Welcome to Kilbourne Lodge. These Guest Terms govern your stay — whether you book directly through us, through Airbnb, VRBO, Expedia, or any other platform. Please read them before you book. Your reservation, payment, or arrival at the property confirms that you have read these terms and agreed to them on behalf of yourself and everyone in your party, including any dogs you bring along.
We have written these terms in plain language. They are meant to protect both you and us so that every guest, every dog, and every neighbor has a comfortable stay. If anything here is unclear, email us at hello@kilbournelodge.com before you book and we will walk you through it.
1. The Property and the Operator
Kilbourne Lodge is a privately owned, single-level mid-century chalet located near Killington, Vermont. The lodge has three bedrooms, two full baths, sleeps up to eight guests, sits on a quiet country road approximately three minutes from the Killington lifts, and includes a fully fenced backyard suitable for dogs. The lodge is operated as a short-term rental in compliance with Vermont state law and any applicable town short-term rental rules. The exact street address is shared with confirmed guests in their booking confirmation.
The Operator of Kilbourne Lodge is Lift Lodge LLC, a Vermont limited liability company. When these terms refer to "we," "us," "our," or "the Operator," they refer to that entity. When they refer to "you," "your," or "the Guest," they refer to the person who books the stay and each member of the guest's party.
2. Booking and Payment
Direct bookings. When you book directly through kilbournelodge.com or by inquiring at hello@kilbournelodge.com, payment is processed through Stripe by invoice. A short rental agreement is signed before arrival. The full booking amount, plus a refundable damage deposit where applicable and any pet fee where applicable, is typically collected before check-in. We will tell you the exact schedule for your stay when we send your invoice.
Bookings through Airbnb, VRBO, Expedia, or other platforms. When you book through a third-party platform, that platform's terms also apply to your reservation. The platform's cancellation policy, payment schedule, identity-verification rules, dispute process, and refund mechanics govern the booking. The Guest Terms on this page apply in addition to the platform's rules and govern conduct at the property, house rules, pet policy, liability, and similar topics that the platform does not directly address. Where these Guest Terms conflict with a specific consumer-protection rule of the platform you booked through, the platform's rule controls only as to that conflict.
Taxes and fees. Vermont state sales tax, the Vermont meals and rooms tax, and any applicable local option tax are collected on every short-term stay as required by Vermont law. Direct bookings include a line-item cleaning fee, applicable pet fee, applicable taxes, and the booking amount.
3. Cancellations and Refunds (Direct Bookings)
For direct bookings, our cancellation policy is straightforward:
- More than 30 days before check-in: full refund of all amounts paid, less a 3% payment-processing fee.
- 14 to 30 days before check-in: 50% refund of the booking amount.
- Less than 14 days before check-in: no refund. The booking is non-refundable inside the 14-day window.
- Cancellations by the Operator. If we cancel a confirmed direct booking for any reason other than guest breach of these terms, you receive a full refund of all amounts paid. We will not be liable for any consequential costs (travel, lost wages, replacement lodging) beyond the booking amount.
For bookings made through Airbnb, VRBO, Expedia, or another platform, that platform's cancellation policy applies — not the policy above. You can find your platform's cancellation rules in your reservation confirmation.
4. House Rules
Kilbourne Lodge sits on a quiet residential road with year-round neighbors on either side. The single most important rule is simple: be a good neighbor. The rules below all flow from that.
Maximum occupancy
The lodge sleeps up to 8 guests across three bedrooms (two king bedrooms and a bunk room with a queen, twin bunk, and full-size futon sofa bed). Every overnight guest must be listed on the reservation. Day visitors are welcome in modest numbers; please let us know in advance if you plan to host more than four additional people on the property at any time. Gatherings of more than 12 people total require advance written approval.
Quiet hours
Quiet hours are in effect every night from 10:00 PM to 8:00 AM. This applies especially to outdoor spaces, hot-tub use, and the driveway, all of which sit within earshot of neighboring homes. Indoor conversation at a normal volume is welcome at any hour; outdoor noise after 10:00 PM is not.
