Family-owned ski resort near cabins and condos in Bolton
Bolton Valley “has the closest ski resort to Burlington and is really the life thread of the Bolton Valley Community. The DesLauriers family are passionate about the Bolton Valley Ski Resort, and they’re turning it into really nice, year-round destination,” says Paul Hayes, a Bolton Valley resident of roughly 15 years and Realtor with Vermont Real Estate Company. “Vermonters are all about supporting locally owned businesses, so it’s great to see how much love the owners are putting into it." Originally built in the 1960s by Ralph DesLauriers, the resort fell out of the family’s hands in the 1990s. After getting help from local investors, the DesLauriers family bought it back and now run it together. Just south of the ski slopes are Wentworth Road and Thacher Road, which come together in an oval-like shape and are lined by about 25 private residential houses. The area is surrounded by wilderness, with hiking trails and amenities at the resort, such as its ski slopes, swimming pool and live music. Students attend schools within the Mount Mansfield Public School District, which means traveling several miles and to other towns to get to class. The Waterbury Village Historic District is only a few miles east, creating a Main Street atmosphere at the base of the mountain.
Enjoying the Bolton Valley Resort all year long
The biggest attraction in town is Bolton Valley Resort, a family-owned outdoor adventure for those who enjoy skiing, mountain biking and live music events. The resort includes the Timberline Ski Lodge, the Inn at Bolton Valley Hotel and surrounding condos. “It’s beautiful here. We call it the Snow Globe,” Hayes says. “When you drive up into the mountains, it's a totally different climate. We’ll get a foot of snow in Bolton Valley, while down in Burlington, they’ll get one inch.” Built for more than just winter fun, the resort hosts summer camps and has indoor and outdoor pools, as well as live music nights, a tavern, a cafe and a market. The area also has long, winding hiking trails through the rolling hills and forests. For folks living nearby, attending weekly events or purchasing a resort season pass is just part of the culture in Bolton Valley. Down the hill on Route 2, the Waterbury Flea Market is open almost all day on Saturdays at Falls Field. Folks can drop their dogs off at the Brook Run Dog Camp or take them on a walk at the Duxbury Window Trail, which is part of the Long Trail and stretches about 5 miles south of the highway.
Modern cabins and mountain condos off Bolton Valley Access Road
Housing styles in Bolton Valley often look like vacation cabins, with gravel driveways, wide decks and freshly cut wood sitting just outside their front stoops. A few locations have views of the valley, while others enjoy being secluded under the thick forest canopies. Some residences are two stories tall, with walk-out basements built into the hillside. Others are styled in more modern designs with dark exteriors, sloping metal roofs and wide windows. These single-family homes can cost between $450,000 and $900,000, depending on their size and level of upgrades. “The prices here have gone up pretty substantially in the last couple of years, but it’s still affordable when you compare it to other ski resorts like Stowe or Killington. Those can be really tough places to get into because of the premium prices.” Condos owned by various associations not affiliated with the resort are located all over the area. Some include partial ownership with timeshare opportunities; others are permanent homes year-round. “There’s a community feel here that I haven’t been able to find anywhere else. My daughter can go outside, knock on doors, meet up with her friends and spend a day on the mountain before coming back home,” Hayes says. “Some of the houses on the access road might feel a bit isolated, but once you get up to that loop of houses and the condos and townhouses, everyone really is all part of one big community.” Condo prices can range between $200,000 and $500,000 depending on the company and the level of luxury that the building provides.
Resort restaurants and Main Street spots in nearby Waterbury Village
For those who like to stay close to home, Bolton Valley Resort's Village Cafe serves breakfast and coffee, and James Moore Tavern has classic bar food and live music. Drivers can take Route 2 to the Waterbury Village Historic District via Bolton Valley Access Road. On Main Street are many little shops and restaurants, with outside patio seating at spots like Mcgillicuddy's Irish Pub or luxury dining at Hen of the Wood, known for its hanger steak. Folks can walk around and explore local attractions like the Phoenix Gallery and Music Hall or browse through bestsellers at Bridgeside Books. For grocery runs, the Village Market of Waterbury is right on Main Street, while the local Shaw’s is on Waterbury-Stowe Road. Ben & Jerry’s ice cream fans can check out the Ben & Jerry’s Flavor Graveyard, a quirky spot showcasing discontinued ice cream flavors like Tennessee Mud or Vermonty Python.
