KILLINGTON HAS EAST’S LONGEST SKI SEASON 40 YEARS IN A ROW

The Superstar Express Quad Chairlift finally came to a seasonal halt last week, and Killington reluctantly closed for the 2000-2001 winter season. They had 315 inches of natural snowfall this season, making it the snowiest season in 20 years. Killington had the longest ski season in the East for the 40th year in a row! By the look of the photo taken on May 30th, they may have closed a little too soon. I have a good friend that climbed up to the top of Killington after one of these summer snow showers and then had T-shirts printed up proclaiming, “I Skied Killington on the 4th of July”.

Killington skiers and riders made turns for a grand total of 202 days, enjoying snow from October through May, just as they do every year. Skiing and snowboarding early and late in the season is a time-honored Killington Tradition, as the readers of the Ski Bum News well know. This resort is usually the first in the East to open and the last to close.

“The 30 percent increase in snowmaking capacity this season really helped folks plan their winter vacations with confidence,” said Gillis Lynn, Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “The 11 feet of natural snowfall after March 1st certainly helped too. It’s been an incredible season, and it’s sad to see it end.”

In addition to the natural snow, Killington snowmakers worked throughout the winter building a machine-made “glacier,” on Superstar, which at times this winter stood at a mighty 30 feet, to provide spring conditions for hard-core skiers and snowboarders. On my last visit, I commented that they had to plow it out under the chair, the snow was so deep.

They kicked off the summer with Rage Weekend and the Killington Triathlon. Skiers and riders got their last runs on the snow before switching to their mountain bikes and swinging their golf clubs on Killington’s 18-hole golf course. In addition to lift-serviced mountain biking, in the summer Killington offers 50 miles of hiking terrain, the Killington Adventure Center complete with: mountain biking, water slides, an in-line skate park and outdoor climbing wall, Pico Mountain’s alpine slides, The Bungee Thing, and a mini-golf course, and a driving range.

Killington is a beautiful place to visit during the four short months when skiing isn’t possible. There are many events happening at this year-round resort, not to mention one of the most beautiful vistas from the top of Killington Peak.

Ian Fehler
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