Mary in the fairway on the 4th hole at Green Mountain National Golf Course. 

Happy Patriots' Day!

For those of you who are a little rusty on your American History, today is the 235th anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord; the first military engagements of the revolutionary war fought between the 13 American colonies and the Kingdom of Great Britain.

Being brought up in Arlington Massachusetts, this day always had special significance growing up as a child. Communities all around Boston are filled with historical places, and Arlington had its' share. Being astride the route taken by Paul Revere on his famous ride from Boston to Concord, there are numerous spots along Massachusetts Avenue in Arlington identified with historical markers. When I think back to when I was 12, I remember riding a bicycle along the famous route. (of course, now my parents would probably be thrown in jail for allowing us to do that, but it was a different time and childhood was a time for exploration.)

Patriots' day is also a good marker for the start of spring. The Boston Marathon and opening day at Fenway Park (now moved forward several chilly weeks to meet TV advertising needs) used to collide headlong into one another, generating huge, boisterous crowds in Kenmore Square. After a long winters nap, the senses were awakened by the buzz of the crowd, and the smell of all the sausages being grilled with huge mounds of onions and peppers by street vendors all around the Back Bay of Boston.

This year, spring has arrived right on schedule. Around Killington, the crocus are blooming. It is still too chilly for anything else, but with the snow gone from everywhere but a few ski trails, it won't be long before the ground heats up and other spring flowers announce their presence to the world.

We successfully completed our first round of golf for the season at Green Mountain National Golf Course. I am not sure, but this year is probably the earliest we have ever played a round of golf in Killington. (Many times in the past we have made the trek to Rutland or down south for an early spring round.) I was hitting the ball better than I expected. My left shoulder seemed very stable after last years surgery. I was a little rusty around the greens after my 18 month layoff from golf, but that will come back with time and some work on the course. It was just nice to be out in the sunshine chasing a little white ball through the Vermont countryside.

Think Spring!

Skiing or Golf???? or both! 

With the announcement that the Green Mountain National Golf Course is open for the season, visitors and residents at Killington have the best of both worlds available to them from a recreation standpoint.

There are only a few times during the year where both golf and skiing are available at Killington at the same time. Usually, it occurs in the fall, while the golf courses are still open and the resort has started to make snow in the winter. In the spring, usually the golf courses in Killington are still in the process of shedding their winter coats while skiing is still the sport of choice.

While the resort stockpiled snow to support spring skiing and riding, this year, of course, Mother Nature did not provide us with any significant spring snow. As a result, the Green Mountain National Golf Course in Killington has been able to get their workers on the course to get it ready for play. Currently, the front nine is open. All 18 holes will be ready for the weekend, unless Mother Nature decides its time to throw a monkey wrench into the process.

I plan on getting my clubs out and taking a few hacks at the ball later this week. Where I was on the injured reserve list last golf season undergoing rotator cuff repair, my expectations are not too high... But, at least personally, its time to get back into the game.

Think Spring!

Spring cleaning has begun. 

Not a pretty sight...But with temps touching the 80's, and a body that still thinks it should be winter outside, shorts are the order of the day.

Unseasonably warm weather once again has descended upon the Killington Region. And just to keep things special, the weather has also brought thunder storms and some very intermittent by heavy down pours.

The Killington Ski Resort is continuing to stay open through this warm spell. The fruits of their labors to make a huge amount of snow during January and February are paying them dividends now and allowing them to continue operating. And with weather later this week returning to more "normal" for this time of year, with temps anticipated to go below freezing and "snow flurries" in the weekend forecast, skiing and riding at Killington should go for a few more weeks at least.

In another sign of the seasons changing, if you have decided to put away the boards for the season, the Green Mountain National Golf Course has announced that they will be opening for the season on Saturday April 17th. Having sat out last golf season with a shoulder injury, I am sure that this summer will be an adventure for me on the links chasing the little white ball. So it goes.....

Think Spring!

