Pico Peak is a 3,957-foot mountain in Killington, Vermont. It’s the northernmost summit of the Coolidge Range and is the second highest mountain after Killington Peak. Visitors to Pico can enjoy a variety of activities throughout the year including skiing and snowboarding, hiking, horseback riding, and much more. The next time you visit the Green Mountain State, plan a trip to Pico Peak and see what makes this mountain so special!
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Some of the Best Things to Do at Pico Peak in Vermont
Skiing & Snowboarding
Pico Mountain Ski Area was one of the first commercial ski resorts in the state. It’s located on the northwest side of Pico Peak and features 57 trails, seven lifts, and a 1,967-foot vertical drop. Experienced skiers and snowboarders will love the black and double black diamond trails, and first-timers can hone their skills on gentle learning slopes. There’s also a number of green and blue routes for guests of all levels. Be sure to view a trail map before heading out.
With its cozy lodge and stone fireplaces, Pico’s central base area is a great place to rest and recharge. You’ll find a variety of culinary options including homemade waffles, sandwiches, kid-friendly meals and more. There’s also lunch and après entertainment on weekends. It’s the perfect place to wrap up a day of skiing in Vermont!
Hiking
Did you know that Pico Peak is on the New England Hundred Highest hiking list? There are two main trails that reach the summit: Sherburne Pass Trail and the Long Trail. Both trails lead to Pico Camp, which is a great place to stop and rest for lunch. The summit is just 0.4 miles from the camp. Be sure to bring your camera – the surrounding scenery is spectacular during every season!
Summer Activities
Each year when the weather gets warmer, Pico Mountain changes from a snow mecca to a summer playspace. The Pico Mountain Adventure Center offers non-stop family fun with guided horseback rides, mini golf, rock climbing, and more. Take a scenic chairlift ride to the top of Little Pico, then enjoy an exhilarating ride down the Alpine Slide. Or, head over to Power Jump where kids and adults can bounce, flip, and fly through the air. There’s even an 18-hole disc golf course that winds down Pico Mountain! The Center is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from late June through early September.
Book Your Stay with GetAway Vacations!
After an unforgettable adventure at Pico Peak in Vermont, take a short drive back to our Killington vacation rentals and relax! With luxurious amenities like jacuzzi bathtubs, fireplaces, full kitchens, and more, our beautiful properties have everything you need to unwind. View our accommodations to see what’s available and contact us today to make your reservations. We look forward to having you!
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It’s hard to imagine a better environment for biking. Vermont’s varied terrain and beautiful rural scenery provides opportunities for mountain biking and accommodates bicyclists of all abilities.
In no particular order, here are nine of our favorite places to go Vermont mountain biking…
1. Kingdom Vermont Bike Trails
These Vermont bike trails are open to the public all seasons of the year, but do require a pass to be purchased. Kingdom Trails offers an extensive trail network for non-motorized, multi-use recreation activity. These trails are known to be some of most fun trails around. The views are humble, the features as well, but there is just something about this place for mountain biking in Vermont!
2. Perry Hill
Perry Hill is a well-kept secret here in Vermont. It has three main loop trails that in all are about 3,000 feet of climbing. Make sure to bring a water bottle! These trails are very nicely maintained and are not affected much by rain. Avid bikers will concur that Perry Hill is one of the funnest, tightest and windiest trail networks they have ever been on! The narrow sideways and narrow trees make for complex and unique trails for mountain biking in Vermont.
3. Killington Mountain
Killing Mountain, one of the most famous ski resorts in all of Vermont, also doubles as one of the best places to go mountain biking in Vermont. This trail network has riding for everyone! From epic singletrack to grueling ascents, there is truly has something for every skill level. Situated partially in the Green Mountain National Forest, this lift accessible resort allows for some of the best natural terrain in the Northeast.
4. Green Mountain Trails
This is a cross-country rider’s delight, well worth the trip. The trails are very well maintained and marked. The trials have some hard climbs! If you choose, bypass these extensive climbs by taking Tweed River Drive at Riverside Farm on Route 100 in Killington. To get a map, just go to the Pittsfield General Store! Also, if you break a sprocket or some other bike part, there is a bike shop down the road in Rochester. Click here for more information.
5. Saxon Hill
Saxon has the ability to keep riders of all types and skill levels entertained. From beginner flowy trails, to serious gap jumps, with even some relatively techy descents here and there. The trail starts by climbing up the hill by the water tower, continuing on the logging trail. Then up to the old radio tower footings at the top of the hill. Then, cruise down the far side & head up some more of the doubletrack. Hang a right back onto the singletrack and to head back down.
