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 The Mountain Experience With close to 1200 acres of terrain, 200 trails, 33 lifts, seven peaks, and a massive snowmaking system, Killington qualifies as big. From Pico in the west (a short drive from Killington"s main base) to the top of Sunrise Peak in the east, Killington"s trails, slopes, and glades span 11 miles, with something for everyone in between. From the wide-open gentle slopes of Snowshed to the bumps on Bear Mountain, Killington has it all. And thanks to its size, there are multiple choices for skiers and riders of all ability levels. Looking for miles of top-to-bottom cruising trails? There"s all of Snowdon Mountain for you. Need a place to park the whole family? All of Ramshead is devoted to family fun, from the Magic Carpet at the learning center to the high-speed quad that serves acres of low-intermediate slopes. Need to challenge your skills? The Canyon area, Skye Peak, and Bear Mountain offer everything from groomed steeps to wild woods to Killington"s signature bump trail, Outer Limits. Over the past several years getting around Killington"s vast terrain has become much easier, thanks to new lifts and trail work. It"s no longer necessary to take a long traverse to get from one mountain area to another, and a number of key trail intersections have been reworked to improve traffic flow. As a result, it"s easy to pop from one section to another from the top of most lifts, allowing one to sample Killington as if it were a giant buffet. Bear Mountain is now home to the Superpipe and the major terrain parks. Watch the pipe action in the Athletes Lounge at the Bear Mountain Lodge, courtesy of a big plasma screen. Lower Wildfire features some huge jumps, rails can be found on Bear Claw and a big air venue is earmarked for Viper Pit. Smaller parks will be found on Reason in the North Ridge area and Easy Street on Ramshead. Six high-speed quads, two heated gondolas, and more than 20 other lifts carry over 52,000 people per hour, which keeps lift waits reasonable, even on busy days. More than six dozen lodging options await your tired limbs when you finally decide to call it a day (or night!). They range from quiet country inns to full service hotels and there are accommodations at every price point. If you"re the type of person who prefers to nestle down at the end of a long day in a cozy country inn, the Killington area offers more than 20. Choices range from the Birdcage (five unique rooms plus a three-room cottage) to the 20-room Killington Village Inn. On a somewhat larger scale choose from the Mountain Meadows Inn (home to an extensive cross-country ski network), the well-known Cortina Inn, the thoroughly modern Killington Grand Resort Hotel and Conference Center, and many more. Motels and motor inns are well-represented in the area, and of course there are many condominium and chalet rentals available for families and groups. As tempting as it is to just spend your vacation skiing and riding Killington"s expansive slopes, there are lots of other things to do. Play like a kid again (or play with your kids!) tubing at the Winter Adventure Center. Take a guided snowmobile tour through Calvin Coolidge State Forest and beyond. If you prefer a more contemplative outing, snowshoe tours leave daily from Beattie"s Trailside Lodge. Longer guided tours are also available. Or click into a pair of cross-country skis and enjoy miles of terrain at the resort or nearby. Ice-skating and indoor rock climbing round out your active choices, but that"s not all the region has to offer. Cap off a day of touring the area"s quaint towns, covered bridges, and craft breweries with a horse-drawn sleigh ride. Or spend the day in Vermont"s second-largest city, Rutland, a few miles down the mountain, where you"ll find many dining options, specialty shops, and a wide range of services. Rutland is also home to the revitalized and historic Paramount Theatre, which offers a year ‘round schedule of concerts and performing arts. Save some energy for Killington"s legendary nightlife. The access road fairly pulsates with excitement, with entertainment nightly during the high season and a tremendous variety of good eateries. Afterwards, retire to your lodge and get ready to do it all over again. Pico is only a short drive from the Killington base area but it can seem a world away. With a vertical just shy of 2000 feet, two high speed quads among its six lifts, and lodging right at the foot of the mountain, Pico offers big-mountain skiing at a less-hurried pace than its bigger neighbor. The Inn at Long Trail, just a little way up the road, is a true Vermont classic.
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Ski Report
Vermont
