Eastern America’s largest skiing and snowboarding destination, Killington also offers an abundance of outdoor activities in the fall. At Killington Resort, the view of the trees is unparalleled on the mile-and-a-quarter ride up the mountain in a gondola. On a clear day, you can see five states, Canada, and three mountain ranges. Explore the countryside on horseback, by mountain bike, or with an all-terrain vehicle. When hunger strikes or your credit card needs a workout, the area has more than 100 restaurants, bars and shops.
Drive time: 6 hours, 15 minutes
Where to Stay
With so much to do elsewhere, you may not spend a lot of time in your room at the Killington Grand Resort Hotel. But you have to rest and recharge sometime, and this contemporary hotel is a convenient and comfortable place to do it. If you want a full kitchen, book a studio or suite. The penthouses also have gas fireplaces and in-room saunas. Amenities include a year-round outdoor heated pool and a full-service spa. Killington is a pet-friendly resort. Rooms starting at $174, suites $203.
4763 Killington Road, (800) 621-6867.
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Back Behind Saloon. |
Where to Eat
If you can’t get your fill of real Vermont maple syrup, breakfast is served all day at Sugar & Spice. For a special fall treat, order the pumpkin pancakes or the signature version with cinnamon and maple sugar baked right in. $7.95-$9.95.
Route 4, Mendon, (802) 773-7832.
Begin your Sunday jazz brunch at The Foundry at Summit Pond with a mango mimosa or a signature Bloody decked out with bacon, shrimp, olives, pepperoncini and pickle. Entrées include four different Benedicts, seafood crêpes, and fried chicken and waffles. $10-$15.
63 Summit Path, (802) 422-5335.
Hike, bike or take the gondola to the top of the mountain for lunch at Killington Resort’s Peak Lodge. The view from 4,241 feet up makes it well worth the effort. Menu items range from burgers to pasta to filet mignon. Bar snacks include barbecue beef brisket, chicken gyro, a duck-confit quesadilla, and beef-and-shiitake wontons. $9-$26.
Back Behind Saloon has a full regular menu of meats, pastas and seafood, and it’s particularly well known for hickory-smoked barbecue specialties like ribs, pulled pork, beef brisket, chicken and turkey. The Back Behind Sampler gives you a taste of just about everything. $11-$36.90.
Junction of Routes 4 and 100 S, (802) 422-9907.
Whether you’re in the mood for Chinese or Japanese food, you’ll find what you’re craving at Sushi Yoshi, from vegetable fried rice to lo mein to a sushi-and-sashimi combination. If you want a show with your dinner, gather around the hibachi. $9.95-$48.95.
1807 Killington Road, (802) 422-4241.
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Killington Resort’s gondola. |
Beast Mountain Coaster. |
What to Do
At Killington Resort, thrill to the 360-degree corkscrews on the 4,800-foot Beast Mountain Coaster ($18). Or savor the view as you glide along at 30 miles per hour on the 100-foot-high Soaring Eagle ($14) and accept the challenge of the dual-cable Zipline Racer ($32). Alpine Tubing gives you the rush of snow tubing without snow ($11). Those are only a few of the attractions at Killington Resort’s Snowshed Adventure Center. Save money with a day pass ($69), which includes everything except the K-1 Express Gondola to the mountaintop ($12 with day pass, $30 without).
Snowshed Lodge, Killington Resort, (800) 621-6867.
Rent from Killington Bike Shop and ride the 30 miles of easy-to-challenging mountain trails. Two-hour guided tours are also available. Full-day lift and trail access $55, full-day lift and trail access and bike rental $159.
Snowshed Lodge, Killington Resort, (800) 621-6867.
Take the wheel or just sit back and enjoy the ride on an hour-long guided ATV Tour through the mountains. $99.
ATV Vermont Tours, 170 Route 100, West Bridgewater, (802) 422-2121.
Enjoy a ride (suited to your skill level) along 40 miles of trails through mountain pastures at the Equestrian Center at Mountain Top Inn & Resort. Guided trail rides $45/hour.
195 Mountain Top Road, Chittenden, (802) 483-2311.
