Tag Archives: Killington

How’s it going Killington? Dew Tour Prep Update 1/9/12

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Dew Tour Superpipe is taking shape at Killington. Photo: Chandler Burgess/Killington Resort.

Look out a window. Any window. We don’t have to remind you what a slow season it’s been, far as natural snowfall is concerned. And with the Dew Tour coming to Killington in less than two weeks, the thought on everyone’s mind is “Will they be ready?”

To ease the stress cases out there, us included, Ride Vermont caught up with Sarah Thorson, K-Town’s own Communications Manager to get the skinny on mountain prep. You can always count on Sarah knowing the score and just like we expected, five minutes on the phone with her and our heart rates were back to normal and the perspiring had all but ceased. Here’s the word.

“Killington Resort is thrilled to host the largest on-snow event in the East and we’ve committed to provide the highest quality of snow for the upcoming event. These low temperatures have allowed our snowmakers to pile up the snow for the Superpipe and Slopestyle course at Bear Mountain and things are looking fantastic. It’s been a rough start for snowmaking, but as long as the temps are there, we are not stopping. We’re looking forward to having the best freeskiers and snowboarders from around the world compete at Killington Resort in the second stop of the Winter Dew Tour.”

Next up: On Monday, January 16, Alli Sports will announce who will be competing here in Vermont. Stay tuned to Ride Vermont for the latest. ‘Til then… Check out live images of the Superpipe construction here.

Winter Dew Tour coming to Killington, Jan 19 – 22.

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Danny Davis and Scotty Lago (photo courtesy of Alli Sports)

Here comes the Dew Tour.

Shaun White. Louie Vito. I-Pod. Torstein Horgmo. All the biggest names in the snowboard contest scene are in the pipe and on the slopestyle course at Killington, Vermont, January 19 – 22, for the second stop of the Winter Dew Tour.

Why should you go? Cause it’s free, first of all. But this is also your chance to see Olympic-caliber athletes in Vermont, not only in competition but also milling about the base area and hanging out signing autographs.

If you get there early and score a prime against-the-fence viewing spot on the deck of the halfpipe, you’ll be so close to the competitors you could almost reach out and touch them. Then, afterward, you actually will be close enough to reach out and touch them (We don’t recommend that, though. It’s creepy. Just be normal and get a high five or something).

Competition schedule for Winter Dew Tour, Killington, Vermont, January 19 – 22.

Snow for the New Year? Yes Please

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After patiently waiting for Mother Nature to turn her cold side, it looks like the winter season has finally arrived here in the Green Mountains. And, oh what a relief it is.

Over the holiday week, and following a surprisingly white Christmas, the temps have remained chilly enough for expansive snowmaking at many resorts and low and behold a bit of fresh to find its way to the slopes. Check out this boarder gettin’ some at Killington on Thursday.

Yeeah bro! Photo Courtesy of Killington.

Up at Sugarbush they’ve been droppin’ ropes left and right. We’re talking over 50 new trails open in the last 48 hours. Redonkulous.

Bolton, Stowe, Smuggs and Jay have been feeling the love lately, tallying close to a foot of fresh top to bottom in the last days of 2011.

Sugarbush picked up a foot of flakes this week. Photo Courtesy of Sugarbush.

The images rolling in from the resorts this week are definitely kickin’ up the stoke and more seasonal weather is due as we welcome twenty twelve. Maybe even some lake-effect snow. Keep up the funky snowdances, ancient rituals and all-night Ouija board sessions. They seem to be working.

Snow in the forecast to start off 2012. Image courtesy of The Weather Channel.

There’s a lot on tap in the New Year, so be sure to keep an eye on the Ride Vermont Events page for all the deets.

Enjoy the snow and Happy New Year.

-Ride Vermont

Throwback Thursday – Launch It Like It’s 1999.

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Ross Powers launching out of the pipe at Killington, '99. Photo: Jeff Curtes

Vermont is as serious about its snow sports as it is about Maple syrup. That’s why for decades, the Green Mountain State has been crafting Grade A (fancy) snowboarders who have gone on to kick ass and take names on the national and international stage.

Ross Powers wasn’t the first Vermont snowboarder to ride a halfpipe, he was just the first to do so for a Gold Medal. However, Kelly Clark was right there with him in 2002, when both Vermonters made the state, and the country, proud. Before the world got a look, anyone hiking the pipe at Killington on this day got a good look alongside photographer Jeff Curtes. Once a Vermonter, always a Vermonter Powers now heads the Stratton Mountain School’s snowboard program.

Each Thursday we present a photo from the annals of snowboarding history in Vermont.

Johnny O’Connor Takes 1st, and $4K, at 2011 Rails 2 Riches at Killington

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2011 Rails to Riches, Killington, VermontThere was a time, and it wasn’t too long ago, when the idea of giving raggedy snowboarders several thousand dollars for sliding on rails would have been considered “absoludicrous“.

We’ve evolved as a sport, though. There’s big money in this sliding sideways thing. And Killington now has one of the biggest cash purses available for amateur snowboarders. The event is called “Rails 2 Riches”, and the 2011 version, held on December 10, featured a $20,000 purse. The men’s snowboard winner, Johnny O’Connor, took home 4 G’s alone.

Watch the official Ride Vermont video for highlights of the comp, including some insane air-to-downrail trickery by Johnny himself.

Congrats to all the winners.

2011 Rails 2 Riches results

Skier Men
1st place: John Kutcher, Park City, UT $4,000
2nd place: Dominic Laporte, Quebec, Canada $2,000
3rd place: Keiran McVeigh, Middlesex, VT $1,000

Rider Men
1st place: Johnny O’Connor, Plymouth, NH $4,000
2nd place: Shaun Murphy, Westfield, MA $2,000
3rd place: Mike Ravelson, Plymouth, NH $1,000

Skier Women
1st place: Jackie Kling, Ambler, PA $1,000
2nd place: Julia Krass, Hanover, NH $500
3rd place: Molly Prosser, Quakertown, PA $250

Rider Women
1st place: Mary Rand, Saunderstown, RI $1,000
2nd place: Kassandra Dolan, Truckee, CA $500
3rd place: Laura Rogoski, Salt Lake City, UT $250