Blanketed in snow or festooned in the unique, leafy green for which the fabled Green Mountains are known, Killington's seven mountains stand on the threshold of this Vermont destination town and let you know you've arrived. One of the largest ski areas in the world - 95 miles of skiing and snowboarding runs - the resort is known for its terrain and local flavor. But Killington also bustles in summer, and visitors in the know have been taking advantage of its amenities for generations. Here, the famous Appalachian and Long Trails crisscross the seven mountains like spiderwebs, as do miles of VAST trails - the Vermont Association of Snow Travelers snowmobile and cross country ski statewide trail system.

Killington is known as the heart of Vermont for more than one reason. Sitting squarely in the center of the state, it can be the perfect base camp for a Vermont vacation. Scenic destinations are easy, relaxing drives away. The spectacular mountain setting is home to two PGA golf courses, with 12 area courses just a short drive away.

Cultural activities take place throughout the year, but are especially popular in summer. The Paramount Theatre in Rutland, The Killington Music Festival, the Rutland Downtown Partnership, the Weston Playhouse Theatre in Weston, Vermont, and the Pentangle Council on the Arts in Woodstock, Vermont offer an assortment of live performances. Killington night clubs, including the Pickle Barrell and the Wobbly Barn have additional live music offerings. You can enjoy everything from chamber music performed by world-renowned musicians to the latest in popular and rock music.

While the resort is famous for the length of its ski season and the opportunity afforded by seven-mountain skiing, summertime brings out a fresh variety of on-hill pastimes. The lift-assisted mountain biking is among the best in the east, as is the lift-assisted hiking. Other recreational choices include a climbing wall, two water slides (closed after Labor Day), and a skateboard and inline skate park. Nearby Pico has two alpine slides, mini golf, and The Bungee Thing (a trampoline that simulates catching big air).

For more "citified" indulgences, Rutland, the state's second largest city, is a 20-minute drive to the west. There you can shop, dine, and attend arts events. Head equal distance east, and you're in Woodstock - and no, this has nothing to do with Max Yasgur's farm or concert of the same name. This is the quintessential northern New England town, pretty as a picture and filled with upscale shops, a wildlife center that saves and rehabilitates injured raptors (the kids love it), a fine farm museum and even a stream set smack in the middle of town that can be fished.

Speaking of fishing, an abundance of sites can be found to cast a line within a half-hour of Killington, including the area's streams, ponds and lakes. If you'd rather cast your fate to the balky winds of golf ball flight, you'll find a host of courses within an hour's drive. If scenic driving - other than the one-wood kind - is more your style, simply travel Route 100 northbound, following the White River, for a journey through one of the loveliest valleys an old country road can pass through. Or, detour over to Middlebury - about an hour's scenic drive to the northeast (go west off Route 100 on Route 125 at Hancock), and treat yourself to all the delights and sophistication that a small college town can offer.

The area overflows with dining choices, everything from country inns to country clubs. You'll find some truly fine dining, fast food if you must, good home baking, local beers from the region's brew-pub and, for the do-it-yourselfer, a variety of picnic spots.