Bromley Resort – The Sun Mountain in Vermont
I admit that I may hold a rather biased view of Bromley Resort. After all, I kicked off the 2008-2009 ski season by attempting to snowboard at the “Unforgiving Boarder Cross” Park; I received my first telemark lesson (Stay tuned because we will publish a separate article dedicated to telemark programs at Bromley) there and enjoyed many good powder days at Bromley resort! Though these fond memories no doubt affect my judgment, my friends–who are not as attached to the place–agree that Bromley Mountain is worth a trip to southern Vermont.
There is an appropriate time and place for every adventure, and a ski vacation is no exception. Certain ski resorts are best suited for experts, and some are geared toward beginners. From this perspective, Bromley Resort could be classified as an excellent all-around resort for “weekend” warriors, who log eight to twelve days of skiing per season.
While Bromley resort may not boast the highest vertical, even by Vermont skiing standards, the relatively rare crowds, convenient ski lift system, and diverse ski terrain should satisfy skiers of most levels, including some advanced skiers and snowboarders. A beginner skier or snowboarder will certainly benefit from a couple of days at Bromley mountain. They will appreciate designated ski lifts and gentle terrains for novice skiers and snowboarders. Furthermore, should you need a ski lesson to learn the first turns or to hone existing skills, consider signing up for a group lesson. There is a very good chance that you will receive a private instructor for the price of a group lesson! The morale of a story is that on many weekends–not including certain holidays–Bromley is not crowded at all.
Bromley Resort is also very telemark friendly. The rental shop has one of the largest selections–at least in the area–of telemark skis and boots. Last year, the resort’s management organized a telemark festival, in which anyone could try demo equipment or sign up for a free clinic that lasted for over three hours. Certainly, if the opportunity arises, the resort will organize similar events this season. So keep your eye on updates and be prepared to give teleturn a shot!
If you are interested in snowboarding and jumps, I would wholeheartedly recommend the Unforgiving Boarder X course, located directly behind the Plaza. Cambered turns, jumps, and turns will test your ability to control your skies and snowboard. Alternatively, you can make your way toward the Sun Mountain Express and ride to the top of the mountain. From the summit, you can consider a myriad of options. One word of advice: if you snowboard, keep your speed up when descending the Pushover and heading toward the main lodge. The connecting trail is quite flat!
In addition to the above features, Bromley resort provides excellent lift ticket deals. Personally, I favor the Sunday Afternoon Passport deal, valued at $29. Always check the resort’s Web site for new updates and deals. Chances are that Bromley will have mid-week specials that might even include lunch in one low price.
Once you are done with skiing and riding, you can take a break at the lodge. While the lodge is not particularly fancy–though Bromley mountain provides fancy Tazo teas alongside Lipton–it serves its main task of allowing you to relax, eat, and drink. There are no spas or massage tables–just a gigantic and cozy fireplace, a cafeteria, and a ski shop. Frankly, I think these amenities are more than enough. However, simply because the facilities are not luxury does not mean that the cafeteria will not burn a hole in your plastic card. Prices are comparable to other resorts, and yes, there is a minimum on credit card charges.
One final issue to be aware of is that being nicknamed the Sun Mountain is both a blessing and a curse. On some particularly harsh winter days, the sun can soften ice surfaces and make skiing and riding more pleasurable–unless, of course, you like bobsleighing. However, during the spring ski season, you might wish to find a shadow and corn snow, instead of the puddles and slush that cover many trails. It is simply impossible to ski once the sun rises in late March or early April. Nonetheless, as mentioned above, there is a time and place for every adventure, and ski vacations are not an exception.
