Killington: Let’s Get Going

Killington isn’t called The Beast of the East for nothing. The place is big with lots of vertical; it has a great variety of terrain and tons of lift capacity.

K1 Lodge

But where they really earn the respect of diehard fans is in the snowmaking department. Killington has a robust snowmaking system and a skillful, dedicated crew that allows them to open early in the fall, stay open late into spring and persevere in low-snow years.

I’m a bit partial since I worked in Killington’s snowmaking department one season but I would argue that the snow they make is better too, as close to the real thing as is possible using pond water and compressed air.

Continue reading

Interview: Killington’s Mike Solimano

Killington is important to New York skiers. It’s accessible, it’s huge, it gets a lot of snow and it’s seems like it’s almost always open. The mountain’s all-in return to the extended season and their total commitment to skiing deserves respect.

But for us, it goes beyond that. Somehow The Beast — from the top of the heap — projects an openness and a focus on the customer that is inspiring.

No one represents this customer first approach more than Killington’s top gun Mike Solimano. Visible and approachable, in many ways he’s become the face of Big K. Our interview with Mike follows.

Continue reading

Killington: Drop the Mic

I don’t know why I count ski days, and I’m not sure I want to know. I do know that I’ve averaged 35 days a season over the last five years with little variance. It’s become a bit of a benchmark for me. With 34 days this season and friends planning to rip under a sunny sky, I drove to Killington for Ski Day 35.

skiing a closed trail

Sort of. Friday afternoon Zelda and I were to attend the “States” gymnastics meet about an hour north of home. As you might suspect, the wheels were in motion. I devised a two-car strategy to allow me to head directly from the competition to our place in the mountains, within striking distance of Big K.

Continue reading