The last leaves of fall clinging to the trees near the Carriageway at the Birch Ridge Inn 

The party's over.. Let the new party begin!

Twig season , the denouement of summer, has arrived at Killington. Like Mud Season in the spring, when thoughts in Killington turn towards summer warmth and chasing little white balls down verdant fairways, Twig Season brings with it high hopes for the quick arrival of cold weather followed by copious amounts of snow. It all serves to tweak the souls of those of us who enjoy throwing ourselves down mountainsides in the cold New England winters.

Twig season is a time of reflection and preparation. We were fortunate this year to be able to play plenty of golf. We had a summer full of nice guests staying at the inn. We have a great team of employees to help us conduct the business of the inn in a professional manner. We have continued to work to improve the inn to better serve our guests going into the winter season.

Birch Ridge Inn entering "Twig Season"

Winter will be coming to Killington very soon. Daily I am asked "when will the ski season begin?"... or "When will it snow?" The answer is always with a measured amount of a wishful thinking "Tomorrow!" And it will be here soon enough.

"Twig Season" heralds a time of change. As the leaves of Killington hit the forest floor, we all know that soon a blanket of white will follow.

....And it will be glorious!

Let it snow!

"Noah's Bark" by Barbara McKenna 

The Birch Ridge Inn is please to host, in conjunction with the Killington Arts Guild, "Meet the Artist" night with with Vermont Craftswoman Barbara McKenna this coming Thursday, October 17, 2013 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM.

Barbara's lifelong passion for creating distinctive art using a variety of materials in both 2-D and 3-D forms is evident in her work. Barbara will present examples of her unique style including crafted wool hooked rugs. Not just rugs in the traditional sense, their artistry also can be displayed as beautiful wall hangings handcrafted by this talented Vermont artist.

The public is invited to attend this demonstration/presentation in the Great Room of the Birch Ridge Inn from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Following the demonstration, persons wishing to join the artist for dinner at 8:00 in the InnÕs restaurant can make reservations by calling the Birch Ridge Inn at 422-4293.

The Fall Foliage season at Killington is rapidly changing to "Twig Season". We hope that you have enjoyed the fall colors as thoughts in the local community start to look to the sky for falling snow instead of falling leaves.

The top of the Covered Carriage-way framed in brilliant fall color. 

Yesterday was interesting. Damp and dreary most of the day with a hellacious 15 minutes of driving rain and fierce winds. If the storm that struck yesterday were to repeat in a couple of days, the fall season at Killington would be over and we would be firmly ensconced in "Twig Season". But as it stands from our neighborhood walk about this morning, while some trees did shed their leaves, the area around Killington is still alive with fall colors.

Higher elevations on Killington Peak lost color in yesterdays storm. The top of the mountain is a muted green, accented by bright green stripes... the product of alpine pine trees combined with ski slopes. With a crystal blue ski this morning, the scene on the mountain provided a sharp contrast with the fall colors still blazing at lower elevations.

The foliage colors in the Killington Basin area, at approximately 2000 feet in elevation, are still quite brilliant. While many of the birch trees have lost their yellow leaves, the maple trees are making up for the color loss with bright reds and flaming orange hues. Poplar trees not stripped by the wind are still showing green. Oak trees are showing their traditional burnt orange.

The local weather forecast for the region is calling for nice weather over the next 5 to 7 days. With minimal wind and no rain, fall colors should be fixed in place through the upcoming Columbus Day Weekend period, assuring Vermont visitors a nice fall getaway.

Wherever you may be, we hope that you can enjoy the colors of fall.

Colors in the forest behind the Birch Ridge Inn. 

While it may be overcast outside, it is anything but dreary.

The indirect sunlight filtered through the high clouds is casting a warm glow across the landscape. Full color has sprouted around the mountains of Killington. Against the palette of a light gray sky, the colors of fall have just exploded across the landscape.

The immediate Killington Basin area is definitely at or near peak color. Reports from guests traveling around the area indicate the the upper mountainsides to the north have started to loose their color due to dropping leaves. Route 4 from the east and Woodstock still has a way to go before reaching peak. Given that this area is at least 1000 feet lower in altitude than the Killington Basin area, it makes perfect sense. It looks like it is going to be a stunningly beautiful weekend at Killington.

From the west along Route 4 from New York, color has started to change but is also several days behind Killington. Western facing slopes experience several more hours of sunshine this time of year, allowing the leaves on the trees to stay more active. Color in this area will probably come to the fore over the next week.

Wherever you may be this weekend, we hope that you can enjoy the colors of fall.

Top of Carriage-way bathed in color. 

Fall colors in the Killington Basin area are dazzling.

The cool nights and the moderately warm days have popped the colors around the area. Each day the colors are becoming more and more brilliant as the foliage marches towards "Peak Color".

Beauty is, of course, in the eye of the beholder. It is always a very subjective matter to determine exactly when the color will be at it's peak. But, at least in Killington, the peak is approaching.

Most of the trees in the forest surrounding Killington are fully engaged in the process of having their leaves loose their chlorophyll(the chemical that makes them look green). While many still sport a green hue, many are also brilliantly showing their full fall regalia.

The next week in Killington will be the prettiest of the year; except, of course, if you like a knarly blizzard dumping snow on the mountain peaks. But winter blizzards will come soon enough...

Enjoy the fall colors where ever you may be.

Beautiful Fall Colors at Killington 

One of the nice things about living at Killington is how accessible it is to enjoy the outdoors. With Vermont's Green Mountains as a backdrop, even a simple walk around the neighborhood reveals fall colors in full detail at this time of year.

Colors in the mountains are improving every day. While the forest still has an abundant amount of green, many of the trees are starting to show their characteristic colors.

The stars of the show, of course, are the maple trees. Throughout the Killington Basin the maple trees are starting to show a brilliant flaming red. Some of the early trees are fully involved in their fall regalia. Most have just started to turn with the tips of the leaves beginning to catch fire.

Birch and Poplar trees are starting to show their characteristic yellow hue. Historically the birches lead the poplar trees on their seasonal progression. You will find hints of yellow interspersed throughout the foliage canopy.

Oak trees are starting to display their burnt orange hue. Historically the last leaves to drop from the trees, they are showing well at the higher elevations, with the lower elevations still primarily decked out in green.

Beautiful colors on our walk about around the neighborhood. Click again to resume rotation.

Color changes are starting to be more pronounced each day. Warm temperatures and cool nights are starting to coax the color out of the leaves.

Peak color in Killington is still several days away, based upon historical observations. The upper mountainsides are nicely colored with the valley floors starting the process.

Below are a couple of Youtube clips I took during my walk about. Nothing fancy, just people having a good time on the first day of skiing for the season at Killington. People attending this coming weekends "Brewfest" in Killington will be treated to the full display of fall colors. It should be "glorious".

Where ever you may be, keep the ball in the fairway, and remember the fall leaf rule.

Bright colors starting to show randomly through the forest. 

Bright fall colors are starting to make their appearance in the forests around Killington.

The Green Mountains are starting to sprout blotches of bright reds, subtle orange, and specks of yellow as the season marches from summer to fall. While the color is not yet consistent, Maple trees in the area are starting to show. With their companions, the oaks, poplars, and birches, the Maple trees are signaling for all to see that the season is changing.

The overall process still has many weeks to go before hitting a crescendo in October. But from early indications, this year looks like the fall colors will be spectacular.

Where ever you may be, keep the ball in the fairway, and enjoy the last days of the summer season.