NOTE: RAILS TO RICHES HAS BEEN POSTPONED DUE TO WEATHER.  NEW EVENT DATE IS 12-12-09

This weekend the $15,000 Rails 2 Riches Rail Jam for skiers and snowboarders returns to Killington for the fifth year. The competition is held under the lights with a blazing bonfire in front of the K1 Base Lodge. Come watch as these elite skiers and riders battle it out for a piece of the cash. Don’t miss the after-party starting at Outback at 8:30PM.  The Rails 2 Riches finals will be playing along with a DJ and Red Bull drink specials all night long! 18+ with a valid ID to enter.

For more details and schedule click here

Northeast or Northwest? Killington rises out of the fog.

The 2009/2010 snowboard season has been a little slow to get started to say the least.  It seems like just when it looks like we’re starting to make progress, Mother Nature bitch slaps us two steps back again.  Throughout this meteorlogical rollercoaster only two eastern resorts have been holding strong, fighting the good fight and keeping the lifts turning. 

Sunday I was finally able to get up to Killington to see the fruits of their labors for myself, and for once I wasn’t greeted with the all too familiar “Man, you should have been here yesterday”.  As luck would have it Sunday turned out to be the better of the two riding days.  A wicked temperature inversion brought warm temps and sunny skies to the peak, while the fog in the valley must have scared many away because surprisingly there were no lift lines.  Conditions felt more like the end of the season then late November, with soft corn snow, mashed potatos and the occasional dirt patch to ollie.  Rosey and the parks crew had an early season rail park set up on Rime with 4 features; flat rail, flat box, down rail and down box.

All in all, it was a great way to spend a Sunday and it was well worth the trip just to be back on snow again making turns after the long summer hibernation.  Much thanks go out to Killington and their snowmaking team for all their efforts in providing us with the only riding option in southern New England.  It looks like snowmaking temps will be returning to the northeast this week and I’m sure “The Beast” will be roaring into action every chance they get.  Get up there and check it out for yourself.

For current news and conditions visit Killington.com

With Winter coming up, ski resorts only seemed appropriate.

5. Mount Snow located in Vermont

4. Killington in Vermont

3. Deer Valley Resort in Utah

2. Heavenly Resort located on Lake Tahoe

1. Aspen in Colorado

With 64 miles worth of trails, Aspen steals the number one ski resort in the U.S. Aspen is a great family vacation spot because they tend to the most beginner level skiier to expert skiiers with classes, trainers and equipment rental. Runners up included Stowe Mountain Resort, Vail and Winter Park.

Purchase lift tickets, season passes or book a room here

(picture found at skipressworld.com)

My trip up to Killington this morning saved me about $2,500. Not bad for a 40 minute drive, don’t you think? Killington offers this program, called the Academic Excellence Program to Vermont school children through 12th grade. If a student receives honors for at least 2 of the 4 marking periods for the previous school year, they are entitled to a free unlimited Pico Pass. For $99 more, they are entitled to upgrade to an unlimited Killington/Pico pass. That pass, which contains no blackout dates whatsoever, is valued for their age group at $949 plus tax. Figure that times three and that’s how the roughly $2,500 savings is calculated. Don’t get me wrong, we weren’t ready to run out and buy our boys Killington passes, but they did have unlimited Pico passes for this year which we purchased at the end of last year for a great deal. The folks at Killington refunded the difference between that pass cost and the $99 upgrade fee, making a deal almost too good to resist. The boys will be thrilled, considering that it is something that they would not have been able to have if they didn’t earn it. Kudos to Killington to reward academic achievement and provide incentive to kids to do well. It is a great idea and a great incentive. My boys are already hard at work in school to make sure that they secure their passes for next winter as well. Killington, which is marketing itself as The Beast of the East this year, is certainly showing that Honors gets the Beast.

Killington will open the 09/10 season tomorrow, Saturday November 7th at 10 AM with top to bottom skiing and riding. 

At least four trails served by two lifts off Killington Peak will be open on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Killington will not operate Monday, November 9 through Friday, Nov. 13. Weather and snow conditions permitting, Killington may re-open on Saturday Nov. 14. Early-season lift tickets are $49 for adults (19-64), $44 for Young Adults (13-18) and Seniors (65-69) and $39 for Juniors (7-12) and Super Seniors (70+).

