Killington Ski Resort - The Beast of the East!

As an avid skier and one who takes our kids skiing as many times a winter as possible, I'm proud to share that Killington is absolutely my favorite New England mountain. If you heard, it's called the  The Beast of the East it’s the largest ski area in the Eastern U.S., boasting the longest season, the most diverse terrain, and an unmatched energy on and off the slopes. When we stay at the Arched Chalet, I love taking our family and guests right down the road to ski the Beast! It's a solid perk that our Chalet is just 17 minutes to the base lodge, and even better - just 7 minutes to the Skyship Gondola - which is a faster and easier access point.  In this blog post I'll share a bit more of our favorite east coast mountain.

Killington is called "The Beast" for a few reasons

• 1,509 skiable acres - massive terrain covering 7 peaks, serving up runs for all skill levels
• Over 3,000 feet of vertical drop - that's pretty much the largest you'll find in the east coast.
• The longest ski season in the East (often November to May) - I love that Killington takes pride in always being the first one to open (early November) and last to close (generally May and sometimes June). This means that in New England you can ski 7 months out of the year!
• A snowmaking system that can cover over 70% of terrain - This is continuing to grow, Killington just made massive investments this year committed to more snow making to insure it's always white regardless of the random winter warm ups. 

See the Killington Trail Map

Throughout the years our kids (now 3, 11, 14) have always found great runs. Killington simply has something for everyone. With 155+ trails, Killington offers terrain for every kind of skier or snowboarder:

• 🟢 Beginners: Start at Snowshed or Ramshead.
• 🔵 Intermediate: Cruise dreamy blues on Bear Mountain or Skye Peak
• 🔴 Advanced: Carve steep groomers and drop into bowls
• ⚫️ Experts: Challenge yourself on Outer Limits, the steepest mogul run in the East

Killington has invested heavily in ensuring that each skill level has a place to progress. Families love the Ramshead area for its gentle slopes and designated kids' zones. Intermediates can spend entire days exploring Skye Peak's long blue cruisers, while advanced and expert skiers can tackle double black diamonds and gladed terrain. The variety makes it easy for groups with mixed abilities to enjoy the mountain together.

Killington has 7 peaks to explore - the first 6 are accessed through Killington Mountain, the 7th is Pico - which is a sister mountain on the backside (separate enterance).

1. Killington Peak – the highest lift-served peak in Vermont
2. Skye Peak – diverse terrain and home to Skyeship Gondola - our Arched Chalet is just 7 minutes from the gondola :)
3. Bear Mountain – known for steeps and terrain parks
4. Snowdon – tree runs and blue cruisers
5. Ramshead – beginner and family-friendly
6. Snowshed – ski school central
7. Pico Mountain – quieter sister mountain, accessible via shuttle.

This unique mountain layout creates a choose-your-own-adventure experience. You can stay on mellow terrain or take a cross-mountain journey from peak to peak. For those looking for quieter slopes, shorter lift lines and lower lift tickets, Pico Mountain is a hidden gem. 

Killington’s K1 Base Lodge is more than a ski lodge — it’s a massive, modern hub with panoramic windows, upscale food options, lockers, and rental gear. After a $30M renovation, it reopened with a sleek alpine-modern vibe, offering a cozy spot to relax or refuel between runs.

Inside, you’ll find expansive seating areas with mountain views, clean and modern restrooms, and a food court with upgraded dining options.  The food court is unlike what you expect out of most New England ski resorts. It features high end options with an excellent bar area (serving some of my favorite Vermont beers :).

As one who follows the ski industry very closely, this one surprised the industry in a great way. In 2024 Killington was bought by a local independent group from Powdr Corp. This is not just a mom and pop ski area that any investor group could afford, this is The Beast, and a group that was very involved in active in Killington got together to buy the mountain. With this purchase, they are committed to doing what's best for Killington to improve the experience. For example, they shared that they would put all profits back into Killington over the first 10 years. Further, within the first year, they committed to $30 million in upgrades. 

Killington Resort is embarking on a transformative $3 billion development, aiming to establish a world-class, four-season destination that rivals premier ski resorts globally. This ambitious project, spearheaded by Great Gulf, a Toronto-based real estate development company, focuses on creating a pedestrian-friendly village that seamlessly integrates with the natural surroundings. Vermont Public+2SkiTheWorld.com+2Designboom+2

The Initial Phase

The initial phase, set to commence in 2026, includes:Vermont Business Magazine

• Approximately 720 residential units, comprising ski-in/ski-out condominiums, duplexes, and single-family homes.

• An expansive 110,000 square feet of retail and dining spaces.

• A new, state-of-the-art base lodge spanning over 85,000 square feet.

• Development of walking and biking trails, fitness centers, spas, and a wooded amphitheater.

• The creation of the East’s largest “ski beach,” offering a flat, snow-covered area for relaxation and easy movement between slopes.Vermont Public+1Simple Vacation Rentals+1Designboom+1Vermont Public+1

All that to say, there is a lot happening at Killington!

The fun doesn’t stop in spring. Killington transforms into an adventure hub in the summer. I love taking our kids to Killington in the summers. They have excellent (really world class) mountain biking,  mountain coaster,  scenic gondola rides to the summit and summer festivals.  Fore (pun intended), golf enthusiasts - there is also Killington Golf Course nearby.

Want to beat the morning traffic and get straight to the slopes? Our Arched Chalet is located just 7 minutes from Killington’s Skyeship Gondola on Route 4. It's pretty amazing, within 7 minutes you'll be at t he gondola. There is also a small lodge to use the restrooms, fuel up or get tickets. 

If you're comfortable skiing blue trails and up, the Skyeship entrance gives you a head start into the heart of the mountain, with quick access to Skye Peak and beyond. You can park with ease, hop on the gondola, and start your ski day without the rush. Afterward, return to the Arched Chalet to rest your legs in our hot tub.