The Longest Season in the East Starts This Week as Killington Resort Prepares for the Audi FIS Ski World Cup Races

Vermont’s Killington Resort, the largest ski and snowboard destination in Eastern North America, and part of POWDR, is scheduled to kick off its 2018-19 winter season at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, October 19, 2018, becoming the first Eastern resort to open for skiing and snowboarding.

The first turns of the season, on Friday, October 19, will be reserved exclusively for Season Pass, Express Card, Beast365 and Ikon Pass holders. The resort will open to the general public on Saturday, October 20, 2018 at 9:00 a.m. Killington’s operating schedule for the remainder of the week will be updated in real time at www.killington.com/conditions.

“Mother Nature played her role, giving us cool temps, but this summer’s snowmaking enhancements as a part of our $25 million dollar capital investment really gave us a leg up,” says Mike Solimano, president and general manager of Killington Resort and Pico Mountain. “Killington is on track to, once again, be the first ski area in the East to open and, for the third winter in a row, get the resort ready for the World Cup races in just a few weeks.”

On Friday, October 19, 2018, the K-1 Express Gondola will provide uploading and downloading to open terrain for skiers and snowboarders from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. and the North Ridge Triple lift will allow uploading until 3:45 p.m. Skiers and snowboarders will use the Peak Walkway to access open terrain and return to the K-1 Express Gondola for the trip down to the base area when finished for the day. Skiing and snowboarding will be on advanced terrain only, providing roughly 600 vertical feet of open trails. No beginner terrain is available at this time. Early season conditions exist and snowmaking and other on-mountain operations may be in progress throughout the day on open terrain.

The Snowshed Sales Center will be open Thursday 8:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. and Friday starting at 7:00 a.m., for RFID pass pick up and pass purchases. K-1 Guest Services will be open starting at 7:00 a.m. on Friday selling Season Passes and Express Cards for same-day access to the slopes. Express Card holders will only be charged $25 for all ages on Opening Day, and children ages 6 and under will receive a Kids Ski Free ticket if accompanied by a season pass holder. No other passes, tickets, vouchers or reciprocal discounts will be accepted on this day. Beginning Saturday, daily lift tickets will be $59 for adults (ages 19-64), $45 for youth (ages 7-18) and $50 for seniors (ages 65-79). Express Card holders will receive 50% off lift ticket window rate for midweek, and 25% off weekend rates.

Remaining a longstanding tradition, season Pass holders are invited to enjoy free lunch on Friday at the K-1 Café, North Ridge Dog Sled or Peak Lodge as a show of gratitude for their commitment to Killington Resort.

Beginning on Saturday, October 20, 2018, K-1 Express Gondola lift hours will be 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. for uphill loading. The North Ridge Triple lift will allow uploading until 3:45 p.m.

During the World Cup races, which will take place on November 23-25, public access to the Expo Village, which is adjacent to the finish area and is free entrance for spectator viewing, will offer unparalleled access to watch the fastest female alpine ski racers in the world compete in slalom and giant slalom events. Additional World Cup events include free concerts by Paul Oakenfold, Michael Franti, KT Tunstall and Guster, plus movie premiers, fireworks, parades and more. A full schedule of the Killington Cup events can be found at killington.com/worldcup.

Killington will remain open to the public for skiing and snowboarding as conditions permit. Skiers and riders can prepare for Opening Day by purchasing Season Passes and Express Cards now at killington.com and 1-800-621-MTNS (6867).

About Killington Resort
Killington Resort is a four season destination sitting on 3,000 acres in the heart of Central Vermont’s Green Mountains. The Beast of the East boasts 92 miles of diverse snow sports terrain spread across six peaks including Pico Mountain, served by the most expansive lift network and snowmaking system in Eastern North America. After the snow melts, Killington features an 18-hole championship golf course, the family-friendly Snowshed Adventure Center, 30 miles of mountain biking trails with expansion underway with Gravity Logic, plus 15 miles of hiking trails. The seemingly infinite après, dining, and lodging options have made Killington a world-class destination for East Coast skiers and riders for over 55 years. Killington is part of the POWDR portfolio. Visit www.killington.com for more information and be social with #beast365, #beastworldcup and #beastwinter.