Killington will also host  its first event of the season on Saturday at the K-1 base area.  The Back to SHRED Rail Jam will feature 60 skiers and riders grinding, jibbing and sliding for numerous prizes from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
For opening weekend, skiers and riders will enjoy deep base depths on the upper mountain Northridge Area. Ski access to the base of K-1 will be available; however, skiers and riders are strongly encouraged to enjoy the Northridge Area and return to the K-1 base only when necessary. Some walking will be required on the bottom portion of the mountain. Season pass holders who have not received their passes in the mail may pick them up at the Snowshed Sales Center beginning at 8 a.m. both Saturday and Sunday.

Killington.com

You’re invited to kick off the season with us at the Back to SHRED rail jam session on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009! This laid-back event is your chance to show off your new tricks and score some sweet prizes from our sponsors. The cost will be only $5 and will include a BBQ lunch. Competitors should expect early-season conditions.

Pre-registration online on Thursday, Nov. 5th at 8:00 p.m.

Schedule:
9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. – Bib Pick-up in K-1 Lodge
11:00 a.m. – Competitors meeting at top of event rail park
11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. – Jam Session Format
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. – Competitor BBQ

Please visit Killington.com for more details.

Colby Pond Cabin is the perfect place to begin any outdoor adventure. Hike, bike, ski, ATV, or walk the logging trails in the 8000 acres of Wildlife Managed woods behind the cabin. Hop in the car with your boat, fishing and swimming gears to many lakes, rivers, ponds, gorges, and cascades within 30 minutes of the house. Ten minutes to Okemo, twenty minutes to Killington, and fifteen minutes to the Catamount trailheads gets you on the slopes or in the pristine wilderness immediately! An extensive guidebook of hundreds of surrounding trails, waterways, biking tours, swimming holes is housed in the cabin. Colby Pond Cabin is the perfect place to end any outdoor adventure. Soak in the outdoor hot tub, or indoor jacuzzi, cook up or grill a hearty meal in the luxurious kitchen, or take the ten minute stroll to Colby Pond to watch the sunset. Within a half hour’s drive to Woodstock and Queechee Gorge, Weston Playhouse, and the outlets in Manchester.

Beds: 4 queen beds.

View this vacation rental: Vacation home near Okemo and Killington

Thank you for your interest in staying with us! We’re absolutely certain you’ll love your experience with us and what our house has to offer. With 9 full size beds, an outdoor trampoline, a snowmobile, a fully functional incredible sound system (indoors and outdoors), fireplace, and best of all, an outdoor heated jacuzzi, it truly is unmatched in all of Killington for its perks and amenities! 5 minutes to Killington skyship. We are Harmony. And we know a thing or two about R&R. We also know how to really break free from the everyday and enliven the soul. This season, escape to an amazing home just 4 hours from NYC, and 2.5 hours from Boston. Surround yourself with 10 acres of brilliant wilderness, a majestic mountain range in your own backyard, and one amazing log cabin. And while you’re far away enough from civilization, you still have the comfort of knowing you’re just a 5 minute walk from a local convenience store and the Long Trail Brewery. The magnificent slopes of Killington Mountain, and Lake Rescue are merely a 10 minute drive away. So come join us for a night or two (or an extended stay) at the Harmony home away from home.

View this home: Killington vacation home

I’ve spent the past two weeks moving my furniture up from CT and realizing, of course, that there just isn’t enough room for all of it!  I spent the next week unpacking boxes and I’m happy to say that there are only two left!

My sister Laurie, her two kids and my mother came for a visit last weekend.  We truly pushed the limits of how many people one 550 sq. ft. cottage can hold.  Everyone was great about the cramped sleeping arrangements and we had a nice time.  We drove over to Woodstock on Sunday – the drive through Killington was beautiful.  I think we hit the peak of this somewhat dull Fall foliage season.  Laurie kept insisting that she saw a moose and at one point had me backing up on a windy country road.  Unfortunately, no moose to be seen~

This week, I got to see my new doctor’s office – sooner than I had planned.  A cold that started last weekend turned into a sinus infection – luckily, I think I caught it in time and I’m feeling much better!

Other big news is that I had my first highlight and hair cut from a new hairdresser for the first time in over fifteen years!  Yes, Rutland has a cool salon.  Laurel at Avanti was great and chatted away the whole time.  It was nice to be pampered!

