There’s something about Burke Mountain that stays with you. Maybe it’s the quiet confidence of the trails, the way the sun hits the summit at just the right angle, or the stories whispered through generations of skiers, riders, and trail wanderers. For those who know it — who really know it — Burke isn’t just a mountain. It’s a memory, a movement, and a heartbeat of the Northeast Kingdom.

As we step into a new chapter with the recent sale of Burke Mountain, we’re taking a moment to look back — to honor where we’ve come from, to celebrate how far we’ve come, and to remember the people and passion that made Burke what it is today.

Burke Mountain: A Timeline Through the Years

1940s – The First Turns
Skiing on Burke began informally when locals hiked the slopes with wooden skis and rope tows. It was raw, simple, and full of grit — just like the NEK spirit.

1953 – Burke Mountain Ski Area Opens
The official opening brought a new wave of excitement. With a single Poma lift and a few trails, the mountain began carving its place in Vermont’s ski culture.

1970 – The Burke Mountain Academy Is Born
This world-renowned ski academy changed everything. Known for training Olympians and elite athletes, it cemented Burke’s reputation as a mountain that produces excellence.

1980s–1990s – Growth and Change
New lifts, improved trails, and updated lodges brought Burke into the modern era. It remained the quieter cousin to bigger resorts — and that’s exactly how locals liked it.

2010s – High Hopes, Hard Lessons
With international investment came big dreams — and complicated realities. The EB-5 scandal left a mark, but the mountain held strong. Locals dug in. Businesses like The Wildflower Inn kept the flame alive.

2025 – A New Beginning
With the mountain now in the hands of fresh ownership and visionary leadership, a new chapter begins — one rooted in community, care, and a deep respect for the past.

The Wildflower Inn: Always Part of the Story

Perched just minutes from the mountain, The Wildflower Inn has been part of Burke’s fabric for decades. Generations of guests have stayed here for ski weekends, summer rides on Kingdom Trails, and everything in between. Some return year after year, some pass the tradition on to their kids — all leave a little piece of themselves behind.

From candle-lit dinners after powder days to golden-hour porch chats after bike rides, The Wildflower has seen it all. We’re proud to honor Burke’s history — and to keep writing it, one guest at a time.

Heritage, Heart, and a Hopeful Future

Burke’s story is one of perseverance, passion, and place. As we look to the future — with new investments, community-driven progress, and growing excitement — we carry the legacy forward. The trails are still here. The people are still here. And the magic? That’s never left.

So whether you’re returning after decades or discovering Burke for the first time, you’re stepping into a story that matters.

Come write your chapter with us at The Wildflower Inn.
Visit www.wildflowerinn.com
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