As a mother of three boys, I don’t have a reference point of parenting that includes a whole lot of sitting still; our boys are always on the move with a combined energy force that makes getting them outside the most practical (and sanity enhancing) outlet for everyone involved!
Having enjoyed the Epic Pass for the past few years, our family was excited to expand our mountain adventures, and explore the Indy Pass hidden gems of Vermont.
Creating a ski trip itinerary on a long holiday break, while incorporating the Indy Pass options in Vermont was well worth the planning.
Visiting three mountains in northern Vermont across 8 winter days, we created lasting ski memories in the last few days of 2025 and launched into the New Year with new mountains on our roster. We skied two days each at three mountains – Burke Mountain, Jay Peak, and Bolton Valley, flanking the trip with a travel day on each end, and a mid-point (day 5) change of pace – having a blast (and splash!) at Jay Peak Pump House and Indoor Waterpark.
Getting to Know the Indy Pass
Encouraging perhaps lesser known mountains while offering “local authentic experiences”, the Indy Pass has access to over 200 independent ski resorts. The pass features three options: Indy Base Pass, Indie+ Plus Pass, Indy Add-On Pass. (https://www.indyskipass.com/)
Key Family-Relevant Features of the Indy Base Pass
- Resort access: Individuals can ski two days at each of 270+ independent ski areas (with a third day at a discount). This makes for some “bouncing around” in a ski itinerary geared toward long weekends, school vacation, etc., as blackout dates apply to the base pass and are typical in these timeframes. The benefit is that families can experience new mountains, often clustered together in a manageable driving distance.
- Value: If you’re balancing and budgeting for accommodations, potential gear rentals and/or lessons for children, etc. – this pass yields a cost-effective way to ski multiple mountains compared to buying single tickets.
- Limited Availability: Passes sell out and are restricted to a defined cap, consistent with the Indy pass goal of holders encountering a less crowded experience. For families especially, this means advance planning – so add that reminder in your calendars to purchase the Indy Pass early (spring/summer)!
Discovering Burke Mountain
In the big, beautiful chaos of taking young children skiing, there is something grounding and comforting about mountains that look, feel and are rustic, laid back, and less populated. This means less hustle and bustle and more immersion in natural surroundings and creating special memories. Burke Mountain delivers. Having been in operation for over five decades, it is situated “off the beaten path” in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont.
One of my childhood friends has frequented Burke Mountain with his parents since childhood. After relaying their joy of Burke for years – I was excited to finally experience this mountain with my own family. Fun fact – this 25-26 season, Burke upgraded their snowmaking with 150 new snow guns, more than doubling their snowmaking capacity!
The morning following a 4.5 hour hour drive from the Connecticut shoreline, our boys were ready to click into their skis and experience our first Vermont Indy Pass mountain. Bright and starry eyed, we arrived at the mountain, pleased to enter a busy but not overcrowded Sherburne base lodge to gear up. Parking was only steps away from the lodge and ticket windows – a welcome surprise. The lower lodge area had plenty of space to get ready and (free!) vintage green lockers to store gear and entertain three goof balls as we activated our RFID cards.
The Mountain Experience
With the lower mountain fully open, the Sherburne lift offered the opportunity for us to shake off our post-holiday ski legs, and especially encourage our 5-year-old to have fun and work on his skills. Being the first ski season that our youngest was not in ski lessons across a week long trip, Burke’s lower lifts and jolly J-bar felt approachable and a welcome start to skiing together. Skiing down from Burke’s summit later in the day, the more advanced skiers in our family deemed ‘Upper Power Line’ trail as their favorite and enjoyed the smile-worthy trail names – Sasquatch and Scooby Do (to name a few!)
Across our two days at Burke, the “small things” contributed to an authentic skiing experience. Bracing ourselves for holiday week crowding – it was the exact opposite. Lift lines were short- with just enough time to chat trail strategy, re-fasten the kiddos goggles, and figure out how our family of five splits off into a 3 and 2 combo for the lifts. “Swarms of skiers” were non-existent, the trails were well maintained, with a variety of trails for every ability level.