6. Pine Hill Park
This park possesses some sweet singletrack and doubletrack rolling terrain with short power climbs and killer rolling downhills! The trails are buff, marked, and well maintained. Pine Hill Park has trails for absolutely all ability levels. There is a nice mix of flowy trails (such as Svelte Tiger and Underdog), some rocky stuff (Stegosaurus) and a little bit of basic jumps and free ride (Broken Handlebar and Half pipe). There are definitely enough epic trails in the park to make a weekend out of it.
7. Mount Snow
Mount Snow, a popular ski resort makes for some unique mountain biking in Vermont during the summer. There are all levels of trails there, from first timer to expert downhillers. The area surrounding Mount Snow is home to over 35 miles of mountain bike terrain consisting of singletrack, old town roads and ski trails that take riders through dense forest and wide open back roads. The diverse terrain and easy access are a big part of why Mount Snow is a two- time Top Five ranked resort in the Northeast on the MTBParks Riders’ Choice!
8. Millstone Hill
Millstone Hill features over 20 miles of challenging singletrack mountain bike trails and is ranked one of Vermont’s Five Best Mountain Bike Networks. There is a trail network of tight technical singletrack combined with some challenging doubletrack. There are several levels of difficulty, easy, moderate and difficult. We suggest the difficult section if you want to challenge your MTB skills! The trails are in and around an old granite quarry, that provide great views and some nerve racking drop-offs!
9. Hinesburg Town Forest
The Hinesburg Town Forest boasts about 18 miles of singletrack spread through over 850 acres. The history of the land includes early 20th-century farming and you can occasionally see old rock walls, foundations, wells, apple trees and other signs of this bygone era. There is a small selection of easy trails, but most are “old-school-rake-and-ride” and therefore are quite steep and technically challenging. There is a very limited option for beginner riders, so make sure to check out the description of trails at the trail kiosk, which is at the parking area.
So grab your water bottle and a helmet and head out to the great outdoors for a Vermont mountain biking experience like no other! Located close to many of these renowned Vermont bike trails, we are the perfect place to lay your head down after a long day of shredding up the trails. Contact us to start planning your next GetAway today!
During Memorial Day weekend, Bomoseen State Park, a 3,576-acre park nestled in the Taconic Mountains, will welcome the first guests of the season. The area, once quarried for slate, contains
quite a few quarry holes and several slate-processing buildings. A self-guided Slate History Trail leads hikers through remnants of this bygone era. In addition to rich history, the Bomoseen State Park lies within the 2,340-acre Bomoseen State Forest. The outlying region and the park combine all of Vermont’s most attractive natural elements: its rolling terrain, forests, and serene New England lakes. Possessing almost every type of terrain, this beautiful park has so much to offer to summer visitors.
The park will be open from 10:00 a.m. until official sunset every day until Labor Day weekend and has much summer fun to offer to visitors including:
Hiking in Bomoseen State Park
An extensive network of hiking trails extends throughout the area and leads to other nearby parks and lakes. One of the most popular trails, the Bomoseen Hiking Loop takes about one hour and leads north to Glen Lake, which offers activities such as fishing and boating. If you are interested in a longer trail, try the trail to Half Moon Pond State Park. While about a three miles long, this trail is a pleasant hike and provides great wildlife viewing opportunities.
Swimming, Boating & Fishing
Located on the shores of Lake Bomoseen, the largest lake entirely within Vermont’s borders, Bomoseen State Park offers a variety of water-related activities. A sandy beach stretches along a section of the park where you can swim, rent canoes and rowboats, play volleyball or just soak up some summertime rays. Enjoy the views while boating across the lake or even drop anchor to go fishing. Plus a snack bar concession is available right on the beach for when you need that afternoon snack.
Picnics
The beautiful beach located within Bomoseen State Park offers a large picnic pavilion, which is open to the public to utilize. You can even reserve this space for larger group activities. The pavilion seats up to 100 people and has electricity, grills, picnic tables, and restrooms. So pack a lunch and eat outside while enjoying the views of the water and the warmth of the summer sun. Click here to reserve the picnic area.
History Tour
Located in the slate-producing region of Vermont, the area’s rich history parallels the rise and fall Vermont’s slate industry. Make sure to go to Bomoseen State Park contact station to pick up a Slate History Trail brochure, which will lead you on a self-guided tour of the area’s slate quarries and processing buildings.
What better way to enjoy summer in Vermont than getting in touch with nature at Bomoseen State Park? Located within driving distance from many of our great vacation rentals, let us help plan your next GetAway today! Click here to request a vacation guide.