By Brooke Geery, Killington Resort
With winter well underway, The Beast is running like a well-oiled machine, thanks to its dedicated and enthusiastic team. It takes a lot of people to keep things going. In fact, Killington Resort is one of the largest employers in the state of Vermont with over 1,500 employees during the winter season. During this busiest time of the year, the resort celebrates Beast Week from Feb. 8-14, 2025 to say thank you to the hardworking people who make it all possible.
This year, the Beast Week events kick off with Freebee Day, because who doesn’t love free stuff? The Human Resources department, which is the engine behind the whole celebration, hands out goodies all day.
On Superbowl Sunday, Beast Team members are encouraged to enjoy the big game with a pizza they made themselves, using a free pizza kit. It’s also a contest, and submitting a photo of your completed pie could score you a $100 Visa Gift Card.
Monday night the fun is at the Bubly tubing park, where the team is invited to join in on a free tubing party with refreshments provided by Rollin’ Rooster. On Tuesday, it’s more free food, with a hearty breakfast sandwich available.
On Wednesday, the party is at the Wobbly Barn, where the team is invited to a luau, complete with a limbo contest and tunes from DJ Stevie B. If dancing the night away makes you hungry, good news, because a free international lunch is served on Thursday. Finally, free Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream makes Valentines Day that much sweeter as Beast Week wraps up on Friday.
Of course, fun employee events are just one of the perks of working at The Beast. No matter what department, everyone has their own favorite thing about it. “My favorite thing about working here is that we have this incredible playground right outside our office door,” said Business System Administrator Eunice Macdonald-Rice.
“My favorite thing about working at Killington is meeting all of the people, both the guests and co- workers,” says Susan Dafni, who splits her time working in tickets at Ramshead, Snowshed and K-1. “I also really love handing out stickers to children that come to tickets.”
Suzette Aguilar, a barista at the Killington Grand Café agrees it’s all about the people. “My favorite thing is all the nice people I meet from all walks of life. I have met so many wonderful people who come into the cafe and I enjoy talking and getting to know each one of them.”
John Foran, who works in resort maintenance agrees. “I sincerely enjoy interacting, assisting, and problem solving with all the employees throughout the resort. Each day comes with a new adventure!”
Great co-workers and guests are a year-round occurrence says Snowshed food and beverage supervisor, and golf pro shop manager Chris Kenison. “My favorite thing about working at Killington is the variety of people that I get to work with on a daily basis. I love to meet new people and get to know them each year.”
But for team leader for lift operations Leo Guiterrez Nolasco, it’s about the activities, too. “I can ski all the time even if I’m working and have fun, first run of the day. Also, I get the opportunity to meet new people from all over the world, this place feels like my second home. I’ve been coming to Killington year after year because of the people and the friends I made here. Back in Mexico there’s no way to do this kind of sport.”
And working in the Mountain Sports School, Gwen Verity said, “My favorite thing about working at Killington is the kind and supportive community at mountain sports, united by our stoke for sliding on snow! Also, tiny kiddos on skis are pretty darn cute!”
