Overview
Whether you're visiting for peak fall foliage, the Spartan Beast, or snow sports, Killington, Vermont is an ideal destination to experience New England charm.
When to Go
Looking for optimal weather? Peak fall foliage? When is the best time to visit Killington, Vermont?
​
​
Covered Bridges
Near Killington is the quaint, historic, town of Woodstock, Vermont. Not only is it known for fall foliage and New England charm, but it is also an ideal spot to view the covered bridges.
Ski Resorts
The Killington Ski Resort is​ has the largest vertical drop in New England at 3,050 feet, making it an ideal destination for snow sports.
​
Spartan Beast
With over 35 obstacles, 14 miles, at a 6,000 foot elevation gain, the Spartan Beast at the Killington Ski Resort is one of the toughest courses in the world.
When to Go
Lake Rescue
New England is known for its fall foliage and rich history. To experience both in one trip, you’ll need to travel during a very specific time frame. The downside is that this is New England’s busy season and prices soar.
I traveled to Killington, Vermont in the second week of September, right before the Maples begin their spectacular change in color. The weather was nice during this time, ranging from mid sixties to low seventies during the day and dropping into crisp autumn temperatures at night. It was perfect for a campfire and outdoor activities. My family kayaked on Lake Rescue, near our rental, and early September made for the perfect weather.
Locals say that the last week in September is when the fall colors are in their full glory. This continues through the third week of October before they begin to subside as the leaves fall. So, if you’re looking to see the epitome of fall foliage, your best bet is traveling in late September through mid October. However, early September allows for milder temperatures and cheaper flights/stays.
Keep in mind early winter and early spring months are better for the snow sports.
Covered Bridges and More
Woodstock Middle Bridge
Quechee Gorge
Vermont has over 100 covered bridges in this tiny state, making it the densest concentration in the U.S. Killington itself is home to five covered bridges, the oldest being built in 1879. Originally built to protect the bridges, these structures remain as a popular attraction showcasing the history and charm of Vermont.
My family visited the nearby town of Woodstock, Vermont, where the Woodstock Middle Bridge is located. Walk through the bridge, or drive across, if you dare. The area was not particularly busy at the beginning of September, and we were able to get out of the car and take plenty of pictures in front of it.
The Middle Bridge is located near the Quechee Gorge, which is the deepest gorge in Vermont at 165 feet. The gorge is visible right off of Route 4 bridge on either side. If you enjoy a strenuous hike, you can also take the trails right down to the Ottauquechee River.
Nearby, is the Quechee Gorge Village, a vintage-inspired shopping mall with local vendors.
While in Woodstock, my family also explored the charming downtown area. There are plenty of shops and restaurants worth visiting, especially if you’re looking for sports clothing.
I especially enjoyed venturing into the Norman Williams Public Library, which was established in 1883. It is a beautiful old library, stocked with floors of old and new books. They also offer books for a discountded price at the entrance of the library. I bought a copy of Sense and Sensibility for $3.
Whether you’re interested in shopping, natural landmarks, or the historical covered bridges, Killington and Woodstock are both great towns to explore to meet a variety of needs.
Killington Ski Resort
The Killington Ski Resort is the largest ski area in the eastern United States, often referred to as “The Beast of the East.” The resort offers a variety of trails, suitable for beginners to advanced sport skiers. There are 21 lifts and over 150 trails available for winter sports.
Because of the combination of artificial and natural snow, the Killington Ski Resort has one of the longest skiing seasons in the country, ranging from October to May. We just missed the season in September, but the resort was much less busy and there were still beautiful views during this time.
While I can’t attest to the trails myself, I can imagine that this resort is one of the best in the eastern United States. With over 150 runs across 1,000 acres of land, and 4,000 feet of elevation, it is no wonder this ski resort is considered a beast.
Spartan Beast
If you’re familiar with Spartan races, you know that the Spartan Beast is one of the toughest courses even at a low elevation. But in Killington, Vermont, coming in at 6,733 ft. elevation gain, this particular course is one of the toughest in the world.
Spartan races began as a spin off to the “Death Race” in order to reach a wider audience. Founded in 2010 by De Sana, Spartan races are now franchised in over 30 countries and are one of the most well-known endurance races in the world.
As the Spartan race traces its origins to Vermont, it only makes sense that one of the toughest courses takes place at the Killington Ski Resort.
At every level, the Spartan race features a series of obstacles over several miles. For the tougher races, elevation gain comes into play. The Spartan Sprint is considered the “easiest” course (if any of them can be considered easy) with around 20 obstacles over 3-5 miles. (Note: No two Spartan courses are exactly the same. Some require further distances with more or less obstacles, over different terrain.)
The Spartan Super consists of 25-30 obstacles over 8-10 miles. The terrain of this course is more rugged and significantly more difficult than the Spartan Sprint.
The Spartan Beast includes 30-35 obstacles across 12-14 miles of rugged terrain. This is the most difficult course that completes the Spartan trifecta, and this is what brought my family to Killington, Vermont.
My Dad completed the Spartan Beast several years ago, proclaiming after which he left a “piece of his soul in the mountains," which he needed to regain.
He, along with my family, arrived in Killington, Vermont in September of 2021 to support him through this endeavor.
As a spectator, there were several obstacles that were visible to me before the runners made their way into the mountain. At the base of the ski resort, I could watch the start of the race, as the bright-eyed, determined, runners began their multi-hour pursuit. At the end of the race, I watched as sweaty, muddy, exhausted, runners made their leap over the fire which marked the end of their journey. There were also water obstacles that were available for viewing across the parking lot.
As we rode the Gondola to the top of the mountain, we could see the Spartan racers carrying their weighted bags up the mountain. I, for one, was very grateful to be in the Gondola instead.
The top of the mountain was beautiful and actually reminded me of some of the ski resorts in Montana. I’d highly recommend venturing to the top while waiting for your racer. The race takes place around September 10th-11th every year. While this is a few weeks before the fall foliage truly begins, there were plenty of purple wildflowers dotting the mountain side.
Bring a sweatshirt if you venture to the top of the mountain!
The Spartan Beast brings thousands into the area to witness this difficult and beautiful course. I applaud all those who even attempt to complete this race.
To learn more, head over to the official site.