Besides voting, there was something else important to do today at Killington! 

What ever else you do today....remember to get out and vote. If you have not done so already, stop reading this blog and go do it! It will be here when you get back....

Today was the much anticipated first day of the 2011 ski season at Killington. The resort officially opened today for skiing and riding at 10:00 AM. Skiing was provided from the K1 Gondola, the North Ridge Triple Chair, and the Stairway to Heaven.

Being the first day, and as all of the surfaces were provided via snow guns, terrain was limited to the top of Great Nortern, Rime, Reason, and the very top of Double Dipper. Upper East Falls and the mid section of Great Northern (formerly lower West Glade for those with long term memory) were closed with snow making operations taking place.

Surfaces on all of the terrain was groomed packed powder. Overall conditions were nicely soft. After 2 hours of skiing and riding, many small moguls were begining to develop, providing many opportunities for boarders and twin tip freestylers to catch a little air.

To get off of the mountain, hiking is required. I walked up the completed "Stairway to Heaven" to get back to the K1 Gondola for a ride back down the mountain. The resort did a really nice job on the stairway. All of the stairs are perforated steel to shed snow accumulation. All of the ramps are covered in a non-slip rubber mat. Overall, the walk took about 5 minutes in ski boots carrying my equipment. You won't need to do aerobic excercises after walking it, but the "Stairway to Heaven" is a nice addition to allow early season skiing and riding at Killington.

You will find a gallery of pictures from my first day of the 2011 ski season on the Birch Ridge Inn's Facebook page. The gallery is located under 2011 Ski Season - First Day - 11/02/2010.

Let it snow!

Snow making operations continue at Killington (Taken Sunday 10/31/10) 

Tommorrow is the day. The Killington Ski Resort announced late this morning that they plan to open operations for skiing and riding tommorrow morning, Tuesday November 2, 2010.

Using various social media messages, the Killington Resort posted the following:

Hope you are ready! Let it snow!

Peaks of Killington - full on twig season! 

The brief respite of Indian Summer was a boon to getting work done outside around the inn, but enough is enough. It's time for twig season to end and for winter to begin at Killington.

Thursday's temperatures in the mid 70's have given way to a dull, drizzly overcast in Killington. Intermixed with the light mist you will find random snow flurries thrown in for good measure, just to tease those of us around town who want to go skiing or riding. The mountain peaks in the area are lightly snow covered again; more frost than a thick covering. But the hint of white is a signal to keep faith and that winter will be arriving soon to the area.

Snow guns visible at the junction of East Fall and Rime. Click to enlarge..

For their part, the Killington Resort is preparing for the start of ski season. Snow guns are clearly in place on the upper reaches of Killington Peak; ready to make snow when conditions allow. From what could be seen from the K1 Base Lodge earlier this afternoon, it did appear that the resort did make snow last night on Rime. Cold temperatures seem to be in the forecast for most of the week. But how much twig season humidity will translate into snow flurries or drizzle will make all the difference on building base depths on the upper mountain.

This time of year is always filled with anticipation for the start of ski season. It is always an interesting show watching the resort make snow. With luck, it will get a little bit colder so they can make a lot!

It's time for twig season to end....Let It SNOW!!!!!!

Birch Ridge Inn covered with first snow of the season. 

It would be nice if we did not have a twig season at Killington this year......

The first snow storm of the 2010/2011 season has blanked the Killington region in a slushy coating of white. Ground temperatures are still quite warm, moderating the snow depths. Around the inn you will find several inches of snow on the ground. It is very sloppy and wet. Further up the mountain at the Killington Base Lodge, the snow, while still wet, is more consistent. The slight elevation change from the inn to the Killington Base Lodge apparently makes all the difference.

K1 Base Lodge at Killington. Notice the beer and food delivery trucks... Click to enlarge..

