Canoe on Woodward Resevoir 

I had another story planned for today, but this unexpectedly caught my attention. There is quite a bit to do up in Killington this summer if you know where to look..

My sister is coming up to visit with her family and friends(4 couples with kids). They have rented a house in Killington for the week. She asked us if we could put together a list of things to do in the area. Mary collected a bunch of information for her and put together a short list. Since I hang out on the golf course for my summer recreation, when I saw the list, it just hit me how much there is to do at Killington. The short list given to my sister, includes the following:

- Beach : There is a nice beach on Echo Lake. Take Route 100 south to the Echo Lake Inn. At the inn, take a left. The road brings you to the beach. At the beach they have paddle boats and a bath house.
- Tubing: Route 100 North to Stockbridge. Get tubes at the Stockbridge General Store.
- Renaissance Faire : This weekend the 30th and 31st at the Cortina Inn. $10 for Adults, $5 for kids, Under 5 Free.
- Vermont Institute of Natural Sciences (VINS). They have a raptor exhibit (Birds of Prey). $8 for adults, $6.50 kids. (Very good)
- Killington Adventure Center : Thursday thru Sunday's Alpine Slide at Pico, Gondola, Water Slide, Climbing Wall, Bungie Thing, Mountain Biking,,, Adults $30 all day, Kids (under 4 feet tall) $10.
- Summer Concert Series - Sherburne Library (The name of the Killington Library) Every Thursday night in the summer. Next week it's Joey Leone with a night of Jazz, Classic Rock, and Blues. Thursday Aaugust 4th at 6:00. Don't forget to bring a picnic supper and have it on Library Lawn
- Pamper yourself with a spa treatment. Spa at the Woods - Manicure $45, Pedicure $60, Massage, $75. Full health club
- Deers Leap - Nice hike up to the top of Deers Leap Cliff. Great picnic destination. 45 minutes up...30 minutes down. One of many great hikes in the forest around Killington.

The local papers including the Mountain Times and the Rutland Herald have a bunch of additional activities listed each week. If you are coming to Killington this summer, I'm sure that wherever you stay, your innkeeper will be glad to recommend things to do.

(PS. Golf is great at Killington. The courses are in the best shape of the summer...)

Sign at Killington town offices on River Road 

The Killington select-board, in a public hearing convened during their normal biweekly select-board meeting, approved a new version of the Town Plan for Killington. The public hearing was attended by less than a dozen local citizens. While the plan is not substantially different from the previous plan, there was significant discussion concerning the plan language for R3 districts. An R3 designation means that a property needs approximately 3 acres minimum before development can take place on the property. A R3 district nominally calls for a single family home density of 1 home per 3 acres. However, the R3 district also allows developers to exceed this density (they are allowed 1 home per 1 acre) if they develop the property under a PUD (planned unit development) approach. Some local citizens were concerned that this approach was causing parts of North Sherburne to experience development at densities higher than was originally conceived under the R3 rating. After listening to the discussion, the selectmen advised the citizens that the proper place to effect change is with the town Zoning plan, which is prepared by the Town Planning Commission.

The only other significant change in the Killington town plan appeared to be a relaxation of plan requirements for development in the Commercial Districts in town (primarily along the Killington Road). The select-board changed the town plan to allow development to take place on parcels less than 1 acre, with no side and rear setbacks. While not yet implemented in the town Zoning regulations, it is anticipated that when zoning changes take place, cluster development in the commercial districts will face an easier time in the permit approval process. The new Town Plan was passed unanimously by the select-board and referred back to the Planning Commission for follow through. Copies of the town plan are available at Killington Town Office.

For those interested in further reading, the town planning process is covered under Vermont's Act 250 statutes. A Vermont Town Plan Guide is available online from the University of Vermont.

