| Classic, winding trails and a classy ski lodge define this Vermont ski area.
"Hidden gem" is high on the list of descriptions overused by ski writers. But the
phrase really best describes Burke Mountain.
Start with the setting. Burke is less than a half-hour from St. Johnsbury,
and only a few minutes off I-91. You drive through the town of East Burke on the
way to the mountain. If any village deserves the title "quaint," this is it.
A few minutes farther, and Burke Mountain reveals itself. It's a classic
setting -- winding trails, and a tight cluster of buildings at the Sherburne
base lodge.
Oh, the base lodge! This may be the best in the east. Small, classy touches
abound, such as marble countertops and high-end fixtures in the bathrooms. And
speaking of bathrooms, they're on the same level as everything else, for a
change. How about free bag checking? Or free wireless internet access. If you
donÆt have a computer with you, a couple of very nice ones are available for
use, free of charge.
The tables, chairs and carpet are all of a quality more associated with a
comfortable restaurant than a base lodge. Did I say restaurant? ThereÆs a new
one of those here, too, with a very high-end, interesting menu. The pub boasts
the best selection of local brews in the Northeast Kingdom.
Someone at Burke cares about your whole experience, not just your skiing.
The skiing hasnÆt been neglected, either.
This is where Burke Mountain is truly a hidden gem. The word on the street is
that Burke is a nice, small mountain thatÆs a good place for the Burke Mountain
Academy to train students.
But it's so much more. Burke has absolutely the steepest blue square trails
IÆve ever skied. The trails are longer than youÆd imagine for a mountain with
2,000 feet of vertical. More of that footage (roughly 1,600 feet) is in
the upper mountain than most areas IÆve skied. Burke also has the highest
percentage of interesting trails of any mountain I know.
True, the trail count is not in the hundreds. But then there' are not a whole
bunch of dinky connecting trails that break up the enjoyment of a run. WeÆre
talking trails that corkscrew down the mountain, with ups and downs and twists
and turns that keep you awake and very, very happy. There are a few wide, steep
groomers, too, for when you want to let æem rip.
For a trip back in time, take the East Bowl trail. The narrow trail winds
around the edge of the resort. Though deadly flat at the bottom, it's worth
poling along for the pleasure of this run.
BurkeÆs a great value, too, with ticket prices well below the standard for
mountains that offer serious terrain. The Comfort Inn in St. Johnsbury has some
great ski-and-stay packages that include a continental breakfast, contributing
to the affordability of skiing here.
I hope that I never have to pick just one mountain to ski for the rest of my
life. But if I did, I wouldnÆt be disappointed if I were forced to do the rest
of my runs at Burke Mountain. | 
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