Here are some new pics of Fall foliage from my view of the world – I think this is the best it’s going to get this year~

from killington.com

Now that the temperature’s close to freezing and you can see you breath when you walk outside, it’s time to start thinking about winter.  New England is quickly racing through fall, on the fast track to freezing temperatures, long nights, and snow. And with that snow, comes everyone’s favorite winter sports: skiing and snowboarding.  I’ve been doing one or the other since I was about 3 years old, but currently I’m into snowboarding, and I have been for the past 5 years.

Usually, I just go to Wachusett because it’s close and cheap.  During high school, I always had  a seasons pass there.  My family also really enjoys  Mount Snow, so I usually go there once or twice a year.  I’ve never been Killington before, though. So, I was super excited when I saw an advertisement for their K50 $50 lift ticket deal.

Basically, you can purchase up to 4 lift tickets at $50 each for use this season.  There are a few blackout dates during school vacations, but that’s it.  You can save $25ish on each ticket, which is great.  I would have paid about $50 to snowboard at Wachusett, so it’ll be great to go to a much larger mountain that I’ve never been to before for the same price.  Unfortunately the deal ends today, so you have to hurry if you want to ski or snowboard at one of New England’s best mountains for $50.  I can’t wait.

Here’s a picture from our porch of the snow on Killington Peak. Winter is coming, folks – better get ready!

Killington snowmaking began at 1AM 10-3-09

By Press Release:

KILLINGTON, Vt. (October 13, 2009) – Snowmaking is underway for the 2009-10 season at Vermont’s Killington Resort, the largest ski and snowboard resort in the Northeast.
Crews began making snow at 1 a.m. with a number of guns going on Killington’s Reason trail in the Northridge area. By later Tuesday afternoon, resort officials expect to have a number of Low Energy snow guns going on Rime and Upper Great Northern trails.
 
Mother Nature also helped us out with 4 inches of new snow at Killington Peak and 1.5 inches at K-1 Lodge.
Based on the current forecast with overnight temperatures ranging from the middle 20s down to the middle teens, snowmaking will continue for the next four-six days.

Get daily updates at Killington.com

Ok, just checking in from Vermont and I have some new images to share! It’s been down right cold for the past few nights with temps in the mid to low thirties. The color in the Green Mountains between Killington and Granville is at about 70% right now and it is vibrant. My workshop starts tomorrow at noon, so I am just putting together the last items of the schedule right now and catching up on emails.

Also, my online Abstract Photography course in now live! check it out: http://www.naturephotographers.net/onlinecourses/jr09-1.html

Enjoy! Joe

KILLINGTON, Vt. (September 23, 2009) – Ski or ride at Vermont’s Killington Resort this season for just $50 with K50 lift tickets.

With just 17 blackout days, skiers and riders can enjoy the benefits of the World’s Most Extensive Snowmaking System covering the most diverse terrain served by the most lifts in New England, and one of the longest seasons in the east from early November through early May at an outstanding pre-purchased price.

Available for purchase online only, skiers/riders may purchase up to four (4) K50 lift tickets for $50 each by the October 15, 2009 deadline. Regular daily window rates for the 2009-10 season are $82 on Saturday and Peak days, and $77 Sunday through Friday, non-Peak.

K50 Tickets are valid for the Killington 2009-10 season only, with the following blackout dates: Nov. 27-28 and Dec. 26-31, 2009; Jan. 16-17 and Feb. 13-19, 2010.  K50 tickets may only be picked up on the day they are going to be used.  K50 ticket purchasers may pick up tickets at any open ticket window by presenting a valid photo ID (state issued drivers license, military ID, passport, etc.).  All four (4) tickets may be redeemed any day of the season (with the exception of previously stated blackout dates). However, only the purchaser may pick up the tickets. K50 tickets are non-refundable, may not be exchanged, do not come with the snow guarantee, and and may not be combined with any other deal or package. not be combined with any other deal or package.

Click Here for K50 Tickets

Today was a busy day. The boys had a scout bottle drive around town and at the transfer station from 8-12. Tim had a guitar lesson from 9-10 and then the boys had to grab a quick lunch and head over to Kent Pond in Killington for brush-up on their canoeing skills in anticipation of their big trip next weekend.

