Burke Mountain
Activities
BURKE REGION AND THE NEK
We aren’t even sure where to start with area activities to highlight but we tried. We're adding some ideas below, but believe us, there’s so much more. Peruse this site and feel free to ask staff members, most of which were born and raised here in the NEK (that’s the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont). We’ve also added links below to the Burke Chamber of Commerce and the Get NEKed website for even more resources.
Ski and Snowboard
Burke Mountain Resort in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom offers a classic skiing and snowboarding experience with 36 trails and 14 glades across 178 acres, featuring a 2,011-foot vertical drop. Known for its uncrowded slopes, it caters to all skill levels: 25% novice, 45% intermediate, and 30% expert, with three terrain parks for freestylers. The resort averages 217 inches of annual snowfall, enhanced by 70% snowmaking coverage. Its friendly vibe, breathtaking views of Willoughby Gap, and proximity to Burke Mountain Academy—home to Olympic skiers like Mikaela Shiffrin—add to its charm. Ideal for families and those seeking a low-key, authentic Vermont adventure, it’s rarely crowded, even during peak seasons.
Mountain Biking
Burke Mountain Resort in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom is a premier mountain biking destination, featuring the Burke Bike Park, opened in 2010, with gravity-fed downhill trails accessed by the Sherburne Express High-Speed Quad and a summit shuttle. The park offers three technical downhill trails from the summit, including Upper J-Bar and Free Ride (expert-only), plus flowing singletrack and slopestyle trails on the lower mountain, like Jester and Roly Grail, catering to intermediate and advanced riders. The resort also connects to the Kingdom Trails network, with over 100 miles of cross-country singletrack for all skill levels. A Norco Bicycle Demo Center, bike rentals, and secure storage at Burke Mountain Hotel enhance the experience. Open June to October, Thursday through Sunday, the park is ideal for thrill-seekers and cross-country enthusiasts alike.
Kingdom Trails
People from all over North America come to ride Kingdom Trails, a year-round mountain bike trail network for all ability levels in the Northeast Kingdom. Over 90 landowners make it possible including Burke Mountain, the single largest landowner on the network.
The 100+ mile trail network is directly accessible from Burke Mountain with some sections of trail intersecting with the Burke Bike Park in the summer months.
Hiking
Dog Mountain: A 150 acre space on a private mountaintop spot in St. Johnsbury. The unspoiled haven, owned by artist Stephen Huneck and his wife Gwen, is covered with hiking trails and dog ponds. Wildflowers abound in the summer and snowshoeing is a favorite activity in the winter. The grounds are always open to people and their dogs. A must do for Dog families!
Lyndon State Forest: Nearly 5 miles of trails open to hikers and mountain bikers. In the winter, you can XC ski, snowshoe or fat bike on the forest’s old woods roads, named Hawkes Loop and Darling Loop on trail signs.
Scenic Toll Road
Built by the Civilian Conservation Corps from 1933 to 1935, the historic toll road to the summit offers amazing views and access to hiking trails, paragliding launch sites and downhill mountain-biking trails. Stop mid-way at the pavilion for the perfect picnic site with the Willoughby Gap as your backdrop and be sure to climb the historic fire tower at the top for stunning 360° views of the surrounding mountain ranges. The toll road is subject to closures due to private events.
In the Water
Check out Paddle Adventures at Clyde River Recreation: canoe, kayak and paddleboard rentals and paddle trips along the Clyde River.
Fishing: the locals won’t actually tell you where the best brook trout are or what small ponds you should go to in the morning to catch your breakfast. So we are linking to the Vermont Fish & Wildlife guide to the NEK right here. They can also guide you to some great Ice Fishing spots.
Boating: Check out nearby Lake Willoughby (you can see the famed Willoughby Gap from the summit and from the deck of the hotel) and Island Pond, both offer public boat ramps.Swimming: Public or State beaches nearby include: Lake Willoughby (Westmore, Vt.), Brighton State Park (Island Pond, Vt.), Crystal Lake (Barton, Vt.)
Snowmobiling
The NEK is a mecca for snowmobiling. The Vermont Association of Snow Travelers is where to head for local trail maps and services. Burke is located right along the VAST trail network. Snowmobilers can ride right to the Sherburne Base Lodge for lunch and continue on throughout the massive trail network.
Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium
The Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium, located in St. Johnsbury, Vermont, about 10 miles from Burke Mountain Resort, is a historic natural history museum founded in 1891 by Franklin Fairbanks. Housed in a striking Richardsonian-Romanesque building, it features an eclectic "cabinet of curiosities" with over 175,000 items, including taxidermy, fossils, shells, and John Hampson’s unique beetle-and-moth mosaics. The museum also hosts Vermont’s only public planetarium (Lyman Spitzer Jr. Planetarium, opened 1961), offering cosmic tours, and the Eye on the Sky Weather Center, broadcasting regional forecasts. Open daily 10 AM–5 PM, it’s family-friendly with free admission for residents of nearby towns, including Burke.
Arts & Culture
Catamount Arts - located in St. Johnsbury, Catamount Arts offers foreign, independent, and classic films; exhibitions by local and regional artists; live music, dance, and theater performances; summer camps and arts education programming for children and adults; a regional box office for more than 40 organizations and a gathering space for community events.
Golf
Located just 30 minutes from the Burke Mountain Hotel you'll find a premier 18-hole golf experience at St. Johnsbury Country Club.
Lake Willoughby Golf Course, 9 holes, located two miles from Lake Willoughby at the top of beautiful Hinton Hill.
Barton Country Club, featuring 18 holes and a driving range.
Dining
In East Burke Village (at the bottom of our access road):
Auntie Dee Dee’s: located on the Burke Mountain Access road, Auntie Dee Dees offers pastries, breads, homemade specialty sandwiches, locally roasted coffee, teas and more. Weekends only.
Inn at Burklyn: locally sourced fine dining. This is a fantastically romantic grownup night out.
Mike’s Tiki Bar: a mtn bike institution, open May - Oct. local food trucks featured along with 30+ local brews on tap.
NEK Country Store: Stop in for breakfast, lunch (pizza and sandwiches) or snacks like baked goods.
Cafe Lotti: Specialty coffee shop offering homemade breakfast and lunch
The Orange Rind: Dining and pub, live music,outdoor seating in summer right on the Kingdom Trails, great cocktails and local brews
Tomassoni’s Bistro: Takeout pizza, salads and other specials. Open Friday-Monday.
Wildflower Inn: The Wildflower Restaurant features lunch, dinner and pub menus in a comfortable Vermont inn setting.
The Northeast Kingdom
There is no shortage of incredibly locally-sourced dining in the NEK. We encourage you to explore! Nearby towns with great dining include St. Johnsbury, Lyndonville, Island Pond, Newport and a ton of tiny towns and villages with secret awesome places to eat. Learn more about dining in the NEK.