ATA’s 2017 season runs May 26th through October 15th
We are currently taking reservations for the 2017 season, please call or email for more information
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Appalachian Trail Adventures Vermont’s premier hiking spa Celebrates 10-Year Anniversary Milestone
A decade of personalized hiking vacation and excellence delivers business growth and industry recognition
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Killington, Vermont, January 14, 2017 — Appalachian Trail Adventures (ATA), Vermont’s premier hiking spa providing personalized all-inclusive vacations, is excited to have reached its 10-year anniversary as a leading provider of active or fitness vacations. Appalachian Trail Adventures is proud to celebrate a decade of fine tuning its all inclusive, personalized Vermont vacation. ATA remains committed to offering unsurpassed vacations at an affordable price.
“We would like to thank our partners the Summit Lodge and the Foundry restaurant for the successes that ATA has achieved in the past 10 years; it’s a true team effort, ” said John Keough, ATA Founder and guide. “Our partners’ success is, and will continue to be, our success. This milestone is a testament to ATA’s commitment to continued perfection, and to the future of the company, our partners, and the travel and fitness industries.”
Over the past 10 years, Appalachian Trail Adventures has built a reputation by introducing vacationers to some of Vermont’s best hiking trails, kayaking locations, caves, and local attractions. ATA guides really enjoy what they do and it shows; they treat every guest as family and friends, creating a friendly atmosphere. As further evidence of ATA’s success, TripAdvisor has awarded ATA with the certificate of excellence for the past three consecutive years. However, the real amazing fact is the 170 positive reviews on TripAdvisor’s with not one bad review!
As Appalachian Trail Adventures paves the way to the future, it pledges to provide the best affordable Vermont vacations while refining aspects of its programs to exceed our hikers’ needs and expectations. In addition, Appalachian Trail Adventures will continue to provide market-defining personalized vacations, one hiker at a time.
ATA is very excited for the upcoming 2017 hiking season. With a new owner of the Summit Lodge investing capital renovating the lodge, the place is looking great. There are many changes and updates some still to come which will be explained later in the newsletter. Some very exciting, such as Summit’s spa being renovated and a new restaurant serving dinner. This year hikers will have the option to dine at Summit Lodge or at the Foundry, Killington’s premier fine dining establishment.
ATA 2017 season runs from Memorial Day weekend on May 26th through Columbus Day weekend, closing on October 15th.
For more information on ATA’s vacation, please visit www.appalachiantrailadventure.com or ATA’s Facebook page to see pictures from our daily adventures. Our Facebook is open to the public, so you do not need a Facebook account to view it.
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Appalachian Trail Adventures (ATA) offers a distinctive adventure vacation with guided daily hiking, kayaking, and caving in the Green Mountains of Vermont that targets families and individuals
who are adventurers, families, and those seeking an active vacation, including hikers who do not feel comfortable hitting the trails alone.
ATA provides an affordable all-inclusive hiking or fitness vacation giving a real Vermont outdoor adventure. That’s why it has the best hiking vacation at the lowest possible prices, starting at $242.00 per night, per person, including taxes and gratuities. Unlike most spas, ATA’s owner John Keough is engaged daily with the guests, encouraging them on the trail and kayaking.
ATA offers a variety of options to help customize one’s vacation. The most common is the Hiking Vacation that consists of an air-conditioned room with three daily spa meals, snacks, a guided novice, intermediate or advanced hike and an afternoon of kayaking, an excursion or caving. Massages, yoga classes and tennis lessons are available a la carte.
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2017 Hiking Vacation Rates
Nightly rates are per person, including taxes and gratuity. The Hiking Vacation consists of an air conditioned room at the Summit Lodge with three daily spa meals; snacks; guided novice, intermediate or advanced hike; and an afternoon of kayaking, caving or an excursion. Massages ($75.00+), yoga classes ($30.00), tennis lessons ($70.00) are available a la carte.
Single
Occupancy
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Double
Occupancy
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1-2 NIGHTS
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$285.00
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$255.00
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3-6 NIGHTS
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$280.00
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$251.00
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7+ NIGHTS
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$274.00
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$242.00
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The Summit Lodge
Long considered Killington’s classic four-season resort hotel, the Summit Lodge is an ideal destination for your Vermont vacation that is why ATA has chosen it for their home base. Located in the heart of Killington, the lodge is situated high on a private knoll with magnificent views of Vermont’s second highest mountain and the surrounding Green Mountains. With eleven acres and forty-five comfortable rooms, the facilities and grounds are extensive including an outdoor heated pool, Jacuzzi whirlpool, saunas, three tennis courts, massage therapy, a library, two restaurants and bars, duck pond, game room, a bocci court, horseshoes and shuffleboard. A sit-down breakfast and a bag lunch are supplied by the Summits chef, while dinner is served at the Foundry Restaurant or the Summit Lodge, hikers choice.
