By Chandler Burgess, courtesy of Killington Resort
Slash and Berm kicks off the 2015 Nor’Beaster spring celebration at Killington Resort, March 14.
Spring celebration kicks off with Slash and Berm, Ski Vermont Specialty Food Days
Saturday, March 14 — KILLINGTON — Spring time at Killington Resort means soft snow, abundant sunshine, live music and surprising events both on and off the snow. This year’s seven-week Nor’Beaster schedule includes the new Dazed and Defrosted music festival on Saturday, April 18, along with favorites like specialty food tastings and the May Day Slalom. Starting this weekend, Killington hosts dual events at Bear Mountain, as a kickoff to its spring celebration: Slash and Berm Banked Slalom and Ski Vermont Specialty Food Days.
“The final snowmaking push of the season is underway and Superstar is buried under 20 to 30 feet of natural and machine-made snow, so we will continue turning chairlifts into May and possibly later,” said Mike Solimano, president and general manager for Killington Resort. “We’re the first resort open in the East each fall and we intend, like last year, to have the longest on-snow season in our region while continuing to offer signature events like the Bear Mountain Mogul Challenge and Killington Triathlon.”
On Saturday and Sunday, March 14 and 15, the second annual Slash and Berm Banked Slalom hits Bear Mountain’s Stash Park in a benefit event bringing the East Coast snowboarding community together. The event benefits the Molly Fund, an organization supporting children with cancer, in memory of Molly Rowlee, who lost her battle with lmphoma at the age of five. Organizations around the country have rallied together with surfing events, rail jams, and other competitions since 2009 in an attempt to raise awareness and funds for families who endure a financial strain while helping their children battle cancer. For the second year, Burton, Darkside and Killington team up to help this special fund.
Snowboarders will gather at Killington’s Stash to take advantage of the natural terrain and all the creative elements the mountain has to offer. A cookout lunch will be available for all competitors and a live DJ will be part of the action. Saturday’s event is open to all snowboarders. Riders will be rewarded for picking the best lines and nailing the best tricks on rock jibs, log rides, rainbow trees and jibbable buildings. The action continues on Sunday with a shop team invitation-only banked slalom event. Shops will enter teams to compete for the Slash & Berm Banked Slalom title.
Registration is open to snowboarders only. Details, including registration information, are available at www.killington.com.
If you’re around the Mountain Dew Dome on Saturday, you can pick up some Dew swag and meet world champion snowboarder Scotty Lago, who will be signing autographs inside the dome.
Also on Saturday, March 14, Ski Vermont Specialty Food Days will be taking place at Bear Mountain Lodge. Vermont Ski Areas Association, the Agency of Agriculture and the Vermont Maple Foundation have teamed up to bring you some tasty treats.
From Vermont’s highly recognizable brands like Cabot Cheese, Ben & Jerry’s and Vermont maple syrup to local goodies like Stir Chocolates and It’s Arthur’s Fault sauces, enjoy all the flavors of Vermont during the Ski Vermont 2015 Specialty Food Day tour. Ski Vermont and the Agency of Agriculture welcome skiers and riders to join us on the tour and sample and purchase local foods while enjoying Vermont’s slopes. Returning Vermont food vendors include: Cabot Cheese, Vermont Maple Syrup Makers Association, Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, Keurig Green Mountain coffee, Kimball Brook Farms chocolate milk, Gringo Jack’s chips and salsa, Liz Lovely Cookies, Vermont Spirits, Cedar Hollow Farms cheese and spreads, and It’s Arthur’s Fault sauces. New vendors include Stir Chocolates, Ambrosia Confections, Perfect Balance drink mixes and Long Trail Brewing.
The Beast roars into April with pond skimming on April 4, followed by the Easter Sunrise Service and Egg Hunt on April 5; then it’s time for the ever-popular Bear Mountain Mogul Challenge on April 11 along with the Rossignol Demo Day. The first annual Dazed and Defrosted concert will continue the party, April 18, with a full day of live music at the base of the Superstar trail.
The 2015 Nor’Beaster concludes with the May Day Slalom on May 1 and the ski-bike-run Killington Triathlon on May 2, but the spring skiing and riding will continue through the month, weather permitting.
Base lodges feature live music Thursday through Sunday for the duration of the winter season, and the Wobbly Barn offers live entertainment Thursday through Saturday through the end of March.
Killington is also offering a special spring ski pass. The Nor’Beaster spring pass offers skiers and snowboarders unlimited spring skiing and riding, live music and a 20 percent discount on lodging at Killington March 14 through the remainder of the 2014-15 winter season, all for just $199.
For more info, visit www.killington.com.
Schedule of events
March 14-15
The kickoff weekend for the multi-week NOR’BEASTER spring celebration
Slash and Berm banked slalom race through The Stash
Meet and Ride with pro snowboarder Scotty Lago
Specialty food tastings
March 28
The Hibernation Park Jam in Dream Maker
April 4-5
Pond Skimming (April 4)
Easter Sunrise Service & Egg Hunt (April 5)
April 11
Bear Mountain Mogul Challenge and Rossignol Demo Day
April 18
Dazed and Defrosted, a full day of live music at the base of the Superstar trail.
May 1-2
NOR’BEASTER concludes with the May Day Slalom (May 1)
Ski-bike-run Killington Triathlon (May 2)
Base lodges feature live music Thursday-Sunday for the duration of the winter season, and the Wobbly Barn offers live entertainment Thursday-Saturday through the end of March.
