Travel Eye on Killington (Vermont, USA)

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Overview:

Killington is the largest ski mountain in the Eastern United States, with 7 mountain peaks, six of which are interconnected. The seventh, Pico Mountain, is a short drive away but on the same lift pass.

Killington has fantastic snowmaking facilities and terrain for all grades of skier. Beginners have a very good ski school to use, and excellent if sometimes crowded nursery slopes. Intermediates have plenty of easy cruising, while experts should head for the 'Outer Limits' for reasonable challenges. There are also 'Fusion Zones'- essentially unbashed pistes for more advanced skiers to learn to off-piste. Boarders have lots of options, with 3 half-pipes, 2 parks and a boardercross course. Cross-country skiers will have plenty of territory to cover as well. Childcare is also first-class.

On the down-side, as with all its New England cousins, it can suffer from a lack of natural snow, freezing temperatures and weekend city crowds (it's only 3 hours from Boston). Because of this weekend trade, prices can also be steep and the locals can be slightly unfriendly. The resort is a rather sprawling place, with very little in the way of off-snow pursuits. The piste map and on-piste markings mean some confusing touring as well. That's all the negative stuff done.

There is lively après-ski over the weekend and a reasonable range of eateries (off- mountain are much better than on-mountain). Essentially, Killington is a great resort if the weather conditions are right. It is also far closer for the European market than the Rockies.

Locality:

Killington is in the north east United States, in the south-central part of Vermont state. (it is 156 mls NW of Boston and its international airport. 85 mls S of Burlington regional airport). It is in the heart of the gentle, scenic, wooded Green Mountains. It lies either side of a long, fairly broad valley that ascends to a mountainous dead-end.

Entertainment/Facilities/Attractions/Things to do:

Shopping here is very limited. There area a few sports shops dotted along the main road (Killington Rd) and around the Snowshed base station. There is one well-stocked minimarket and a few gift shops. There is more variety, including factory outlets and a couple of supermarkets, in the town of Rutland, 15 mls away.

During the daytime the winter activities include downhill skiing and snowboarding, snowmobiling and ice-skating; Pico offers vast cross-country skiing opportunities and a sports centre with 25-yd pool. In the summer, there is 2 championship golf courses, mountain biking, horse riding and hiking; and spectacular views from the top of 4,241-ft Killington Peak.

The nightlife here is mainly confined to the hotels and a handful of lively, informal bars. In the summer, there is a music festival and playhouse. There is more life in Rutland.

There is more than a dozen restaurants and snack bars dotted at intervals along the main road; many more attached to or located in hotels. Choice of cuisine includes American steaks, chicken, seafood, Mexican, Italian, French, Chinese and Thai; several pizzerias offer doorstep deliveries. Bakery/cafe. More choice and international fast food in Rutland.