Twig Season in full bloom at Killington 

It's one of those quiet Saturdays in Killington after the fall foliage has dropped from the trees, but before the winter season starts in earnest. The excitement of the resort being open for skiing and riding last weekend, has given way to what Mary and I call "Twig Season". Each year at this time, a certain apprehension sets in to the resort. The beauty of the Vermont landscape in summer has given way to a dull grey, devoid of all apparent life. Of course, the situation will completely reverse itself as soon as the region is blanketed in snow. When that happens, everything will look fresh and pure. But until then, we basically have to make the best of the surroundings while making sure that everything is ready for the snow that we know will be coming in the near future.

Speaking of getting ready for winter, at the inn we have immediate openings for wait-staff to work in our dining room for dinner service in the evening. Both full and part time positions are available. If you are interested, you can contact the Birch Ridge Inn at 802-422-4293 for further details. Let us know you found out about us on the blog.

Will this Christmas Tree measure up? 

Hunting in Vermont is done with many weapons. Some people use guns, I use a ruler! For today was our annual trip into the woods to go hunting for the perfect Christmas tree to adorn the great room of our inn at Killington. My partner, Mary, and I always try to pick a nice fall day to go out into the woods to look for the annual tree. And today was just beautiful. Temperatures were in the warm 60's, moderate sunshine, a nice breeze... just perfect to find the right tree.

After walking around a grove of trees for about an hour, we identified this years candidate. It stands 23 feet, beside a corn field, in a town to the north west of Killington, on property owned by casual acquaintances who let us take a tree each year. When it is trimmed out, we expect the tree will stand 16 to 17 feet. Of course we will not really know how big it is until we cut it and bring it back to the inn after Thanksgiving.

The tree this year will be decorated in a silver and white motif with crystal ornaments. For those reading this who do not know us, each year we alternate between a crystal tree and a traditional colored ornament tree. This practice dates back to when we first purchased the property to convert it into the Birch Ridge Inn in 1997. Prior to that, we had 2 christmas trees in our home; the crystal tree in our foyer, and the colored ornament tree in our family room. In moving to the inn, we decided to have one large tree in our great room, and alternate styles on different years. If all goes well, this years Christmas tree will be at the inn and decorated the first weekend in December.

After a great opening to the ski season last weekend, the Killington region has seen unusually warm weather. The snow pack at the lower elevations of the mountain is quickly deteriorating. As a result, the Killington Ski Resort announced late Monday that they would not be re-opening as planned for skiing the weekend of November 5/6.

Killington had originally planned to open the winter ski season on November 11th, but the heavy snow the region experienced last week encouraged the resort to open on October 29th. Cold weather is expected next week which will allow the resort to resume snow making operations. When the ski season at Killington will resume is anybody's guess. Think Snow!

Weebles wobble but they don't fall down 

Over 600 people attended the 41st annual Wobbly Barn Halloween party last night. Upon entry to the Wobbly, each person received a lovely, extremely resilient, purple WOBB tattoo on the top of their right hand.

Joey Leone's Chop Shop provided the entertainment. Copious amounts of malt and spirit beverages were consumed. Gramps Taxi was on hand to shuttle people home after the evenings festivities. Of course to get back to the Inn, we just had a short walk across the Killington Road up Butler Road.

Currently is is a beautiful day here in Killington. At noon time the temperature was 65 degrees with muted sunshine. Showers are expected later in the day, followed by warm temperatures all week. It is hard to tell if the mountain will be able to open for skiing and riding next weekend as there is significant snow cover melting taking place. I will report on that possibility later on during the week when I get a chance to hike up the hill.

What are you going to be for Halloween? 

The 2005-2006 Ski Entertainment Season officially kicks off this evening with the 41st Annual Halloween Party at the Wobbly Barn. Local favorite, Joey Leone, will be providing the entertainment for the festivities. Proceeds from the party will be split to benefit the Sherburne First Response and the Gretna, Louisiana Volunteer Fire Departments.

Each year, the Wobbly holds the season opening party on the traditional Halloween, October 31. Tonight's affair will tend to draw a very heavy local crowd, being on a Monday evening. There is only one rule for the party - You must come in Costume! So, if you are in Killington, get yourself in costume and head to the Wobbly tonight. We will see you there!

Oh, and by the way, what are you going to be?

Heavy Snow in the Upper Elevations at Killington makes for a great opening day to the 2005-2006 ski season. 

Absolutely incredible! Mid winter snow, mild temperatures, a little sun, small crowds. What a great opening day of skiing at Killington!

I was very hesitant this morning about the first day of skiing. Usually the first day at Killington is a zoo with big crowds. Today, however, while there were plenty of people, when I got to the hill at 11:00 AM, I had no trouble getting a parking space and getting right on the lift. I would guess that crowds were kept down due to the late in the day announcement on Friday, by Killington, that the mountain would open.

The K1 gondola, Snowdon Quad, Snowdon Poma and North Ridge lifts were running. I started on the Quad, it was too nice a day to be in the box(the K1 Gondola). All of the Killington side of the mountain was open for skiing. From the quad, I did Chute, Bunny Buster, and Great Bear. Cover on all trails was very good. Chute was showing some grass in places, but the soft bumps in Great Bear reminded me that this was my first day on ski's in a while. No lines at the quad. Skied right onto the chair each time without waiting.

I then took the North Ridge Chair up to the Glades. Did a few runs down Rime. The trees were all very heavy with snow, the sun was blazing, unbelievable day. Skied right up to the chair each time with no waiting. I could have done loops all day without stopping if my legs were strong enough. I did take a peek at East Glade. In a couple of months, I would have enjoyed it, but it was very bumped up so I took a pass.

I then traversed the mountain over to South Ridge. I followed Great Eastern across the top of the mountain. Ovation was roped, but that had not stopped some people. Super Star was open. Upper was not groomed with nice soft bumps. A few hollows on lower Super Star made it interesting.

I had so much fun, I K1'd back up and did the traverse again. This time I took Upper Skylark, which was sweet, to lower Bittersweet. Lower Bittersweet again was not groomed, except for 1 cat track on skiers left. Bumps were nice and soft, although by this time my first day of the season legs were calling it a day.

I don't think I will get up on the hill on Sunday, as I have a commitment at the Inn I need to tend too, but if you have the opportunity to head to Killington, go for it... The conditions were well worth it!

Killington Resort to open for Top to Bottom Skiing for 2005-2006 season 

As noted yesterday, all signs were pointing to Killington opening this coming weekend. Well it's now official. In a press release sent out this afternoon, the headline reads "Killington Resort Open for Top to Bottom Skiing and Snowboarding this Weekend".

Killington plans on running the K1 Express Gondola and the North Ridge Triple Chair(formerly called the Glades chair for Killington Old Timers) from 8 AM to 4 PM on Saturday and Sunday, October 29 and 30. Price of a one day adult lift ticket will be $39. A two day ticket will be $72.

After Sunday, the resort is reporting that they plan to suspend operations during the week, assuming mother nature does not provide ample cold temperatures to allow snowmaking operations. So get your gear in the car and head north for a late fall weekend of skiing at Killington!