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
21ft
Annual snow
Ikon
Pass
The Terrain
155 runs across 1,509 acres skiable
Killington spreads 155 runs across 1,509 acres skiable of terrain. It leans intermediate at 40%, with 26 beginner runs to find your feet and 66 advanced or expert runs when you want to push.
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 2025 - 2026
22 Nov 2025
Opens
17 May 2026
Closes
176
Days open
21 ft
Annual snow
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
Search all stays →Hotels and lodges near Killington, powered by Stay22.
Latest News
From the SnowStash desk
FIS Weighs Holding World Championships in Almost Every Winter, Starting 2032
The International Ski and Snowboard Federation is looking at a major shake-up to its title events calendar. From 2032, World Championships could run not just in odd-numbered years but in every non-Olympic winter too, effectively putting a global title event on the calendar almost every season. The FIS Council has approved the concept following a feasibility study, though an accelerated rollout as early as 2028 is also under consideration.
4 Sept 2026
Mount Buller Becomes Latest Australian Resort to Call Time Early on 2026
Mount Buller closes out its 2026 season this Sunday, joining Falls Creek, Hotham and Charlotte Pass in a cluster of closures landing almost simultaneously and roughly a month ahead of schedule. The culprit is stark: Spencers Creek's benchmark snow depth hit 31.2cm on 3 September, just 18% of the 73-year average and an all-time low for this point in the season. Six of Victoria and NSW's best-known resorts will have shut their lifts early within a span of about two and a half weeks.
4 Sept 2026
Tremblant to Add New Timber Summit Ski Sector for 2027/28 Season
Tremblant has confirmed a major expansion of its Quebec ski area, with a new Timber Summit sector adding 62 acres of terrain, eight trails and a high-speed quad chairlift for winter 2027/28. It's part of a CAD 42.5 million investment that also includes a new beginner learning zone at Versant Soleil opening this coming season. The project has grown considerably since it was first announced back in 2020, when it carried a far smaller budget and an opening date that never eventuated.
2 Sept 2026
Mount Hotham to Close for the 2026 Season on Sunday, September 6
We knew when the Bird Bath Pond Skim showed up on Hotham's Instagram that the season was on its way out. It's been a rough one - I only managed two days on snow all year, at Falls Creek - and now Baw Baw, Selwyn and Hotham have all called it, possibly the worst Australian season I've seen in a decade. Hotham's last day of lift operations is Sunday, 6 September, with a Retro Day, Father's Day après and closing sales before the lifts stop turning for good.
1 Sept 2026
Thredbo to Replace Ageing Gunbarrel Quad With New Six-Seat Chairlift for 2028
Thredbo Alpine Resort has confirmed plans to replace its 37-year-old Gunbarrel quad chairlift with a new six-seat Doppelmayr D-Line, targeting winter 2028. The AUD 35 million project will keep travel time roughly the same but lift capacity from 2,800 to 3,000 skiers per hour. It's part of a broader investment push that also includes doubled snowmaking capacity at Friday Flat for 2027, with the ageing Kosciuszko Express now flagged as the resort's next major lift replacement after Gunbarrel.
31 Aug 2026
Aerial Tram Collides With Crane at Alpe d'Huez: 23 Injured
An aerial tram carrying around fifty passengers struck the boom of a construction crane on the route to Pic Blanc at Alpe d'Huez on Wednesday morning, injuring 23 people, three seriously. The cabin tipped on impact before the operator reversed it to right the car. Most of the injured were treated on site, with five taken to hospital in Grenoble, including a pregnant woman assessed as a precaution.
28 Aug 2026
Why Glaciers Are Collapsing - And What Happens When They Do
A deadly flood on the Nepal-China border, a decade-old tragedy on Italy's Marmolada, and an unstable glacier right now above a village near Zermatt - three very different mountain ranges, the same underlying story. Warming ice is destabilising terrain that was considered settled for generations, and the results range from catastrophic floods to slow-motion monitoring situations that could go either way.
27 Aug 2026
Pitztal Glacier Set to Reopen for the 2026/27 Ski Season on 26 September
Tyrol's highest ski area is gearing up to open a full month ahead of most of the Alps. The Pitztal Glacier is scheduled to start its 2026/27 season on Saturday 26 September, running through to 2 May 2027, with the lower-altitude Rifflsee area following in December. High-altitude terrain up to 3,440 metres gives the glacier a head start on snow, though as always, the actual opening extent will depend on how September's weather plays out. Early online ski pass bookings can save up to 30%.
