Killington Resort

Closed
Heather Burke
SnowPak Local Insider
Heather Burke
Pros
  • Beyond skiing, Killington offers other activities such as snowmobile tours and tubing
  • Great for intermediate and advanced skiers who seek challenging glades and mogul trails
  • One of the best ski resort in Vermont for nightlife
Cons
  • Difficult to navigate the mountain’s trail and lift layout

Overall

4.5

Nicknamed the Beast of the East, Killington is not only the biggest in Vermont but also eastern North America. A wide variety of terrain spreads across seven peaks and extensive snowmaking makes it a great option for skiers and snowboarders. Being big isn't its only drawcard, the resort also has the longest ski season in Vermont, often from October to May!

Best month to go

Mid-January to Mid-March

Killington in January is generally colder while February and early March serve up the best chance of the great snow.

FLY TO

Rutland Southern Vermont Regional Airport

DRIVE TO

Killington Resort (30 minutes)

Killington (1-5 mi)

  • Most accommodation along Killington Road
  • Most convenient location to slopes and dining and nightlife options
  • Some lodging close to slopes but most a short bus ride away

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Pico Mountain (Walk)

  • Condos and hotels close to Pico Mountain lifts
  • Cheaper lodging than Killington
  • A bus ride away from Killington slopes

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Rutland (10-15 mi)

  • Affordable lodging compared to Killington and Pico Mountain
  • 25 minute drive to Killington Resort
  • Variety of grocery stores and shopping

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Woodstock (15-20 mi)

  • 35 minutes drive away
  • Range of local shops and charming atmosphere
  • Ideal for couples

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For beginners

Beginners will have plenty to choose from with green trails across the whole resort. For never-evers, the Snowshed and Ramshead are beginner areas are perfect for learning on. Our favorite for beginners though is Great Eastern. It has the most vertical here (2,552 ft) winding from the top of Skye Peak all the way down to the Skyeship base!

For intermediates

With blue trails running everywhere, intermediates are quite spoilt for choice at Killington. Snowdon Mountain has quite a few good intermediate runs while Skyelark to High Road and onto Bittersweet is our top run! Our ultimate ski area for intermediates though is at Pico Mountain. There are less crowds, longer trails and the terrain is more suitable for intermediates.

For experts

Advanced and Experts won't have any problems finding fun and challenging runs here! Head up to Killington Peak and the top of K-1 Express for some of the best expert terrain including steep bowl which has trees. Our favorite trails though include The Jug, Jug Handle and Breakway. These black diamonds see less traffic as it's in a relatively secluded section of the mountain, plus the snow here is better!

Find freshies

As the saying in the East goes "The goods are in the woods". Freshies are usually found in glades such as Big Dipper and Julio where the wind blows the powder into the trees. Glades are usually rated for advanced and experts so they don't get tracked out as quickly, plus the snow usually stays fresh even days after a storm.

Ditch the crowds

Unless it's very early or very late it's best to avoid the long lift queues at the K-1 Express and the Ramshead Express Quad on busy weekends. Instead of the K-1 Express, take the Snowdon Triple, ski down Killink and then hop aboard the North Ridge Triple, It'll get you close to the slopes off K-1 Express.

Non skiers

The Beast of the East is well known for its fantastic skiing but other than that, non-skiers might find themselves quite bored here. Besides the few winter activities here (snowshoeing, tubing, snowmobiling etc), there isn't much for non-skiers to do at Killington.

Families

The beginner terrain at the connected Snowshed and Ramshead base areas are the best spots for families. Ramshead is also the base for ski lessons and child care. There are also fun winter activities for the whole family to enjoy such as tubing and riding the Beast Mountain Coaster.

Save up to 38% when you book a Killington Resort package!

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Killington Resort Reviews

Very Good 4.2 / 5
based on 77 reviews

How well the resort caters for beginner skiers / boarders

Beginners

How well the resort caters for intermediate skiers / boarders?

