Pico Mountain
267 acres, 61 runs near Killington. Historic Vermont resort, big-mountain skiing, Ikon Pass access.
Season 2026 - 2027
Opens
11 Dec 2026
Closes
4 Apr 2027
Days open
114
Annual snow
186in
The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Pico Mountain's summit reaches 3,966 feet, dropping roughly 1,965 vertical feet to a base at 2,001 feet across 61 runs spread over 267 acres near Killington, Vermont. Terrain splits 45 per cent intermediate, 36 per cent advanced, 16 per cent beginner and 3 per cent expert, with average annual snowfall of roughly 186 inches. The resort carries Ikon Pass affiliation. Six lifts, including two quad chairs and two double chairs, serve the mountain alongside two triple chairs.
Pico Mountain holds genuine historical significance as one of the first commercial ski resorts established in Vermont, and its more modest scale relative to neighbouring Killington has earned it a reputation as a hidden gem offering big-mountain skiing with small-mountain charm and value.
The Mead family founded Pico, opening it as Pico Peak on Thanksgiving Day in 1937. Their daughter, Andrea Mead-Lawrence, went on to win a pair of gold medals in alpine skiing at the 1952 Winter Olympics in Oslo, Norway, a remarkable point of pride for the small resort that shaped her earliest skiing. Pico also holds the distinction of hosting the first T-bar lift ever operated in the United States, beginning service in 1940.
The resort went into receivership in 1996 and was purchased by neighbouring Killington Mountain Resort in December 1997, linking the two mountains under common ownership. Powdr Corp acquired both Killington and Pico in 2007, making significant capital investments over subsequent years, before a group of local investors, including Killington homeowners Phill Gross and Michael Ferri, acquired controlling interest in both resorts from Powdr in August 2024. Adult daily tickets run from 109 to 149 US dollars, with a substantial discount for Vermont and New Hampshire residents and free access for seniors aged 80 and over.
1,965ft
Vertical
61
Runs
267 acres
Skiable
186in
Annual snow
Ikon
Pass
The Terrain
61 runs across 267 acres skiable
Pico Mountain, next door to Killington in central Vermont, has 61 runs over 267 acres (108 hectares), rising from a base at 2,000 ft (610 m) to a summit of 3,970 ft (1,209 m) for a vertical of 1,970 ft (599 m). The mix leans to the middle and upper end: 45% blue square, 36% black diamond, 16% green circle and 3% expert. About 186 inches of snow falls in a typical winter. Two double chairs, two quads, two triples and a T-bar serve the mountain, with far smaller crowds than its neighbour.
Pike is the longest trail, running from the summit to the base lodge. From the top, 49er is a blue square, while Summit Glades, Upper KA and Sunset 71 are winding, narrow black diamonds. Upper Pike is a sustained black that runs directly under the quad, and Giant Killer is the steepest, a double black. The Outpost lift opens glades such as Birch Glade and Doozie when conditions allow. Pico suits advanced intermediates and strong skiers who want fall-line pitches and tree skiing without Killington's size.
Terrain split
61
runs
61 runs across 4 grades
Beginner10 runs · 16%
Intermediate27 runs · 45%
Advanced22 runs · 36%
Expert2 runs · 3%
Time it right
When to visit Pico Mountain
The 2025-26 season at Pico Mountain ran from 13 December 2025 to 5 April 2026, a roughly sixteen-week season supported by average annual snowfall of around 186 inches across the resort's intermediate-and-advanced-weighted terrain. Season dates can shift depending on early and late-season weather.
Midwinter, from December through February, typically brings the most consistent conditions to Pico's varied terrain. As an Ikon Pass resort, Pico draws visiting skiers holding that multi-resort pass alongside its core Vermont and regional visitor base, many of whom appreciate the mountain's considerably lighter crowds relative to neighbouring Killington.
Substantial discounts for Vermont and New Hampshire residents, alongside free access for seniors aged 80 and over, reflect the resort's long-standing value-focused pricing philosophy. School holiday periods bring family visitation given the resort's varied terrain and more relaxed atmosphere compared to larger regional destinations.