The new owner of the Summit Lodge, Emmett O’Dwyer is making significant improvements after his recent purchase during the spring of 2017. He has spent a lot of time and money improving the business, changing the way the staff view management and the way the guests feel in the lodge. The staff feel secure in their jobs and a sense of pride with changes and updates.
It’s really refreshing to have someone show energy in their business venture and is willing to commit to improvements and enhancements to the Lodge. It is nice to see an owner who is present and isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty. It’s really enjoyable for the staff to feel respected and have an employer and manager who listen and care. The Summit’s executive Chef is just loving all his “new toys” with the entire kitchen being upgraded from the walk-in refrigerator all the way down to the toaster.
O’Dwyer has already invested a lot of time into the lodge itself. With the bones of the building up-to-date they have moved onto making improvements to the cosmetics inside and out by painting, adding new carpet, new furniture and updating guest’s rooms. Emmett has also implemented new procedures and has added new administrative software. Employees say working at the Summit Lodge is a home-like atmosphere. Having worked at other businesses in the industry before, they say there is no place like the Summit Lodge. We treat our guests like family.
Modifications from 2016 to 2017
- A lot of the improvements are behind the scenes, such as the kitchen remodeling and upgraded wireless internet system
- Some of the more major projects for 2017 will be converting the pools and whirlpool to saltwater.
- O’Dwyer’s Poolside bar will be open 7 days a week and serving the full restaurant menu
- O’Dwyer’s Public House Pub had a total make over with additions of a dart board and pool table
- updating the restrooms and common areas
- 24-7 Front Desk coverage
- Live entertainment and food/drink specials will be available throughout the summer
- More outdoor events such as the Pig roast will be planned
- The beds and mattresses have all been changed
- Bathrobes are now supplied to all rooms
- Photo booth installed
- Improving the driveway and entranceway
- New POS ordering system in place to make breakfast quicker and more precise
- New credit card system taking pin cards to ensure security
- By the summer, we will have new duvet’s in the rooms
- High speed internet due to the installation of fiber optic link and the installation of a new data suite
- New Flooring, furniture and a general tidy up in the large family room
- New Poolside furniture
- Remolding the massage room area
- Repairs are being made to all of the slate around the pool and steps in order to make it safer
Some of the other projects which are on the card for 2017 but will be subject to time and budget at this time. More and more upgrades as the year goes on making sure the Summit Lodge will become one of the best places to stay in Vermont.
Emmett O’Dwyer, Summit Lodge Owner
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The Foundry Restaurant
The Foundry Restaurant’s Executive Chef Sean Miller has created a delicious spa menu for ATA hikers who are seeking healthier meals. The menu is able to cater to special dietary restrictions such as vegan, low sugar, sodium-, wheat- and dairy-free options. This enables ATA to accommodate couples, athletes, weight loss vacationers, as well as all those with no dietary restrictions who seek to eat healthily.
Located on the banks of the Summit Pond, The Foundry offers a distinct year-round dining experience. In addition to the ATA hikers’ menu, The Foundry offers two menu options: an American Bistro-Style menu in its formal dining room, as well as a more casual Tavern menu in the bar. Their impeccable chef-driven cuisine provides guests the finest cuts of prime meats, fresh seafood, homemade pastas and much more. They use the freshest ingredients to create mouthwatering appetizers, flavorful side dishes and irresistible desserts, designed to engage all of your senses. The Foundry experience focuses on providing un-paralleled hospitality in a warm and relaxing setting. In addition to its dining options, The Foundry offers live entertainment regularly and is host to many of the area’s events.
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Social Media Links
Please check out Appalachian Trail Adventure’s social media links we have them all, whether you prefer to Follow, Post, Pin, Poke, Like, Snap, Share, Tweet, Double Tap or Comment.
Facebook, Google+, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter, Pinterest, Reddit, WordPress, BlogSpot, Tumblr, TripAdvisor
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Appalachian Trail Adventures, 200 Summit Road or Po Box 394 Killington, VT 05751
