Burke Mountain (Vermont) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Burke Mountain |
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 3,270 ft (1,000 m) |
| Prominence | 1,600 ft (490 m) |
| Geography | |
| Location | Northeast Kingdom, Vermont, U.S. |
| Topo map | USGS Burke Mountain |
Burke Mountain is a cool mountain in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont, USA. It's part of the famous Green Mountains range. Most of Burke Mountain is in the towns of Burke and Kirby. A small part of its side is in Essex County.
This mountain is surrounded by other smaller mountains. Umpire Mountain is to its east. Kirby Mountain is to its southeast. Burke Mountain is also part of the Darling State Forest Park.
The Burke Mountain Ski Area is on the northwest side of the mountain. It has been a popular spot for skiing since the 1940s. The owners of Jay Peak Resort now own Burke Mountain.
Contents
What is Burke Mountain?
Burke Mountain is a special place in Vermont. It's known for its beautiful views and fun activities. The mountain is a big part of the local environment. It helps collect water for nearby rivers and streams.
Where Does the Water Go?
Water from Burke Mountain flows into the Passumpsic River. This river is important for the area.
- Water from the northeast and northwest sides goes into Dish Mill Brook.
- This brook then flows into the East Branch of the Passumpsic River.
- Water from the southwest side goes into Mountain Brook.
- This also flows into the East Branch of the Passumpsic River.
- Water from the south and southeast sides goes into Weir Mill Brook.
- This brook joins Bog Brook and the Moose River.
- Finally, all this water reaches the Passumpsic River.
Weather at Burke Mountain
Burke Mountain gets a lot of snow every year. On average, it receives about 217 inches of snow. That's more than 18 feet of snow! This makes it a great place for winter sports.
Skiing and Snowboarding Fun
Burke Mountain Resort is a fantastic place for skiing and snowboarding. It has many trails for all skill levels.
- There are 55 ski trails and 15 glades (skiing through trees).
- The resort has 270 acres of skiable terrain.
- Plus, there are over 100 acres of glades for adventure.
Ski Trail Levels
The trails are marked with different colors and shapes. These show how difficult they are:
- Green Circle: These are beginner trails, making up 11% of the mountain.
- Blue Square: These are intermediate trails, making up 47% of the mountain.
- Black Diamond: These are advanced trails, making up 33% of the mountain.
- Double Black Diamond: These are expert trails, making up 9% of the mountain.
Terrain Parks
Burke Mountain also has three terrain parks. These parks have jumps, rails, and other features for tricks.
- Two parks, Dashney Mile and Carter Country, are on the lower part of the mountain.
- The Open Slope park is higher up, near the Mid-Burke Lodge.
Mountain Stats
Burke Mountain Resort has a vertical drop of 2,011 feet. This is the difference in height from the top to the bottom of the ski trails. About 80% of the mountain has snowmaking. This means they can make snow when it doesn't snow naturally.
The mountain has 6 lifts to take you up:
- 2 high-speed quad chairs (fast chairs for four people).
- 1 fixed-grip quad chair (a regular chair for four people).
- 3 surface lifts (like magic carpets or T-bars).
Other Mountain Activities
Burke Mountain is not just for skiing! There are many fun things to do all year round.
Winter Adventures
In winter, besides skiing and snowboarding, you can:
- Explore miles of skiable terrain in the Northeast Kingdom.
- Ride snowmobiles on the Vermont Association of Snow Travelers trails. You can even rent snowmobiles nearby.
- Try snow biking on the Kingdom Trails Nordic trails.
Summer Fun
When the snow melts, Burke Mountain offers even more activities:
- Singletrack Biking: Ride exciting trails made just for bikes.
- Burke Bike Park: A special park with downhill biking trails.
- Hiking: Explore scenic trails on foot.
- Hang Gliding: Soar through the air like a bird.
- Paragliding: Another way to fly with a special parachute.
- Golfing: Play a round of golf nearby.
- Swimming: Cool off in local swimming spots.
- Climbing: Challenge yourself on rock climbing routes.
- Horseback Riding: Enjoy the scenery on horseback.
- Canoeing and Kayaking: Paddle on nearby lakes and rivers.
- Fishing: Try to catch some fish in the mountain's waters.
Images for kids
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Burke Mountain seen from Lyndonville.
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A view of the west side of Burke Mountain from Pudding Hill in Lyndon.
