Skiable area 1,509 acres (6.1 km) Phone +1 802-422-3333 | Vertical 3,050 ft (930 m) Number of trails 155 | |
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Top elevation 4,229 ft (1,289 m) NAVD 88 Base elevation 1,165 ft (355 m) (Skyeship) Hours Closed now Monday9AM–4PMTuesday9AM–4PMWednesday9AM–4PMThursday9AM–4PMFriday9AM–4PMSaturday8AM–4PMSunday8AM–4PM Similar Pico Mountain Ski Area, Okemo Mountain Resort, Killington Peak, Sugarbush Resort, Stowe Mountain Resort Profiles | ||
Killington Mountain Resort & Ski Area is a ski resort in the northeast United States, near Killington, Vermont. It is the largest ski area in the eastern U.S., and has the largest vertical drop in New England at 3,050 feet (930 meters). Starting in the 2013–14 ski season, it was given the title "Beast of the East."
Contents
History
In 1954, Perry H. Merrill, the Father of Vermont's State Parks and Alpine Ski Areas and Vermont State land lease officer, wanted to see a ski resort developed on Killington Peak, the second highest mountain in Vermont. Preston Leete Smith agreed to work with him to develop this area. Killington opened 59 years ago on December 13, 1958.
The resort expanded in the 1960s at a pace "well above industry standards." Many new trails were created and Smith had beginner trails accessible from every lift. In the 1960s, Killington installed snowmaking equipment, which had been invented in the 1950s, but was considered a banana belt luxury. Several low-snow seasons proved their value.
Killington introduced the ticket wicket in 1963 to prevent skiers sharing lift tickets, while also not damaging ski clothing.
In the summer of 2011, the Killington area was damaged by Tropical Storm Irene in late August, which caused flooding and damage along U.S. Route 4, the road leading into Killington. The resort was damaged by excess runoff from Ottauquechee River, which lifted the Superstar Pub off of its foundation, condemning the structure. Killington has since repaired damaged infrastructure, and is operating at full or near-full potential.
Ownership
Powdr has announced that it will stop honoring "lifetime" lift passes issued by the previous owners after two years. A class action lawsuit was filed on behalf of about 800 pass holders.
Skiing Killington
Located in central Vermont, Killington has 155 trails, 21 lifts, and 1,509 acres (6.1 km2) extending across six interconnected mountain peaks. A seventh peak, Pico Mountain, was purchased by Killington in 1996, but operates as a separate resort. There have been proposals to connect Killington and Pico with a series of lifts and trails since 1998, but no plans have been finalized.
The primary mountain is Killington Peak at 4,241 ft (1,293 m), which has the second-highest summit in Vermont and has the second greatest vertical drop in the east (3,050 ft (930 m)), after Whiteface Mountain in Wilmington, New York at 3,430 ft (1,045 m).
The mountains that make up the Killington resort separate the town of Killington (with its access road) from the city of Rutland.
Trails
The resort offers trails ranging from beginner to expert. Trails include "Outer Limits" a double black diamond mogul trail. The longest trail in the eastern U.S. is the 6.2-mile (10 km) beginner run, "Juggernaut". Part of the mountain is set aside for terrain parks, with five snowboard and alpine parks. Killington has a teaching area for first-time skiers, the "Accelerated Learning Area".
Killington has one of the east's largest half-pipes located at Bear Mountain for a portion of each winter season. There are boarder cross terrain and at least three to five major trails with ramps and jumps.
Mountains
Pico Mountain
Pico Mountain is located on a separate mountain, Pico Peak, several miles away from the main resort. It has 50 trails covering 17 mi (27 km), all serviced by 6 lifts. Runs include The Pike, 49er, Summit Glades, Upper KA, Giant Killer, and Sunset 71. There are hotels, condos and restaurants at the base. The mountain is accessible from the main base by car or bus.
Pico was once an independent ski resort called Pico Peak, and was bought out of bankruptcy by Killington in the mid-1990s. Lift tickets at Killington are valid at Pico. There have been plans to connect Pico to the main Killington resort since it was purchased. Connector trails have been cut. Combined the two resorts offer over 1977 acres of skiable terrain.
Snow and season length
Killington averages 250 inches (6.4 m) of natural snow each winter. That, coupled with a snowmaking system that covers 71% of the trails, has allowed Killington to offer what is often the longest skiing season in eastern North America, which usually spans from late October to late May. But, it has opened as early as October 1 and closed as late as June 22. Killington had a reputation for being the first ski area every season in the eastern U.S. to open, as well as the last to close, although in recent years the length of the season has begun to shorten. For example, in the 15 years between 1986 and 2001, the resort opened in October in every year but one, and never closed earlier than May 21. But in the five years ending in 2011, opening day has always been in November, and closing day has never made it past May 6. Killingtons Opening and Closing Dates: 2015/2016- Opened October 18 2014/2015- November 3- May 25 2013/2014- October 23- May 18 2012/2013- October 13- May 26
Mountain statistics
The base elevation is 1,165 ft (355 m) and the vertical drop is 3,050 ft (930 m).
Trails
Lifts
Summer
Killington has 45 miles (72 km) of hiking and mountain biking trails, and an 18-hole golf course. It also has lift accessed mountain biking in the summer with technical trail features, jumps, and other obstacles. In March 2015, the resort successfully applied to the state for permit allowing them to add zip lines and a mountain coaster.