Specific event programming beyond standard operations is not confirmed in available resort information. Following the August 2024 acquisition by local investors, alongside Killington, from Powdr Corp, Pico continues building on nearly nine decades of history since its Thanksgiving Day 1937 founding by the Mead family. The mountain's hidden-gem reputation and historic ties to Olympic gold medallist Andrea Mead-Lawrence remain central to its identity each season.
Season 2026 - 2027
11 Dec 2026
Opens
4 Apr 2027
Closes
114
Days open
186 in
Annual snow
The record
Historical snowfall at Pico Mountain
Daily snow reports at Pico Mountain go back to 2025, 2 winters on the books. Open the record to compare winters, lifts and piste.
12 in
Snowiest day
26 Jan 2026
0 in
This winter · 2026-27
so far
157 in
Typical winter
average of complete seasons
Winter totals
in
Past wintersThis winter
Getting there
Getting to Pico Mountain, and where to stay
Pico Mountain sits near Killington, Vermont, with a base elevation of 2,001 feet and a summit at 3,966 feet across a roughly 1,965-foot vertical drop over 267 acres. This central Vermont setting places the resort in the immediate vicinity of its considerably larger neighbour, Killington.
The town of Killington and nearby Rutland provide substantial lodging, dining and services within a short drive of the resort, giving Pico visitors access to the broader area's extensive amenities without the crowds of the larger neighbouring resort. The broader Green Mountains region surrounds both mountains.
US Route 4 provides direct access to the resort, the same route serving neighbouring Killington. Winter driving conditions on this route can include snow and ice, though the well-travelled road is regularly maintained given the area's status as a major regional ski destination. There is no direct public transport service to the mountain.
Rutland-Southern Vermont Regional Airport offers limited commercial service within a reasonable drive, 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 Pico Mountain, powered by Stay22.
Good to know
Frequently asked
When is Pico Mountain's ski season?
Pico Mountain's 2026 - 2027 season typically runs from December 11 through April 4. That window is roughly 114 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 Pico Mountain have?
Pico Mountain lists about 267 acres skiable of marked terrain spread across 61 named runs (108 hectares alongside 267 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 Pico Mountain?
Trail grading at Pico Mountain breaks down roughly as 16% beginner, 45% intermediate, 36% advanced, 3% 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 Pico Mountain have?
Pico Mountain operates 7 lifts across 4 lift types. The fleet includes 2 quad chairs, 2 triple chairs, 2 double chairs, 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 Pico Mountain?
Base elevation at Pico Mountain is about 2,001 ft (610 m), with the summit around 3,967 ft (1,209 m), giving roughly 1,965 ft (599 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 Pico Mountain get each season?
Pico Mountain averages about 186 inches (472 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 Pico Mountain accept the Ikon?
Pico Mountain 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 Pico Mountain lift tickets and how much do they cost?
Published single-day adult pricing on SnowStash currently spans US$38 to US$149, 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 Pico Mountain before I go?
SnowStash pulls together 2 live mountain webcams, a downloadable piste map, and the daily snow report for Pico Mountain 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 Pico Mountain 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 Pico Mountain. 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 Pico Mountain located?
Pico Mountain 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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31 Oct 2026
Kitzbüheler Horn Summit Cable Car to Be Replaced After 70 Years
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30 Oct 2026
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30 Oct 2026
Keystone Resort Opens for 2026/27 With More Than Two Miles of Skiing
Keystone is next. After Arapahoe Basin claimed the first chairlift skiing of the season on Wednesday, Keystone opens on Friday 30 October at 9:00 am with more than two miles of snowmaking-built terrain on Schoolmarm and Silver Spoon, plus free donuts, coffee and a live DJ. Last year the order was reversed, when Keystone squeezed in a three-hour afternoon session to beat A-Basin by a day. Snowmaking has been running since 15 October.
29 Oct 2026
Beaver Creek Installs 16 Automated Snow Guns on Birds of Prey Ahead of Record World Cup
Beaver Creek is getting ready for the biggest Birds of Prey ever, and this time it is not leaving the snow to chance. Crews started making snow on 27 October with 16 newly installed automated guns on the lower third of the course, after last December’s warm spell forced a downhill off the schedule. Seven races across two weekends run from 3 to 13 December, the most the course has hosted since its 1997 debut, and the guns start themselves whenever the weather allows.
29 Oct 2026
Arapahoe Basin Opens First for North America’s 2026/27 Ski Season
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28 Oct 2026