Killington
1,509 acres, 155 runs across six peaks. Eastern North America's largest resort, Ikon Pass, longest season.
Season 2026 - 2027
Opens
11 Nov 2026
Closes
24 May 2027
Days open
194
Annual snow
250in
The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Killington's summit reaches 4,241 feet, dropping roughly 3,080 vertical feet to a base at 1,165 feet across 155 runs spread over 1,509 acres near Killington, Vermont. Terrain splits 40 per cent intermediate, 28 per cent advanced, 17 per cent beginner and 15 per cent expert, with average annual snowfall of roughly 250 inches. The resort carries Ikon Pass affiliation. Twenty-one lifts, including ten quad chairs and three gondolas, serve the mountain alongside one double chair, one six-person chair, two triple chairs, three surface lifts and one t-bar.
Killington holds the title of the largest ski resort in Eastern North America, spread across six connected peaks, and markets the longest ski season in the East, a combination that has earned it the enduring nickname the Beast of the East. This considerable scale, paired with a long tradition of skiing innovation, has made Killington one of the most significant resorts in Northeast skiing.
In 1954, 24-year-old ski enthusiast Preston Leete Smith approached Vermont state forester Perry Merrill about leasing state land on Killington Peak to develop what he called Killington Basin. Smith spent nearly four years amassing investor funding, eventually forming the Sherburne Corporation and raising 127,500 US dollars through stock sales at 250 US dollars a share, and Killington opened on 13 December 1958. Under Smith's leadership, the resort pioneered numerous industry innovations, including the ticket wicket, extending the season to six months by opening earlier and closing later, novice terrain served by chairlifts, and early snowmaking installations during the 1960s.
In 1984, the Sherburne Corporation restructured as S-K-I Limited, which also owned Sunday River in Maine and Mount Snow in Vermont, before Les Otten's American Skiing Company took over and listed on the New York Stock Exchange in 1997. Financial difficulties led Killington to become privately owned under Powdr Corp in 2007, and in August 2024 a group of local investors, including Killington homeowners Phill Gross and Michael Ferri, acquired controlling interest in Killington and neighbouring Pico Mountain from Powdr. Adult daily tickets run from 129 to 219 US dollars.
3,077ft
Vertical
155
Runs
1,509 acres
Skiable
250in
Annual snow
Ikon
Pass
The Terrain
155 runs across 1,509 acres skiable
Killington covers 155 runs over 1,509 acres (611 hectares) across six peaks, rising from a base at 1,160 ft (355 m) to 4,240 ft (1,293 m) at the top, a vertical of 3,080 ft (938 m). The terrain leans intermediate at 40% blue square, with 28% black diamond, 17% green circle and 15% expert. About 250 inches of snow falls in a typical year. Three gondolas, ten quad chairs, a six-pack, two triples, a double, three surface lifts and a T-bar link Killington Peak, Skye Peak, Bear Mountain, Snowdon, Ramshead and Sunrise.
Bear Mountain holds the toughest skiing. Outer Limits is a steep mogul pitch averaging more than 29 degrees, and Devil's Fiddle is known for its cliff and corkscrew sections. Easier routes such as Bear Cub and Bear Trax lead back toward the Bear Mountain base. Superstar is a long trail whose natural snow pile keeps the season running into late May or June in good years. Terrain parks add freestyle options. Killington suits groups with mixed abilities, mogul skiers and anyone chasing early or late season turns in the East.
Terrain split
155
runs
155 runs across 4 grades
Beginner26 runs · 17%
Intermediate62 runs · 40%
Advanced43 runs · 28%
Expert23 runs · 15%
Time it right
When to visit Killington
The 2025-26 season at Killington ran from 22 November 2025 to 17 May 2026, an exceptionally long roughly twenty-six-week season, the longest in the East, supported by average annual snowfall of around 250 inches and extensive snowmaking across the resort's six peaks. This marketed longest season reflects decades of deliberate early-opening and late-closing strategy dating to founder Preston Smith's era.
Midwinter, from December through February, typically brings the most consistent conditions across Killington's considerable 1,509 acres. As an Ikon Pass resort, Killington draws substantial visitation from Ikon Pass holders alongside its traditional Northeast visitor base, supported by the resort's status as the largest in Eastern North America.
Killington's considerable scale supports strong visitor capacity during peak weekend and holiday periods, with terrain and lift infrastructure spread across six peaks to help manage crowds. School holiday periods bring substantial family visitation given the resort's varied terrain and legendary nightlife and entertainment options in the surrounding area. The resort has also hosted Women's World Cup ski racing.
Specific event programming beyond standard operations and World Cup racing is not confirmed in available resort information. Following the August 2024 acquisition by local investors from Powdr Corp, Killington continues building on nearly seven decades of history since Preston Smith's 1958 founding. The Beast of the East's considerable scale and marathon season remain central to its seasonal identity.
Season 2026 - 2027
11 Nov 2026
Opens
24 May 2027
Closes
194
Days open
250 in
Annual snow
The record
Historical snowfall at Killington
Daily snow reports at Killington go back to 2025, 2 winters on the books. Open the record to compare winters, lifts and piste.
9 in
Snowiest day
1 Dec 2025
7.9 in
This winter · 2026-27
so far
164 in
Typical winter
average of complete seasons
Winter totals
in
Past wintersThis winter
Getting there
Getting to Killington, and where to stay
Killington sits near Killington, Vermont, with a base elevation of 1,165 feet and a summit at 4,241 feet across a roughly 3,080-foot vertical drop over 1,509 acres spread across six connected peaks. This central Vermont setting places the resort within one of the most significant ski destinations in the Northeast.
