Kevin Merchant, known by locals as “Tweak,” hails from Alaska. He moved to Killington, Vermont and coached at Killington Mountain School for five years. Nowadays, he crushes the many parks of Killington and works as the East Coast Team Manager for Line Skis, scoping out the newest talent. He still dabbles in coaching, too, traveling with Windells’ On the Road camps and Andy Parry’s Tell A Friend Tour. Below, he dishes tips on where to go and what to do when you head to the Best of the East.
Local Beta: Killington
Best ski shop:
Find your local digs at Evolution Freeride.
Best breakfast spot:
The Sun-Up Bakery.
Best lunch:
The Phat Italian will make you the best sandwich on the road and you can find them on-hill at the bottom of the Needles Eye Quad, too.
Best après:
Baja Burrito. It’s the Killington Park Crew’s spot. Beer, wings, burritos—doesn’t get better.
Best dinner:
When we’re getting classy we head to The Foundry.
Best meal under $5:
Order of six fifty-cent wings at Baja Burrito.
Best coffee shop:
Liquid Art for that espresso fix.
Best off-hill antics:
Find a local and get the location of a ski house party.
On-hill must-do in Killington:
Visit the Peak Lodge for the view and shred The Stash park to hit natural terrain park features.
Off-hill must-do in Killington:
Hike the Dark Park [jib setup] down the road at the Darkside Snowboard shop.
Best night life:
Pickle Barrel for sure, and the cougars are always out in force at the Wobbly Barn.
Favorite event:
Rails 2 Riches.
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Best beer:
Long Trail—find it at every bar or visit the brewery 15 minutes down the road.
Best ling at Killington:
Julio or Anarchy, awesome glades you can find on the trail map.
Best lift to lap:
Skye Peak Express Quad.
Best place to pick up a girl:
Match.com doesn’t have anything on a Killington gondola.
Best hotel or place to stay:
Chalet Killington has the go-to hot tub, billiards, and you can bring along the pup.
Best place to find Tweak on a powder day:
The Stash park has its hidden secrets.
Cheapest liquor store:
The Killington Deli and Marketplace has what you’re looking for.
Best park line:
The Stash park and Dream Maker. Get the inside line from a local when you roll though.
Favorite park feature:
Birch tree down-flat-down, if that’s all we had I’d be entertained all day.
