Has Santa's North Pole workshop been found at Killington?

Has Santa's North Pole workshop been found at Killington?

Between finishing getting the inn ready for the holidays and acting like Santa's helper Christmas shopping, it's been a pretty busy few days. Throw in a very interesting ride to Rutland in the Subaru with no brakes (it's a long story...but the garage completed the repairs for free) and it has been a pretty complete week already.

Mary and I did get out on the mountain earlier this morning for a few runs. Since we were last there, it is amazing how much snow the resort has made on the trails. And with light snow flurries falling the last 12 hours, everything is taking on a nice white patina to welcome Christmas guests visiting Killington over the holidays.

Because our time on the mountain was limited, we decided to explore new terrain the resort has recently opened. We boosted to the top of K1 on the Gondola then traversed over into the Needles Eye area. Great Eastern, Cruise Control, Bittersweet, Skylark and High Road were all nicely covered in soft snow. All, with the exception of Needles Eye, were groomed flat, with a covering of a couple inches of fluff. Needles Eye, while groomed, was rolling bumps...vestiges of the snow making activity that took place to cover the trail no doubt.

In addition to some resurfacing being done at night, snow making operations have now pushed over to Bear Mountain and down to the Route 4 Skyeship base. Bear Mountain is scheduled to open on Friday for holiday skiers and riders. Great Eastern down to Route 4 and the Skyeship base lodge is due to open on Saturday. Once Bear Mountain opens, six of the seven peaks which make up the Killington/Pico Ski Resort will be open for Christmas skiing and riding. An incredible feat by the snow making team of Killington accomplished in 3 short weeks. With mid winter conditions on the mountain, it is hard to remember that the resort was closed and a lush green during last months Thanksgiving holiday.

About the "Santa's Workshop" picture... that was taken today on Cruise Control. About half way down the trail, there was leak in one of the snow making pipes that created an ice sculpture of sorts in the woods on skiers left.

For those of you who may be traveling this over the next couple of days for the holiday, have a safe journey...... let it snow (on the mountain of course, not on the roads)!