A foreboding Killington Peak loom over the countryside

A foreboding Killington Peak loom over the countryside

Everyday is not a bluebird day. While some days are bright and sunny, others can take on a dreary and foreboding look. Today happens to be one of those days.

The early stages of winter (we are really only 3 weeks into it since the Winter Solstice) can be rather dark at Killington. When you add in a thick gray cloud cover, what should be the middle of the day feels more like the twilight of early evening.

The mountain has a surreal look. The snow covered peaks intermixed with the leave-less trees blend into the ashen sky almost seamlessly. Temperatures in the area have risen to just about the freezing mark, causing melting to take place on most of the snow covered roofs around town. Giant stalactites and stalagmites of ice are forming where the melt water refreezes. Steeper roofs are avalanching down with thunderous roars. The sounds of snow and ice spalling off of the slate covered roofs of the inns restaurant and Great Room are deafening at times. A giant base of snow is forming at the bottom of both A-Frames. That base of snow will serve as a great insulator for the cold period we usually get in Killington later in the winter. It will also serve to stabilize future snowfalls on the roofs to minimize winter damage.

Panorama of Skye and Killington Peaks

Even though the mountains seem covered in a gray pall, they are still beautiful in their majesty. The mountains snow covered slopes are challenging guest skiers and riders to come and enjoy their charms; while the grayness of the day lets locals work off the holiday backlogs without guilt, knowing that the mountain snow will be preserved for another day to enjoy. For the foreboding will give way to the bluebird. It is only a matter of time.

Let it snow!