The beginner-friendly Sherburne area and lift conveniently yielded an easy transition to skiing to the other side of the mountain, home of Mid-Burke express which ventures to the top of the mountain accessing black diamonds, blues, moguls and glades plus trails that lead to the The Burke Hotel. The upper mountain glades and staggered towers of trees thoroughly pleased those in my family itching to get in challenging afternoon runs!
Our second day at the mountain involved windy conditions after a night of snowfall. However, full of gumption, we headed to the mountain and encountered a tree newly fallen on the access road. Somehow, someway with backseat giggles and front seat thrills – we drove our SUV under the tree; it was then I knew it’d be another great day at Burke Mountain. Due to the weather, we felt nearly alone at the mountain! Our day was filled with zero lift lines, braving the elements with smiles under extra layered balaclavas.
Creating and Keeping Traditions
To wrap up our final day at Burke we grabbed cocoas and french fries for the kids in the main Sherburne lodge, a ski-day family tradition. Then headed up to the Tamarack Pub & Grill. The friendly, relaxed sports bar had plenty of seating overlooking the mountain and games. Parents sipped Vermont IPAs, commemorating a successful and memorable first two Indy ski days at Burke.
From this vantage point, our boys looked on below as final skis and poles were collected off the mountain, and the horizon dabbed golden hour splashes of light amidst gray clouds.
Burke not only delivered on being family friendly, easily accessible in a variety of ways, and offering that sense of old school, unchartered territory with a ‘best kept secret’ charm – it left me intrigued and sure we’d be back. With just two days at Burke, I am left as a curious explorer – wanting to spend more time at the iconic 50 year old ‘Bear Den’ on the other side of the mountain or relax by the fire at the Burke Hotel. The outdoor heated pool looked lovely – situated in a quieter area of the mountain. The Dipper Doodle and Upper Willoughby trails are calling our names and I must know the story behind Homer Simpson plastered to a barn…but that’s surely for another day. In short – Burke is a beauty – we’ll be back and you can bet we’re coming with a bucket list!
Seizing the Jay
Jay Peak Resort had been on our family’s radar for years and as an Indy pass mountain – it took its rightful place in our Indy itinerary across three middle days of our trip. Ideal for families, Jay Peak has two moving magic carpets, varying lesson options for kids, and the perfect lifts (Metro & Taxi Quads) for lapping greens with littles. Geared toward plentiful entertainment options beyond the expansive slopes, Jay also has non-mountain activities galore with guaranteed fun.
The Mountain Experience
Utilizing the Metro Quad, I highly recommend trying out “the moons:” Full Moon, Quarter Moon and Half Moon. A “once in a blue moon” special moment for our family – all five of us skied these blues together – a first time experience! We bopped through gentle wooded trails, with powdery bumps and wide enough passages for even five-year-old ‘‘Reid the Ripper’ to confidently traverse through the trees. Have we arrived?! If you are still in the Goodnight Moon era of motherhood – know that Jay Peak seamlessly and conveniently gives way to the gentle transitions of learning to ski, gradually meeting you and your family at whatever ski season (or moon cycle?) you might be in.
While wind chill temperatures were low for our visit, resulting in morning wind holds on upper lifts, we carried on with an engrained “can do!” attitude, braving the elements and making the most of the time at Jay. As luck would have it, Mountain Mama Sarah met up with our family and it was “ski buddies at first sight!” Sarah’s boys, ages 8 and 5, synced up naturally with my two youngest children, also 8 and 5. A well-traveled “Jay-er” and Vermont local, Sarah led the way.
The mamas broke off with Dash & Reid (5), and our husbands took the eager older brothers (Grant, Evan and Ollie) off to the other side of the mountain to “Jet Triple Chair” – boasting only blacks (and one blue: Montrealer) along with my husband’s favorite – Timbuktu – leading to superior NEK advanced terrain and awe-worthy glades, for advanced skiers.
