Coulton Pond from the 16th Tee at Green Mountain National Golf Course 

Fall colors in the Killington area are beginning to intensify. While there is a significant amount of green leaves in the local forests, many of the trees, particularly the maples, are beginning to show significant amounts of color. The scenic views around town are beginning to take on a decidedly reddish hue. Quite a few of the local maples are displaying colors ranging from a deep burgundy to fire engine red.

I was out on Green Mountain National this morning with a group of friends. Every hole presented beautiful and interesting views in virtually every direction.

Where ever you may be, keep it in the fairway. But if you stray, and if you are in Vermont, remember the leaf rule....

Pico Peak thru the windshield of a helicopter just after lift-off from Green Mountain National Golf Course 

Today is the Autumnal, or Fall, Equinox. At approximately 11:09 PM Eastern Daylight Time, then angle of inclination, or tilt, of the earths axis towards the sun will be directly over the equator. From here on, in the northern hemisphere, hours of sun light will rapidly diminish till we hit the winter solstice in December. Of course, for those of us who love to ski, that's a good thing, because it means it's going to get cold outside. And sooner or later, cold outside translates to snow. And snow translates to skiing...

Colors around town are becoming more pronounced daily. Today's picture was actually taken late last week when I had a chance to take a helicopter ride between the Green Mountain National Golf Course and the Killington Resort Golf Course as part of the Sante Fe Restaurants Golf Tournament. Tree tops were starting to display color. Since that time, color has come down into the body of many of the trees. It is going to be a pretty colorful couple of weeks here at Killington as fall progresses.

Where ever you may be, keep it in the fairway and don't forget the sunscreen(and maybe a pair of hot hands to ward of the fall chill).

Killington Chamber of Commerce 

The Killington Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual meeting this evening at the Summit Lodge in Killington starting at 5:00 PM. Tickets are $35.00 per person and may be reserved by calling the Killington Chamber offices at 802.773.4181.

In addition to opening remarks by Phil Black, president of the Killington Chamber, guest speakers at tonight's event include Seth Webb, Director of the Town of Killingtons Economic Development and Tourism Commission and Rob Megnin, Director of Marketing for the Killington Resort. In addition, candidates seeking to represent Killington in the Vermont House of Representatives, Megan Smith(D) and Jim Eckhardt(R) will each give a short speech.

The event begins with a cocktail hour at 5:00 PM followed by dinner at 6:00 PM. Reservations must be made in advance through the Killington Chamber of Commerce office.

Fall Foliage Update - Colors around Killington are starting to show with better definition. While the last few days have seen temperatures ranging up to the mid 70's, the evenings have started to get quite chilly. Temperatures across the area were in the low 30's last night with areas of frost scattered through out the region. The nights cold temperatures have started to accelerate color definition in many of the tree tops in the region. Mother Nature is preparing to put on her annual show of brilliant fall colors here in the Green Mountains.

Where ever you may be, keep it in the fairway and don't forget the sunscreen.

Majestic old maple tree showing fall colors 

The fall foliage season is quickly approaching at Killington. While we have not yet had a frost across the area, the hours of sunlight are shortening, and with them the heat of the summer is fading away.

Mary and I took a good hike today around the basin area of Killington. From the inn, we hiked up Roaring Brook Road behind the Killington Resort Golf Course to the High Ridge Condominium community. Sitting exactily across the valley from Killington Peak, we were able to take in some spectacular views with a field of vision spanning from Pico Mountain to Skye Peak.

Panoramic views of Killington from East Mountain Road. Click to enlarge..

All along our route, we saw trees that were starting their annual show of fall colors. While peak colors will be several weeks off, the show was very colorful all the same. It made one forget that what we were really doing was getting our legs in shape for ski season by hiking up and down the hills around town.

We took a break from our hike for a nice lunch at the club house of the Killington Resort Golf Course. It was a little chilly to eat lunch on the deck, but Mike the bartender was very nice. If you plan to play golf at the Killington Resort course this year, keep in mind that they usually close for the season just after Columbus Day weekend. Green Mountain National, being at a lower elevation, usually stays open for golf several weeks longer through the end of October, weather permitting. So you still have time to chase the little white ball across the Vermont countryside. And see some great fall foliage colors in the process.

