Killington, Vermont — After two years of heavy investment at Killington and Pico from its new ownership group, the improvements won’t stop anytime soon.
Yesterday, Killington Resort held its annual Resort & Community Update event. During the meeting, they revealed some of the projects planned for next season, plus what they’re thinking about in the years to come.
Killington
The big project for this offseason is the completion of the Snowdon Quad. Replacing what was the oldest chairlift on the mountain, it allows their fixed-grip lifts to be more reliable. Another covered magic carpet has been added to the Learn To Carpet area. Upgraded signage in the Snowdon area will also help guests navigate the mountain more easily. Other upgrades for this offseason include snowmaking enhancements and $1.3 million in lift maintenance projects (at both Killington & Pico).
Next offseason will see the next phase of the K-1 gondola refurbishment, along with a new underground power line from K-1 Base Area to the top of the North Ridge Quad to improve employee communications.
Also planned is the construction of the new Needle’s Eye Lodge, which will be home to an expanded Jerk Jamaican Mountain Grill. Due to permitting issues, the project is now scheduled to open during the 2028-29 season.
Pico
Things have been busy over at Pico Mountain, which saw a revamped beginner area and upgraded snowmaking. This off-season sees another covered conveyor lift being added, meaning fewer lift lines in that area. A rope tow is also being added to the Outpost terrain pod, which saw its chairlift be decommissioned earlier this year.
For Outpost’s replacement, the plan is to add a fixed-grip quad chairlift. It will be the same model as the new Snowdon Quad. However, it will have the same capacity as its predecessor, as its chairs will be spaced out.
In total, the new owners will have spent $80 million over a three-year timeframe.
Many Improvements Ahead
Perhaps the most notable part of the meeting was the discussion of their long-term vision. The new owners plan to invest about $200 million across the two ski resorts over the next decade. Their current ideas include new Snowshed and Ramshead lifts, and new lodges at Bear Mountain and Snowshed. They plan to spend $10 million on lift refurbishments, which will reduce downtime. There’s also long-planned Killington base village, which we could see finished in my lifetime.
If fully implemented, the new ownership group will have spent approximately $280 million on upgrades.
Image/Video Credits: Killington Resort