Intermediates

How well the resort caters for advanced skiers / boarders

Advanced

How accessible and convenient it is to get to this resort from a major destination

Accessibility

Quality of the off-piste terrain

Side/Backcountry

Overall value for money of the resort

Value for money

Quality of lifts, lift speed and lift layout in the resort

Lifts

Quantity and quality of the snow

Snow

How uncrowded is the resort

Uncrowded

Après ski and dining options

Town

Services and facilities e.g. child care, tubing, health care, equipment hire

Facilities

How family friendly is this resort?

Family Friendliness
Fabulous!4.3 / 5Nov 13, 2019
Killington Resort ReviewsZada H.
advanced skier
Such a great resort for all levels of riding! I always start my day at Bear mt working over to sky peak to get the first tracks on my favorite warm up run, cruise control! Then working my way through each peak and of course taking great eastern far too many times! The terrain parks offer features for all riders and the glades are a must! I love... More
Good!3.8 / 5Aug 08, 2019
Killington Resort ReviewsKen L.
advanced snowboarder
Sweet gondola that takes you from the parking lot to the Mt. They have waffle Haus and a liquor bar mid way up the mountain in case you need to get your drink on or grab some munchies #420!... More
Very Good!3.9 / 5Aug 08, 2019
Killington Resort ReviewsTory S.
expert snowboarder
Killington is a lot of fun and you will have a great time here, but it’s not the best Vermont has to offer. If you have friends who don’t ski, then this could be a great option, as there is plenty to do off the slopes. If you are really trying to shred, I suggest Stowe or Jay Peak... More
Good!3.8 / 5Aug 08, 2019
Killington Resort ReviewsAndrew S.
expert skier
Killington is a great resort and very family friendly. I've been skiing there since 1 1/2 when my mom would hold me between her legs as we went down the mountain. Very family friendly. Great variety of terrain with beginner greens, advanced blacks, and off posted for those who want a little extra and know how to avoid ski patrol. (I didn't say... More
Very Good!4 / 5Aug 08, 2019
Killington Resort ReviewsAndrew S.
expert skier
Killington is a great resort and very family friendly. I've been skiing there since 1 1/2 when my mom would hold me between her legs as we went down the mountain. Very family friendly. Great variety of terrain with beginner greens, advanced blacks, and off posted for those who want a little extra and know how to avoid ski patrol. (I didn't say... More
Good!3.8 / 5Aug 08, 2019
Killington Resort ReviewsAndrew S.
expert skier
Killington is a great resort and very family friendly. I've been skiing there since 1 1/2 when my mom would hold me between her legs as we went down the mountain. Very family friendly. Great variety of terrain with beginner greens, advanced blacks, and off posted for those who want a little extra and know how to avoid ski patrol. (I didn't say... More
Fabulous!4.4 / 5Jul 01, 2019
Killington Resort ReviewsYehuda Z.
intermediate snowboarder
One of the best mountains I've ever gone to the service is unbelievable and the sloaps are well groomed and the features are allways top level you can be a beginner or pro and you would love the experience... More
Superb!4.8 / 5May 03, 2019
Killington Resort ReviewsKeith S.
expert skier
The Beast, an east coast icon. You just have to go there to see it for yourself. Such a good variety of terrain and great facilities make it a favorite for anyone who goes there. Not to mention they have a world cup race there quite often! The skiing and boarding is top notch, the glades are where many have learned to ride off-piste (myself... More
Good!3.8 / 5May 03, 2019
Killington Resort ReviewsDerek C.
advanced skier
The beast of the East! I mean you really can't argue with that statement as the resort is huge and their is so much terrian. They continue to make improvements on the mountain every year making it better and better. Can be crowded but still an awesome resort. Highly recommend!... More
Fabulous!4.4 / 5Apr 29, 2019
AUAndrew U.
intermediate snowboarder
Great resort! Went there with friends multiple weekends and had a blast. Great mountain to learn as well as get more advanced. Definitely recommend to any type of rider. Plan on coming back much more!... More