The Scene
Most people who have skied here rave about it. So why don't more make the trip? That's the $64,000 question. A slow day at Stowe would seem like a crush of people here. Suffice to say, overcrowding is not a problem and the snow doesn't get skied off. The catch? Maybe it's that Burke lacks a certain bustling "big mountain" feel and lots of long cruising runs, or that slope-side accommodations in this sleepy village are limited (there are a few nice inns and eateries nearby).
The Slopes
Burke's got tough, challenging terrain for advanced and future Olympic skiers, with great slalom trails and some true steeps and ledges. It also has a great cruiser trail for intermediates on the Toll Road down from the top. The runs are nicely laid out, and their New England character hasn't been homogenized out of existence.
Vital Stats
Vertical Drop: 2,000 feet
Base Elevation: 1,267 feet
Top Elevation: 3,367 feet
Trails: 43
Lifts: 4
Skiable Acres: 180
Beginner Terrain: 25 percent
Intermediate Terrain: 45 percent
Expert Terrain: 30 percent
Snowboarding: Full facilities