Pico Mountain enrobed in fall color.

Pico Mountain enrobed in fall color.

There are few things in the town of Killington which bring unbridled excitement in many of it's citizens. While I was out and about town (in my shorts no less.. Have to get the body conditioned for cold!), I was stopped several times and asked if I had heard the news... The first couple of times I played dumb. But on the third try, I had to succumb and repeat what I had heard. According to a friend of a friend who was hiking on Killington peak early this morning, precipitation from the sky was falling in a solid state. Yes Virginia, rumor has it that Killington Peak saw it's first hint of snow this morning.

After a busy fall season, with Columbus Day Weekend at hand, most in town are looking forward. Many are planning breaks to warmer climes for a few days or weeks. But everyone is planning to be on the mountain playing in the snow it relatively short order. It won't be this weekend, or even next week. But the calendar is firmly in October. And the resort has been very good about opening for (limited) skiing and riding the last week of October the last several years. Mother Nature will need to lend a hand; and usually she has been accommodating. Watch this space for further details.

Today is quite cool and blustery. Temperatures are barely scraping 50 with a strong gusty breeze. Fall colors along Route 4 towards Rutland are limited to the lower elevations; the upper elevations have been scrubbed clean by recent rains and wind. Twig season is not yet at hand, but by the end of next week the fall colors will basically be done around Killington.

"Leef Peeping" over the Columbus Day Weekend should be fairly robust, with solid color showing on the Route 7 corridor west of Killington. For those who are not looking at the foliage, the Killington Ski Club will be holding their annual Columbus Day Ski Swap Friday, Saturday and Sunday. If you are in the market, you will find some great deals on used and new ski equipment.

If ski gear is not your thing, the Chaffee Art Center is holding their 53rd annual Art in the Park celebration in downtown Rutland on Saturday and Sunday. This years festival of everything art in the Green Mountains will see over 80 vendors showcasing their unique handcrafted art. It is one of the signature fall events on the Rutland calendar.

If you are coming to Vermont this weekend, the weather looks like it will warm up slightly. But is is fall after all, so bring some warmer clothes and plan on layers.

Where ever you may be .. keep it in the fairway...And take in some of the fall foliage beauty of Vermont.