Woodbury 1, Killington 0

Woodbury 1, Killington 0
October 25, 2002
TOMMY HINE

For more years than he wants to remember, Rod Taylor would plant his tongue in cheek and brazenly call his tiny ski area the home of deep powder snow.

His snowmakers finally backed his words.

Woodbury Ski Area, 50 acres in the hills northwest of Waterbury, was the first ski area in the East to open Thursday, snapping a 41-year streak at Killington, Vt.

"You tell Killington I'm ahead of them," Taylor said. "That was the only thing I wanted. You tell Killington it just lost."

For decades, Killington claimed to be the first and last North American ski area to open and close. It lost that continental distinction this year when Loveland, Colo., opened last weekend. Killington will open today.

Taylor had hoped to open Tuesday. "I made snow two days ago," he said. "It was a waste of money. I lost it all in four hours."

When temperatures dropped Wednesday, Taylor made snow again at both his snowboard park and a 125-foot wide strip on the main hill.

"We were making snow until 9 this morning," said Taylor, a West Hartford native. "I've got 6-12 inches out there. It's up to my knees.

"It was 36 degrees and we were still making snow. I've got all the tricks of the trade. They're top secret. I can't give them up till I die."

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