Killington Insider

Good Morning America Live Atop Killington Peak Sunday

KILLINGTON, Vt. (September 30, 2008) – Killington Resort welcomes ABC’s Good Morning America and their “50 States in 50 Days” tour this Sunday atop Killington Peak.

GMA’s Marysol Castro will broadcast weather and Vermont feature segments live from 7 to 9 a.m. and the public is welcome to be part of the production. Killington Resort will offer free roundtrip rides on the K-1 Gondola from 6:00 to 9:30 a.m. and a free continental breakfast at the Peak Restaurant. And, just like the Times Square studios, folks are encouraged to bring signs, smiling faces and be ready to cheer at the Peak!

"On my way to shoot our features in Vermont last week for Sunday’s show, a friend said, 'You're going to God's country.'  It is true. This state is so beautiful, the people so kind, and we're so happy to be broadcasting live from Killington Peak,” Castro said. “I just hope we get invited back when it snows!"

“With peak foliage viewing expected this weekend, we’re excited to host Good Morning America and open the gondola early for those that want to be part of the live show and enjoy the beautiful fall colors,” said Patricia Ryan, Killington’s director of marketing, sales and reservations.

The scenic ride on the K-1 Gondola to the highest lift-served terrain in Vermont offers an opportunity to view the foliage colors in the heart of the Green Mountains. In addition, the summit of Killington Peak, a short 10-minute hike from the top of the gondola, provides a panoramic view of five states and Canada on a crisp, clear autumn day. Beginning Saturday, the K-1 Gondola will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Monday, October 13.

 

The Stash

Work on The Stash continues as Rosey and the boys are building, digging, cutting and moving the many features that will make up the organic terrain park off the top of Skye Peak.

The park will have 34 features spread out over approximately 12 acres. It is scheduled to open December 19, weather and conditions permitting of course.

Below are some additional photos provided by Corey and the crew.

Fire in the Hole!

Blasting work continued Friday on the new Great Eastern Trail off Skye Peak in preparation for grading and snowmaking installation. Check out the photos we captured as crews detonated 1,200 pounds of explosives.

Towers topped!

The helicopter was back in the air today placing the tower assemblies for the new Skye Peak Express.

The foundation has also been poured for the lower terminal and construction is well underway on the upper terminal.

Trail cutting is also complete on Gateway, The Stash, Bittersweet and the new Great Eastern Trail off Skye Peak. Trail contouring is now taking place along with snowmaking installation.

What a Blast!

Trail work and installation of the new Skye Peak Express continues daily here at the resort and beginning Friday, Sept. 12 blasting will begin!

Demolition crews are on site preparing for the first blast on the new Great Eastern Trail off the top of Skye Peak. Blasting will take place daily between 2 and 5 p.m. with one blast scheduled per day until the work is complete. During this time, we ask that everyone remain clear of the Skye Peak construction area.

In addition, work on The Stash is progressing, according to Jay "Rosey" Rosenbuam, Killington's pipe and parks manager. "We have an excavator up on the hill today and we'll begin some contour work on the slope as we prep for the arrival of some the new features."

Concrete pouring begins Friday for the lower terminal of the Skye Peak Express and the helicopter returns next week to place the tower assemblies and move some of the Stash features into place.

  Foundation work for the lower terminal of the SPE

The new haul cable has arrived

Painting the SPE towers

Tower assemblies will be flown into place next week

Let the cutting begin!

We begin trail cutting on a new section of Lower Gateway, the new Great Eastern trail off the top of Skye Peak and the new Burton Stash on Thursday, Sept. 4, 2008.

These new trails and many other enhancements – including the elimination of the Snowshed Crossover – will allow for uninterrupted top-to-bottom skiing and riding on trails such as Vertigo, Skyeburst, Cruise Control and Needle’s Eye.

In addition, we have renamed a few trails and re-routed Bittersweet, which will become a top-to-bottom Blue Square trail, with a new section that by-passes the headwall on the upper section.

The installation of the Skye Peak Express continues and will serve all our new trails and The Stash. In the coming days and weeks, we’ll have many photos showing our progress and the many new features you’ll see at Killington for the 2008/09 ski an snowboard season.

Check out the new trail map: http://www.killington.com/images/08-09_Trail_Guide.jpg

Skye Peak Express towers ready for the crossarms to be flown on.

The Old Skye Peak terminal being removed.

Timber!

More snowmaking pipe is being replaced.

Rosy and the crew have been hard at work cutting The Stash.

The fallen timber will be used to build The Stash.

Stash view.

Another Stash view.

Clearing the stumps on The Stash.