Killington is scheduled to kick off its 2018-19 winter season at 10 a.m on Friday, Oct.19 becoming the first Eastern resort to open for skiing and snowboarding.
The first turns of the season on Friday will be reserved exclusively for Season Pass, Express Card, Beast365 and Ikon Pass holders. The resort will open to the general public on Saturday, Oct. 20 at 9 a.m.
“Mother Nature played her role, giving us cool temps, but this summer’s snowmaking enhancements as a part of our $25 million dollar capital investment really gave us a leg up,” says Mike Solimano, president and general manager of Killington Resort and Pico Mountain. “Killington is on track to, once again, be the first ski area in the East to open and, for the third winter in a row, get the resort ready for the World Cup races in just a few weeks.”
On Friday, the K-1 Express Gondola will provide uploading and downloading to open terrain for skiers and snowboarders from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and the North Ridge Triple lift will allow uploading until 3:45 p.m. Skiers and snowboarders will use the Peak Walkway to access open terrain and return to the K-1 Express Gondola for the trip down to the base area when finished for the day. Skiing and snowboarding will be on advanced terrain only, providing roughly 600 vertical feet of open trails. No beginner terrain is available at this time. Early season conditions exist and snowmaking and other on-mountain operations may be in progress throughout the day on open terrain.
The Snowshed Sales Center will be open Thursday from 8 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. and Friday starting at 7 a.m., for RFID pass pick up and pass purchases. K-1 Guest Services will be open starting at 7 a.m. on Friday selling Season Passes and Express Cards for same-day access to the slopes. Express Card holders will only be charged $25 for all ages on Opening Day, and children ages 6 and under will receive a Kids Ski Free ticket if accompanied by a season pass holder. No other passes, tickets, vouchers or reciprocal discounts will be accepted on this day. Beginning Saturday, daily lift tickets will be $59 for adults (ages 19-64), $45 for youth (ages 7-18) and $50 for seniors (ages 65-79). Express Card holders will receive 50 percent off lift ticket window rate for midweek, and 25 percent off weekend rates.
Remaining a longstanding tradition, season Pass holders are invited to enjoy free lunch on Friday at the K-1 Café, North Ridge Dog Sled or Peak Lodge as a show of gratitude for their commitment to Killington Resort.
Beginning on Saturday, Oct. 20, the K-1 Express Gondola lift hours will be 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. for uphill loading. The North Ridge Triple lift will allow uploading until 3:45 p.m.
