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There is little one can say about Killington, Vermont except that it is the quintessential place to spend a weekend, especially if you enjoy skiing or snowboarding or other winter sports. The place is extraordinary in so many ways. Skiing, snowboarding and skating are but a few of the local activities. Hiking, biking, walking, swimming and other activities, all athletic enterprises that leave the visitor with a good appetite. Killington certainly satisfies one’s desire for good food.

We traveled to Killington from New York City, going through Albany and Lake George to Rutland and finally to our destination, the Killington Grand Resort Hotel, one of many superior hotels to be found in the area. For reservations call 1-877-4-KTIMES. The resort has many great features including its own lifts and slope, outdoor heated pool and whirlpool, a great restaurant, Ovations where they make a most delicious turkey sandwich. I had occasion to enjoy one of these on Saturday afternoon and was very pleased to find that it was made with hand-cut white meat from a freshly roasted turkey. Complimented with stuffing and cranberry sauce as well as melted Gruyere cheese, the sandwich was exquisite. The Grilled Chicken Sandwich was an absolute delight as was the Rice Balls Stuffed with Vermont Cheddar and the Salad served in a Taco Shell.

The hotel lobbies on both the lower level and main floor were decorated in a country style, but not outrageously. Fireplaces provided warmth and a focal point for each of these comfort zones. Our room was a wonderful space to relax, to work, and to enjoy the numerous in-room entertainments the hotel offers, including soon, direct Internet access. Movies, games, videos and other electronic medium are yours to enjoy with premium movies and games priced reasonably. The furniture was extremely comfortable and the beds were made with thick duvet covers to keep one warm on the coldest of nights. The window opened to allow the clean, fresh Vermont air to fill the room with the sweet scent of pine and snow. The door led to a small balcony. In our case, looking to the south and west. The bathroom was large enough for my capacious entity and the shower was an absolute delight with plenty of hot water to soothe the most weary muscles. We give the Killiington Grand Resort Hotel four Epicurus Crowns as one of the best ski resorts.

Killington is filled with great places to stay, to eat and even to surf the Internet, having its own Internet cafe on the Killington Road. What we found truly unique and interesting about this delightful community was the lack of any fast-food establishments. Not one chain restaurant can be found for miles and that too was in its own way a vacation.

The restaurants in and around Killington were equally impressive with a range of food styles from high-end haute cuisine (Hemingway’s and Birch Ridge Inn) to pizza (too many to mention). On the one night we dined out, it was clear that the Vermont Inn (pictured right) was the place for us to try true country inn cooking. Much to our great surprise, the Vermont Inn had some of the best food we’ve eaten in years. Comfort food meets haute cuisine in the superb kitchen of this establishment. Both my partner and I are great foodies, each with well trained palates, but we’re practical about the nature of food and where one is eating. I was delightfully surprised to enjoy Sauteed Artichokes and Mushrooms with Capers in Lemon-Butter Sauce as an appetizer and Rack of Lamb Persille as my main course. My guest dined on Vermont Inn Roast Turkey with Mashed Potatoes and Cranberry Sauce. Our desserts were the ultimate expression of comfort food done with artistic excellence. Warm Apple Crisp with Vanilla Ice Cream (Ben & Jerry’s, of course) and Warm Bread Pudding with Caramel Sauce and Vanilla Ice Cream. With my dessert, I enjoyed a truly warming hot Apple Cider with Brandy and Cinnamon, a house specialty.

Killington, like other places where sports are a key feature of local activity commands comfort food. Practically, anyone out on the slopes for hours will want a good hearty meal rather than eclectic cuisine, in our humble opinion. The Vermont Inn carefully combines great, heart-warming food with culinary artistry. Innkeepers Megan and Greg Smith run this marvelous place while Steven Hatch is the master of the kitchen as Executive Chef. Reservations are recommended. Call 802-775-0708. We give The Vermont Inn five Epicurus Crowns.

Some travel advice about visiting Killington: Make sure you visit Killington.com to check the weather and snow reports, book lodging and obtain up-to-date information of all kinds. On your way there, be sure to buy gas for your car out of town.

Photos by Steven Acosta

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