It is way too early to tell what this storm means for the early ski season. Heavy snow is reportedly falling on the upper elevations of Killington. Visibility of Killington Peak is zero from the Killington Base Lodge due to falling snow. Whether or not enough snow falls from this storm with a consistency good enough to safely allow skiing and riding remains to be seen. But one thing is certain, once the storm clears if temperatures permit it will make it a lot easier to make snow on top of the mountain with a nice base laid down by Mother Nature. And that, combined with the new "Stairway to Heaven" should help the resort in their quest to open for skiing and riding early this season.

It's time....Let It SNOW!!!!!!

Killington Peak waiting for snow. 

As todays picture of Killington Peak highlights, the Killington region is on the cusp of entering twig season...that magical time of year when the area is devoid of color between the time the leaves fall off the trees and the first snow falls. While many trees in the area still have colorful foliage for visitors to enjoy, some time in the next 5 to 10 days a cold wind will blow through town causing foliage season 2010 to become just a memory viewed in photo galleries by future generations.

Around Killington, locals are catching their breath and getting ready for winter. All the while, we are looking at the mountain wondering when the first snow will make an appearance signaling the start of ski season. Whether the snow is natural, or the result of the resort turning on their snow making system for the first time, the appearance of the first snow on the mountain lifts everyones spirits with it's foreshadowing of the arrival of winter.

Mary and I have a whole list of activities around the inn to complete as we transition seasons. I have a ton of marketing work to finish to launch our winter season (you do want to visit us at the Birch Ridge Inn this winter don't you?). We also have a "Green" initiative we are working on which I will be writing about in the next few weeks.

Stairway to heaven visible on Killington Peaky Click to enlarge..

While I was out taking pictures this morning of Killington Peak, I discovered something which surprised me...you can see the "Stairway to Heaven" walkway from the North Ridge Triple to the K1 Gondola along Heavenly Traverse from the upper Snowshed parking lot. Right in the middle of the second picture in this blog post you can see the walkway crossing Catwalk. On the far right of the frame at the top of the Double Dipper Quad, you can see the stairway leading up the trail. To the left, you can follow the walkway all the way across to the top of Downdraft. Since the wood used in the construction has not weathered yet, it is still very light colored; contrasting with the surrounding green pine trees. I would guess that once the wood ages some, it will disappear into the mountain side. Of course, throw some bright white snow (soon) on the mountain top and it will become invisible as well..

Where ever you may be, enjoy the change of seasons. And start thinking cold and snow!

The last rose of summer 

it is hard to describe how great the weather was around Killington this weekend. After last weeks yuck, visitors to Killington were presented with possibly the nicest Columbus Day weekend in years.

Strangely, and I hate the politicization of the term "Global Warming", we have not had a ground level frost at the inn as yet. Frost has been reported on the top of Killington Peak, at 4241 feet, but at the inn altitude, 1870 feet, the ground has remained frost free. Flowers around the inn are still blooming, although they are definitely showing the stress caused by reduced sunlight falling on the ground around the inn every day. But even in this environment, one of the rose bushes near the inn's covered carriageway decided to give it a try and push out one more rose before the growing season at Killington ends.

Our attention the next few weeks around the inn will focus on getting the inn ready for winter. If history is any guide, we need to have all of our outside work done in the next 2 weeks or so. After that, with any luck, we will be seeing snow falling from the sky; and that's a good thing for late October in Killington.

Where ever you may be, keep it in the fairway, remember the leaf rule, and start thinking about sn....(no not quite yet)

The 16th green on the Killington Resort Golf Course in Killington Thursday afternoon 

While it has been a damp week at Killington, Columbus Day weekend looks like it will be a good one if today is any indication. The r@!n of the week has been chased away by a beautiful blue sky, mild temperatures, and light fall breezes.

Unlike the last 2 years, fall colors immediately at Killington are on the wane this year. The season has turned back to a more traditional clock with peak foliage in the Killington Basin area earlier in the week. But color in the area is still beautiful, as pictures from late yesterday highlight.

You will find several galleries of fall foliage pictures from the Killington area on the Birch Ridge Inn's Facebook page. The latest gallery is located under 2010 Colors of Fall - heading towards Columbus Day.

Where ever you may be, keep it in the fairway, remember the leaf rule, and stay warm on the frosty evenings...