Killington Grand Resort

[laweeden]

New to these boards and not sure if this is the right place to ask a lodging question, but couldn't find another spot.
We primarily ski Vermont and usually stay slopeside.
We are looking to take our nine year old, to Killington the first weekend in December for the first time. I have looked at the web info on the KGR and it says it is a short walk to the slopes during mid winter via the ski bridge. Does anyone know what they mean by mid winter? Am I going to be stuck 'slopeside' but have to drive to the slopes?
The other option we are looking at is The Inn at Six Mountains. When I price out what is included in each package - they are pretty equal.
Thoughts?

 

[deadheadskier]

It is right next to the Snowshed slope, perhaps the largest beginners terrain pod in the East.

If that is not open for you to walk to mid season, then the Apocolypse is upon us.

You have nothing to worry about

 

[Geoff]

New to these boards and not sure if this is the right place to ask a lodging question, but couldn't find another spot.
We primarily ski Vermont and usually stay slopeside.
We are looking to take our nine year old, to Killington the first weekend in December for the first time. I have looked at the web info on the KGR and it says it is a short walk to the slopes during mid winter via the ski bridge. Does anyone know what they mean by mid winter? Am I going to be stuck 'slopeside' but have to drive to the slopes?
The other option we are looking at is The Inn at Six Mountains. When I price out what is included in each package - they are pretty equal.
Thoughts?

Last year, Snowshed was not open the first weekend in December. Killington often is fairly short on novice / low-intermediate terrain at that time of year so depending on the skills of your 9 year old, . I'm not sure what their snowmaking trail rollout is going to be.

The Grand isn't going to be sold out that weekend so the prudent thing is to wait until the last minute.

I haven't been in a room there since they were new but the fit & finish when new was really lousy. Indoor/outdoor carpet. A kitchenette with cheap cabinets and low end mini appliances. Minimal soundproofing in the walls. Big gap in the bottom of the door. You're paying for the location.

The Inn of the Six Mountains is the best-constructed hotel in town. Steel frame and poured concrete. It's 20+ years old and I have no clue how well it has been maintained.

 

[SkiDork]

Construction merits aside, The location of the Grand is far superior to Inn of 6 mountains. Additionally the indoor/outdoor pool is very nice. Ovations restaurant is also nice (I've never eaten at Cedars which is at I6M). If by some freak chance Snowshed is not open there will be a bus to take you to the skiing anyway.

 

[skiadikt]

it's not exactly like you step out of the door and you're on the slopes. a couple minutes ... the snowshed trail itself is a big wide trail. the best green circle skiing is across the street at ramshead.

 

[oakapple]

I haven’t stayed there, but I think the description of it as a “short walk” is totally legitimate.

 

[SkiDork]

here it is:

 

[EOS]

SkiDork beat me to it...

Your 9yr old will LOVE the outdoor pool and jacuzzi's!

 

[mister moose]

You should know that the Killington Grand calling itself "Slopeside" is more than just a stretch. It's really "slopenear". You have a 500' walk across a bridge to get to the slopes. You have anywhere from 150 to 700 feet to get to the bridge, depending on your room location. This is not slopeside in my book. Slopeside is Jay's Tramhouse where you go out the Hotel front door and step onto the slopes, no walk required.

If you want the flexibility of having your 9 year old being able to walk back to the hotel by himself, then KGR could be what works best for you. Otherwise, spend less and book a room at one of the several hotels or condos that are on the upper shuttle bus route. Most are just across the street from The Grand. Cascades Lodge, The Mountain Inn (Hotels), Mountain Green, Pinnacles, (Condos) Everyone that stays there really likes the shuttle bus no parking hassle. Busses run every 15 minutes (I think , someone correct me if that's wrong)

The other thing is the likelyhood of open terrain on Snowshed that weekend. I think the odds are good the main slope will be open, but the odds are also good that's the only thing that will be open on Snowshed, and maybe not full width. You might find out you vastly prefer the family skiing at Rams Head, and the money you spent to be "slopenear" at KGR is wasted.

 

[Highway Star]

IMHO, you're better off with waiting until the weekend or week before Christmas.

 

[JerseyJoey]

Grand is fine. You'll have a great time. So will your kid. Go for it. Walk to the Snowshed quad is about 3 minutes across the bridge.