Backcountry Challenge #2 | Middlebury Snow Bowl
Vermont Splitboard Month challenge number two takes you on a tour of the cherished Middlebury Snow Bowl
A mountain steeped in history, trails were first cut here in 1934, making the Snow Bowl one of Vermont’s earliest ski areas and clearing the way for a legacy of champion Middlebury College ski teams and a host of Olympians. Today three chairlifts-two triples, one double and a carpet lift- serve 17 trails, plus several gladed areas for skiing and riding in the trees. State-of-the-art snowmaking ensures quality snow even when Mother Nature doesn’t cooperate. The mountain’s historic lodge, which was expanded and remodeled in 2003, features the original fieldstone fireplace where intrepid skiers warmed their woolies in the early days before the lodge was built. Skiers and riders enjoy the Bowl’s full service cafeteria and can rent equipment or get their skis and boards tuned in the Ski and Snowboard Shop. Whether discovering the sport for the first time or fine tuning carving skills, instruction is available from the professionally-staffed Snow School. All these big mountain amenities along with affordable prices make the Snow Bowl a true skiers’ and riders’ mountain and a place families and college racers alike call home.
Challenge RULES:
Resources and Details:
1 - UNDERSTAND YOUR ZONE: Study the Uphill Policy, Vermont COVID-19 Travel Guidelines, *Local Resort COVID-19 policy, and purchase your required $5 Uphill Pass online in advance.
Pro-tip: Follow the steps online as if you were indenting to purchase “1 Day Lift Tickets” for $55, then on the final page select Uphill Travel Pass quantity and set Adult pass qty to 0:
*Respect the local resort communities by enjoying the mountain with a mask on, offering amble space with others, and avoiding parking lot après. If you’re not a local, let’s all do our part in offering a nod to how rad the Snow Bowl team is by freeing up a parking space and taking the post-shred hang back home where it is more safe to chill.
2 - DOWNLOAD your GPX file to your preferred navigation app.
3 - MAKE A PLAN: Save the Middlebury Snow Bowl Trail Map offline, study your GPX route with your COVID19 safe crew, and ensure you are confident in backcountry ethics and backcountry safety.
ROUTE DETAILS
Any route following Uphill policy is fair game! Just make it to the summit of the Worth Mountain chair for your photo!
Suggested route to see the whole place: Begin following the clearly marked BLUE blazes with "Winter Uphill Route" listed at the base of the Sheehan Chair. Stick to lookers right on your way up and be mindful of downhill traffic at intersections. Follow LOWER VOTER to LOWER HADLEY to OLD FLETCHER. There will be a trail sign junction on Old Fletcher where you will turn right and follow the Winter Uphill Route to Summit via the Long Trail. This will spit you out on VOTER where you will stay to lookers left as you safely cross VOTER/MEREDITH toward the blue uphill blaze to re-enter the Long Trail through the woods. Follow this until it spits you out further up on UPPER VOTER. Safely cross UPPER VOTER and back onto the Long Trail. You will end at the Summit Patrol Shack - this is your Weekly Challenge Photo Opp! Transition here and toss some COVID19 friendly elbows to fellow uphillers and Middlebury Snow Bowl staff for having an amazing Uphill Policy. If you are gassed and ready to head out, follow any open trail down to the base area. Suggestion would be VOTER for a mellow cruiser down; otherwise, head towards the Bailey Falls chair and ride the swooping and dropping trails of FLETCHER and YOUNGMAN down to the base of the Bailey Falls Chair. Here, transition back to uphill and follow the blue blazes up LIFTLINE to MEREDITH back to VOTER. You can take the Long Trail again or try a new route sticking to UPPER VOTER to the summit. Transition and get ready to rip PROCTOR top to bottom, arriving back at your car.
5 - Mandatory Photo Spot
Take a breather, take in the view, and capture a photo at this location to be eligible for the weekly giveaway. Make it fun or take a landscape shot, just be sure to capture the landmark to prove you made it out!
Worth Mountain Summit Ski Patrol Shelter
4 - SUBMIT your completion form to be entered to win weekly prizes and raffle entries for the grand prize
It is Critically important to our small mountain communities that all participants are strictly following Vermont COVID-19 Travel Guidelines.
We trust and appreciate you all for being a part of the solution and continuing to keep the amazing stewardship we have and wholesome humans that make it happen. Be grateful. Offer Respect. Quarantine appropriately. Keep your distance. Mask up when appropriate. Stay stoked.
Thanks for exploring Vermont by Splitboard! Follow along for more conversation about splitboarding in Vermont.