In related discussions at the select-board meeting, the ongoing prospects for development of a new Village at the base of Killington was briefly discussed. There have been several articles in the Rutland Herald of late quoting officials from the Resort and Centex (the development company being used to develop at least parts of the project) concerning thier ongoing planning process. The select-board were reacting to these articles, and letters from Centex asking the board to expedite rule making processes to allow clarification of some issues prior to permit application. The select-board, it appears, have not been briefed on the development process lately by either the Resort or Centex. It will make for an interesting next few months if in fact the Resort and Centex file for a permit without doing the education of town officials necessary to expedite the approval process.

It looks like the investments that the Killington Resort has been making in the terrain parks at Bear Mountain are starting to pay off. It was reported in the Rutland Herald this morning that the Killington Resort has been selected as the site for the 2006 Sprint U.S. Freestyle Championships, to take place between March 23 and March 26, 2006.

There are several "Big Deals" in this announcement. First and foremost, it validates and reinforces the resorts strategy to market to younger skiers and riders by creating the Bear Mountain Terrain park. Secondly, it should bring the region substantial publicity for the event. This will be the first event after the 2006 Olympics in Torinno Italy where the U.S. National team will compete. The US National Freestyle team is among the worlds strongest. It is expected that 2006 Olympic medalists will all be participating in the Freestyle Championships at Killington. Thousands of people are anticipated to visit the area for the Freestyle Championships, to both watch the event, and to congratulate any participating Olympic champions.

Homeowners on Tanglewood Drive should be on the look out for an adolescent black bear. Two full time resident have the sighted bear over the last several days. The game warden was contacted and the residents were advised to remove bird feeders and any other sources of food. This will encourage the bear to go back into the woods to seek a normal food source. The warden thought that the bear's den was disrupted by some construction activities occurring at the end of Tanglewood drive.

The Climbing Wall outside the Killington K1 Base Lodge 

The high humidity the area has been experiencing has left, at least for a few days. Golf this morning was very pleasant with temps in the low 80's, beautiful blue skies, and a nice light summer breeze; a marked change from the dripping humidity of the last couple of weeks. The predicted weather for the weekend is more of the same with temperatures in the high 70's to low 80's.

The Killington adventure center is in full swing with a waterpark and climbing platform at the K1 base lodge, and the Alpine Slide at Pico Mountain. The K1 Gondola is also operating carrying sightseers and mountain bikers to the Killington peak. The adventure center is operating this summer Thursday thru Sunday. I know that the climbing wall does not look like much to a person who does serious climbing, but the kids I saw using it were having a great time learning the basics of climbing up a steep face.

Construction proceeding at Leonard site on Route 4 

Many new structures are under construction along Route 4 near the junction of Route 100 and the Killington Road. To the west of the Killington road, Bill Leonard is constructing a building to house his woodworking shop and office space on the lot that use to contain a small house nicknamed the "Old Wolf's Den". Mr. Leonard is serving as the general contractor for the project.

Just down the street, you will also find the new home of Killington Holiday Rentals in a building under renovation. The building used to be owned by the Rome Family corporation, and had housed a variety of business over the years, including the Killington Chamber of Commerce.To the east of the Killington Rd, ground has also been broken on a new property to hold a cross country ski store and restaurant. This site is being developed by Mike Miller who owns the Mountain Meadows Cross Country Ski Area.

Mountain Wine Festival at Killington, July 15 - 17th, 2005 

Saturday we got involved with the Killington Wine Festival activities. The day started at 11 Am selling tickets to a noon time wine tasting and K1 ride to Killington Peak. During the evening we hosted the Franciscan Estate winery at the inn. Chef Patrick put on a 5 course wine dinner, with each course created to balance one of the great wines selected for the occasion. This was our fourth year hosting a wine dinner during the festival. Once again we were blessed with great attendance. Most of the diners for the evening were Killington locals who frequent our restaurant often. It made for a great night of food, wine and conversation. Of course, on Sunday it start's all over again. We are planning our next wine dinner for Saturday Evening, September 3rd (Labor day weekend). We should have a wines selected for that and a menu drafted by the beginning of August.