Killington Insider

The Beast is Back!

Killington has long been known as the Beast of the East, and we’re proud to bring it back!

For the past decade, you’ve seen a softer side of Killington in how we present ourselves. Endless Adventures, Rise Above and Nowhere Else were tag lines that may have worked in the short term, but never had a long-standing message, feel or sense of pride.

For too long, we’ve let other mountains compare themselves to Killington. Fact is no other resort in the Northeast can compare to Killington in terms of size, terrain, lifts and snowmaking. No other resort area has a five-mile long access road loaded with the best après, dining and nightlife you’ll find in ski country.

Over the next few weeks, you’ll see our new ads, new look and a new website. As we welcome back the Beast of the East, just remember, it’s more than a marketing term. It’s who we are! It’s who you are!

Welcome back to the Beast of the East!

   
 

Top six things we need to do to prepare for ski season!

The first flakes of the season have already fallen on Killington Peak, and that means the season is right around the corner. We’re getting all fired up to fire up the World’s Most Extensive Snowmaking System, but there are a number of things we need to finish before we open for the season, here are six of them:

1. Install rebuilt tracks on snowcats
2. Mail out season passes!
3. Finish pressure testing snowmaking system
4. Install new fan guns (concrete pouring today)
5. Complete enhancements to The Stash (Check out the photo of the New Double Ha Ha to Wall Ride!)
6. Hire staff! (Lots of great opportunities at Killington!)

Now that we have our top 6 list, here is yours, courtesy of Katja Presnal of Skibamco.com.

Change in the weather this week

Big changes in our overall weather pattern are upon us as the National Weather Service is forecasting the possibility of the first snowfall of the season Wednesday night into Thursday morning atop Killington Peak.

The Weather Channel, Accuweather.com and Snowforecast.com are all calling for cooler temperatures and rain, but no snow. So what how much credibility can we put into the NWS forecast for our first snowfall of the season?

For starters, the National Weather Service utilizes a pinpoint forecast for Killington Peak at an elevation of 3,113, which is about the halfway between the K-1 Lodge and Killington Peak, or about halfway down Cascade Trail. Snowforecast.com uses the same NWS forecast for 3,113 feet. The Weather Channel forecast, displayed on our snow report page, is pinpointed for Snowshed Lodge at 2,000 feet. Accuweather.com is forecasting for the Town of Killington at approximately 1,000 feet.

All organizations use similar data in preparing forecasts, but meteorologist’s interpretation of the information is where the variables come into play. In addition, computer models, synthetic forecasts, normal “climatic” values and historical data are all tools utilized for compiling forecast information. The University of Illinois offers basic forecasting information in its WW2010 project.

Looking back, last season we saw a quick dusting of snow in early October. That snow stuck to the slopes for about two hours before melting away. Then on Oct. 22, 2008 (pictured here), the first significant snowfall of the season occurred with 7 inches falling at the Peak. The following week on Oct. 28, 2008 another 10 inches fell at the Peak and snowmaking was underway. We opened for skiing and riding Nov. 2-6, then re-opened for the season on Nov. 19, 2008.

Regardless, if you’re heading to the Killington Brewfest, dress accordingly because the forecast is calling for cooler temps and a chance of showers.

Seeded moguls coming to Killington

Killington has long been known as a mogul skier’s paradise, especially with Outer Limits, the longest, steepest mogul run in the east. And of course, we can’t forget Superstar’s super bumps on a warm spring day!

For the coming season, mogul skiers will see, well, more moguls here at Killington! We’ll be offering a seeded mogul run for the 2009-10 season on Lower Vertigo. In addition, we’ll be looking at options for more “natural” bumps on some of our classic signature runs such as Outer Limits, Superstar and Ovation.

The mogul course on Lower Vertigo will be classified as a terrain park on our 2009-10 trail map and the status will be updated daily on our snow/trail report at www.Killington.com

New coating saves energy = more snow!

Killington Resort continues to partner with Efficiency Vermont on a number of projects to reduce our overall energy usage, especially when it comes to the World’s Most Extensive Snowmaking System.

Last summer during the re-build process on three of our seven snowmaking pumps at the Snowshed Pump House, we applied a new coating (pictured here inside the pump head) that reduces friction and overall energy consumption by five percent. Due to the resulting savings and partnership with EV, we have applied the coating to the other four pumps at Snowshed and all other pumps throughout the Resort, including pumps at Bear Mountain and the Mixing Bowl. By partnering with EV, we’ll also see an ROI of approximately one season on the new coating.

Considering snowmaking uses more energy than anything else here at the resort, the overall impact will

allow us to improve our snowmaking efficiency. Indeed, with each pump supplying 800 gallons per minute – enough to operate 20 Low Energy guns – we’re able to maximize our water resources and improved snowmaking production.

With snowmaking set to begin toward the latter part of October, we’ll see the full impact of this upgrade and the resulting energy savings pretty soon.

 

Pressure testing and polishing the gem continues

With less than five weeks until snowmaking is scheduled to begin for the 2009-10 season, crews are busy pressure testing the World’s Most Extensive Snowmaking System, checking for leaks and blowouts that suck energy and limit snow production.

Nothing is worse than a snowmaking blowout, so pressure checks play a key role in optimizing overall system efficiency and ensuring that all the water and air going into the system comes out as snow on the other end. Mobile compressors are being moved around the mountain area as pressure checks continue for the next couple of weeks. This photo here was shot Tuesday at the bottom of Superstar.

Our new Techno Alpin M-18 fan guns will be moved up on the hill in the next few weeks. Concrete foundations are scheduled to be poured late next week and after a curing period, the towers and guns will be moved into place around mid-October. In the meantime, crews will be working on power and water lines to the new guns.

