Other families will try to dissuade you from venturing to Killington. They'll talk about the four-mile access road to the mountain, a rare strip of commercialism in a state known for its farmland, meadows and white steeples. Then they'll mention all those apres-ski bars that attract the young weekend-warrior types who drive like maniacs on Fridays, ski and party all weekend long, and then drive like maniacs back to the big city on Sundays. Finally, they'll talk about the crowds who congregate around the lifts on weekends.
What they fail to mention is that there are 33 lifts in all and more than 200 trails across six different peaks. Dubbed the Beast of the East, Killington is the largest ski area in New England with the highest vertical drop, some 3,050 feet.
The mountain more than makes up for the lack of charm on the access road. The diversity of trails at Killington is mind-boggling, attracting neophytes to serious hotdoggers to a large snowboarding contingent. You'll find sweet greens like Solitude that works its way down the periphery of the mountain to Outer Limits, one of the steepest runs in the East, with buffalo-sized moguls and gut-wrenching pitches every Type-A ski freak dreams about. Add family-friendly Pico Mountain, under the Killington umbrella, that attracts far less traffic to its 50 trails, and you have more than enough options to keep you busy for a whole week of skiing.
Like other New England ski resorts, Killington attracts hikers, bikers, horseback riders and golfers in the warm-weather season. Along the spine of the Greens, you can play in the mountains any way you like. Just check it out before thumbing your nose at Killington. We think you'll be pleasantly surprised.
Killington, VT Family Vacations
Killington, VT Family Vacations
Families will love:
- The largest ski area in New England
- 33 lifts and 200 trails across six mountain peaks including trails for every level skier
- Four-season, outdoor family fun and adventure
Written by Stephen Jermanok
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