What a fun ski day with comfortable temps and sunshine.  Most of the run’s were groomed and softened up as the morning progressed.  The natural snow trails are getting a little thin but were skiable.  The snowmaking trails are well covered and great to get your ski legs in shape.  The K1 Gondola is uploading and downloading with a short walk back to the peak on the early season walkway to finish your ski day.    The North Ridge triple chair is operating from 9am-4pm. Advanced terrain only.  There is a terrain park on Reason with a few features.  No beginner terrain at this time.  Everyone here is super excited for the winter season. Swing by the store for all your early season needs. We will keep you updated with any new information we may receive. If you have a Facebook account, “like us” for all the info you need to know.

Bret Williamson has worked at the Basin since 1993, he has worked every aspect from tuning to buying and is now the hard goods sales manager. Look for him on the hill with his son and daughter teaching them how to ski and converting his snowboarding wife to skiing. Shop Our Online Store

After pulling the store together for Brewfest and Columbus Day weekends, I saw a small window of opportunity to shoot out to British Columbia one last time before the winter season.  BC is my absolutely favorite zone in the world to ride my bike; the diversity of terrain out there is just mindblowing. Within a few hours you can go from the wet rainforest to the wide open desert terrain of the Interior.  This trip I wanted to spend a little more time in the place that gave birth to the freeride movement, Kamloops, BC.  My quest? To find one more sender that would push my limits farther than I have taken it before. I knew of a massive step down style jump that had just been filmed by a local film crew two months prior. I was super stoked to find that when I arrived in Kamloops, the sender was ready to ride.  We carefully watched the weather for the perfect day that had a large window of sunshine and low winds.  As it turned out, our 2nd to last day in town was that day.

After rolling out to my little secret spot, I did a few run ins and it was time to drop in.  As I rolled across the ridge line, my heart pounded and before I knew it I was on the sketchy, 15 inch wide run in.  Three hard pedal strokes,  a little compression for extra pop off of the lip and I was off.  The feeling was absolutely incredible.  I knew I all I needed to do was angle the bike to match the landing and set her down.  I STOMPED it.  I was by far the largest sender I have hit in my life.

Having that under my belt,  I was ready for bike season to be over.  Needless to say, I was pretty stoked to come home to a white Vermont!!!

Vin Quenneville has worked at Basin Sports since he escaped Connecticut in 1997, managed Out of Bounds Snowboards since 2000 and launched Basinshopping.com in 2007. "I live for riding my bike in the summer and ripping tight tree lines in the winter." V.Q.

Opening day – Yahoo!!!!  Today was a very pleasant surprise.  On Wednesday we never thought Killington could open this weekend.  With a little help from mother nature and the power of the almighty snow guns we were up and running this morning at 10:10am.  First thing this morning you had to walk to the Peak Walkway and over to Rime but within a couple hours you could ski right from the K1 gondola to Rime.  Operating hours Sunday, October 30 will be 9am-4pm. The word was a very nice ski day for Day 1 with unbelievable cover.  Lots of happy customers to be able to be skiing and riding in October AND with a Nor’Easter in the forecast for Saturday night we might even get a powder day Sunday.  Advanced terrain only on the Rime trail. No beginner terrain will be offered at this time. The K1 Gondola will be uploading and downloading with a short walk on the early season peak walkway.  Everyone here is super excited for the snow season. Swing by the store for all your early season needs. We will keep you updated with any new information we may receive. If you have a Facebook account, “like us” for all the info you need to know.

Mark your calendar for the Basin Blast off Party at the Lookout Saturday November 5th with the after party at The Pickle Barrel and the Blast off Brunch at Liquid Art on Sunday.  The Wobbly Barn Halloween Party is on Saturday October 29th This year and is always a fun night out.

Vin Quenneville has worked at Basin Sports since he escaped Connecticut in 1997, managed Out of Bounds Snowboards since 2000 and launched Basinshopping.com in 2007. "I live for riding my bike in the summer and ripping tight tree lines in the winter." V.Q.