While I cannot speak to experiencing the upper mountain myself at Jay, I can report that my older boys and husband returned unveiling big smiles behind frosted balaclavas – commenting that the expansive woods were one of a kind.
Meanwhile, a favorite memory: tour guide Sarah took myself and our 5-year-olds to a lesser traveled nook and crannie. We side-winded through “Grammy Jay” – an “over the hill and through the woods” type trail – going over a bridge and meandering our way over to the “Village Double Chair.” Grammy Jay and the Village Double yielded that feeling of a “grammy” welcoming you with a gooey chocolate chip cookie and hug after a long winter’s day. Dash and Reid became quick buddies, skiing at similar skill levels. I treasured the several ‘double chair’ laps and ski lift chats with Reid.
For those mamas who did not grow up skiing and have perhaps put forth valiant efforts to learn as an adult, only to soon enough be out-skied relatively quickly by your children, I leaned into these magical memories with my youngest. Feeling a sense of pride and gratitude that the years of our hard work were now paying off in these special moments skiing together.
Après at Jay
At the end of the day our families regrouped and converged in the Bullwheel Bar, the five young boys giggling with crayons, cookies and exploring the BEST BLUE BUS – a five-star feature. Entertained kids, allowed parents to take some uninterrupted and well-earned moments to shake the snow off and cheers a well-done ‘Jay Day.’
It’s impossible to absorb or experience all Jay Peak has to offer in two mountain days – as it has many additional activities such as ice-skating, an arcade, rock climbing, etc. But it’s easy to see that it a grade-A “bucket list” mountain for families – Jay is bursting with fun for all.
The Pump House Indoor Waterpark
Fortunate to grow up in a beach town, our children naturally flock to water activities. The Jay Peak Pump House and Indoor Waterpark made sense to place as day 5 in our Indy tour – providing a respite from shredding cold slopes to enjoying tropical temps and water entertainment.
The 60,000-square-foot, year-round facility features two dueling upper level fast and furious slides for thrill-seeking children above the height limit (typically age 5+), a large circular lazy river running the perimeter, hot tubs, water rock climbing, and SO much more! Our youngest jumped for joy when the lifeguard told him he was tall enough to ride the slides!
Our family had a blast at the “FlowRider surf simulator” – appropriate for older children and adults alike. If you’re not in the mood to bust a surf move – grab a chair or front row seat to watch others give it a go! Laughs guaranteed. In my efforts to keep up with my boys’ affinity for all things sports – I enjoyed shooting hoops with my middle kiddo (Evan) via playing water basketball. In an adjoining pool area, kids can scale a rock climbing wall – landing with a splash if they fall. Grabbing single or double slide tubes- our family enjoyed multiple family member combos of the rip roaring windy slides and lazy river loops to slow things down.
Purchasing tickets in advance is highly recommended for peak days and to make the most of your family’s time at the Pump House – go early. My last recommendation? If a 45 mile per hour vertical freefall from a 65-foot-fall trapdoor slide sounds like an ideal adrenaline jolt- be sure to experience the “Le Chute” – coined as one of the most intense indoor slides in the United States!
It’s a one of a kind feeling to experience the warmth and non-stop fun of the Pump House, while looking out at the snow from an encased, clear, dome-like bubble shielding you from the cold temperatures outside.
Charmed by Bolton Valley
Nestled high in the green mountains of Vermont and touting “the best sunset on the planet” on their trail map– Bolton Valley impressed our family of sunset (and ski) seekers from sun up to sun down. Rounding out the last two days of our Indy Pass mountain jumping – ending our trip at Bolton was a blast.