Where ever you may be, keep it in the fairway and don't forget the sunscreen.

Killington Classic Grand Parade 

Under beautifully blue crystal clear skies, hundreds of motorcycle enthusiasts enjoyed Killington this weekend for the annual Killington Classic. With over 500 official registrants, and hundreds more in the area to enjoy weekend festivities, the basin area of Killington rumbled with the deep throated sounds of Harley's, and the mellow whine of Honda Goldwings. By any measure, as a casual observer, the weekend had the look and feel of success for the Killington region.

In it's ninth year, the Killington Classic was originally brought to the area by a private event promoter. After the promoter backed away from the event, the Killington Chamber of Commerce stepped in to keep the Classic alive. This years event, which was organized, funded and promoted by the Town of Killingtons Economic Development and Tourism Commission (EDTC) moved the event forward once again to the point were it was recognized by the Vermont Department of Tourism as a "Top 10 Fall Event for 2010".

While Mary and I don't ride, we had many guests at the inn this weekend who participated in all of the Killington Classic's organized events. People staying at our inn, which represents a very small cross section of people visiting the area, came from all across the North East to enjoy Vermont this weekend on their motorcycles. With beautiful weather, the Classic was a great way to kick of the fall season in Killington.

Where ever you may be, keep it in the fairway and don't forget the sunscreen.

Under cloudy skies, the Killington Classic HQ gets set up at the Wobbly Barn, across the Killington Road from the Birch Ridge Inn. 

Hundreds of motorcycle enthusiasts from all over the United States are converging on Killington Vermont this weekend for the Killington Classic Motorcycle Rally. Recognized as one of the top 10 events taking place in Vermont in the fall, the classic will bring "Thunder Through the Mountains" as riders enjoy the scenery provided by mountains that surround Killington Peak.

Events at the Killington Classic include self guided tours, a Poker Run, the Classic Grand Parade to Rutland, a Classic Bike Show, and a pig roast. The highlight of the weekend will be an evening with Bill Dutcher, founder and organizer of Americade. Bill will be speaking at the Killington Classic headquarters at the Wobbly Barn on Saturday Evening starting at 7:00 PM.

Registration for the event is at the Wobbly Barn, on the Killington Road, across the street from the Birch Ridge Inn. The registration fee is $20. More information can be found at killingtonclassic.com.

Where ever you may be, keep it in the fairway and don't forget the sunscreen.

Stairway to heaven...original art from killingtonblog.com 

While you were celebrating the Labor Day weekend, the Killington Resort was quietly confirming a rumor which has been circulating around town all summer....The construction of a walkway from Killington Peak to the North Ridge Triple to provide early season winter access to the upper reaches of Killington Peak.

Under the heading "Early Season Insurance", Tom Horrocks, the communications manager for the Killington Resort, posted a message on the "Killington Insider" confirming the plan to construct "the Peak Walkway from the top of the North Ridge Triple to the top of the K-1 Gondola to provide both summer sightseeing access and early-season winter access to upper mountain ski/ride terrain."

Rumors of the construction of the walkway have been active around town for most of the summer. It was first officially raised to the town in a meeting of the Planning Commission in mid July. The resort has since drawn up plans for the State of Vermont to permit the walkway as a minor project under the state's Act 250 land use process.

According to Horrocks "The walkway will provide access, via a 6-minute walk, from our (the Killington Resorts) upper-mountain terrain in the North Ridge area, where historically temperatures from about Oct. 15 on are favorable for snowmaking, back to the top of the K-1 Gondola."

Within Tom's message, no dates were given for when construction will begin or be completed other than "in the coming weeks", however implied in the post is that the walkway will be available to support early season skiing and riding at Killington this year.

On one of our fall hikes up the mountain later in the month, we will swing by North Ridge for some pictures. In the mean time, Mary was wondering if she could find some volunteers to be her "Sherpas" for early season skiing...of course if you are not in shape to do the hike, how can you be in shape for early season skiing and riding??? Time to get in gear with your pre-season ski conditioning program.

Where ever you may be, keep it in the fairway and don't forget the sunscreen.