Skiers and Riders on Lower Bunny Buster at Killington, November 19, 2005 

The 2005/2006 winter reason returned to Vermont today with the re-opening of the Killington Resort. 3 lifts were turning providing top to bottom skiing and riding on 12 trails. When I was on the mountain this morning, temperatures were in the low 20's with hazy sunshine. While Killington does not usually release their skier totals, there were clearly several thousand people who were skiing and riding the mountain while I was there. In the picture I chose for today, I show Lower Bunny Buster at the base of Mouse Trap. In this picture, I counted 37 people. For those of you who know Killington, the KBL and Vale parking lots were full. Cars were also being parked along the access road between KBL and the Snowshed base lodge, about 3/4's of the way down the road.

Killington was continuing to blow snow all over the mountain. Snow guns in operation were visible from the Killington peak all the way down to the K1 base lodge. Snow was being blown on the interconnects between K1 and Snowshed. Snowshed itself was a total white out. And snowmaking also underway at Rams Head in the childrens area by the magic carpet. The information we are receiving from the Resort indicated that they intend to run snowmaking non-stop while favorable conditions persist.

Snow Guns Firing on Snowshed at Killington, November 18, 2005, 7:30 AM 

The Killington resort continues to blow snow to prepare to re-open the 2005-2006 winter season on Saturday. Late yesterday afternoon, the resort expanded their snowmaking coverage to include the Snowshed area, while continuing to blow snow in the upper elevations around Killington Peak.

Skiing and Riding is due to resume at Killington on Saturday, with lifts turning at 8:00 AM. The local weather forecast looks very favorable for continuing snowmaking, with the added possibility of some natural snow being supplied by a series of clipper systems due to pass thru the area over the next few days. Overnight temperatures were in the mid teens locally. At 7:30 AM, the temperature at Showshed was 19.

Snow Guns Firing at Killington, November 17, 2005, 9:00 AM 

When I got up this morning it was noticeably colder. Driving up to the mountain, it was very clear that Killington is making an all out assault on the mountain with their snowmaking system. Snow guns were blasting away from Killington Peak all the way down to the K1 Terminal at the base lodge.

There was all kinds of activity on the mountain. Large delivery trucks were bringing supplies to the main base lodge. (I saw more beer being delivered than we serve in the Inn all year!) The Superstar lift was turning for some reason. Operators were stationed at the K1 Gondola and the Snowdon Triple. I presume training was taking place. At Snowshed, one of the doubles was running. Snow guns were also set up on Snowshed. Air pressure was being fed to them, but snow was not yet being made. Current information from the mountain indicates a Saturday morning opening. Assuming temperatures remain favorable, that looks like a sure thing given the activity I saw this morning at Killington.

Birch Ridge Inn Executive Chef Stephen Byrne 

The Birch Ridge Inn at Killington is pleased to announce the appointment of Stephen Byrne as Executive Chef. Stephen will be responsible for the inn's culinary activities, including menu development and cuisine preparation.

My partner, Mary, and I are are very excited to have Stephen join our team. His experience in owning and operating an inn, combined with his culinary leadership in both large and small restaurants, makes Stephen a great addition to our staff.

Stephen comes to the Birch Ridge Inn directly from the Wobbly Barn at Killington where he was the Executive Chef. While at the Wobbly Barn, the restaurant had won numerous awards. Prior to joining the Wobbly Barn, he and his wife owned the Killington-Pico Motor Inn and Oscars Restaurant located in Mendon Vermont. Stephen was originally introduced to the Killington culinary scene in the 70's and early 80's as head chef at the, now legendary, Alpine Inn.

Stephen lives in the Killington area with his wife, Pat, and 2 children. When he is not in the kitchen, like most chefs in the region, you will find Stephen enjoying the outdoors, or taking a few turns on the slopes at Killington and Pico.

In other news.... following up on a story originally posted November 14th... The Killington Resort has officially notified businesses in the area that the resort will re-open for the winter season on Saturday November 19th. While weather conditions at Killington are currently warm and damp, a cold front is due to pass thru the area later today. I hope that tomorrow I can bring you pictures from the mountain showing snow guns blazing.

