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
Very Good!3.9 / 5Mar 22, 2019
Killington Resort ReviewsJared P.
expert skier
Fun mountain, if you know your way around it's not too hard to avoid the crowds. Locals often prefer to ski at Pico nextdoor, which usually a bit less crowded and has more impressive glades, that even days after a storm you can still find fresh lines to ski.... More
Fabulous!4.3 / 5Mar 22, 2019
WMWave M.
advanced skier
Love it brought my daughter for the first time and she had a blast . We try to make a big trip each year and this was her favorite looking at bring her back... More
Poor!1.8 / 5May 21, 2018
AMArty M.
expert skier
Powdr Corporation is killing the good vibes that Killington is known for. Killington is down to 1 trail left, and charging $70 for a day ticket. Swindling customers who want to get a few mogul turns in before transitioning to summer activities is disgusting. Lodges are closed, grooming and on hill operations are diminimus, yet good ole Powdr... More
Superb!4.7 / 5May 11, 2018
Killington Resort ReviewsGregory D.
advanced skier
Best mountain in vermont in my opinion. Has some gnarly terrain but also some good trails for begginers. The only downside is that the gondola is the only way up to the main peak. But they have 3.... More
Fabulous!4.5 / 5May 11, 2018
Killington Resort ReviewsJason L.
advanced skier
Killington's snowmaking reigns supreme! I have never skied as late as the end of April, that I did this year. You can plan ahead and buy a ticket online and save money. The terrain is varied and an Advanced Intermediate such as myself will thoroughly enjoy themselves.... More
Superb!4.6 / 5May 01, 2018
Killington Resort ReviewsMatthew K.
advanced skier
The beast of the east. Killington has everything you could want. Their discount programs make it accessible for all. Apres scene is great. Watch out for the local cops on Rt 4... More
Poor!1.8 / 5Apr 19, 2018
SRSki R.
expert skier
Hey folks, time for bad news... Killington was working tirelessly to return to the top of the Eastern ski market, but has fallen behind the times when it comes to value in the ski industry. Outdated lodges, unreliable lift operations, poor season pass product offerings (they want you to sign an unbreakable contract), weather closures (who closes a... More
Good!3.6 / 5Dec 06, 2017
JOJim O.
intermediate snowboarder
One of the best in the country, and certain top-tier in the east. Awesome terrain, and consistently good conditions and facilities. Lodge is east coast classic, simple and down to business right away because you're there for the mountain not posing by the fire. What more could you want?... More
Very Good!4.2 / 5Nov 27, 2017
JSJonathan S.
advanced skier
Killington is the largest, and more big resort like, east coast destination. The variety of terrain is unlike anything in the area, with something for all skill levels. If you live on the east coast, you have to visit the beast of the east.... More
Good!3.9 / 5Nov 24, 2017
DJDaniel J.
expert snowboarder
The BEAST! Maybe the most renowned resort in the East, Killington is rad! Very large for it's region and impressively well maintained. From the trails and facilities tot he parks they take care of their product. A bit more expensive than average for the east, but you get what you pay for. I know it's tough to leave a little early, but go to Sushi... More