No smoking, no vaping
The property is strictly non-smoking and non-vaping throughout, including the deck, the fenced yard, and the driveway. Evidence of smoking or vaping inside the lodge will result in a $500 deep-cleaning charge and may, at the Operator's discretion, result in immediate termination of the stay without refund.
No parties, no events
Parties, weddings, bachelor or bachelorette gatherings, large social events, and any gathering of people not listed on the reservation are not permitted without prior written approval. We have hosted small family reunions and ski-trip group dinners many times — we are not anti-fun — but advance notice is required for any group larger than the booked party. Violation of this rule is a material breach of these terms and may result in immediate termination of the stay without refund.
Pets — Kilbourne Lodge is dog-friendly
Well-mannered dogs are welcome at Kilbourne Lodge and a meaningful part of the property's identity. The lodge has a fully fenced backyard for safe off-leash time. We ask the following of every dog parent:
- Tell us in advance how many dogs you are bringing and roughly what size and breed. We do not screen by breed, but we want to know what to expect. Multiple dogs or very large dogs may incur a higher pet fee — we will quote it before you book.
- Pet fee. A standard pet fee applies per stay; the amount is included in your booking confirmation.
- Dogs stay off the furniture and beds. A washable throw blanket is provided on the sofa for dogs who prefer to be near their people. Beds, dining chairs, and decorative furniture are off-limits.
- Clean up the yard. Bags are provided in the mudroom. We ask that you pick up after your dog throughout your stay and especially before you leave.
- Never leave a dog alone in the lodge if the dog is reactive, anxious, or prone to barking. Quiet neighborhood — barking carries.
- Damage caused by a dog is the guest's responsibility. This includes chewed furniture, scratched doors, accidents on rugs or upholstery, and any costs of repair or replacement beyond ordinary cleaning.
Service animals as defined under the ADA are always welcome and are not subject to a pet fee. Emotional-support animals are treated as pets under these terms and follow the same dog-friendly rules.
Parking
The driveway accommodates four vehicles. During ski season, guests are asked to park on the right side of the driveway to leave room for snowplow access. A Level 2 EV charger (220V, ~12-35 miles per hour of charge) is available for guest use.
Check-in and check-out
Check-in is at 4:00 PM. Check-out is at 10:00 AM. Access is self-serve through a smart-lock keypad; the code is sent with your booking confirmation. If you need a luggage hold before check-in or after check-out, ask — we are usually able to accommodate.
Fireplace and wood stove
The grand stone fireplace is wood-burning. Firewood is provided in season; please do not bring outside firewood (Vermont law restricts movement of untreated firewood due to invasive-pest concerns). Never leave a fire unattended. Never close the flue while embers are still hot. The lodge is equipped with smoke and carbon-monoxide detectors throughout, as required by Vermont law.
Snow and ice
Vermont winters bring snow, ice, and freezing temperatures. The driveway and walkways are plowed and salted during ski season, but conditions can change between treatments. Use caution on exterior surfaces, wear appropriate footwear, and supervise children and dogs accordingly. Slip-and-fall risk on snow and ice is a normal feature of Vermont in winter, and guests assume the ordinary risks of the climate.
5. Damage and Security Deposit
We treat the lodge as a real home, and we ask guests to do the same. For direct bookings, we may collect a refundable damage deposit of $500 before arrival. The deposit is held on file and refunded within 7 business days of check-out, less any amounts withheld for documented damage, excessive cleaning (including pet-related deep cleaning beyond the included pet fee), missing items, or smoking-violation fees.
For platform bookings, damage protection follows the platform's rules. Airbnb's AirCover, VRBO's damage protection, and Expedia's coverage each apply per their respective policies. Where damage exceeds the platform's coverage, the Operator reserves the right to pursue the responsible guest directly for the balance.
You agree to report any accidental damage to us before you check out. Small accidents happen; we handle them straightforwardly and rarely charge for ordinary wear. Damage that is not reported and is discovered after check-out may be charged at full replacement cost.
