Killington Resort

The mountain that gives Killington [1] its name is only one of six peaks that make up the massive Killington Resort (4763 Killington Rd., 800/621-6867, www.killington.com [2], $77–82 adults, $61–65 youth 12–18, $53–55 seniors and youth 6–12), which together boast more than 200 trails. The main event is still Killington Peak, where most of the toughest trails start their descent. The peak is accessible from the express gondola from the K-1 Lodge at the top of Killington Road.

Quicker and more comfortable is the heated Skyeship gondola that leaves from a base on Route 4 and whisks skiers up to the top of Skye Peak in 12 minutes. While that peak doesn’t have the challenges of the main peak, it gives a longer ride down to the base. Popular with expert skiers, Bear Mountain is a steep peak loaded with double diamonds including several tough glade skiing trails.

Physically separate from Killington Resort, the co-owned Pico Mountain (Rte. 4, 2 mi. west of Killington Rd., 866/667-7426, www.picomountain.com [3], $52 adults, seniors, and teens 13–18, $32 youth 6–12) is a quieter and less-crowded mountain with 50-some trails and a family-friendly reputation. On a busy weekend, however, both Killington and Pico get swamped—expect long waits in the lift lines and cattle herds in the cafeterias.

As might be expected, skiing is only the beginning of offerings at Killington Resort, which stays open for outdoor recreation year-round. Killington Snowmobile Tours (802/422-2121, www.snowmobilevermont.com [4]) offers one-hour gentle rides along groomed ski trails ($94 single/$119 double), as well as a more challenging two-hour backcountry ride through Calvin Coolidge State Forest ($144/$189).

Killington Snowshoe Tours (800/767-7031) leads custom-designed backcountry tours for both beginners and advanced snowshoers.

In the summer months, Killington Resort is famed for mountain biking on trails served by the same lifts that carry skiers in the winter. In fact, the resort produces a mountain biking map for its 45 miles of trails. Trail access is $15 for adults; a $64 pass is good for two days of trail access and unlimited rides on the lifts. The resort also rents bikes for use on its trails ($50 adult/day, $30 child/day).