26 Aug 2026
Killington Webcams
7 live angles across the mountain. Tap any camera to go full-screen.
About Killington's live webcams
Check live conditions across Killington with 7 real-time webcams showing snow, weather, and lift operations, updated every 10 minutes. Check high-elevation cams for powder visibility and base-area cams for crowd levels before you head up.
Camera guide
- Peak 360 Cam4,239ft
- Experience spectacular 360-degree summit views through this Killington webcam positioned at Peak Lodge's impressive 1292-meter elevation. This innovative Killington live cam offers breathtaking panoramas across Vermont's Green Mountains while showcasing the Beast of the East's massive 3,000+ vertical feet spanning six interconnected peaks. Perfect for assessing conditions across the entire resort, this live snow cam provides unmatched visibility of Killington's legendary terrain.
- Superstar Cam2,500ft
- Follow the action on Killington's most famous run through this dedicated Superstar webcam at 762 meters elevation. This Killington live cam captures the legendary Superstar trail, home of the Audi FIS Ski World Cup and arguably the Northeast's most iconic slope. Essential for monitoring snow conditions on this challenging pitch, this Killington web cam showcases the incredible snowmaking that keeps Superstar open from October through May.
- North Ridge Cam3,976ft
- Scout premium powder conditions through this Killington webcam positioned near the summit at North Ridge's 1212-meter elevation. Located at the top of the North Ridge Quad, this live snow cam reveals the mountain's coveted high-elevation terrain and natural snow zones. Powder hunters use this Killington live cam to monitor real-time conditions on some of Vermont's most challenging expert runs before making their descent.
- Mountain View Cam2,500ft
- Capture the majesty of Killington ski resort through this base area webcam at 762 meters elevation. This Killington web cam provides sweeping vistas of both Killington and Skye peaks, showing the incredible scale and grandeur of the Beast of the East. Perfect for first-time visitors, this Killington live cam reveals the resort's massive terrain before you even step onto the slopes.
- Pico Mountain Cam1,998ft
- Monitor conditions at Killington's sister resort through this Pico Mountain webcam at 609 meters elevation. This live snow cam offers perfect views of the neighboring peak, providing essential insight into snow quality and crowd levels at this charming Vermont ski destination. Killington passholders use this live cam to check conditions before exploring Pico's more intimate terrain and legendary glades.
- Snowshed Cam1,998ft
- Watch new skiers progress through this Killington webcam focused on the Snowshed learning area at 609 meters elevation. This Killington live cam monitors the resort's premier beginner zone, showing real-time snow conditions on the gentle slopes where thousands of skiers take their first turns each season. Families planning ski school sessions use this Killington web cam to assess conditions in Vermont's top-rated learning area.
- Bear Mountain Cam2,119ft
- Experience Killington's most extreme terrain through this Bear Mountain webcam at 646 meters elevation. This live snow cam captures advanced riders tackling challenging glades, steep pitches, and technical features that define Bear Mountain's expert reputation. Essential for powder hunters and experts, this Killington live cam showcases the resort's most demanding terrain across Vermont's largest ski area.
Killington snow cams FAQ
How often do Killington snow cams update?
All Killington snow cams and webcams update every 10 minutes with fresh images showing current mountain conditions. This frequent update schedule ensures you have access to near real-time conditions for planning your ski day at Killington.
Which Killington webcam shows the best powder conditions?
The high-elevation Peak 360 Cam webcam at 1,292m provides the clearest view of powder conditions and snowfall. These Killington webcams capture fresh snow accumulation and visibility better than base area cameras.
Can I see Killington lift queues on the webcams?
Yes. Multiple Killington snow cams specifically show lift queue areas and chairlift operations, helping you time your arrival and avoid peak queue periods.
When is the best time to check Killington snow cams?
Check Killington webcams early morning (7-8am) for overnight snowfall assessment, and mid-afternoon for current crowd levels and weather. The live cams are most useful after storm events to assess fresh powder.
How can I check current conditions before buying Killington lift tickets?
Use our Killington webcams alongside the live snow report to assess conditions before purchasing lift tickets. The webcams show real-time visibility, snow quality, and operational status.
Do Killington webcams work on mobile devices?
Yes. All Killington snow cams and webcams are optimized for mobile viewing, so you can check live conditions from anywhere using your phone or tablet.
More Killington intelligence: snow report, lift tickets, trail map, resort overview.