Vermont — Vermont is one of the most popular states for skiers to visit because of its mix of modern ski resorts with modern lifts and snowmaking and rugged ski areas with steep terrain and local vibes. The past few years have seen significant changes to Vermont skiing, including adding a six-pack chairlift at Stowe, two new chairlifts opening at Mt. Snow, and the revitalization of the Middlebury Snowbowl.
While the projects weren’t as game-changing as in previous years, various exciting investments are coming to the Green Mountain State. Here are our top five picks for the ski resorts with the biggest improvements for the 2024-25 season.
5. Magic Mountain: 50 new snow guns will allow Magic to open more terrain faster. They’ve added over 35 improved-efficiency HKD fixed tower guns off the Green Lift and over a dozen small Ratniks to the Black Line and Witch runs.
This will also be Magic Mountain’s first full season with the Black Line Quad chairlift. Debuting last February, this new-to Magic Mountain chairlift is a fixed-grip quad that increases the ski area’s carrying capacity and is a faster ride-up than the Red Chair.
4. Mad River Glen: The Ski-It-If-You-Can mountain is known as a place that doesn’t change, but MRG made a few notable upgrades this offseason. The first big upgrade was to their snowmaking pump, which allows for increased production.
Their Sunnyside Double chairlift also saw improvements. The double chairlift added a new variable drive system and haul rope. A mid-station has also been added, which will allow MRG to operate it in the early season and have it be used to be accessible for beginners and intermediates.
3. Stratton: In October, Stratton Mountain Resort announced more than $20 million in investments.
They added 160 HKD KLIK hydrants across five trails (Frank’s Line, Mikes Way, West Meadow, Drifter Link, and Old Log Rd). In addition, twenty-five HKD Impulse snow guns have been added to Mike’s Way. A new snowmaking pipe has been added to Lower Standard and from the snowmaking ponds to the ski resort.
A lift modernization project occurred on Ursa this fall, and the American Express chairlift will see improvements in the spring of 2025. These projects aren’t lift replacements but rather renovations to the parts that extend the life of these lifts.
Other improvements include spending $8 million on employee housing, two new dining experiences at the ski resort, new rental equipment, and acquiring a new Prinoth Bison X groomer.
2. Killington & Pico: We’re cheating here by listing them as one resort, but it kind of makes sense to put them together based on what’s transpired over the past few months.
A new local ownership group and $30 million in investments headline what will be a transformative era for Killington & Pico.
For the 2024-25 season, Killington & Pico are adding 36 HKD Snowmakers Phazer portable snowmaking guns, 454 HKD Impulse and Phazer R5 tower guns, as well as four fully automatic HKD Diablo fan guns. The new and replacement guns at Killington were added to Cruise Control, Upper and Lower Needle’s Eye, Outer Limits, Alpine Training Venue, Upper Header, Timberline, Upper and Lower Great Eastern, Blue Heaven, Bear Trax, Skyeburst, Upper Bittersweet, Panic Button and Superstar. In addition, four fan guns were added to Superstar.
Other offseason additions included a new trail in the Skyeship terrain pod, new groomers, transitioning from Woodward to K Parks, and new signage/trail maps.
Over at Pico, forty-four tower guns have been installed on the 49er, Ace of Clubs, Swinger, Upper, and Lower Pike runs. This follows the addition of a new pump house last winter.
Next season will see the replacement of the Superstar Express with a detachable high-speed six-pack, new gondola cabins for the Skyeship gondola, and 510 more snowmaking guns across Killington & Pico.
1. Sugarbush Resort: The only new chairlift in Vermont for the 2024-25 season will be at Sugarbush. This offseason, the Heaven’s Gate Triple was replaced by a new Doppelmayr fixed-grip quad chairlift. This new chairlift has a loading conveyor, slatted seat backs, and heavier chairs (reducing the chances of wind holds). These features will allow it to run faster than its predecessor.
Other additions for this upcoming season at Sugarbush include the new Tucker Coffee & Cocktails at The Farmhouse, new mid-station pumps at Mt. Ellen, and new snowmaking equipment for the Inverness trail.
Image/Video Credits: Magic Mountain, Stratton Mountain Resort, Mad River Glen, Killington Resort, Sugarbush Resort (James Niehues)
