Two years ago, I traveled to Vermont to ski Stratton Mountain with my son and daughter-in-law.   I enjoyed the mountain, but struggled with the terrain.  Whether that was the state of my conditioning, the weather or the mountain itself, is up for debate.   In spite of that experience, I ‘signed up’ for the return trip to Vermont.  The kids wanted to try a variety of mountains and Killington Resort was highly recommended. 
Getting to Killington proved to be a challenge for us.  Nik and Aimee live in Boston, so while we were prepared for heavy traffic, it was truly horrendous.  We left before rush hour, but apparently that didn’t matter.  We spent an extra hour on the road stuck in bumper to bumper traffic getting out of town.  (Without traffic, it’s an easy three-hour drive from Boston to Killington.) 

Now to the mountain – well, mountains, plural!  Nicknamed “the Beast,” the six mountains of Killington provide more than 140 trails for skiers and riders of all abilities.   The lift network includes two high-speed gondolas providing service to every type of run imaginable.  Cruisers for beginners, tree runs and bumps for experts and pipes and parks for the daredevils. 

I had two concerns about skiing in New England: the cold and the crowds.  While the weather can't be controlled, the crowds can be managed. But when we asked employees at Killington, ‘where are the crowds?’ they said they thought it was crowded.  Interestingly enough, we never waited more than 5 minutes in lift lines.  (We did avoid the gondola lines which were significantly longer.) 

The green runs offered enough challenge for me.  I didn’t have to worry about an out-of-control beginner plowing into me because often times it seemed as if I was the only skier on the trail.  The kids had a similar experience even though they rode (they are snowboarders) on the more challenging runs. Big mountains and efficient lift operations make for a fabulous experience.  (And the weather was good with temps in the mid-20s.)

We stayed at the EconoLodge (AAA Two Diamond rated) in Mendon, which is about 15 minutes from the base of Killington Mountain.  It wasn’t your typical EconoLodge -- it was more like a ski chalet, with a fireplace in the lobby and a rec room with video games and pool table.  It was clean, albeit a bit worn at the edges, but the location really was ideal.   Breakfast was included, but it was very basic – donuts, bagels and oatmeal. 

I would consider staying there again, although just 15 minutes further is Rutland, which has a much larger selection of accommodations and dining opportunities.  There are a number of bed and breakfasts in the area, too.   Rutland seems to be a typical New England town with charming historical buildings and nice restaurants.   One night we had dinner at Little Harry’s in Rutland which offered an amazing array of delectable dining choices and seemed to be a favorite among locals.  Rumor has it that the Killington area has quite a nice night life but we were too tired to find out. 

On the drive back to Boston, my son, a beer connoisseur (a beer snob may be a better description), wanted to stop at the Long Trail Brewery in Bridgewater Corners, Vermont.  While waiting for a table, we took a short, self-guided tour of the brewery.   After a short wait, we sat down at a window table which providing a pleasant view overlooking a tributary of the Ottauquechee River.   The food was good – we just had a few appetizers -- and Nik and Aimee thoroughly enjoyed the beer sampler.  (I was, once again, the designated driver.)   The Brewery was hopping on Sunday afternoon, and I can imagine how great it would be sitting out on their patio on a summer afternoon.

The rest of the drive back to Boston wasn’t too bad.  While traffic backed up a bit as we drove through New Hampshire, the delay was nowhere near as frustrating as the trip heading north.

Keep in mind for next year:   Last year, Killington offered a special $55 lift ticket called the K55 which could be purchased online prior to the start of the season.  That ticket could be used any day except for a number of peak days and offered a significant savings from the price of regular lift tickets ($84).  Lift tickets also are valid at Pico Mountain – just a few minutes from Killington.

Take a moment to share your comments about your favorite mountain or resort - where would you suggest going to enjoy winter sports? 

Click on the map to see AAA Approved lodgings and get direction for Killington, Vermont.