down hill — Photo courtesy of phoosh
Killington Ski Resort
Six mountains. 87 miles worth of 200 trails. 22 lifts, including express quads and gondolas. A 500 foot Super pipe, used for televised free skiing and snowboarding events. This most well-respected ski Mecca is a huge draw for professionals and avid fans of the newer extreme sports. But with a whole mountain dedicated to beginner slopes and one of the best ski schools in the country, families are drawn to Killington, too.
Nestled right in the center of Vermont, in the heart of the Green Mountains (an early pioneer dubbed it "Verde Mont"), Killington Peak is part of the Greater Appalachian Mountain Range, formed by glaciers some 500 million years ago. These mountains are older than the Rockies, Alps and Himalayas, amazingly.
Killington had its beginnings in 1761, opening its first tourist resort by the late 1800's. And finally, in 1958, what would become one of the most popular ski areas in the world officially opened. Now, with daily flights to Boston out of nearby Rutland Regional Airport and just 2 hours from Albany, ski buffs flock to this winter playland.
Using a 600 acre snowmaking system (one of the first of its kind) and getting 250 inches of help from Mother Nature, this ski area has a reputation of having the longest ski season in eastern North America, from early November to sometimes late May.
Amateur skiers love its numerous well-groomed trails and the experienced can enjoy not only the longest run, "Juggnernaut" at 6.2 miles, but also the steepest mogul slope in the East, the intimidating double black diamond known as "Outer Limits." For those thrill seekers, "Dreammaker" and "The Growler" offer freestyle terrain and tree skiing and what expert can resist "The Panic Button?"
One of three stops on the "Dew Tour," in January, Killington expands from a town of 800 plus people to a whopping 30,000 present for this all anticipated annual competition. Along with a Festival Village hosting musical guests, local businesses also get in on the action, sponsoring autographing events for those who want to get up close and personal with their favorite ski and snowboard celebrities.
One can choose from over 100 different lodging facilities, with the more expensive ones, such as the Killington Grand Resort Hotel, located a mere several hundred feet from the lifts. Guests have become quite attached to the resident St. Bernard who freely roams the nearby Summit Lodge and Resort.
With the brand new lift-serviced tubing park open, along with activities such as snowshoeing, tobogganing, sleigh rides and guided snowmobile tours, the fun is endless in this most popular resort. Nowhere but from Killington Peak, can one take in breathtaking views of five other New England states and Canada, to boot.
Before there was Aspen, before there was Vail, there was Killington. Experience the legend.