The town of Killington and nearby Rutland offer extensive lodging, dining and nightlife within a short drive of the resort, giving Killington a genuine destination-resort character supported by its considerable scale. The broader Green Mountains region surrounds the resort with additional outdoor recreation across all seasons.
US Route 4 provides direct access to the resort from both the east and west, connecting to the broader Vermont and New England highway network. Winter driving conditions on this route can include snow and ice, though the well-travelled road is regularly maintained given Killington's status as a major regional destination. There is no direct public transport service to the mountain.
Rutland-Southern Vermont Regional Airport, within a reasonable drive, offers limited commercial service, while Burlington International Airport and airports in the greater Boston area serve as the primary gateways for visitors flying in from further afield.
Where to stay
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Hotels and lodges near Killington, powered by Stay22.
Good to know
Frequently asked
When is Killington's ski season?
Killington's 2026 - 2027 season typically runs from November 11 through May 24. That window is roughly 194 calendar days, though daily operations depend on snow cover, weather, and lift maintenance.
Resorts in Vermont, Usa often announce firm dates closer to winter; check the live snow report before you travel if you are planning around opening weekend or spring closure.
How much skiable terrain does Killington have?
Killington lists about 1,509 acres skiable of marked terrain spread across 155 named runs (611 hectares alongside 1,509 acres skiable). That footprint is what most riders experience on a lift-served day. Side-country or hike-to terrain may sit outside these published numbers.
Use the trail map to see how the mountain is laid out and where the longest fall-line runs connect back to base.
What is the terrain like at Killington?
Trail grading at Killington breaks down roughly as 17% beginner, 40% intermediate, 28% advanced, 15% expert. The advanced and expert share is substantial, so confident skiers and riders will find plenty of steeper fall-line options once they leave the nursery slopes.
Percentages describe the resort's published piste mix, not vertical feet. A mountain with modest "expert" stats can still feel demanding if the steep terrain is long or exposed. Read the trail map alongside these numbers when planning your route.
How many lifts does Killington have?
Killington operates 21 lifts across 7 lift types. The fleet includes 10 quad chairs, 3 gondolas, 3 surface lifts, 2 triple chairs, 1 6-person chair, 1 double chair, and 1 t-bar.
Lift mix affects how quickly you can lap your favourite zones. Gondolas and trams move big crowds to mid-mountain, while shorter chairs and surface lifts often serve learning areas or local pods. Check the live snow report on ski days for real-time open/closed status.
What is the elevation and vertical drop at Killington?
Base elevation at Killington is about 1,165 ft (355 m), with the summit around 4,242 ft (1,293 m), giving roughly 3,077 ft (938 m) of vertical from base to top.
Higher start heights usually mean colder, drier snow holding longer into spring, but also thinner air and faster weather changes. Pack layers if you are riding from village level to summit lifts in one day.
How much snow does Killington get each season?
Killington averages about 250 inches (635 cm) of natural snowfall per season. That is a long-term climate figure. Any single winter can run well above or below it depending on storm track and temperature.
For trip planning, pair this baseline with the live snow report and webcams: fresh cycles show up in overnight totals and summit cameras long before season averages tell you much about today's surface.
Does Killington accept the Ikon?
Killington is affiliated with the Ikon. Pass holders should confirm current season benefits, blackout dates, and reservation rules on the pass issuer's site. Policies change year to year and can differ between international and domestic products.
If you are not on Ikon, day tickets and multi-day bundles are still available; see the lift tickets page for published rates and purchase links.
Where can I buy Killington lift tickets and how much do they cost?
Published single-day adult pricing on SnowStash currently spans US$89 to US$219, depending on date band and whether you are buying peak or regular windows. Multi-day products (season passes) usually lower the per-day cost if you are staying several days. Tickets can be bought online through the resort's official checkout (linked from our lift tickets page) or at on-mountain ticket windows, subject to availability.
Buying ahead of peak holidays and weekends generally saves money and guarantees access on sold-out days. Before you commit, scan the snow report and webcams so you are paying for conditions that match your expectations.
How can I check snow and mountain conditions at Killington before I go?
SnowStash pulls together 7 live mountain webcams, a downloadable piste map, and the daily snow report for Killington so you can plan from home. Webcams refresh on a short interval and are the fastest way to judge visibility, wind exposure, and whether storm snow is still falling.
The snow report adds structured totals, base depth where available, and lift/trail status when the resort publishes it. Use both together: cameras show what it looks like right now, and the report summarises numbers your group can compare day to day.
Does Killington have a trail map?
Yes. The downloadable PDF/image map is better for offline planning, marking meeting points, and understanding the full mountain layout at a glance.
Both versions are on the trail map page for Killington. If you are navigating with kids or meeting friends across separate lifts, screenshot or print the static map and keep the live map open on your phone for operational updates.
Where is Killington located?
Killington sits in Vermont, Usa. That regional context matters for travel planning: airport transfers, snow tyres, and typical storm patterns all follow geography as much as resort marketing.
Browse nearby accommodation from the resort page if you are comparing village-base vs valley-base stays; where you sleep changes your first lift of the day more than most trail stats do.
Latest News
From the SnowStash desk
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Europe Snow Forecast: Serre Chevalier Leads With 82 cm Over the Next 10 Days
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Mammoth Mountain Opens Early on November 5 With Up to 33 Inches of Snow in the Forecast
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3 Nov 2026
Utah Snow Storm Builds Early-Season Base Ahead of November Openings
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