On August 10, 2016

On ode to the trail builders

By Ariel Kent
KILLINGTON—A trail builder is someone who has dedicated his or her time to creating a network of mountain bike trails that he or she can enjoy but, more importantly, that others can enjoy. The hard work of a trail builder often goes unnoticed, many not even realizing the hard work and time it takes to build a small section of trail, whether it be technical singletrack or wide flowy bermed trails. Trail builders are everywhere but the crew at Killington is a special bunch.
Most of the guys on the Killington trail crew have been working to maintain and develop the resort trails for years. Some are newer, bringing fresh ideas to the table and together creating a spectacular variety of downhill trails. In the past three years we’ve seen more trail development in the Killington area than we have since the trails were first built about 25 years ago. This small group of trail builders are waking up early, often hiking up the mountain to their gear and working through heat, bugs, blood, sweat and mud to build trail. This work takes dedication, sacrifice and passion.
Putting in so much hard work and with the help of Gravity Logic we have seen investments in summer attractions starting to pay off and the hard work, by the seemingly unnoticed trail crew, gaining recognition. It’s no easy job being a trail builder and it requires a great deal of passion to do what they do. It actually doesn’t go unnoticed. I think all of us who ride at Killington and even at surrounding networks in the area appreciate the work of trail builders, truly!  We locals, as a community, as a network of riders recognize the investment you’ve put into an undeveloped area and appreciate it.
Maintaining such a vast trail network is no easy feat. And with increased usage it’s becoming harder and harder to keep up with the vastness of the trails. A special thank you to Rosey, Will, Ian and everyone else in the trail crew. You guys deserve an ice cold beer or two.

Do you want to submit feedback to the editor?

Send Us An Email!

Related Posts

Inventing a better ski day: the innovations that drew crowds to Killington

July 2, 2025
By Karen D. Lorentz Editors’ Note: This is part of a series on the factors that enabled Killington to become the Beast of the East. Quotations are from author interviews in the 1980s for the book Killington, A Story of Mountains and Men. “We’ve got a million dollars that says you’ll learn to ski at…

Cirque Series celebrates successful Killington debut

July 2, 2025
By Polly Mikula The Cirque Series broke trail in New England with two new races. On June 7, runners raced up Cannon Mountain in Franconia, New Hampshire and this past Saturday, June 28, they tackled “The Beast of the East,” Killington Mountain. Cirque is also adding Crystal Mountain, Washington, to its national lineup of eight…

Get a GRIP

June 27, 2025
Hold on, don’t lose traction — get a GRIP! It’s time to ride! With over 250 trails within 45 minutes of Killington this trail guide will show you all there is to discover — and enhance your experience with tips on where to go, what to do and where to go to refuel. (We can’t…

How to take the best flicks of your tricks

June 27, 2025
To take the best photos of mountain bike tricks, focus on the technique, composition, and timing. Tips compiled from experts can help you capture dynamic shots, accurately capturing (and even slightly enhancing) the extreme nature of the feat. By combining these techniques, you can create stunning, action-packed images that truly capture the excitement and skill…