Killington Peak, covered in snow
and clouds with a sliver of
blue sky above. 

The first area wide snow storm blanketed the Killington region last night. On the mountain, snow is covering all of the slopes from the peak to the base of Snow Shed. With temperatures in the mid 30's at the base lodges, and the warm rain soaked ground from the storms of the last week, it is unlikely that the snow will remain for several days. However, the scenery is in stark contrast to the dull gray "Twig Season" we have experienced this last week.

At the inn, snow started falling around 6:30 PM last night. Snow accumulated on car hoods and roofs, but there was no snow cover on the ground around the inn. As temperatures have been in the low 50's this last week, the ground still is too warm for snow to accumulate at the altitude of the inn (1870').

This week, all eyes in the area will be looking towards the mountain to see if the snow cover remains on the peak, and also to see when the resort turns on the snow making system. Temperatures in the evening this week are predicted to be below freezing. No matter what happens, as last nights snow reminded us, ski season is just around the corner.

Twig Season on Killington Peak 

"Twig Season" has arrived at Killington. Over the last several days, the temperatures have started to noticeably drop, the sky has started to turn a dull grey with clouds, and a cold wind has started to blow down the mountain. The leaves on trees in the immediate area are all down, except for a few poplars which are always the last to go. Snow, at least flurries, has been mentioned in the weather forecast for the last few days, although nothing of consequence has fallen from the sky as yet. Basically, "Twig Season" is here!

Just for a quick refresh on the seasons in Vermont. Of course there is Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. But Vermont, being a special place, has 2 additional seasons. In the spring, when the snow melts but before the trees and other native plants wake from their winter sleep to suck up ground water, we have the proverbial "Mud Season". Anyone who has driven down a dirt road in the spring in Vermont can instantly recognize this astronomical phenomenon.

On the reverse, when the vibrant fall foliage decides to depart in the fall, but before the first snow fall blankets the area, the mountain country of Vermont descends into "Twig Season". In very simple terms, "Twig Season" is the dull, grey, cold, potentially foreboding period between the beautiful, colorful, sunny days of fall, and the pure, refreshing, white covered landscape created by the first snow storm of the winter season. Twig season usually lasts for 2 to 3 weeks. If you are a glass half empty type, it can be very depressing as it indicates a cold, long, hard winter is coming. On the other hand, if you enjoy being outside in the mountains in the winter, it is a season of optimism, where every snow storm to come dumps feet of champagne powder, where the crackle of a roaring fireplace provides good enough reason to hoist a glass of cheer. Winters coming, I can't wait to go skiing!

I will be taking a couple of days off from blogging this week as we switch from Fall Foliage to Winter. Today's fall foliage picture of the inn is this season's last, as most of the trees are now "twigs". Later in the week, we will be resuming coverage of Killington as it prepares for winter. And we will be bringing back regular pictures of the "Snow Stake" to chronicle the progress of winter in the Killington Region. Until then, hit the ball straight if you are still on the golf course, and tune your ski's and boards to get ready for winter...because it will be here sooner than you think!

Backyard of Birch Ridge Inn blanketed in leaves. 

It is the time of year at Killington where all eyes peak towards to mountain to detect the ski resort firing up their snow making system. Last night, several members of our staff were all abuzz about Killington planning to blow snow overnight. I was asked by a dozen staff members and guests if I was planning to go skiing in the morning. I did my best to discount the rumors, as I had no indication from my sources, who I trust, that last night was the night. But, just in case, I did go to the mountain late this morning to see for myself.

While it certainly was cold enough to test the snow making system last night, I saw no indication that any attempts were made to lay down a "test patch". The mountain looks like most of the slopes have had their summer grass mowed down, so the slopes will be very receptive to the first snow of the upcoming winter, but last night was not the night. When it happens, we will get pictures.

First White on Killington Peak 

For the first time this season, the telltale white of a heavy frost and light snow flurries is visible at midday on Killington peak. While it is not the 2 feet of snow reported in the Buffalo area, it is an indicator of things to come. At noon time, the temperature in the Rams Head parking lot, where todays picture was taken, was 40 degrees with bright sunshine. A little cloud cover was filtering the light on the mountain, but frost is clearly visible on the parts of the slopes which had not seen sunshine.

The fall foliage season is winding down here at Killington. The mountain is basically gone to twig. Reports indicate that the route 4 corridor to the east, and the route 7 corridor to the south west still have nice color, so visitors this weekend should still be able to do some leaf peeping. But I have to admit, I am starting to think snow!

Killingtonblog snow stake ready for another season! 

The next couple of weeks at the inn will see us doing outside work almost every day as we prepare for the upcoming winter. Between raking leaves, bringing down gardens, tuning up the snow blower... the list is pretty long as we begin the annual process to change seasons.

Today, the Killingtonblog Snow Stake made it's return in preparation for winter. No we do not expect measurable snow in the next few days, but by the time it does snow, it is a little late to put the snow stake out. At this point, I anticipate daily pictures of the snow stake will begin the week of October 23rd. Hopefully, I am not measuring the grass growing for too long.

It's raining leaves! 

It's raining leaves at Killington. The brilliant reds of several weeks ago have given way to burnt orange and muted yellow as the trees transition their summer coats to prepare for winter. Around the inn, the maple trees are rapidly dropping their leaves. The oak trees have completed the move from green to orange. The birch are bright yellow. The poplar trees are a faded green with hints of yellow.

On the mountain, twig season is in full swing at the higher elevations. There is still some color at the base lodges, but even that is on the wane. Snow season is fast approaching with flurries expected later this week.

In the area, fall colors are reported to still be going strong in the Champlain Valley to the west of Killington along Routes 7 and 73. We have not had reports of the Route 4 corridor towards New Hampshire, however, Mary is due to go to Lebanon New Hampshire today so we will have a first hand report on Route 4 tomorrow.

Mary hiking on "Catwalk"
to Killington Peak 

My partner in life, Mary, celebrates her birthday today. Falling in the busy fall foliage season, it is always challenging to celebrate (like mine in February during the height of ski vacation season), but we always manage to raise a glass or three to acknowledge the event. Happy Birthday Mary!

Today at Killington is damp and overcast. There is a cold front stalled out to the west of us. When it goes through, the weather service is predicting that we may see the first snow flurries of the coming winter season. Although nothing really will come of it, at a ski resort, snow flurries are a good thing!