Apres Ski in Killington

Killington Village

Killington has no main village – shops and restaurants are densely arrayed along a 5 mile long access road.

The main ski area lies at the end of Killington Road in the heart of the Green Mountains of central Vermont, surrounded by beautiful vistas and mountain terrain. Most of the 100 or so places to stay, and a similar number of bars and restaurants are built up along the five-mile Killington Access Road.

There is a good shuttle bus service between the many lodges, stores and restaurants on the Killington Road, but in spite of this most people would consider it essential to have a car for getting around.

Plans are underway to convert the Snowshed Base (pictured above) into a true pedestrian style village. However, at present there is no village in the traditional sense. Those expecting a New England style village along the lines of Stowe will be disappointed. Killington is all about the skiing and the nightlight on the Access Road. Vermont charm is something certainly lacking.

 

Killington Restaurants, Bars & Apres-Ski

Killington is the apres-ski and nightlife capital of the East. Restaurants and bars are scattered along the Killington Access Road.

Killington Restaurants

The Killington Access road is home to the vast majority of Killington’s restaurants. If staying at Killington lodging property, skip Ovations in the Killington Grand Hotel – there are better options elsewhere. For Asian food, we recommend Sushi Yoshi. For Italian, the choice is Peppino’s or, if you’re not looking to attract a mate, The Garlic. For traditional American food, Casey’s Caboose is a local favorite and the Wobbly Barn is the place to get a great steak.

Amongst the hustle and bustle of the access road, there are a few restaurants farther afield that are easy to miss. Near what was formerly the base of Sunrise Mountain on Route 100 is our personal favorite – the Back Behind Saloon. This Killington staple has been serving hungry skiers in an authentic caboose for decades. For fine dining, Hemmingway’s on Route 4 is a great choice. Closer to Rutland, the Countryman’s Pleasure serves excellent Austrian/German cuisine in a rustic Vermont Country Inn setting.

Killington Apres-Ski and Nightlight

Killington is therefore known among the alpine cognoscenti as a Party-ers’ Paradise. Strong men and women alike have been carried home from the the Wobbly Barn (the name says it all), Killington’s signature nightspot. For live music, it’s difficult to beat the Pickle Barrel. Just across the street, Charity’s is an excellent choice for a slightly quieter bar.

You might try Bear Lodge- as described above, it really is great in spring for eating, drinking, parties, and fun in the sun and snow. Killington ranks number one in après ski in ski country and has hundreds of bars on and off the mountain, including Mahogany Ridge in the Killington Base Lodge, The Lookout Bar and Grill, Casey’s Caboose, and the Grist Mill.

 

Killington Activities

If skiing or riding isn’t your bag, Killington has ice skating, backcountry snowmobiling, rock and ice climbing, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and dogsledding, as well as spas, saunas and hot tubs to soothe away all your aches and pains.

Apart from the usual places selling equipment for skiers and boarders, the shopping opportunities are limited. You can catch a movie, read a book, or go bowling-but compared to many other resorts there is little else to do and non-skiers will soon get bored.