The benefits and drawbacks of rural living
In addition to natural privacy, there are also challenges to living remotely. “For example, you can never get a pizza delivered. And yes, you have to drive into town to get your groceries, but it’s only about 30 minutes away,” Hayes says. “The draw to living here is that it is rugged. When you go for a walk around the neighborhood, it’s not just a walk around the block. You’re living in the hills, right on hiking trails like the Long Trail.” Hayes mentions that he finds many benefits, even if local amenities are farther away than in most neighborhoods. “I have neighbors from Long Island who feel healthier here now in their 70s than they did back in their 50s. In the winter you may have to shovel out your car every day, but I feel strong and healthy all winter where a lot of people in Vermont will sort of hibernate.”
Mount Mansfield Unified School District locations
Students in Bolton Valley may have to travel several miles to go to school. The nearby Smilie Memorial Elementary School is graded a B-plus on Niche. Local children can bike down to the mountain's base with their parents or be driven to school via the Bolton Valley Access Road. Camel’s Hump Middle School is part of the Mount Mansfield Unified School District and is located in nearby Richmond. It is rated an A on Niche. Mt. Mansfield Union High School scores an A-minus and is in Jericho, about 17 miles northwest of town.
Navigating the rural Vermont landscape
Tucked into the slopes and hills, Bolton Valley is an isolated neighborhood that is preferred for its access to nature and Vermont’s local wildlife. However, that means getting around town takes more time than usual. Locals drive about 4 miles down the hill from their homes to reach Route 2, which can take them 7 miles east to the Waterbury Village Historic District or about 6 miles west to Richmond. Jericho is about 15 miles northwest of town via Route 2 and is home to the nearest high school. Burlington International Airport in South Burlington is about 17 miles away and can be reached by using Route 2. Beyond that is downtown Burlington, the University of Vermont and its medical facilities, and finally, the shores of Lake Champlain. Most residents in Bolton Valley drive, as there is a lack of public transportation in the area. However, Green Mountain Transit bus lines do operate in neighboring towns.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
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Transit
Airport
Patrick Leahy Burlington International
44 min drive
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Bolton Valley
US
Homicide
2
4
Sexual Assault
1
4
Assault with Weapon
1
4
Robbery
1
4
Burglary
1
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
1
4
Larceny
1
4
Crime Score
1
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Bolton Valley, Waterbury sell after 29 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Bolton Valley, Waterbury over the last 12 months is $358,397, up 35% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Beautifully renovated 1 bedroom condo in the wentworth II association. All new windows, flooring, custom kitchen with stainless steel appliances, maple cabinetry, granite countertops. Washer/dryer in unit. Radiant gas heat. 25 minutes to burlington / Montpelier. slopeside ski/in out. NO smoking or pets firm! references required. Available July 1, 2025 Tenant pays for gas, electric, water/sewer.
Beautiful upscale condo Completely remodeled, and fully furnished. 3 floors of Luxury. FULLY FURNISHED. 20 min to burl/Montpelier near the Bolton Valley ski area. This unit backs up to the woods and has great privacy. Very quiet country setting. Features custom maple kitchen with professional appliances, granite counter tops, travertine floors, 1st floor 65" tv w/ surround sound in living room,
Interested in learning more about homes in this neighborhood?
Reach out to
Andy Clouse,
an experienced agent in this area.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
319
Median Age
40
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
23.5%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
14.7%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$103,448
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$113,788
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
97.3%
College Graduates
48.2%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
18.6%
% Population in Labor Force
78.3%
Above the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
37''
Average Winter Low Temperature
13°F
Average Summer High Temperature
82°F
Annual Snowfall
64''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
2/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
6/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