The Mountain Experience
Booting up in Bolton’s main lodge, we were immediately greeted with a welcoming, friendly and relaxed vibe, and plenty of open tables. Surprised to encounter zero lift lines on a holiday weekend, we jumped right on the Vista Lift – taking our entire family to the Vista Peak Summit mountain top and snow covered trees. Sherman’s Pass, the main green from the top, curves and swerves across the mountain – making it an easy run for beginner skiers. My proud 5 year old finished his third run from the top and beamed, “I goed down SO fast!” Our older boys were smitten with the Hide Away terrain park, which had accessible features for them to hit the rails and easily return for more.
Alternately, the Wilderness Peak side of the mountain, accessible by Wilderness Lift, feels like a private area. It has excellent tree terrain and as described by my husband – is a “glades playground.” The mountain expands on skiers left as well to the Timberline Quad and terrain beneath, which we hope to explore next time we visit!
Bolton Eats
After a long day of skiing we went to dinner at the James Moore Tavern, situated above the main lodge – the perfect Après dining decision! Encountering no wait (seems to be the theme?), we tucked into a cozy corner, directly overlooking the lively night skiing scene. The boys enjoyed watching the activity below and a diverse pub style fair menu – raving about the chicken tinga burrito bowl and Summit Smash burger. While the infamous “butter cake” was sold out, we ended with a knock-your-ski-socks off dessert: peanut butter pie and maple ice cream – 5 spoons- yum!
And since I am salivating over food memories – “Fireside Flatbread,” located across from the James Moore Tavern is an absolute must for hungry ski bellies! Our 5-year-old got an educational “tour” and we each enjoyed a delicious single slice (of many options) at another window-side table as a gentle snow fall coated our last moments at Bolton.
Notes on Bolton
In summary, I appreciated this mountain with a non-commercialized feel and less frenzied pace – as my children tend to be in a relaxed, happy flow in these environments. Bolton Valley’s casual and wholesome alpine charm offered the perfect end to our family’s Indy Pass adventure.
Oh, and about Bolton’s ‘best sunset’ note on their ski map? Regularly biking to beach sunsets at home with our boys- it was a must on the slopes! Verdict? Not to be missed -it was as equally amazing as Bolton’s snowy slopes and delicious pizza.
Final Indy Thoughts
The longest ski trip our family has done yet, the three Indy Pass mountains were packed with enjoyment, fun, and lifelong memories. Our kids ability to seamlessly roll with “mountain jumping” transitions exceeded my expectations. Burke, Jay Peak, and Bolton Valley each had unique features, while all similarly greeting us with an ideal family-friendly atmosphere. We look forward to returning to these mountain gems and the one of a kind Vermont magic that still awaits!
Leah is a lifelong adventurer and creative spirit raising three amazing boys on the Connecticut shoreline. Her family thrives in the outdoors—skiing, biking, hiking and diving into any ocean adventure. While her children were each on skis at age three, Leah first clicked into skis as an adult. Almost outpaced by her youngest skier, age five, she has been chasing after her husband and two older boys down Vermont and other New England mountains ever since!
Working, counseling, and leading in public schools for over a decade, Leah is a former district administrator and Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and Wellness Director. As a Licensed Professional Counselor, Leah now owns a private practice, specializing in women’s wellness. In tiny sparks of free time she writes about the wild, beautiful work of living fully—where sand, sea, slopes, and meaningful healing all meet.
Great story with the Indy Pass as a backdrop (we’re Indy Passholders too). Glad the three mountain trip was memorable.
What a great whirlwind of adventures for the family. I was not aware of the Indy pass and need to look into it.
I LOVE Jay Peak, but have not yet tried out Burke Mtn.
As a family who have had the Indy Pass since almost the beginning, we cannot say enough good things about it! Great way to explore ski areas at a reasonable price. The vibes at the Indy mountains are the best – super low key and really often just all about getting out and being on the mountain! Be sure to add Magic to your list of VT mountains on the Indy to check out!
I loved reading about your adventures! I’ve heard great things about the Indy Pass and no lines and family friendly seem very appealing!! Thanks so much for providing the insights to these mountains, it was very helpful. Lovely photos of you and your family. I didn’t know about the water park! That sounds like a perfect way to take a break from skiing for a day.