Vermont’s Killington Resort is planning approximately $200 million in additional infrastructure investments over the next decade, including a major snowmaking expansion that could increase the mountain’s total water capacity by 30%. The announcement comes as the resort’s new ownership group approaches $80 million in capital improvements during its first three years, bringing its projected total investment to approximately $280 million.
The plans were outlined during an October 15th community meeting attended by several hundred residents. According to Vermont Public, Killington President and CEO Mike Solimano emphasized that the resort intends to continue modernizing its infrastructure, particularly snowmaking, as increasingly unpredictable winter weather presents new challenges.
The investments are part of a long-term effort to modernize Killington and neighboring Pico Mountain following their purchase by a group of local investors in 2024.
Snowmaking Capacity Could Increase by 30%
One of the most significant projects in Killington’s long-term improvement plans is the replacement of the primary snowmaking pumphouse at Snowshed.
The approximately $10 million project would nearly double the water capacity of the existing facility while increasing the resort’s total snowmaking system water capacity by 30%.
The upgrade would allow Killington to move substantially more water through its snowmaking infrastructure when weather conditions permit, potentially improving the resort’s ability to build and maintain snow coverage during limited windows of cold temperatures.
Killington has already invested heavily in snowmaking equipment under its new ownership group, installing more than 1,000 new energy-efficient snowguns.
Speaking to Vermont Public, Solimano said the improvements have allowed crews to increase the number of snowguns operating simultaneously from approximately 100 to 300 while reducing diesel consumption by 80%.
Those improvements are particularly important for a resort known for opening early and frequently remaining operational well into spring.
Killington began sustained snowmaking on October 17, activating 165 snowguns across five trails, approximately two weeks earlier than last year’s first sustained snowmaking operation.
The resort is also preparing to host the women’s FIS Alpine World Cup races over Thanksgiving weekend, November 27-29, when approximately 40,000 spectators are expected to attend the Stifel Killington Cup.
New Chairlifts, Lodges and Other Infrastructure Improvements
The investment plans extend well beyond snowmaking.
During the community meeting, Solimano detailed how the resort’s recent spending has been allocated, including approximately $35 million for new and rebuilt lifts, $20 million for facilities and $13 million for snowmaking improvements.
Additional long-term projects include replacing the Snowshed Double, Snowshed Express Quad and Ramshead Express Quad, along with constructing new lodges at Snowshed and Bear Mountain.
Killington has also committed approximately $10 million toward refurbishing existing lifts over the next decade, an effort intended to improve reliability and reduce downtime.
The K-1 Gondola is scheduled to receive a new control system during summer 2027, a project that will require the lift to remain closed for most of the summer.
At Pico Mountain, crews are preparing to replace the retired Outpost Double with a new $3.8 million Doppelmayr fixed-grip quad. The lift is scheduled to open for the 2027-28 season.
Construction on Killington’s new Needle’s Eye Lodge is now expected to begin in April 2027, with the facility scheduled to open during winter 2028-29 following permitting delays.
Major Ski Village Development Faces Delays
The resort’s ambitious investment program is moving forward as a separate, multibillion-dollar real estate development at the base of Killington continues to face delays.
Canadian developer Great Gulf is planning a large resort village with residential properties, retail space, restaurants and additional amenities.
However, the development has not progressed as quickly as resort officials had hoped.
Solimano acknowledged those frustrations during the community meeting, telling residents that Killington is concentrating on infrastructure projects it can move forward independently of the village.
Great Gulf representatives told Vermont Public that the project remains dependent on improvements to Killington Road, which are expected to begin in 2027 and take approximately two years to complete.
The resort’s proposed Snowshed lift and lodge replacements are among the projects expected to be coordinated with the eventual village development.
Despite those uncertainties, Killington officials say they remain committed to investing approximately $200 million in additional improvements over the coming decade. Combined with the approximately $80 million committed during the ownership group’s first three years, the plans represent a projected $280 million transformation of one of North America’s largest ski resorts.
While several of the biggest projects do not yet have confirmed construction schedules, the proposed snowmaking expansion could be among the most consequential improvements for skiers and snowboarders, particularly as Eastern ski resorts work to maximize increasingly unpredictable periods of favorable snowmaking weather.
