Stairway to heaven...original art from killingtonblog.com

Stairway to heaven...original art from killingtonblog.com

While you were celebrating the Labor Day weekend, the Killington Resort was quietly confirming a rumor which has been circulating around town all summer....The construction of a walkway from Killington Peak to the North Ridge Triple to provide early season winter access to the upper reaches of Killington Peak.

Under the heading "Early Season Insurance", Tom Horrocks, the communications manager for the Killington Resort, posted a message on the "Killington Insider" confirming the plan to construct "the Peak Walkway from the top of the North Ridge Triple to the top of the K-1 Gondola to provide both summer sightseeing access and early-season winter access to upper mountain ski/ride terrain."

Rumors of the construction of the walkway have been active around town for most of the summer. It was first officially raised to the town in a meeting of the Planning Commission in mid July. The resort has since drawn up plans for the State of Vermont to permit the walkway as a minor project under the state's Act 250 land use process.

According to Horrocks "The walkway will provide access, via a 6-minute walk, from our (the Killington Resorts) upper-mountain terrain in the North Ridge area, where historically temperatures from about Oct. 15 on are favorable for snowmaking, back to the top of the K-1 Gondola."

Within Tom's message, no dates were given for when construction will begin or be completed other than "in the coming weeks", however implied in the post is that the walkway will be available to support early season skiing and riding at Killington this year.

On one of our fall hikes up the mountain later in the month, we will swing by North Ridge for some pictures. In the mean time, Mary was wondering if she could find some volunteers to be her "Sherpas" for early season skiing...of course if you are not in shape to do the hike, how can you be in shape for early season skiing and riding??? Time to get in gear with your pre-season ski conditioning program.

Where ever you may be, keep it in the fairway and don't forget the sunscreen.