s a fact,” adds Mike Scholz, “Andrea was without a doubt the hardest working woman – the hardest worker, period – this mountain’s ever seen,” (the “Kudos” part of the award’s name comes from Robertson’s and Scholz’ habit of handing Kudos Granola Bars to employees who go the extra mile – the winner of the annual award is the staffer who earned the most Kudos bars over the season).

That Leah would live up to Andrea’s legacy might have been obvious from Day One. She always wore a great big smile, was a hit with both guests and co-workers and, over the course of the season, managed to work every one of the busy park’s 22 rides and attractions. That she remained cheerful, helpful and absolutely unflappable during what was by far the busiest season in the Adventure Park’s history is all the more commendable.

Fridays After Five and Free Live Reggae at Bromley

Manchester Center, VT - Nothing says summer like free hot reggae so head to Bromley’s Sun Mountain Adventure Park this Saturday, July 17, because The Equalites are heating up the Sun Deck from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.

And don’t forget Bromley’s new Fridays After Five, Friday nights in July and August from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. Adventure Passes for select rides are only $15, Sun Mountain Flyer Rides are $15 each or two for $20 and there are great food and drink specials out on the Sun Deck all evening long.

Go to www.Bromley.com for a virtual ride on the Sun Mountain Flyer, scope out all of the other rides and attractions and check the Events page for the summer’s complete lineup of free family-friendly music and shows (be sure to read all about Tasty Tuesdays – FREE ice cream!).

Three Days of Hot Rides, Cold Drinks and Free Music at Bromley

Manchester Center, VT - Bromley’s Sun Mountain Adventure Park celebrates The Fourth and rings in the summer season in style on Friday, July 2, with the first “Fridays After Five” followed by two days of free live music and classic summertime barbecue.

On Fridays in July and August the park stays open late, serving up $15 Adventure Passes for selected rides, two-for-$20 Sun Mountain Flyer Rides and great food and drink specials on the Sun Deck. The inaugural Friday, on July 2, features live red-hot reggae from the fabulous Equalites ("A killer reggae band with a killer female vocalist," Valley Advocate 12/03) 5-7:30 PM

The party continue on Saturday the 3rd and Sunday the 4th, with free live music from the Satellite Shine Band and a delish barbecue on the Sun Deck, both days, from 1-4:00 PM.

Celebrate the Fourth at Burke Mountain

East Burke, VT - The ski lights up on Friday, July 2nd at Burke Mountain. For the second year, Burke Mountain will host the Vermont Fourth Festival kick off fireworks celebration. The excitement starts at 5pm with evening chairlift rides, a home style barbecue with beer garden, live entertainment on the patio, volleyball and kids games. At sundown, the skies will light up with a fireworks show by RS Fireworks. Admission to the event is $10 per car.

Immediately following the fireworks, local favorite the Wicked Smart Horn Band will begin a performance in the Tamarack Grill. Tickets to the concert can be purchased at www.SkiBurke.com, in person at the Burke Mountain Guest Relations Office, or by calling 888-BURKEVT.

The Vermont Fourth Festival is three days of fun and events in the Lyndon and Burke areas of the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. In a collaborative effort between Lyndon State College, the Burke and Lyndon Area Chambers of Commerce and Burke Mountain Resort, Vermont Fourth Festival highlights include the kick-off fireworks celebration at Burke Mountain, the Vermont Fiddle Championship in Lyndonville, the Burkelyn Arts Craft Fair, and a Bluegrass Concert.

Bromley’s Expanded ZipRider Debuts Memorial Day Weekend

Manchester Center, VT - Bromley’s Sun Mountain Adventure Park opens for Memorial Day Weekend, Saturday the 29th through Monday the 31st, with its famous slate of rides and slides including the debut of the newly expanded Sun Mountain Flyer, New England’s longest ZipRider.

The park opens Saturday at 10:30 a.m. and gets all musical on you at 11:00 a.m., when WEQX FM’s Amber Miller broadcasts live ’til to 2:00 p.m. Sunday’s lineup includes the Vermont Institute of Natural Science’s “Raptor Encounter” show – two free shows with real live raptors like eagles, hawks, falcons and owls – on the Sun Deck at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. The park will also be open on Monday, Memorial Day.