Mardi Gras Butterflies by John Tidd 

The Birch Ridge Inn and the Killington Arts Guild will host an evening with Vermont Sculptor John Tidd on Friday, December 2, 2005. John has been creating life size sculptures from metal and wood professionally for over 20 years. He is a professional ski instructor and established the Mountain Meadows Cross Country Ski Area in the 70s and 80s. He now spends his time in his sculpture studio at his home in West Bridgewater.

For his inspiration in creating sculpture, John draws on a background in science, inventing, carpentry and skiing. Such diversity leads to an eclectic style ranging from geometric and architectural to natural and organic. Using steel as a primary medium, John incorporates stone, wood and fabric to enhance the works. Collaborations with other artists have included huge butterfly puppets for Mardi Gras, a Fire Tree ritual piece and a hexagonal pyramid for meditation.

The public is invited to attend this presentation in the Great Room of the Inn. In addition to actual displays of his work, John will share his penchant for and devotion to representation in metal and wood. From 6:00 to 8:00 PM coffee and hors d'oeuvres will be available as well as a cash bar. Following the presentation, persons wishing to dine at the Inn's restaurant can make reservations by calling the Birch Ridge Inn at 802-422-4293, or 800-435-8566. Persons wishing further information regarding the presentation may call Sally Curtis of the Killington Arts Guild at 802-422-3852.

Killington Peak, Monday November 14, 2005, 10:00 AM 

Update: November 15, 2005
Killington Resort now publishing that the Resort will re-open for skiing and riding on Saturday November 19.
End Update

Original posting, November 14, 2005

Killington to Re-Open on Friday, November 18, 2005

Warm temperatures over the weekend have caused Killington to suspend snowmaking operations. As you can see from the picture from this morning, upper elevations which had seen considerable snowmaking last week have held their cover, but any hint of natural snow that was on the lower elevations has dissapeared....But that is all set to change.

Based upon information received from several Killington Resort sources, as soon as the temperature dips later this week, Killington intends to fire up all they have to allow the resort to open for skiing and riding starting on Friday the 18th. Local weather forecasts call for a couple of quick "Clipper" systems to move through the area, with a "Winter Weather Advisory" posted for this evening by the National Weather Service. The forecast calls for a brief warming on Wednesday with some NCP (non-crystaline precipitation.... we do not use the r%$n word at a ski resort) followed by a switch to cold weather favorable for snowmaking. Many weather services are indicating that the cold air will stick this time, allowing Killington to begin an all out assault to blanket the mountain to prepare for the Thanksgiving weekend.

If I seem aggressive on this report, I apologize. I WANT TO GO SKIING!

Christmas Trees on display at the 2004 Vermont Holiday Festival 

With the return of skiing and riding at Killington for the 2005/2006 season imminent, and the busy Thanksgiving holiday weekend in sight, Killington businesses are also deep into preparation for the return of the Vermont Holiday Festival in early December. The festival is a weekend event, scheduled this year from December 8th through December 11th. Businesses in Killington are busy preparing to participate in the Festival of Trees at the Killington Grand Hotel, considered by many to be the highlight of the weekend. Many Killington businesses donate and decorate Christmas Trees to be displayed at the event. (My partner, Mary, is already plotting with several of our employees to design the tree to be displayed by Birch Ridge at the festival.) Key elements of the festival include Santa's workshop and horse drawn sleigh rides, live reindeer, and special story readings. Once again the year, the popular White Lights Festival will also return. Businesses and residences in Killington will be aglow in the evening with light displays on many properties.

Admission to the festival is $5 for adults; children ages 12 and under are free. Admission includes entrance to the Festival plus free sleigh rides, hot chocolate and cider. In addition festival goers may purchase raffle tickets for a chance to win their favorite tree. A drawing will be held on Saturday night for each tree, and the random winner will have the opportunity to take home a completely decorated Vermont Christmas tree. Guests may purchase tickets throughout the weekend to boost their chances of winning. All proceeds will go to local charities in the Killington area. For more information, a weekend schedule of events or for reservations, visit vermontholidayfestival.com or email info@vermonthholidayfestival.com