Killington, December 23, 2009
Start your engines and hold on tight for a winter ride you won't soon forget.
"They sit on one of these and they hit that gas and they can't believe the thrill of it and the excitement of it," said Jeremy Prior of Killington Snowmobile Tours.
Killington Snowmobile Tours is one of seven commercial tour operators in the state. Most all operate next door to ski resorts, a tempting alternative to traditional fun on the slopes.
On this day, a vacationing group of riders who all work in an emergency room at a New York City hospital. It's the perfect fit for the self proclaimed adrenaline junkies.
"It's like a high," said Terry Dillman of Queens, N.Y. "Your heart is beating fast and you just want to go faster and it's awesome."
But the beauty of this tour is that it's also easy enough that anyone can do it.
Two-hour backcountry tours cost $144 a person, one-hour tours about $90. And there's no telling what you might see.
"We've seen moose, deer, turkey, rabbit, a lot of wildlife," guide Klause Weirether said.
"That white snowcap out in the distance there? That's Mount Washington," Prior pointed.
The trip also includes a couple spins around an open track; a chance to open up the throttle and cut loose.
It's a trip to remember-- snow or shine.
With winter in full swing in the mountains of Vermont.
There are upwards of 4,700 miles of snowmobile trails in Vermont. The trip at Killington takes place on about 10 to 15 miles of private terrain, but at night also includes some of the slopes at nearby Killington resort. That means you can ski during the day and snowmobile those same trails at night.
Keagan Harsha - WCAX News
Click here to see more Destination Recreation stories.
