We continue to take advantage of cold upper mountain temperatures and produce snow on Rime, Reason, Upper Double Dipper and Great Northern Trails. The current weather conditions have allowed us to utilize our Ratnik and HKD Low Energy snow guns for maximum production and lower energy consumption.
This morning temperatures were 19 degrees at the peak, 26 at the base of Northridge and 30 at the base of K-1. Based on the current forecast, snowmaking will continue on the upper mountain through Saturday morning.
Over the past four days we have focused our efforts on stockpiling snow on the upper mountain area. We chose this strategy based upon mild temperatures forecasted for the coming week (Oct. 18-24). When the next cold spell arrives, we expect to have minimal snow production involved to prepare the upper mountain area, allowing us to focus snow making production on the lower mountain trails.
In addition, our new Techno-Alpin M-18 fan gun will be operational soon and producing snow as weather conditions permit. The new gun will be located on Snowdon Mountain at the intersection of Lower Chute, Great Northern and Mouse Trap.
While we are gearing up for an early November opening, all of us here at the mountain are very excited to kick off the season and we remain committed to open as soon as snow and weather conditions allow us to provide our guests with a quality top-to-bottom skiing experience.
I am still curious as to what has changed where Killington use to open the 'Glades' (up/downloading on the Canyon Quad) as soon as the weather was cold enough.
I would enjoy and be willing to pay a reasonable lift ticket fee for the pure Fun! and proverbial "bragging rights" of first turns in early October.
Also, at season's end, Killington use to stay open until at least Memorial Day at May's end on the 'King of Spring' trail, Superstar. Again, I would be willing to come and ski for the fun of last turns at season's end.
I am truly sorry it is no longer this way.
Thank you.
Bill
Posted by: bill | October 16, 2009 at 07:04 PM
I agree we all want Killington to open first!Now we have to ski at Sunday River.
Posted by: Randy | October 17, 2009 at 12:52 AM
"Beast of the East" has, as of late, turned into the "Same as the Rest". Gone are the days when you are getting turns in during October and June. One would think that during economic times such as these, being open first would give an area so much in free publicity it would be worth the effort. Now Killington opens and closes the same time others do. Sad.
Posted by: Kevin | October 20, 2009 at 08:41 AM
Actually they open later and close sooner than alot of other mountains. Not The Beast of The East by no means.
Posted by: Randy | October 24, 2009 at 06:34 PM
I have to weigh in, though I haven't looked at any of their balance sheets over the last couple of years, I think Killington is doing what it has to to remain open and profitable. I mean, if they thought early opening would be a form of publicity (though not free by any means, lots of labor and fuel costs) I am sure the folks at powdr would do it. Also, the product they offer has to be of a certain quality--look at the place today on the webcam...it is nice to open early for the few who would get out there, but the company has to hemorrhage money to get it out there only to watch it melt...and run down the access road!! Staying open late into the season, however, should be made to be cost effective. Spring skiing is a staple of this mountain and shows off the best that skiing has to offer--soft snow, bright sunshine and burgers on the deck!!!
I remember when early skiing went from the peak to the midstation on the old K-1 chair--it was amazing and intense but all they had to run was the K-1. Now they have to run the gondola or the quad to get people up there, probably triple the electricity, maybe more. We should think more about energy usage now, not just maximizing the early and late season. And there is always the option of hiking up.
Posted by: Jonathan | October 25, 2009 at 09:37 AM
To Randy's Post.. "a lot of other areas " closed after Killington ???? Name one ? I got 55 days in last year from early Nov. til late april....give it a rest !!
Posted by: Ken | October 25, 2009 at 08:23 PM
Hey Ken, I agree with Randy. I can't believe that Killington is calling themselves "the Beast of the East". I have already been to Sunday River and last spring when Killington closed I then skied Sugarbush, Sugarloaf and Jay Peak.
I tried to hike Killington last spring and was scolded by Killington employees who were cleaning up after the season had ended. After 14 years of being a passholder I am moving on.
Posted by: Mike | October 26, 2009 at 08:33 PM
Last season The Beast opened on Nov 2 and stayed open with good skiing all the way thru to Saturday May 2. Six full months skiing should fill most diehards needs. For those that need more head to South Americia for their winter. Come on Mother Nature. Please send us a long cold snowy winter.
Posted by: Mark Bergstrom | November 01, 2009 at 09:31 AM