Killington Peak waiting the approaching storm

Killington Peak waiting the approaching storm

The first holiday weekend of the 08/09 ski season is winding down at Killington. And by all indications, it looks like the season is off to a good start.

Thanksgiving weekend is the most fickle of the holidays during the ski year. Many years the mountains are green. Some years skiers and riders are treated to a "ribbon" of a ski trail when Mother Nature challenges the industry. This year, however, the Killington Resort has had several weeks of great snow making weather, combined with a healthy dose of natural snow, resulting in excellent holiday ski conditions. And by several indications, the skiing public responded.

Killington is always a paradox at Thanksgiving. It is never "full" in the true sense of the word. The hard reality is that many skiers and riders in the Northeast have other obligations this weekend which prevent them from visiting their favorite resort. On the other hand, there are still many who look at Thanksgiving as their first opportunity to hit the slopes. The wild card in the mix is the about of skiable terrain that is open to support those skiers and riders who make the Thanksgiving pilgrimage to the mountains.

This year, the Killington Resort had about a third (plus or minus) of their skiable terrain open this weekend. Even with the K1 parking lot full, and the Ramshead, Vale and Snowshed parking lots 1/2 full, the amount of open terrain was able to spread skiers and riders out. The net of it all left our inn and restaurant guests very happy about the on mountain conditions. And when you run a business in a ski resort town, that's a wonderful thing!

As guests leave the area this afternoon, the mountain once again is waiting for an approaching storm. The National Weather Service indicates that we may be in for a nasty 36 hours with a combination of snow, sleet and freezing r@!n. To which I can only add... Let it snow!