KILLINGTON—Killington Resort has begun snowmaking in advance of the 2018 Audi FIS Ski World Cup on Nov. 23-25, 2018. Killington Resort was the first Eastern American ski mountain to open for the season and the last to close last year, 2017-2018, in part because of the resort’s advanced snowmaking systems.
While the resort has yet to announce a target for opening day, snowmaking lit up on Killington and Skye Peaks just before dawn Tuesday, Oct. 16. Snowmaking crews will begin to build stockpiles on the North Ridge trails, which open to the public first, and on the Superstar trail, which will host the Killington Cup races.
Killington’s snowmaking system can pump more than 720,000 gallons of water through 240 snow guns, covering 80 acres with 12 inches of fresh snow in a matter of hours.
“We’re home to the longest season in the East for a reason. Our snowmaking and grooming teams are the best in the business and work around the clock to prepare Killington for the winter season and World Cup on Thanksgiving weekend,” said Mike Solimano, president and general manager of Killington Resort. “With this year’s capital investment of $25 million, we’re looking forward to giving our guests an even better experience both on and off the slopes this season. We’re driven by our passion for the adventure lifestyle and can’t wait for the lifts to spin and for Superstar to play host to top women alpine ski athletes from around the world.”
The public is invited to the women’s giant slalom and slalom races. Admission is free, with limited number of grandstands and premium grandstand tickets available for purchase. The free viewing areas will accommodate approximately 12,000 spectators and Killington will provide free parking and shuttle system for event spectators during the weekend.
This is the third year in a row the resort will host the women’s World Cup event.
New this year, the resort has expanded it’s free outdoor concert offerings. Paul Oakenfold, Michael Franti, KT Tunstall and Guster will headline a robust music and entertainment lineup for World Cup spectators, Friday though Sunday. For more information visit killington.com/worldcup.
Photo by Chandler Burgess, courtesy Killington Resort
Killington Resort turned on it’s snow guns for the first time early Tuesday morning, Oct. 16. The resort will begin making snow in earnest in advance of the 2018 Audi FIS Ski World Cup, Nov. 23-35. This is the third consecutive year that the resort has hosted the world-class event over Thanksgiving weekend; a feat only possible due to it’s snowmaking prowess.
