Vermont’s Killington Resort, the largest ski and snowboard destination in Eastern North America and part of the POWDR adventure lifestyle company, is scheduled to kick off its 2017-18 winter season at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2017, becoming the first Eastern resort to open for skiing and snowboarding.
The first turns of the season, on Wednesday, will be reserved exclusively for season pass and express card holders, and the resort will open to the general public on Thursday, Nov. 9, at 9 a.m. Killington’s operating schedule for the remainder of the week will be updated in real time at killington.com/conditions.
“The cold temperatures and ideal snowmaking weather have had our mountain operations team running full steam ahead to make Killington, once again, the first ski area in the East to open, and get the resort ready for the World Cup races in just a few weeks,” said Mike Solimano, president and general manager of Killington Resort and Pico Mountain.
During the World Cup races, which will take place at Killington for the second year in a row on Nov. 24-26, public access to the Expo Village, which is adjacent to the finish area and is completely free, will offer unparalleled access to watch the fastest female Alpine ski racers in the world compete in Slalom and Giant Slalom events. Additional World Cup events include free concerts by Dispatch and Troy Ramey, movie premiers, fireworks, parades and more. A full schedule of Killington World Cup events can be found at killington.com/worldcup.
On Wednesday, Nov. 8, the K-1 Express Gondola will provide uploading and downloading to open terrain for skiers and snowboarders from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and the North Ridge Triple 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.
Early season conditions exist and snowmaking and other on-mountain operations may be in progress throughout the day on open terrain. 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.
The Snowshed Sales Center and K-1 Guest Services will be open 30 minutes prior to lift opening on Wednesday, 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.
Season pass holders are invited to enjoy free lunch on Tuesday 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 Thursday, Nov. 9, K-1 Express Gondola lift hours will be 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. (for uphill loading). The North Ridge Triple will allow uploading until 3:45 p.m.
Killington will remain open to the public for skiing and snowboarding as conditions permit. Skiers and riders can prepare for opening day by purchasing season passes and express cards now at www.killington.com and 1-800-621-MTNS (6867).