Snow Making at Pico, December 13, 2005 

Very cold temperatures for early December descended on Killington last night. When I went to bed around 3:00 AM, the temperature at the inn was 0... very cold for this time of year. However, my comments are not a complaint, because the cold is proving a boon to Killington in making snow.

A veritable blizzard is taking place on the mountains of Killington. On Killington proper, the resort has turned the guns on Superstar. From the access road, it is a very impressive site. Friends who went skiing this morning report guns blowing snow on the backside leading to Bear Mountain. From the Snow Shed Crossover at Bear, they were reporting that it looked like every snow gun Killington owned was blowing snow as the resort makes the push to get Bear Mountain open this weekend. On Route 4, snow making was also in full swing on Pico. Pico is also reported to be opening this weekend.

Ski conditions were reported to be very good. Friends report that Highline, East Fall, Cascade, Chute, Sky Lark, and Bittersweet and Needles Eye were all in good shape. A few slick spots on cross-over trails were reported. And of course with all of the snow making taking place, many trails had small soft bumps and swales.

Snow Cats building half pipe at Bear Mountain, December 12, 2005 

When I got up this morning, another 2 inches of light fluffy snow had fallen overnight. Having been Inn bound for the last week with the bum ankle, I was determined to hobble outside and find out what is going on up on the mountain. Last week, we could see that the resort was blowing snow on trails leading towards Bear Mountain. So this morning, I was determined to go over there to check things out. I was not disappointed.

When I arrived in the Bear parking lot, it looked pretty desolate. There were a couple of employee cars in the lot, but things did not look promising. Snow was falling pretty heavily, so up slope visibility was pretty poor. I did not think that I would get any good shots to share as I approached the lodge.

When I got up to the base lodge, however, there was a lot of activity and noise from snow cats grooming the hill. It looked like tons of snow had been blown into the lower terrain park area. 2 snow cats were in the process of working together to push the snow around to build the half pipe. From the pictures, you can clearly see that they were pushing around all snow. This should give you and idea of how much snow Killington has blown into this area. For although we have some good natural snow in the last couple of weeks, the cats would be pushing mud if that was all they had to play with. Killington has reported that Bear Mountain will open next weekend. From the activity I saw, unless something disastrous happens weather wise, they are on track to make that happen.

Christmas Wreath at Birch Ridge Inn 

We all remember that little ditti "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas".(Well...at least most of us remember it.) Anyways, I had Mary go out and take this mornings pictures. With me still hobbling around, two of our friends, Larry and Barry, came over this morning and hung Christmas Wreaths on the front of the inn. Mary didn't get pictures of the boys in action, but she did take a nice picture of the finished result, which got me humming that song in my head when I loaded it into the computer.

Mary also got a good clear shot of the snow stake. This morning it was reading about 6 inches, down about 3/4 inch from yesterdays reading. There is probably some sub-surface melting taking place, as the ground was warm when the snow first fell. I am also sure that some compaction is also taking place as the air gets squeezed out of the top layers.

The disadvantage of having a sprained ankle this time of year is looking outside the window and seeing the ground covered with snow. Since last Sunday, I have been forced to live out my ski experiences vicariously through conversations with guests and friends. Much to my chagrin, they are all reporting that conditions are very good. Killington is expanding terrain almost daily. Yesterdays snow has really set the mountain up well for good mid-December skiing and riding.

Since I have not been out, I have spent most of the time at the computer writing software to integrate new features into the various web sites I manage. Earlier this week, I introduced the 'Snow Stake" which is pictured to the right. Late last night (Mary would say early this morning), I finished coding the functions to automatically publish the Killington Ski Resorts Daily Snow Report. The current report from Killington is contained in a box on the left of your screen. There are a whole bunch of technical items about integrating the snow report, which I won't bore you with. If you are interested in more information on how it works, contact me directly for the details.

The snow that we received yesterday has started to compact. The Snow Stake this morning read 6 3/4 inches. Hopefully we can keep it as we head into the Christmas - New Years period later this month.

Snow at Killington 

Heavy snow is falling steadily at Killington. Snow fall at the inn began around 5AM. By 11AM approximately 4 inches of snow have blanked the area around the inn. Snow fall is expected for most of the day with the forecast showing it dissipating late this afternoon. The snow measured at the snow stake read 7 1/4 inches, up from yesterdays 3 inches.

On a side note, we discovered this morning that the snow stake will be a great tool at the inn to eliminate disagreements over how much snow has fallen. I tended to estimate high, Mary tended to estimate low. It's amazing what power a little ruler in the backyard can have.

"Let it Snow" Birch Ridge Inn Christmas Tree at Vermont Holiday Festival 

Last night, the Vermont Holiday Festival kicked off it's second year with a holiday party at the Killington Grand Hotel for Killington residents and guests. Several hundred people from the Killington region attended, each voting on their favorite decorated tree. Joey Leone provided the entertainment for the evening. Kim Harris of the Killington Road Group, and Casey Crompton of Casey's organized the event. The Festival opens to the general public today and runs through Sunday. In addition to decorated Christmas trees from local businesses, ski houses, and residents, the event also features a Santa's Workshop and storytelling for children. If you are up to Killington this weekend, it's a great take.

Killington saw some light flurries overnight, but we also had strong winds so there was significant scouring of surfaces. Mary went out skiing this morning. She reports that conditions are "Flat and Fast". Snow making operations were occurring in the Needles Eye area, and near the Snowdon Quad terminal. East Fall and Highline were groomed but very firm. Snowfall is expected later this evening. Forecasts vary from 2 to 4 inches upwards to a foot, depending upon which forecaster you like. We will know by later in the day tomorrow.

Christmas Cookies from Rutland Women's Shelter Cookie Swap 

If you are reading this blog, you probably know that the Winter Holiday period (and no I am not being politically correct... we do celebrate Christmas. Many of our guests and friends celebrate Hanukkah, and some celebrate Kwanzaa... and don't forget my favorite "Festivus") is a very busy time at Killington. But the locals need to celebrate too! So you find all kinds of activities crammed into the first several weeks of December, before the vacationing guests arrive.

Last night, locals had 3 events to choose from including the Rutland Women's Shelter Cookie Swap, the Killington Chamber of Commerce Holiday Mixer, and Vermont Holiday Festival Tree Decorating. I went to the Chamber mixer, Mary went to this Cookie Swap, and this morning, Mary and one of our assistants is up at the Grand Hotel decorating our entry into the Holiday Festival.

The Vermont Holiday Festival kicks off this evening with a holiday party for Killington residents and guests. The Festival opens to the general public starting on Thursday and runs through Sunday. It's a great time. If you are in the area you should try to attend.

Later this week, on Friday evening, we will be hosting Robert Haas who will be presenting wines from his Tablas Creek Winery in Paso Robles, at a Holiday Wine Dinner.

As a backdrop to these activities, the snow machine that hangs over Killington seems to have started up. We are in a period of constant snow flurries. Individually, they don't amount to much, but when taken collectively, they add up. Last night we received an additional inch of light fluffy snow at the inn to make everything white. I may be hobbling around on crutches, but the locals are out in force doing their favorite snow dances as we approach the Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Festivus season.