Coming to a Burke near you

[From_the_NEK]

I'm not sure if I like where all of these "improvements" are headed :?: . read the article and see for yourself. I'm hoping that Burke doesn't turn into one of those "exclusive areas" that charge crazy amounts for a membership. The mountain already feels like your skiing at your own private resort anyway.

Caledonian Record

 

[riverc0il]

after much consideration and reading up on things, i decided that the plan is solid, but it is the developers other investments that concern me. from what i have read, the current management has tipped their hand that the ski area will remain fairly similar to it's current atmosphere with an improved infrastructure such as a mountain in burke's class deserves. with a resort company coming in and controlling some real estate and making lots of publicity, skier numbers are sure to pick up. as much as i love the solitude to be found at burke, the mountain's long term viability really depends upon the financial support real estate can bring to the table.

i am cautiously optimistic about this deal. it certainly will not be the burke we are used to around the base area once this deal goes through, but i suspect much of the mountain will remain largely untouched by "enhancements" so long as those enhancements stop at a second high speed quad and more snow making. perhaps a revival of the once proposed west bowl expansion could come about? i fear for the east bowl though, there's a chair lift just begging to be put in there at the hands of a developer.

i've been doing a lot of hiking around burke this summer. :shock: there is some outstanding stuff to be found. i can't wait for the lifts to start turning.

 

[From_the_NEK]

I have heard about the same thing. Although I hope the developer sticks to their word. I have to get out yet this fall and do some stash maintenance before the snow flies. I agree that East Bowl is in danger. Hopefully any development there preserves the glades as much as possible. The days of ripping the East Bowl trail may be a thing of the past if a lift goes in over there making it possible for more people to "cruise" the trail. If anyone even hints at widening this trail.... :x
West Bowl: I've always looked at the Arete that defines the western edge of the bowl and wondered what an open trail all the way to the base there would be like (something like East Bowl but with afternoon sun and longer!). Hmmmm.... :wink:
I have heard rumor of replacing the Mid-Lodge next summer. While I like the classic feel of the lodge it could do with some additional seating and amenities.

 

[riverc0il]

Hmmmm.... Wink
I have heard rumor of replacing the Mid-Lodge next summer. While I like the classic feel of the lodge it could do with some additional seating and amenities.

Hmm indeed! i can envision the developers replacing the mid-burke lodge with slope side now that a high speed quad is located at the sherburne base lodge. if they expanded sherburne (there is certainly a lot of room to do so), they could pull mid-burke out and have a ton of hotel/condo/slopeside space. not what i want to pass by when coming out of the east bowl and looking for a nice comfy lodge to warm up in, but certainly the perfect location with decent road access to develop additional real estate at minimal cost assuming the mid-burke will eventually have to go/be replaced any ways.

worst case scenerio, stowe and smuggs are both big name resorts but still have so much to offer those who are not into the resort scene. i don't think burke would ever end up in the exclusive stowe class of a resort, but pending the resort redefines the ski area slightly, the trees are still going to be awesome cuts and still going to hold a ton of snow.

 

[Lftgly]

The bar at the mid-Burke lodge should be in the National Historic Register. I hope they run out of money, like the last half-dozen Burke investors, before they "improve" mid-Burke.