Superstar - Spring Skiing Icon in the Northeast. 

There are quite a few people in offices around the Northeast this morning sitting at work nursing goggle tans. While Easter Weekend at Killington is never "busy" from a traditional sense, there were still thousands of people who enjoyed spring skiing on the mountain Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

We are now entering a season of change at Killington. Just like in the early winter, as they resort tries to make an orderly expansion of skiable terrain, the inverse takes place in the spring. Today, for instance, the resort has 4 primary lifts operating (Superstar, K1 Gondola, Snowdon Quad, Snowshed Quad. Of course, the 4 lifts access tens of miles of terrain for skiing and riding, but it does take a little bit more planning and local knowledge to get around the resort this time of year.

At the inn, we have also started to contract our business with the change in season. This weekend was the last weekend of the winter season for our restaurant. We will re-open it once again in a couple of months for the summer season at Killington, but for now the staff is off enjoying spring in the mountains of New England. (Many left to hike and camp at Tuckerman's Ravine on Mount Washington for a few days.)

The inn will be open through April to serve lodging guests. Stop bye for a beverage in the bar in the Great Room if you find yourself in Killington challenging the bumps on Superstar.

Think Spring!

Killington Peak 

Mary and I wish you a Happy Easter.

Bright sunshine continues to bathe the Green Mountains this Easter Sunday. Spring has definitely arrived in full force to the mountains with temperatures touching 80 degrees late Saturday. Temperatures have since moderated, but they are still unseasonably high in the low 70's.

The ski season at Killington still has a few weeks to run before it's time to put away the boards for another year. But then again, even my mind is starting to think about chasing a little white ball down a lush green fairway.

Happy Easter and Think Spring!

Bill and Mary on Sky Peak 

The Weather Channel has predicted a Severe Photon Storm for the Killington region for the next couple of days. Heavy photon bombardment is currently taking place on Killington Peak and the surrounding mountains of the Killington-Pico Ski Resort.

Local residents are advised to seek higher ground equipped with skis or snow boards to foster swift movement through the storm. The Killington Ski Resort is running their ski lifts to accommodate those trying to reach Killington Peak, Sky Peak, and Bear Mountain. The resort plans to run their lifts on Pico Mountain over the weekend to further expedite travel to higher elevations to help people weather the photon storm.

To foster production of Vitamin D, people going outdoors are advised to wear light clothing. Water for hydration is also recommended, as travel on skis around the mountains in this weather will cause heavy perspiration. It is recommended for those who must stay indoors during the photon storm to open all their windows to prevent their homes from overheating during the increased photonic activity.

For those of you who can escape to higher elevations, be advised that photon activity will strike from above from the sun, and below with reflection off of the snow covered ground. Be advised that snow conditions at Bear Mountain are becoming soft, in places resembling a corn soup. Photon activity on Sky Peak has made Dream Maker soft and creamy. Soft bumps are developing on all steeper terrain as the photons work to create a phase change in the snow.

Photon activity is extremely high on Killington Peak. Cascade is delightfully soft. Highline, under full photon attack, is like a giant soft serve ice cream cone...so delicious you just want more and more and more.

Those who plan to ride out the storm at higher elevations are advised to review their stores of Zinc Oxide or other photon absorbing products. Failure to do so could result in severe goggle tans or worse as the photon storm reaches it's full fury.

......Happy April 1st!

Natural snow cover still covers grounds around the Birch Ridge Inn at Killington. Pictured is the snow stake in the back of the inn. 

Even with the inundation from the warm Nor'easter which hit New England these last couple of days, Killington still has plenty of snow for skiing and riding.

Natural snow still covers much of the ground around the inn. Snow depths are just under a half a foot behind the inn. While it is hard to tell given the low cloud cover, the mountain, which the resort pummeled early in the season with snow making, should be holding up better. As the storm moves out tomorrow, we should get a good peak at the mountain (and maybe a run or two if we are lucky).