Killington Peak: resplendent in bright morning sunshine! 

Just a beautiful morning to be on Killington. Bright sunshine, very light winds, lots of snow to ski on, midweek joie de vivre...of course by noon time we were back at the Inn getting ready to work, but it was still a great morning to be outside in Killington.

Ski conditions this morning were a little "crunchy". The precipitation over the last several days, while basically frozen at the peak, still had a huge water content to it. Sub-freezing temperatures overnight completed the task of locking things up, resulting in firm surfaces on the limited open terrain.

I should be careful here to say that we did not run into anything that resembled blue ice, or ice flows, on our time on the mountain. The ski surface was mid winter flat and fast. Quite receptive to edges on turns with minimal skidding. Those expecting soft surfaces like we had last week would probably be happier later in the day. But for the mostly local crowd on the hill this morning, flat and fast cruising is an easy day on the mountain.

Open terrain on the mountain is basically the same as last week. Open Trails include Great Northern, Rime, Reason, Upper East Fall, Upper Double Dipper, and Lower Ridge Run (what used to be called part of West Glade). All trails currently lead to the base of the North Ridge Triple to boost back up the mountain.

Mary hiking back to the K1 Gondola on the Stairway to Heaven Click to enlarge..

To get off the mountain, hiking is still required. We hiked back up the "Stairway to Heaven" to get back from the top of the North Ridge Triple to the top of the K1 Gondola. This was Mary's first time in ski boots doing the hike. We both did it quite comfortably in 6-7 minutes, stopping a couple of places along the way to take in the spectacular views afforded by todays clear sky and bright sunshine.

Overall, a nice way to spend the morning......Let It SNOW!!!!!!

Killington on a nicer day - yesterday! 

There is a good news story taking place all around Killington today....as long as you don't want to go outside.

An early season storm is blanketing the area in a wintery mix, with the emphasis on the wintery. We are not talking feet of snow here, but the ground all around town is starting to take on a white winter coat. Precipitation around the inn today has been a combination of sleet, freezing r@!n, ice, and snow. Accumulations at the inn (1850 feet) are minor, but the ground has become cold enough to support accumulation on the pavement on local side roads and the Killington Road in front of the inn. Winter is definitely attempting to gain a foot hold in the area.

The storm is fairly wide spread. I was in Rutland on business this morning. Route 4 over the Sherburne Pass was slick but passable. Even in Rutland, snow and ice were accumulating on most surfaces.

On the mountain this morning, the resort needed to suspend operations today due to high winds with gusts in the 60-70 MPH range. Because of the wind, the resort was not able to run the K1 Gondola. This prevented the them from boosting skiers and riders to the top of Killington Peak to access the North Ridge area of the resort.

Again, it's a bad news/good news kind of story. While the resort is not open today, trails across the resort are being coated with snow. And the more early season snow the resort gets, the sooner it will be able to expand its open terrain.

If you are in the area, stay safe on the roads today. And let it snow!

Martini's with Merisa at Birch Ridge 

After a couple of week hiatus to give staff time to recuperate from working non stop during fall foliage, the restaurant at the Birch Ridge Inn will reopen tonight for the winter season.

Chef Frizzie will be back in the kitchen working his magic. This weekend we are keeping things casual and fun with a menu of tasty appetizers served at the bar in the Great Room. Over the next couple of weeks, as the ski season kicks into high gear, we will be back in the dining room with our regular dinner service.

Speaking about the ski season, while most blog readers along the east coast got r@!n with the storm that came up the coast this week, Killington got a "Wintery Mix"... And I mean all mixed up.

K1 Base Lodge at Killington. Notice the snow all over the trails behind the lodge and on Superstar... Click to enlarge..

At the inn we had a combination of snow, sleet and r@!n. As I write this, at about 1:45pm... the sun has just made an appearance from behind the clouds. Reports from friends who went to the mountain, indicate that the peak got many inches of snow. Even the K1 Base Lodge, which is just 300 feet in elevation higher than the inn, saw enough snow out of this storm to completely cover the ground (the snow/wintery mix line was that close).

If the weather forecast pans out as predicted (hard to tell...this is New England), then we should see more sunshine and seasonable temperatures on Saturday and Sunday. And with the mountain open for skiing and riding, it just might be the right time to come to Killington and take a few early season runs...followed of course with an apres ski stop at Birch Ridge. (Sorry for the shameless plug...)

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

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!!!!!!