Killington Resort marked its first full year of independence with a message of confidence, growth, and follow-through. In a presentation to the community on October 16, 2025, leadership shared that the resort not only met its goals but surpassed them, finishing the year with $38 million invested in capital improvements. From upgraded lifts to smarter snowmaking and expanded guest facilities, the team showed clear commitment to reinvesting in the mountain experience.
Investment and Independence
Killington’s new ownership celebrated one year of independence by doing exactly what they promised. Originally planning $30 million in spending, the resort increased capital investment three times, closing the year at $38 million. This financial strength has allowed for staff-wide bonuses, upgraded systems, and long-term project planning already underway for next season.
Winter Recap
The 2024-25 season brought more than 250 inches of snowfall and a strong winter overall, even with a tricky spring that delivered only 32 inches after March. Snowmaking on Devil’s Fiddle and Vertigo helped extend terrain options, while the on-mountain safety team expanded to improve guest support. Lift reliability improved, and new data tools helped the operations team monitor guest flow more closely to reduce perceived downtime.
Smarter Snowmaking and Smoother Lifts
Few mountains invest in snowmaking at the level Killington has. This year saw more than 1,000 new low-energy tower guns, 24,000 feet of new pipe, and a major pump-house upgrade at Bear Mountain that increased water capacity by 25%. A long-time bottleneck near Superstar was fixed, boosting flow from 1,200 to 4,500 gallons per minute. The resort also introduced software that maps every hydrant and tracks snow depth in real time.
Lift projects are equally ambitious. The Superstar 6-pack is now complete, featuring a new maintenance bay, backup power for full-speed operation, and improved load and unload areas. Next summer, the Snowden Triple will be replaced with a $6.5 million high-speed quad, further improving reliability and line flow near the K-1 base area.
On-Mountain Improvements
Guests will notice smoother runs and more consistent grooming this winter. Killington added five new groomers (including a winch cat stationed at Pico), rebuilt the Skyship top retaining wall, and invested in new equipment to handle rock work and fill recycling in-house. These changes reduce the need for outside contractors and speed up future trail projects.
Parking, Access, and Guest Flow
To improve access on busy weekends, staff parking has been moved to the H Building lot, freeing up guest spaces closer to the lifts. On-road parking at Skyeship has been eliminated for safety and traffic flow, and new enforcement technology is targeting pass sharing. About 300 passes were confiscated last season, and Killington is now using cameras with AI facial similarity checks to protect passholder value.
Food, Lodges, and Gathering Spaces
Several key food and facility upgrades are in motion to ease crowding and enhance the mountain experience. The Jamaican Grill will be rebuilt with 160 indoor and 100 outdoor seats, expanded restrooms, and a full kitchen while keeping the same beloved menu. The Yurt is being rebuilt in wood and metal, moving to a reservation-based system, and gaining new uphill access. The Umbrella Bar has been rebuilt with a wood-insulated roof and may be replicated at South Ridge.
Pico Mountain Enhancements
Pico continues to see thoughtful investment focused on learning terrain and accessibility. The Bonanza carpet area is being rebuilt with a gentler slope, an interior lift has been added for Vermont Adaptive, and Pico has been fully integrated into the Killington app for a smoother guest experience.
Summer Recap and What’s Next
Despite a rainy May that delayed the opening of the Bike Park and Adventure Center, Killington managed to complete a full resurfacing of Blue Magic and Lower Roller trails. The permit for this work took a full year, but the results have already improved summer flow and rider satisfaction. Summer revenue held steady thanks to strong events and scenic visits, setting the stage for even more growth next season.
Development and Future Projects
Permitting and construction continue at a steady pace. The Bear Mountain Base Camp project is progressing, new parking plans meet environmental requirements, and the Village Project is advancing through the Act 250 process. A new Ramshead trail has been permitted, and the Snowshed carpet relocation is scheduled for next summer once permitting wraps up. The resort’s long-term focus remains clear: reinvest in core infrastructure while preserving the mountain environment.
Looking Ahead
Next year’s planned spending totals about $22 million, including the Snowden Quad, the Jamaican Grill rebuild, new snowmaking pipe, additional groomers, and essential maintenance projects. As the resort heads into year two of independence, the message from management is simple: continued investment, improved guest experience, and steady progress toward a sustainable future for Killington.
Posted by Simple Vacation Rentals — keeping Killington owners, guests, and the local community informed about what’s new on the mountain.
