The Covered Carriageway at the Birch Ridge Inn at Killington 

It was a very strange morning at Killington. At the inn we have had heavy downpours, hail, thunder and lightning, moderate wind gusts, and blue skies. Wait a minute weather characteristic of New England is the order of the day.

The weather has had some impact on the local foliage color. The maple trees, which were looking for an excuse to shed their leaves, are starting to turn to twig. Most will get through the weekend and then that will be it. As the maples go, the warm red tones of fall are being slowly replaced by the burnt orange color of the oaks scattered through the forests. Oak trees are usually very resilient. They should hold their color for a few more weeks before they are done.

Given the current trend, Columbus Day weekend should offer pretty scenes through out the Killington region. After that, we will all be watching the sky for the first signs of winter.

Speaking of winter, Killington's pre-season discount lift ticket program, called K50, is set to expire next week. October 15th to be exact. The program allows individuals to purchase up to 4 lift tickets valid during the 2009/2010 ski season, with some restrictions, for $50 per ticket. If you are thinking of coming up to Killington for a few days during the ski season, and you have not bought a seasons pass, the K50 program is a good opportunity to save some money, over purchasing individual lift tickets at the ticket window during the season. Info on the K50 program can be found on the Killington Resort website.

The Heights at Killington 

The Heights at Killington will host the October Killington Chamber of Commerce Mixer tonight at "The Heights" condominium development at 210 Killington Road (At the base of the Killington Road near the junction with Route 4).

Kevin DellaBianca, the principal developer, and Robin Becker, Sales Manager for the Heights, will be hosting the event in a model condominium at the complex. The mixer starts at 5 PM. Hors d'oeuvres and refreshments will be served.

The Killington Chamber of Commerce organizes mixers on the first Tuesday of each month. The mixers are hosted by member businesses of the chamber, on a rotating basis. If your business is interested in hosting a mixer, contact the Killington Chamber of Commerce for more details.

Killington color peaking. October 5, 12:27 PM.
Click to enlarge. 

Fall Foliage colors appear to have peaked at Killington today. Virtually all of the trees are engaged in the annual rite of autumn. The maple trees are bright red and just starting to shed their leaves. The oaks are showing decent orange. The birch and popular trees are showing yellow interspersed with mottled green.

Bright colors on Ramshed and Snowdon Peaks. Click to enlarge.

Colors at Killington Peak are in a band starting at about 3500 feet. (Above that, most of the trees are not deciduous, so there are no leaves to change colors.) The most brilliant color is in a band from Little Pico across Rams Head and Snowdon into the K1 base area.

Color highlights the walkway from the Killington Grand Hotel to Snowshed. Click to enlarge.

Color is not limited to Killington Peak. The hills surrounding the area are also showing well. Shagback Mountain and Fosters Peak are both very colorful. They are creating numerous photo opportunities at the bridge across the pond at the Grand Hotel.

Inn guests arriving this afternoon are reporting that color is starting to show to the south of the inn along Routes 91, 100, and 87. Guests heading to Killington along Route 4 from the east are also reporting nice color through the Woodstock area, although it will probably be a few more days before they see peak color.

Great color in the mountains around Killington. 

Over 2 weeks ago I predicted that fall color would peak in Killington on October 5th at 12:27 PM. At the time it was said in jest. It may have been prescient. We will know tomorrow.

In the mean time, weekend fall foliage visitors to Killington are being treated today by Mother Nature to a beautiful day to travel thru the mountains. Temperatures are in the mid 60's. The sky is blue with big, puffy clouds. It is just perfect weather to enjoy the fall season in Vermont.

Maple trees band Killington in red glow. Click for a panorama of Killington. 

Visitors to Killington, even though they were facing overcast skies, were treated to brilliant fall colors across the region. At roughly the 2000 foot level in the Killington Basin area, the maple trees are glowing red. Oak trees are well on their way as they change from from green to orange. Birch and Poplar trees are taking on yellow hues.

There is a lot going on in Killington this weekend. In addition to the beautiful fall colors, the Killington Brewfest was on tap today at the Snowshed Base Lodge. Official counts are not in, but mountain contacts were telling us that they were expecting 1500 to 2000 people to taste beers from breweries through out Vermont.

In addition to the Brewfest, many local ski shops have re-opened for the season with their traditional early season sales. This weekend and next weekends Columbus Day Holiday are traditionally the time to visit the local shops and capture the best deals of the year, as they get ready to crank up their seasons.

It won't be long now before falling leaves are replaced with falling flakes. Have a good weekend!

Fall colors behind the Birch Ridge Inn at Killington 

In the immediate Killington region, along the upper parts of the Killington Road and on the mountain, fall colors are nearing their peak.

Sometime in the next 4 to 5 days, there will be a collective realization among the local population that peak color has arrived.

The local micro-climate at Killington is pushing the fall season along. This is a common event each year. The immediate area in the shadow of Killington Peak always experiences a color change in the foliage a week or so before the surrounding area. Of course, drive 10 minutes in any direction and the colors will be spectacular the week after they peak on top of Killington.

Where ever you may be, get outside and enjoy the show.

First snow of the season on Skye Peak at Killington 

It's not much, but you have to start somewhere.

Mother Nature is continuing to remind us that the seasons are changing. Last night she reminded us that winter will be here soon by dusting the mountain tops of Killington with a coating of light snow.

You can't ski or ride on it...so fans of winter control yourselves for a few more weeks. But be prepared.

Leaf Peepers should rejoice. The snow was at the extreme upper elevations, so roadways around the state are unaffected. A nice tableau has been set for fall foliage pictures with peak color at the base of the mountains and a candy coating frosting the top. A little sun would create the perfect shot. Maybe Mother Nature can cooperate a little on that.

Where ever you are... stay warm. And remember, yesterday I did not write...let it s... It's still too early.