Killington peak covered in clouds with snow on lower elevations.

Killington peak covered in clouds with snow on lower elevations.

---7:00 PM Update---- The Killington resort is reporting that snowmaking operations are continuing this evening. Tonight they expect to have more than 100 snow guns in operation along Rime, Reason, and Great Northern in the Northridge area. The resort has not changed it's planned opening date as yet. Their plan of record is early November, "as soon as it is possible to provide a quality top-to-bottom skiing and riding experience". Of course, the operative words in that last quote are "quality top-to-bottom". Where the Killington Resort is reclaiming the "Beast of the East" mantra as their brand, it will be interesting to watch opening day predictions play out, especially if favorable weather conditions (ie cold and snowy) persist.

The Killington Resort has posted the following video on Youtube - "Killington Begins Snowmaking". Enjoy.

---end 7:00 PM Update-----

----10:45 AM Update----The Killington Resort has officially reported that they have started making snow for the 2009-2010 ski season. The snow making system was turned on last night making snow on the upper elevations of Killington Peak. Snowmaking is progressing on Rime. Based on the current weather forecast, the Killington Resort is reporting that weather conditions should support snowmaking for at least the next 4 to 6 days. ---end 10:45 AM Update-----

Measurable snowfall blanketed Killington Vermont overnight. Around the Birch Ridge Inn, cold surfaces accumulated about 2 inches of heavy, wet snow. Grassy surfaces are covered, but because the ground is not frozen, rapid melting is taking place. Parking lots and roads are just wet as any snow falling on them is melting on contact.

Snow fell on Killington Peak overnight. While the peak was totally covered in clouds (at 9:00 AM), snow was visible on ski trails at lower elevations of the ski resort. Because of the cloud cover, it was impossible to tell from the K1 Base Lodge if the resort had begun snowmaking operations on the upper elevations of the mountain at night. We will have to wait for an official announcement from the resort to determine if they fired up the snow guns for the season.

Clearly not enough snow fell on the mountain to support skiing and riding, so don't plan on visiting Killington today for the first turns of the season. However, it is nice to see the area change from fall colors to a patina of white. While the snow cover will probably be fleeting, as ground temperatures are too warm as yet to support snow, it is a clear reminder that winter is on the way. Let it snow!