This is a fascinating 3.5min. news spot/video on ch. 3. They include a chart of 4 resorts snowfall and base:
Jay 96" natural 12-36" base
Stowe 50 12-36
Killington 19 12
Bolton V 36
Burke's problem is the drought. It lowered the stream they withdraw from. Levels were coming up but now freezing temps are dropping the level. They are hoping for warmer temps so they can withdraw water to make snow. Yes, that is not what one normally thinks. They didn't mention snowmaking pond(s). I see two ponds on Google. I'm sure the mid-mt. one is for snowmaking. The other small one below the lower base may be.
During the Les Otten era his resorts and others came up with (more) snowmaking ponds and large tanks (well, one at Sugarbush). This provided water for fall snowmaking while maintaining stream levels (especially pools) for fish to survive the winter low flow period. I skied Burke two seasons ago for two days. Other than two race trails, I didn't get the impression they had much snowmaking coverage. The new owners have invested much in snowmaking equipment. It looks like pond expansion will need to be their next investment.
Burke Mountain faces snowmaking struggles
By Calvin Cutler
Published: Nov. 21, 2025 at 4:31 PM EST
EAST BURKE, Vt. (WCAX) - While Vermont ski resorts report strong early-season conditions with the second biggest start on record for Mount Mansfield’s snow stake, Burke Mountain is struggling to begin its season due to water access issues.
After almost a decade in receivership, Burke Mountain is under new local ownership by Bear Den Partners, looking to chart a new chapter for the Kingdom resort.
Interim General Manager Tom Day says crews spent the summer building out new branding, new technology, and making a huge investment in snowmaking infrastructure.
“Fourteen thousand feet of new pipe, 150 new guns, new pump stations, new valve stations,” Day said.
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Many Vermont ski resorts are opening or scheduled to open next week, but before Burke’s season can begin in earnest, they need Mother Nature to help them thaw out.
Burke Mountain Resort draws its snowmaking capacity from the West Branch of the Passumpsic River. Like other resorts, they have been affected by this year’s historic drought. Recent drought-busting rains have helped return the river’s levels to normal, but freezing temperatures have dropped the river’s levels to below where they are legally allowed to withdraw to make snow.
Though Vermont is no longer in a drought, Molly Mahar, president of Ski Vermont, says it highlights the importance of snowmaking technology. “Snowmaking provides a certain degree of stability and resilience not only for the ski areas themselves and for the state because remember skiing brings in about a billion dollars of visitor spending every winter,” Mahar said.
She adds that the state may need to revisit its water withdrawal permitting process.
Day says there’s warmer weather on the horizon, which will get the Passumpsic flowing again and allow them to turn on the snow guns. “It’s very exciting for us and for the skiing and riding public to know we will be able to get up here and lay out a lot of snow, quickly,” Day said.
Burke’s new year under new ownership is ready to welcome the community back to the beloved mountain.
https://www.wcax.com/2025/11/21/burke-mountain-faces-snowmaking-struggles/
