Killington, Vermont – On a warm Sunday two weekends ago, I visited Killington Resort. The typical Spring crowds were hanging around Superstar, making large bumps on the Superstar glacier. When leaving, I decided to take Killington Road to Vermont Route 4, as I enjoy checking out the town rather than the windy East Mountain Road. Before you reach the intersection between Killington Road and Route 100, signs basically force you to turn onto West Hill Road. Behind that sign, the road is dug out as infrastructure work begins on what will transform the town of Killington.
Back in February, work began on the infrastructure that will help build Killington’s base village. In April, work commenced on the infrastructure projects for Killington Road. Approved by Killington voters in March 2023, the more than $60 million infrastructure package will improve Killington’s water system and roads. Killington’s water system has dealt with PFAs, so upgrades are needed for the town’s existing businesses and the planned village. According to an interview that Killington Town Manager Michael Ramsey gave to the Mountain Times, the water pipeline connections to private businesses in the town could come online beginning in 2026 or 2027.
This project is the first step in developing a 450-acre base village at Killington Resort. Planned to be situated at and between the Snowshed and Ramshead base lodges, the village could have a mix of residences, new lodges, commercial space, restaurants, bars, and a ski beach. VT Digger reported last week that the first phase would include 225 residences and 32,000 square feet of commercial space. Eventually, the village could add up to 2,300 housing units, which would be built out in the coming decades. The development could bring in 1000 construction jobs and 1200 permanent gigs. This is a core part of the $3 billion redevelopment plan for Killington Resort.
Great Gulf, which is the developer behind the plans, explained to the State of Vermont the potential of this plot of land:
“Killington’s major competition has benefitted from development of base area villages in recent years, while land ownership hurdles left Killington without. The master plan entitlements make Killington the largest ski area development opportunity in North America.”
To prepare for the influx of workers this base village will need, Killington will develop 300 workforce housing units on a 70-acre plot of land. Killington Resort and Great Gulf have pledged $700,000 to help the town buy the land where the worker housing will be.
As is always the case in Vermont, these development plans require Act 250 approval. Established in 1970, this process is a development review by the state to ensure that projects “complement Vermont’s unique landscape, economy and community needs.” If they get the approval without any unexcepted hurdles, they intend to begin construction in the Spring of 2025, with phase one possibly opening in 2027.
Image Credits: Great Gulf, Killington Resort, Town of Killington, Vermont