We’re back home and I’m exhausted. They, however, seem to have endless energy. Maybe I didn’t get enough coffee this morning.

Here are some pictures.

And here is the supervisor for the afternoon……

Cullman Alabama   May 28-30   Cullman, AL

Canyon de Chelly  June 4-6  Chinle, AZ

Ultimate Adventure   June 13-21   Murphy, NC

Drummond Island   June 18-20  Drummond Island, MI

Penn’s Woods   June 18-20   Bradford, PA

Showshoe Mountain  July 9-11    Snowshoe, WV

Killington   July 16-18   Killington, VT

Northwoods – Mole Lake   July 23-25   Crandon, WI

Rubicon Trail  August 13-16   The Rubicon Trail, CA

Big Horn Mountains   August 20-22   Dayton, WY

Mark A. SmithRubicon Trail Adventure (2-3 day)  August 27-29/27-30  The Rubicon Trail, CA

Texas Spur Fall   September 10-12   Llano, TX

Ouray   September 17-19   Ouray, CO

Catskill Mountains   September 24-26   Monticello, NY

Black Hills   September 24-26  Deadwood, SD

Maine Mountains   October 1-3   Bethel, ME

French Lick   October 8-10   French Lick, IN

Appalachian   October 8-10   Murphy, NC

Borrego Springs   October 15-17   Borrego Springs, CA

Gateway to the Cumberlands   October 15-17   Williamsburg, KY

Moab   October 22-24   Moab, UT

Ouachita   October  22-24   Hot Springs, AR

For more information on this year’s Jeep Jamborees click here.

Arianna and Kianna kicked ass up at Killington this past Saturday.

Read about the bachelor party here

Danny brought his camera to Killington this year and took some amazing pics. Follow the Killington links below each pic to see the 2 albums. Enjoy.

From killington 2009 the mountain

From killington 2009

Riding in the East takes dedication.  Weekend after weekend of cold gray days can wear on you over a season and it always seems like just when the temperatures start rising and the sun starts shining, the resorts start closing.  If you’re lucky you’ll get 1 or 2 spring weekends of sunny skies and soft landings before it’s time to hang up the boards and break out the bikes.  If you’re like me that’s just not enough.  Well, there’s no better place in the east to hit up in the spring than Killington.  While other resorts in the northeast are fitting their chairlifts with bike racks, Killington is usually still going strong.  With what is continually the longest running season in the east, it’s not uncommon for Killington to stay open well into May sometimes even June. 

Killington is the largest snowboarding resort in the east offering 88 miles of terrain and 191 trails spread out over 7 mountain peaks.  Killington’s 4,241′ elevation and 250″ of annual snowfall combined with one of the most extensive snowmaking systems in North America, ensures that Killington’s base depths are always among the deepest in the east.  This allows for Killington to offer great skiing and riding while its neighbors are closing their doors.

If you’re looking to get your freeride on, check out the K-1 gondola on Killington peak which offers the highest lift served terrain in Vermont.  From there you can hop your way from peak to peak.  Be sure to take a ride down Juggernaut which may be the longest continuous ski trail in the east.  This cruiser will get your legs burning for sure and has plenty of turns, rolls and wall rides to keep it interesting.

If the park is your thing you’ll want to head over to Bear Mountain and check out the Burton Stash terrain park, one of only 5 of its kind in the world.  This joint venture between Burton Snowboards and Killington Resorts, is a terrain area offering all natural jibs, hits and glades.  (Click here to view our review of the Stash earlier this season).  You could make a whole weekend out of just riding the Stash, but while you’re over at Bear you’ll also want to check out the Dream Maker park for medium to large sized jibs and hits and the Dream Maker superpipe with its 22′ walls.

If you want something a little more mellow, or if you’re looking to dial in that trick you’ve been working on all season, head over to the Timberline park on Ramshead mountain.  We dubbed Timberline the “Old Man” park, because the smaller features (15-20 foot tables and wide boxes and rails) were perfect for lapping and getting your minishred on.

Killington also offers some of the best spring season events and entertainment in the east.  This coming weekend is the Killington Spring Loaded event.  Spring Loaded is a Killington signature snowboard event, and one of the largest on the East Coast.  Over the course of the weekend pro riders will compete for $10,000 in cash as amateurs throw down for some great prizes in both superpipe and slopestyle events.

