New England's most extensive ski resort region is the Killington/Pico Resort of central Vermont, 84 mi/135 km from Burlington. It has seven different peaks, 200 trails, and 32 lifts and a high-speed quad on Bear Mountain. There are routes that will please experts, while novice-class skiers can enjoy numerous beginner and intermediate trails, including the Juggernaut Trail, which winds for more than 6 mi/10 km through beautiful terrain. Those new to the sport may want to participate in the Killington Ski School, famous for an accelerated method of instruction that can put beginners on the slopes within two hours.
You'll find lodging (including chalets, condominiums and hotels), restaurants, lounges and shops along Killington Road and in the nearby towns of Rutland and Woodstock. Rutland also hosts the Vermont State Fair, held annually for more than 150 years, and it is home to the visitors center for the Green Mountain National Forest.
West of both Killington and Rutland are two state parks linked by a hiking trail: Half Moon State Park in Hubbardton and Bomoseen State Park in Castleton. Both offer excellent opportunities for boating, fishing and camping, and Bomoseen's Slate History Trail allows visitors to explore the remains of West Castleton, a 19th-century town that sprang up during the heyday of the area's stone quarries.
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