WE’RE OUTTA HERE

snoWed inn 104 MiLLeR BRook Rd, kiLLingTon, vT 05751 802-422-3407 • snowedinn.com

We love to get recommendations for our monthly columns. It makes our job a bit easier to have a reader/rider point us in the right direction. And when a suggestion comes from people we’ve known and traveled with for so many years, it’s that much more trustworthy.

Such was the case with this month’s We’re Outta Here. Long-time riding companions Danny Herbst and Paul Moulins had just spent a few days in Vermont, riding the fabulous roads it has to offer, and upon their return, Danny sent us an email which highly recommended we take a spin to Killington in the near future to check out the Snowed Inn. As we had a few days free and the weather was supposed to be just about perfect, we made our plans.

If you read ‘Shira’s Sojourn’ in the August 2021 issue, you’ll know that I a weekend destinationkeeping you on the backroads

took point on this trip and, in my inimitable fashion, found some dirt to keep us on our toes, literally. Once over the mountain, or more precisely around it, we rode into Killington, past the various restaurants and made the turn onto Miller Brook Rd. As we pulled up to the beautiful and welcoming Snowed Inn, Brian and I looked at each other and I said, ‘We’ve been here before.’

Indeed, many years prior, with different owners, we had spent an evening at the Snowed Inn. The wood and stone façade was the same, cleaned and polished, but Carolyn Kepcher and Ken Peters had given the old girl a good shaking out, sprucing up and added some upgrades. Jeanne and Manfred Karlhuber had run the inn for 37 years, having bought it in 1984 as a small, non-descript 4-room guest house of 1960s vintage. In February 2021 they handed the keys to Carolyn and Ken, now with 16 rooms in the main lodge as well as a chalet with a 1-bedroom master suite, a 2-bedroom suite and a studio suite.

With bikes parked and unpacked, we followed the smell of freshly-baked cookies, a lovely way that Carolyn greets her guests. We settled in with a

bottle of wine and some Vermont cheese while chatting with Carolyn, a warm and bubbly woman who has been in the hospitality business for some 25 years. She was very excited about their new venture and, while it had taken a bit to change and update the things they wanted, they are well on their way and look forward to a strong summer, a busy fall and even better winter ski season. Ken popped in and we spoke about his past motorcycle riding and that he hoped to get back into it once the time allows, as innkeeping is certainly a full-time job.

With other guests appearing, we took our leave and dipped into the outdoor hot tub. After a long day’s ride, there is certainly nothing better than soaking away the miles. We had all good intentions of taking a stroll for dinner at one of the many places within walking distance, but after some wine, talk and soaking, we decided to make it an early evening. We watched a bit of the Stanley Cup game and headed to our comfortable room and even more comfortable bed.

The Snowed Inn has great communal areas; the double-sided fireplace facing the living room and breakfast area, and plenty of seating for chatting after a day’s ride and the large deck and gazebo (my favorite spot), colorfully decorated with a variety of flowers and seasonal plants.

Morning came with the wafting smell of coffee and homemade baked breads and cakes. We grabbed a cup of Joe and headed out to enjoy the fresh air on the deck before breakfast. There are several tables and a sunny windowed area, also adorned with plants. You can indulge in a very filling breakfast of aforementioned home-baked goods, fresh yogurt with fruit and granola, Belgian waffles with toppings, hard boiled eggs, and cereals hot or cold. The beverage machine, available around the clock, serves coffee, tea and hot chocolate. They also have a centrally located refrigerator, microwave and ice machine, which comes in quite handy to fill your CamelBak before heading out for the day. Carolyn and Ken are extremely accommodating should you want to order in for dinner and need utensils, plates or whatnot.

The Snowed Inn makes for a wonderful destination should you be traveling with one companion or a small group. Using Killington, Vermont, as a base for your travels puts you within range of the Green Mountains, the Adirondacks or the White Mountains and is a year-round respite for any traveling rider. ~ Shira Kamil ,