“This is definitely Killington’s biggest and best snowboard event of the season,” said Matt Porter, Event Manager for Killington. “Spring Loaded brings together sun, snow, loads of great riders and a springtime vibe that keeps spectators happy and fosters a high level of competition.”

When it comes to apres ski entertainment, there’s no better place than Killington.  With over 100 bars and restaurants lining the access road you’ll have no problem finding a place to fill whatever your needs are.   Want to hear some live music?  Check out the world famous Pickle Barrel or the Wobbly Barn, both offer live entertainment nightly.  Want to get your bump and grind on?  Check out Tabu Nightclub by Outback Pizza.   Wherever you go, Killington knows how to party… period.  Now you’ve been warned… remember that there’s riding to be done in the morning.

Book your trip and get the latest conditions at Killington.com

For more information on Killington Terrain Parks visit: RideKillington.com

My entire body involuntary twitched when Brandi slathered on my face some kind of cold goo. Eyes clamped shut, I was expecting something a little warmer for my first facial experience.

“Sorry ’bout that,” I mumbled as Brandi’s deft hands glided over my cheekbones and down my cheeks. “No problem,” she said while energetically working the mixture into my chin.

I was reclining in a very comfy chair in a treatment room at Killington Grand Spa, at the base of the Vermont ski resort. I was totally relaxed while enjoying every second of the attention my weather-beaten face was receiving.

Brandi Henderson-Savoy, a licensed esthetician at the spa, was administering a hydrating facial and explained why such treatments are beneficial for skiers and riders who often brave harsh weather while pursuing their sport.

“The cold temperatures and constant wind draws moisture out of the skin, especially from the face because that is the most exposed part of your body when you’re skiing,” she said. The treatment included a scrub that exfoliated my skin, steam that opened pores and drove out ingrained impurities, a gentle massage of the prominent facial muscles, and the soothing gel that added moisture to the skin.

It worked. I walked into the spa with a face chapped and stinging from the cold and wind. Hours after the treatment my face still felt cool and smooth and all facial irritation was gone.

The hydrating facial was part of a package of three skier-specific treatments I received at the Killington Grand Spa. The package included the facial, a green tea mini-pedicure and a focused therapeutic massage to my neck, shoulders and back.

Sweet feet

Nail technician Nan Puchalski trimmed my toe nails, plunged my feet in a hot, bubbling bath and scrubbed, exfoliated, massaged and stimulated my feet and lower legs during the pedicure session.

“Skiers like pedicures because keeping the toe nails short and trimmed prevent the toes from being jammed inside the boots,” said Puchalski. The foot massage is very therapeutic for beginning skiers and snowboarders who tend tense foot muscles when they try to grip the snow with their toes, she explained.

No more pain in the neck

The focused, deep sports massage from lead massage therapist Linda Canepari dispelled a nagging pain that ran down the left side of my neck onto the top of my shoulder. She also traced the edges of my shoulder blades and applied sustained pressure to trigger points that were the source of pain in my upper and lower back.

The full-service spa, in the lower level of the Killington Grand Hotel, has an overwhelming menu of services including acupressure; reflexology; stone, scalp and deep tissue massages; various body wraps; skin treatments for adults and teens; waxing services; manicures; and make-up services. Three-, four- and five-hour packages combine a variety of services for the client who wants to spend her day in the spa rather than on the slopes.

Prices were comparable to other, full service spas at winter resorts. The classic, 50-minute Swedish relaxation massage is $115 and a 25-minute focused massage on the neck, shoulders and back comes in at $85.

Energy work, such as Craniosacral, reiki, acupressure or reflexology, ranged in price for $100 to $125 for a 50-minute session.

The body wraps and treatments started at $110 for the green tea body glow and went to $165 for a detoxifying seaweed wrap. An exceptional feature at the Killington Grand Spa is a Vichy shower which uses water to bring relaxation and therapeutic healing to aching muscles.

In addition to feeling great, pampered and pain free, my afternoon at the Killington Grand Spa convinced me that I will take advantage of any spa services available during future ski trips.

—Bill Clapper

Bill Clapper has experienced scant on-snow time this winter because of a heavy schedule of spa treatments.

Photo highlights from this weekend’s events at the U.S. Snowboarding Grand Prix from Killington.

Click Here to View Gallery