Colorful backdrop graces the 5th green
on the Killington Resort Golf Course 

The weather at Killington changed dramatically during the evening hours. Where yesterday saw temperatures in the mid 70's, today the thermometer is barely getting over 50. A large Arctic air mass driven by a high pressure system out of Canada has rapidly cooled off the area.

Ahead of the cool front, we had heavy rain and moderate winds last evening. Mary and I were a little concerned that many of the tree's would have lost their foliage during the storm, but on our walk around the neighborhood today fall foliage colors were still brilliant. In addition to the red maples and orange oaks, the cold weather is starting to turn the birch trees yellow in places. Only the poplars are maintaining thier green shades for now. Sunny skies and cool temperatures are forecasted for the area through the Columbus day weekend. It should be a great weekend for viewing the fall foliage colors in Vermont.

Fall Foliage behind Rams Head Base Lodge at Killington 

The big fall foliage Columbus Day weekend is almost upon us. The Killington area is resplendent in bright fall colors. But if leaf peeping is not your thing, there is also a lot of other activities in the area which may be of interest.

Columbus Day weekend is the "unofficial" beginning of the ski season. There will not be any skiing at Killington this Columbus day, barring some freak snowstorm, but skiers and riders from all over New England will descend upon Killington to partake in the Killington Ski Club Ski Swap which takes place over the weekend at the Snow Shed Base Lodge. To go along with the ski swap, local ski shops will also be hosting their Columbus Weekend Ski Sales. If you want new equipment for the 2006-2007 ski season, you will find some of the best deals of the season this coming weekend.

The Killington Brewfest also returns this weekend. 13 local brewers will be sampling their libations in the Snow Shed Base Lodge on Saturday afternoon. This is the 11th year for this popular event at Killington. Tickets to the brewfest are available for advanced purchase on Killington's web site or at the Snow Shed Base Lodge on Saturday.

Killington in it's Fall Foliage Splendor 

Today was definitely a bonus day at Killington. Fall showers, predicted for all day long, held off until sunset. Temperatures were moderate(I put shorts back on for the day to work outside). And the fall color is spectacular

I went up to a friends house on a mountain ridge line overlooking Killington and took today's picture of the Killington basin area. The colors throughout the valley are vivid. The red maples, and orange oaks, cause the valley to glow with color. Cloud cover today kept things somewhat muted, but the colors were still quite beautiful. And with reasonable weather forecasted for the rest of the week, the colors should hold through the upcoming Columbus Day weekend.

Championship Tee's, Hole 5,
Killington Resort Golf Course 

After a very busy weekend, Mary and I had an opportunity to take a walk on our usual loop around the neighborhood of the inn. On normal days, it is usually a very nice walk. We meander through parts of the Killington Resort golf course; on quiet back country roads; all with great views of the mountains as a backdrop. Today, however, the nice walk was downright beautiful.

Fall colors in the Killington basin area, are starting to approach peak. Virtually all of the trees have started to change color with the diminished sunshine and cool temperatures of the last couple of days. It was a very pretty walk indeed.

Birch Ridge Inn with a colorful fall backdrop 

Just a quick update....Saturday is a working day around the inn, so we don't usually get a chance to roam around town very much. Today, unfortunately, is no exception...because it is just beautiful outside.

Cool crisp fall air infiltrated the area overnight. Skies today are a deep royal blue. Fall foliage is nearing peak. Just a postcard perfect fall day in Killington.

Geese on Hole 4 at Killington Golf Course 

This morning at Killington it was very wet, blustery, but with mild temperatures. Most of the day the temperatures were in the mid 60's. But around 3:00 this afternoon it all changed.

The leading edge of a cold front has pushed through the area. Temperatures have dropped 20 degrees already. But later tonight, temperatures are forecasted to be in the low 30's with a general frost warning in the area. Saturday is forecasted to be a blue bird day, on the crisp side, but with a lot of sunshine. Great weather to view fall foliage.

Fall Color At Birch Ridge Inn 

Each night, the cold temperatures are drawing out the color of the grand old trees around the inn. Over the last couple of nights, we have come close to a general frost. The ground is still a little moist, so we have not had a killing ground frost, but building roofs and cars are covered in the morning, which means that the leaves on the trees are also getting quite cold.

If you notice on the inn picture in the foliage picture gallery, we got our first load of firewood for the season yesterday. This mornings task was to build a crib for the wood in front of the Great Room. It has still been a little warm in the early evening to light a fire in the Great Room fireplace, but I would expect that we will be doing that either this weekend or some time next week.