Go to www.Bromley.com for a virtual ride on the Sun Mountain Flyer, scope out all of the other rides and attractions and check the Events page for the summer’s complete lineup of free family-friendly music and shows. While there, read all about Tasty Tuesdays (FREE ice cream!) and Fridays After Five, when the park stays open late with a specially priced Adventure Pass and great food and drink specials on Fridays in July and August.

Bromley to Double Capacity of Popular ZipRider

Manchester Center, VT - Bromley Mountain has announced that is doubling the capacity of the Sun Mountain Flyer, the half-mile long ZipRider thrill ride that debuted in the Sun Mountain Adventure Park last summer.

Built at a cost of $1 million, the Sun Mountain Flyer launches riders from a five-story tower and attains speeds just shy of 50 mph; it was installed in 2009 as a two-line ZipRider, the usual configuration. An instant hit with the thrill-seeking public, the Flyer sold out on virtually every day of operation.

Bromley’s President Rich Wiseman suspected that the Flyer’s popularity might exceed expectations and had the ride engineered and constructed to accommodate, if needed, four lines. The additional two lines are being installed now, at a cost of $500,000, and will be up and running on opening day, Saturday, May 29.

The Sun Mountain Adventure Park, six miles east of Manchester, Vermont, on VT Rte 11, will be open weekends from May 29 through June 13 and daily from June 18. Check Bromley.com for details on all of the rides and attractions, hours of operation and a complete schedule of the summer’s free weekend entertainment.

Winter Goes Out with a Splash at Burke Mountain

East Burke, VT - As another winter comes to an end, Burke Mountain welcomes Spring with its 21st annual Pond Skimming Celebration on Saturday, April 3. The most popular and boisterous event of the season, residents of the Northeast Kingdom and beyond come out of the woodwork after a long winter to watch contestants skim the 80 foot long pond for a chance at the title of King & Queen of the Pond. The event begins at 1:00 PM at the bottom of Warren’s Way, just above the Mid-Burke Lodge, with barbeque and beer garden opening at noon. This year’s costume theme is “movie characters,” so put together your best costume, and compete for the title of King or Queen! Winners will receive a season pass for the 2010/2011 ski season. For those hearty souls who brave the chilly waters, there will also be prizes given for Best Costumes, Best Exit, Biggest Splash, and Best Wet Look. While participants agree that it’s fun to compete, spectators have an equally good time. There will be a live broadcast by WGMT Magic 97.7 FM, and of course, dramatic spills, chills, and splashes!

“Mom's Day Off” Breast Cancer Benefit at Bromley

Manchester Center, VT - On Friday, February 5, 2010, Bromley Mountain will be sponsoring their eighth annual “Mom’s Day Off” fundraiser to benefit the Vermont-New Hampshire Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen For the Cure.
The idea behind “Mom’s Day Off” is simple. For $15, moms can ski or ride Bromley for the full day when they show the ticket seller a snapshot of their kids. Bromley, in turn, donates the entire $15 to Komen’s VT-NH Affiliate (the Race for the Cure people).
“Over the past seven years, this event has raised just shy of $30,000,” says Bromley’s President, Rich Wiseman. “Last year was my first Mom’s Day Off and I have to tell you, it was an incredibly moving day. The energy was amazing, and we raised a record $5,500… we’d love to break that record this year.”

Bromley is also a sponsor of the annual Komen VT/NH Race for the Cure, held each year in July at the Hildene Meadows, in Manchester (this year’s Race will be on Saturday, July 17).
Bromley Mountain Info

The Sooner You Buy, The Sooner You Save

Stratton Mountain, VT - The season is in full swing and savvy skiers and boarders are already saving big with Stratton’s X2 card.

For about the same price as a one-day lift ticket, you can join them and get your first visit free, then save up to $30 every time you visit for the rest of the season.
This picture pass also lets you skip the ticket window and head right to the slopes. The X2 card is your ticket to enjoying everything there is to love about Stratton, from our grooming to our snow. Get yours before March 1 and you’ll also enjoy a 1-year subscription to SKI Magazine.