By Karen D. Lorentz
KILLINGTON—Beastly adventurous people have a new pass to look forward to at Killington with the debut of the new Beast 365 year-round season pass.
The Beast 365 is good for all seasons at Killington and Pico. It includes unrestricted winter access at both ski areas, summer mountain bike and hiking/scenic rides lift access to the trails, golf course greens fees, and access to the Adventure Center.
The new pass will cost $99 a month for Adults, $79/month for Seniors (65+) and ages 19-29, and $69/month for Youth ages 7-18 plus 7 percent for state and local taxes. (Age categories are determined by age at time of purchase.)
The pass begins this summer and is only available for purchase until June 14. It requires a 12-month commitment and cannot be cancelled. The first month’s fee is due at time of purchase with the monthly fee being charged on the first business day of each month thereafter beginning in July.
There is a host of Beast 365 passholder benefits and discounts, including: one $39 learn-to-mountain-bike package, valid midweek non-holiday; free greens fees at Mt. Snow and Stratton golf courses, valid midweek non-holiday; various discounts on food and beverage, sports-school lessons, retail, lodging, Pico Sports Center membership and one-day lift tickets at other Powdr resorts; and summer 2018 bring-a-friend perks of two free tickets for gondola rides and two free mountain bike lift and trails tickets, as well as discounts for golf course and Adventure Center among others.
“With a $16 million investment in both our summer and winter operations, including new attractions at the Adventure Center and enhancements to our Mountain Bike Park, it was the perfect time for us to introduce a year-round pass as more guests are visiting year-round,” commented Mike Solimano, president and general manager of Killington Resort.
Asked how the new Beast 365 Year-Round Pass came about, Communications Manager Kristel Fillmore said it was created “through our commitment to offering adventures all year long. This pass unlocks everything Killington and Pico have to offer during every season including the golf course, Adventure Center and of course unlimited lift access in the summer and winter. This pass is ideal for the adventurous types who want to experience the Beast 365 days a year.”
Killington season passes
Killington and Pico continue to offer early-bird pricing with the lowest cost for 2018-19 season passes if purchased by June 14. After that prices go up. The unlimited and midweek pass age categories are determined as of age on Nov. 1, 2018, and 7 percent sales tax is added to the purchase.
Killington’s 2018-19 Adult Unlimited Early Bird is $939 and includes unrestricted access to the longest ski and snowboard season in the East at Killington, plus unrestricted access at Pico Mountain and a variety of benefits, ranging from premium discounts on lodging, snow sports lessons, food and beverage, retail at both resorts and discounted access to the Killington Bike Park and Snowshed Adventure Center for summer 2018. Seniors (65-79) and Youth (7-18) passes are $569 while ages 19-29 are $629, and Super Seniors (80+) and Child (6 and under) are $59.
The all-ages 2018-19 Midweek Pass is $519 and is valid Mondays through Fridays with four fewer restricted days than the current season (blackout days are Dec. 26-31, 2018 and Feb. 18, 2019). It includes skiing at Pico as well as Killington and comes with a host of benefits, from free summer gondola rides to discounts and bring-a-friend special ticket rates.
The Vermont Student Pass can be purchased anytime for $369 and is for Vermont students in grades K-12 with proof of eligibility required. It also comes with benefits. (The college season pass rates will be released later this spring.)
For more information on, or to buy these passes, call 1-800-887-3257 or visit killington.com/site/tickets/winter_passes/season_passes.
MyPico passes
With 19 miles of trails spread across 468 skiable acres and boasting a vertical drop of 1,967 feet, Pico Mountain is a great discovery for families and those looking for affordable pass pricing. Pico is open Thursdays through Mondays and peak (holiday) days.
The MyPico Pass offers 2018/19 unlimited skiing/riding plus unlimited free spring skiing/riding from date of purchase through Pico’s 2018 closing day, which is April 1 (Pico could reopen the following weekend if weather remains conducive).
The early bird date is also June 14 and comes with a payment plan option of one-third down at time of purchase with the remaining thirds due in August and October. The Adult (ages 19-64) is $399; Senior (65-79), $309; Super Senior (80+), $59; Youth (7-18), $199; and Child (ages 6 and under $59). Age group is determined by passholder’s age as of November 1, 2018.
Perks with the MyPico Pass include: discounts on food, retail, tunes, rentals, demos, Pico Sports Center membership, Adventure Center day passes; free scenic K-1 Gondola rides; and one $39 learn-to-mountain-bike, among other benefits.
New four-day option, more options
A Killington/Pico four-day non-transferable pass will offer winter lift access on any four days for the 2018-19 season for $249 for adults, $219 Seniors (65-79), and $199 for Youth (7-18). It is only being offered through June 14. (Day tickets for ages 6 and under and 80+ are free at Killington and Pico.)
K-Tickets will continue to be offered and will go on sale in the fall. The 4-Day Pass will offer the best available per-day price on access but is not transferable like a K-Ticket.
Killington and Pico Express Cards will continue with the best rates available through Oct. 18, 2018, ($84 adults, $71 Seniors, $65 Youth) and provide: 50 percent off mid-week and 25 percent off weekend lift tickets, seventh visit free, plus direct-to-lift convenience throughout the 2018-19 season (peak days excepted and to be announced).
Another option for winter 2018-19 is the new Ikon Pass. The Ikon Pass, a partnership pass curated by Alterra Mountain Company, includes Killington as a destination partner but does not include Pico. It resulted from the sale of Intrawest resorts to the new joint venture known as Alterra. (The M.A.X. Pass had included Intrawest resorts and is no longer available.)
The adult Ikon Pass offers unlimited access to 12 destinations plus seven days each at a listed destination resort and seven days at combined areas with no blackout dates. The $899 Ikon currently has no deadline for this price. The military, college and teen Ikon passes are $719. A corresponding child’s Ikon pass for ages 12 and under is $199 with the purchase of an adult pass, but this special deal lasts only through April 9, this year.
The Ikon Base Pass is $599 and offers unlimited access to eight destinations plus five days each and five days combined with three blackout periods. The teen, college, and military Ikon Base Pass is $479, and the Child Base Pass (12 and under) is $149 but only through April 9 this year, with the purchase of an adult Base Pass.
Various perks come with the passes. See the Feb. 28 Mountain Times or visit ikonpass.com to learn more about 26 destinations on the Ikon.
