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By PAUL POST
From Juggernaut, a meandering six-mile-long beginner’s trail to Outer Limits, the East’s steepest mogul run, Killington is a seven-mountain resort with an endless array of terrain for skiers and boarders of all ability levels.
Its 200 diverse trails are served by 32 lifts and this central Vermont center averages 250 inches of natural snow annually, complementing the world’s largest snowmaking system.
No wonder Killington starts earlier and stays open longer, till early or mid-May, than any other mountain in the East.
Six interconnected mountains are led by 4,241-foot high Killington Peak, with a 3,050-foot vertical drop. Patrons may also use tickets at Pico Peak, a separate mountain away from the main resort with 50 trails of its own. Plans call for eventually connecting it to Killington’s system one day.
Each area has its own attributes from glades to wide open slopes that offer stunning views of Vermont’s Green Mountain National Forest.
The main base lodge is just off Route 4, but this resort is so large that visitors must drive nearly 10 miles to reach the base of Bear Mountain, where the nation’s top freestyle skiers compete on Outer Limits, the steepest and longest bump run in the East. The site has been home to and produced many U.S. Ski Team members that have gone on to Olympic competition. Overall, Killington has 87 miles of trails on 1,209 skiable acres. At peak times, the resort can whisk riders up the mountain at a rate of 52,000 per hour, with the help of two high-speed gondolas and a half-dozen express quads. Snowmaking covers 70 percent of all terrain, 57 trails, with an amazing 1,435 snowguns including 600 tower guns that provide extra “hang time” for snow to spread out over wide areas. The Superstar trail alone is covered with 80 guns from top to bottom and has base depths of up to 30 feet. It’s typically the last trail to close and hosts May 1 slalom races each year. Snowmaking is complemented by a state-of-the art fleet of 21 grooming machines including three winch cats that keep the steeps in good shape, too. Always a hub of activity, Killington hosts numerous events throughout the winter including a two week Collegiate Snow Fest (Jan. 6-18) and National Safety Awareness Week (Jan. 19-25) with many special events on tap. To many people, the best time of year is March, April and May when the sun’s warmth and the mountain’s incredibly deep snow base transforms Killington into the “King of Spring Skiing.” Visitors shed coats, scarves and mittens in favor of shorts, T-shirts and shades while soaking up rays on base lodge decks in a truly party-like atmosphere. On March 1-2, Killington will host the Mountain Dew Vertical Challenge, a ski and snowboard race for the whole family, followed by the Chevrolet U.S. Snowboarding Grand Prix (March 15-16) with more than 100 of the world’s top boarders on hand. The Bud Light Bear Mountain Mogul Challenge takes place March 29-30, featuring more than 200 amateur bumpers. Killington’s main attraction, however, is simply exploring its endless variety of slopes and trails. This center is so big that people can literally ski or board all day without hitting the same trail twice. Most visitors quickly find a favorite run they can’t wait to try over and over. Here’s a glimpse at what each different mountain has to offer.
ä Killington Peak’s “Canyon Area” is the steepest part of the mountain, sure to challenge even the most experienced skier’s skills. Serviced by the K-1 Gondola, it’s loaded with double black diamond trails such as Cascade, Downdraft and Double Dipper. - Snowshed is devoted strictly to beginners with three lifts and an open slope.
- Snowdon has beginner, intermediate and expert terrain with two lift chairs.
- Rams Head, serviced by a high-speed quad, is a great family area with beginner and intermediate trails, day care and a learning school.
- Skye Peak is also mainly for experts, highlighted by Ovation and Superstar, a steep wide open trail that provides plenty of thrills and spills, if you aren’t careful. Two quads and the Skyeship Gondola service this part of the mountain.
- Sunrise is just for beginners, too.
Killington was purchased earlier this year by POWDR Corp. and the firm made $5.3 million worth of upgrades and improvements for the current winter season. This includes a $2 million investment in snowmaking alone and $2 million to renovate Killington Grand Resort Hotel and Spa. From new awnings over the Magic Carpets at the Rams Head Family Center to new loading and unloading docks and lift house refurbishments, freshly painted lifts and lift information signs guests are seeing many new looks this year. Once again, Killington will give people more than five months of fun on the slopes. With so much to choose from, there shouldn’t be any trouble finding a day right for you.
Killington Ski Resort
Killington, Vt.
- Vertical drop: 3,050 feet.
- Tickets: Adult $76, Saturday or holiday $79. Teens (13-18) seniors (65-69) $61, $65. Children (6-12) senior plus (70 and over) $53, $55.
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