Bolton Valley Resort

4 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 9, ISSUE 7 BOLTON VALLEY RESORT recounts, “It was the vision of my father, Ralph DesLauriers, when he was in his 20s during the 1960s. At the time, my grandfather, Ronald DesLauriers, owned a dairy farm in South Burlington. Interstate 89 was to be installed right in the middle of it, so my grandfather was compensated and bought 8,000 acres in Bolton.” Although Mr. DesLauriers Sr. originally intended to use the land for timber, his son had other plans. Lindsay adds, “My father pursued his dream. He developed the ski resort, which opened in 1966, and he successfully owned and operated it for three decades before selling it in 1997 to new owners.” After changing hands over the next 20 years, the family and some investors were able to buy back the resort. Mr. DesLauriers Jr. is now Chairman of the Board, with his three children – Lindsay, Evan, and Adam – as the next generation of leadership. Together, they have been running the daily operations with great success. Perfectly situated among 5,000-acres of breathtaking alpine forests, Bolton Valley Resort is easily accessible and only a 30-minute drive from Vermont’s largest airport, Burlington International. “Our area is so vibrant being so close to Washington County and our state capital of Montpelier. There’s lots of interesting things around us and we benefit from being the only ski area in our county of Chittenden,” shares DesLauriers. Scott Pellegrini, Director of Sales & Marketing for Bolton Valley, agrees that the stunning locale sets it apart, especially in terms of natural beauty and outdoor adventure. “With our proximity to the airport, we’re a quick escape to the mountains where you can hike, bike, swim, and even play disc golf. The Green Mountains have the most beautiful sunsets. In the summer you can ride the lift to the top for a picnic or you can enjoy the 360° panoramic views from the lookout tower.” Bolton Valley Resort has an impressive 71 ski trails that are balanced between ‘easier,’ ‘more difficult,’ and ‘most difficult’ to accommodate