Draft:Innisfree Chalet (Killington, VT)

The Innisfree Chalet, located in Killington, Vermont, has gained a dark reputation for being the site of unsolved crimes, mysterious disappearances, and a tragic fire that destroyed the original building in 1968. Nestled in the woods just behind the iconic Wobbly Barn, this once-grand ski chalet has become infamous over the years as an eerie and unsettling place, its history deeply tied to the development of the Killington Ski Resort. Although it has operated as a ski lodge for decades, a renewed crime in 2024 has cast a shadow over the property once again, suggesting that its haunted past might be resurfacing.

The Early Days: 1960s Expansion and Construction

Innisfree Chalet was originally built in 1963 during a period of rapid growth for the Killington Ski Resort, which had opened only five years earlier. As the resort expanded, a group of investors, including some involved in the creation of the Wobbly Barn restaurant, sought to capitalize on the growing popularity of the area. The chalet was constructed as an upscale retreat for wealthy ski enthusiasts, offering privacy and luxury just minutes from the slopes.

Perched in a remote clearing in the woods, Innisfree was designed as a lavish hideaway, featuring a sprawling great room with a towering stone fireplace and panoramic views of Killington Peak. Despite its beauty, locals whispered that the location of the chalet—on a piece of land long rumored to be cursed—was unsettling. Few took the stories seriously, however, and the chalet quickly became a popular rental for well-to-do vacationers.

The Tragedy of 1968: The Mysterious Fire

On a cold winter’s night in December 1968, Innisfree Chalet was consumed by a fire that claimed the lives of a group of six skiers staying there for the holidays. The fire, which ignited in the early hours of the morning, spread rapidly and left little chance for escape. By the time firefighters arrived, the chalet had collapsed into smoldering ruins, leaving nothing but charred timbers and a few stone remnants.

Inisfree Foundation, cleanup ca. 1970

Investigators were puzzled by the fire’s intensity and speed, and the official cause was never definitively determined. While the possibility of a faulty chimney or electrical issue was initially considered, rumors began to circulate about arson or foul play. Some locals reported strange lights near the property in the weeks leading up to the blaze, while others pointed to the area’s cursed history. Despite an exhaustive investigation, no conclusive answers were ever found, leaving the tragedy shrouded in mystery.

The Peterson Years: 1970–1990

In 1970, the remains of Innisfree Chalet were purchased by John Peterson, a wealthy businessman with a penchant for isolation. Peterson, a deeply private and increasingly paranoid individual, rebuilt the chalet on its original foundation. However, his approach to living there raised eyebrows in the local community. Peterson outfitted the house with an excessive array of security measures, including multiple locks on every door and window, cameras, and motion detectors, despite the chalet’s secluded location.

Peterson lived in the rebuilt Innisfree Chalet with his wife, Linda, and their two children. But by the early 1980s, the family began to experience a series of strange and unsettling incidents. Visitors to the property claimed to hear unexplained footsteps and whispers in the dead of night. Objects around the house were found moved or missing, and on more than one occasion, Peterson reported seeing shadowy figures near the edge of the forest.

In 1987, tragedy struck again when Linda was found dead under mysterious circumstances. Officially, her death was ruled accidental, caused by a fall down the chalet’s main staircase. But those close to the family reported that Linda had grown increasingly uneasy in the months before her death, convinced that something malevolent lurked in the woods around the chalet. Following her death, Peterson sold the property in 1990 and left Killington, never to return.

Innisfree as a Ski Lodge: 1990–Present

After the Peterson family sold the chalet, it passed through a series of owners before being converted into a small inn for skiers. The chalet’s dark past, however, continued to haunt it. Over the years, guests reported strange occurrences, including doors opening and closing on their own, unexplained cold drafts, and the sound of distant laughter in the middle of the night. Several visitors even claimed to have seen ghostly apparitions near the fireplace.

In 1999, a 27-year-old man disappeared while staying at the inn. Despite a massive search effort, no trace of him was ever found, and his case remains unsolved. In 2006, a group of snowboarders staying at the chalet reported seeing lights flickering in the woods and hearing what they described as “voices” emanating from the trees. The chalet's unsettling reputation only deepened with each passing year.

2024 Crime: A Return to Darkness

For nearly a decade, the chalet remained quiet, and some believed that its history of tragedy and mystery had finally come to an end. However, in May 2024, a brutal crime shocked the community once again. A 42-year-old woman was found dead in one of the rooms, her body displaying signs of a violent struggle. While the investigation remains ongoing, police have been tight-lipped about the details, leaving many to speculate whether this recent crime marks a resurgence of the chalet’s troubled history.

Legacy and Reputation

Today, the Innisfree Chalet still operates as a small inn for skiers, though its dark past has made it a point of interest for paranormal investigators and true crime enthusiasts. Despite its scenic location and rustic charm, many guests report an eerie atmosphere that persists, particularly after nightfall. Some have even suggested that the tragedies and strange occurrences are linked to the land itself, which has a history of local folklore and unexplained phenomena dating back generations.

Inisfree Chalet, Killington VT 2024

Set back in the woods, the chalet maintains its secluded feel, with two decks that offer views of the mountains by day. But when the sun sets and the winds whip through the trees, the past seems to come alive again. The future of Innisfree Chalet remains uncertain, and some wonder if it will ever fully escape the shadow of its haunted legacy.

See Also

Killington Ski Resort

List of reportedly haunted locations in the United States

Haunted Ski Lodges in New England

References

"Innisfree Fire: 1968," Rutland Historical Archives, 1970.

"Dark Times in the Mountains: The Peterson Family and Innisfree Chalet," New England Crime Journal, 1988.

"The Haunted Hills of Vermont: Ski Lodges with a Past," Paranormal Monthly, 2024.