Mowing operations continue on the vast majority of trails. All the upper mountain trails have been mowed and trimmed back and crews are working on the lower slopes over the next few days. We have also re-graded the kids learn to ski/ride area at the base of Ramshead for improved access this winter. We’ve also completed lift painting for the summer, including the Superstar Express towers.

System checks for lifts are also on-going. Tuesday morning the Ramshead Express was put through a series of tests, including running at full speed!

Skiing Magazine ranks Killington No. 2 in the East

The new Skiing Magazine Resort rankings have been released and Killington Resort has moved up to the No. 2 spot in the East in the Resort Awards – Best of the East category.

We’re stoked that the readers of Skiing have recognized us as one of the best and we will continue to strive for the top spot by improving our guest service and the skiing experience for the coming season.

The No. 2 Skiing Magazine ranking comes on the heels of a No. 6 ranking in the East by SKI Magazine and a top-ranking as Favorite Eastern Ski resort by the 3,500 readers of Snoweast magazine.

Skiing Magazine 2009
Best of the East
1. Stowe, VT
2. Killington, VT
3. Jay Peak, VT
4. Sugarloaf, ME
5. Mont Tremblant, QC
6. Mad River Glen, VT
7. Sunday River, ME
8. Snowshoe, WV
9. Stratton, VT
10. Whiteface Mountain, NY

Rails, Bumps and Burton pack 09-10 Killington events schedule

We’re bringing a new four-event rail jam to both Killington Resort and Pico Mountain this winter for both skiers and riders, plus videographers can square off throughout the series by presenting their best two-minute video for tons of great prizes.

The K-Town Showdown series will kick off Dec.  19 in the Mouse Run (early season) Terrain Park, then move to the Outer Limits Rail Park on Jan. 16; then Pico Mountain on the new Triple Slope Terrain Park Feb. 13 and the finals back at the OL Rail Park on April 3.

The popular $15,000 Rails2Riches returns Dec. 5 as Rosey and his team debut new features on the lower slope of Highline in front of the K-1 Lodge. However, this season, Rails2Riches won’t be the season kickoff. That claim will now go to our Pre-Season Rail Jam scheduled for Nov. 7 at the K-1 area. More details to follow as weather, snowmaking and Mother Nature work together to provide a unique venue for this early-season event.

This is a big year for the Bud Light Bear Mountain Mogul Challenge as the event celebrates 30 years of bump bashing on Outer Limits. Amateur bumpers will tackle the steepest, longest mogul run in the East on Saturday and Sunday. However, we may introduce a pro-event for Sunday, stay tuned for details. In addition, the BMMC will also feature the Bud Light Beer Festival and live entertainment under a huge tent at Bear Mountain, so the brews and bands will happen regardless of the snow falling outside!

The Burton Super Demo Tour comes to town March 12-14 along with The Stash Gathering, featuring the best riders in the east and throughout the lands riding, jibbing and jumping in our all-natural terrain park. Look for demos, entertainment, and interactive experiences to fill the weekend. The Super Demo Topur offers riders a chance to check out and ride the latest Burton gear. Liv2Ride has a great review on one of these events from last season.

Beer, fall colors on tap for foliage season

The colors are just now starting to change and the Vermont Department of Tourism says the upcoming foliage season could be the best in recent years after a cool, rainy summer. They have created a pretty cool map to highlight the changing colors throughout the state for the upcoming foliage season.

 

We are once again offering “Leaf Peepers” aerial foliage viewing opportunities on the K-1 Gondola weekends through October 4, and then daily October 5-12.

 

Our central location provides “Peepers” the perfect opportunity to enjoy all the region has to offer. Within minutes of the resort are a host quintessential Vermont towns such as Woodstock, Pittsfield, Manchester and Rutland, all of which feature numerous fall events and farmers markets. Historically, the leaves start to change the second to third week of September with “peak foliage season taking place around the first to second week of October,” according to the Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing.

 

One of the best ways to catch the fall colors is by visiting the Killington Brewfest on Saturday, Oct. 3. Tickets are only $25 and we already have more than 60 brews on tap from more than 24 breweries. This event always sells out, so the best advice is to purchase your tickets in advance, or book a Brewfest Lodging Package, which includes a Brewfest ticket and avoid the lines of those that failed to pre-purchase at the event.

Take a Schuss Down Killington’s Memory Lane

From the “Beast of the East” to “First to Open, Last to Close” and “Endless Adventures” Killington Resort has meant so much to so many folks throughout the years. Now, it’s time to relive those memories on Sept. 19 at the Grand Hotel.

Karen Lorentz, author of Killington, A Story of Mountains and Men has assembled a wonderful “Schuss Down Memory Lane” evening featuring the pioneers, founders, and 'oldies but goodies' of Killington sharing fun stories at what promises to be the “roast of the century” for the king of Eastern skiing.

Pres Smith, Joe and Mary Sargent, Wally Morrison, and a host of early Killingtonites, including many locals, will be among those sharing their most memorable but light-hearted ski tales.

A Schuss Down Memory Lane is free and open to the public. Doors open at 6 p.m. for those who want to enjoy socializing and listen to the original Killington Trio, which is regrouping for this special occasion.

Guests will also be able to view the North Country Lady films and mini-museum exhibits, or buy a copy of the limited 50th Anniversary edition of the new Killington book. Lorentz will be on hand to sign for those who want an official collector’s edition.

A number of local restaurants are offering dinner specials prior to the evening’s event, including the Santa Fe Steakhouse, Outback Pizza and Ovations Restaurant.