6. Photography, Filming, and Commercial Use
Personal photography during your stay is welcome — please tag @kilbournelodge if you share. Commercial photography, video production, advertising, brand shoots, or any use of the property's image for a commercial purpose requires advance written approval from the Operator and is typically priced separately from the nightly rate. Use of the property for commercial purposes without prior approval is a material breach of these terms and will be billed at our then-current production rate.
7. Personal Injury and Assumption of Risk
Like any mountain home, Kilbourne Lodge includes features that carry ordinary risks. These include a wood-burning fireplace, kitchen knives and cookware, a deck, a fenced backyard, exterior steps, slippery winter surfaces, country roads with no streetlights, and dogs on the property. Guests are responsible for their own safety and the safety of children, guests, and dogs in their party.
The surrounding area includes activities — skiing, snowboarding, hiking, mountain biking, hot-tub use where applicable — that carry their own inherent risks. The Operator does not provide, supervise, or guarantee the safety of any third-party activity. Resort operations, trail conditions, weather, and wildlife are outside the Operator's control.
By booking the property and entering it, you acknowledge that you and your party use the lodge, its features, its yard, and any surrounding activities at your own risk. The Operator is not responsible for personal injury, illness, or property loss arising from ordinary use of the property or from any activity in the surrounding area except where caused by the Operator's gross negligence or willful misconduct.
8. Limitation of Liability
To the maximum extent permitted by Vermont law, the Operator's total liability to you and your party for any claim arising out of or relating to your stay — whether based in contract, tort, statute, or any other legal theory — is capped at the total booking amount you paid for the reservation in question. The Operator is not liable for indirect, incidental, consequential, special, or punitive damages, including lost wages, replacement lodging costs, lost vacation time, lost lift tickets, or emotional distress.
Nothing in these terms limits any liability that cannot lawfully be limited under Vermont law, including liability for gross negligence, willful misconduct, or fraud.
9. Indemnification
You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Operator and its members, managers, employees, and agents from any claim, loss, damage, or expense (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of: (a) your breach of these terms; (b) damage you, any member of your party, or any dog or pet you bring causes to the property; (c) any injury or property loss caused by any member of your party, any dog or pet, or any guest you invite onto the property; and (d) any violation of law during your stay.
10. Force Majeure
Neither party is liable for failure to perform under these terms due to events outside that party's reasonable control, including but not limited to: severe weather, snowstorms, ice storms, power outages, natural disasters, fire, flood, public-health emergencies, government-ordered closures, road closures, lift closures at Killington, or any other event that renders the property uninhabitable or significantly impairs access. If a force-majeure event causes a confirmed direct booking to be canceled, the Operator will issue a full refund of amounts paid or, at the guest's election, offer to rebook the stay at no additional charge within 12 months, subject to availability. The closure of any specific ski resort, trail, or third-party activity is not by itself a force-majeure event triggering a refund.
11. Governing Law, Venue, and Dispute Resolution
These Guest Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Vermont, without regard to its conflict-of-laws principles. Any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of or relating to these terms or to your stay at the property shall be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts located in Rutland County, Vermont, and you consent to the personal jurisdiction and venue of those courts.
Class-action waiver. To the maximum extent permitted by law, you and the Operator each waive the right to bring or participate in any class action, collective action, or representative action against the other arising out of these terms or your stay. All disputes must be brought in an individual capacity.
Small-claims carve-out. Nothing in this section prevents either party from bringing an individual action in a Vermont small-claims court for a dispute within that court's jurisdictional limits.
12. Severability and Entire Agreement
If any provision of these terms is held to be invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, that provision will be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable, and the remaining provisions will continue in full force and effect.
These Guest Terms, together with your booking confirmation, any rental agreement signed for a direct booking, and (for platform bookings) the rules of the platform on which you booked, constitute the entire agreement between you and the Operator regarding your stay. They supersede any prior or contemporaneous communications, representations, or agreements on the same subject.
We may update these terms from time to time. The version in effect on the date you book is the version that governs your stay.
13. Contact
Questions about a booking, the property, the dogs, or these terms:
Email: hello@kilbournelodge.com
Website: kilbournelodge.com
We aim to reply within 24 hours.