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Killington, The Beast of the East

Killington Mountain Resort in Vermont is the northeast’s largest ski resort. It’s been dubbed the Beast of the East. My husband loves this nickname and loves skiing at this resort.

Killington Resort boasts the most terrain as well as the most vertical feet in the east. This means there’s plenty of runs for the most experienced of skiers and riders. However, Killington is a very family-friendly resort with many features just for younger skiers and boarders.

K-1 gondola at Killington
K-1 gondola

Table of Contents

Let’s talk stats, the resort consists of:

  • 6 mountains
  • 155 trails
  • 22 lifts, one being the new 6 pack ‘bubble’ lift
  • 3 Gondolas
  • 1516.9 acres
  • 73 miles of skiing
  • 3 main terrain parks with 1 added in for the early season and a different 1 added in the late season
  • 6 lodges and many food shacks around the different mountains

The Terrain of Killington

If black diamond runs are your favorite then Killington has you covered. A few of Clint’s favorites are Royal Flush, Devil’s Fiddle, Double Dipper, Ovation, Cascade, and SuperStar. Of course, having black diamond runs all over the six mountains helps us all ski together. Clint might take the black diamond run while the girls and I ski a green or blue trail adjacent to it. This makes it super easy to meet at the same lift and go up together.

If you like blue trails, Killington certainly has you covered as well. My favorite trails have always been Bunny Buster and Chute. We also like Folic, Vegabond, and Timberline. The girls also really like Bear Trax and Pipe Dream. Having so many blue trails to choose from really helps us to get the girls used to different terrain that isn’t too difficult for them.

ready to ski
Ready to ski down the mountain

If you are a beginner and still need the green runs I’d suggest going to either Ramshead or Snowshed to ski. On those two mountains, there are many trails to choose from and enjoy. In fact, I love to ski in the Snowshed area. It’s wide open and you can really enjoy the trails. Ramshead is also where the two magic carpet ‘lifts’ are for lessons. The childcare area is also at Ramshead.

Believe me, with 73 miles of trails you will be able to find many trails that you can ski and love to ski. Everyone in my family certainly has their own favorites.

Woods Trails

If you like to ski in the woods you won’t be disappointed. My husband has started taking the girls through some trees and they’ve really enjoyed it. One trail that is easy and short is Treesy. They love this trail. However, my husband has found some other shortcuts through the trees that he takes the girls on. If he is skiing with friends I think he lives in the trees. His favorite tree trails are Julio, Juanita, Anarchy, Devil’s Den, and the Big Dipper.

they love the trees at Killington
Heading into the woods

Terrain Parks

My kids love the terrain park on Ramshead. There are some really great halfpipe runs as well as big and small jumps. In several places throughout the trails, there are pipes and metal tubes to ride along. It’s fun to watch other riders do tricks on these pipes.

Ramshead Mountain has terrain parks from top to bottom which you can play on or not. Bear Mountain has two terrain parks one on either side of the Skye Peak Express Quad. With one of the popup terrain parks by the Canyon Quad and the other by the new Snowdon ‘bubble’.

Lifts on the Mountains

I love the number of lifts at this resort. There are several lifts that service just the upper half of the mountains. Hence you don’t have to go all the way to the bottom if you don’t need to.

another run at Killington
Going up on the lift

My favorite runs used to have a Poma lift right there, however, they’ve now moved that lift to the Alpine training venue. In its place is now the Snowdon Six Express which I am a big fan of. It has the bubble over the seats and keeps you out of the wind – the best feature if you ask me. Watch the video below.

There are three gondolas at Killington. On windy days we seek out the gondolas so we aren’t cold by the time we get to the top. Now with the addition of the ‘bubble’ at Snowdon we are really covered when it’s windy or extra cold.

K-1 gondola at Killington
In the K-1 gondola

The Many Lodges at Killington Mountain Resort

Killington has six lodges to help visitors with info, tickets, lessons, and gear. As well as offering a large variety of food, storing your belongings, bathrooms, and childcare. Ramshead houses the childcare facility. Snowshed is the meeting place for lessons. You can rent equipment at Bear Mountain, Snowshed, Ramshead, and K-1 lodge. The peak lodge on top of Killington Mountain is a place to stop for lunch and take in the views. SkyeShip Lodge is along Route 4.

Ramshead Lodge at Killington
Getting ready at Ramshead Lodge

The K-1 Lodge is presently undergoing some renovations. They are still open for use but not at full capacity. I’ve seen pictures of what it will look like when construction is complete and I’m excited. It should be a state-of-the-art facility.

Tickets for Killington Mountain Resort

As with any ski resort, the tickets aren’t cheap. What can I say, skiing is an expensive sport. However, if you buy your tickets early you can get some great deals. My husband has bought tickets in the springtime hence he got some great deals. He’s also bought season passes for both the girls and will receive discounts on our tickets. Plus with the kid’s season passes several full-day adventure park tickets are included. Which was a great win for us as we also go up to Killington to enjoy the summer months. Read all the fun we’ve had at the adventure park during the summer.

Another feature Killington has installed in RFID ticketing. This is a new and improved method of checking your tickets at the lifts. Instead of having someone scan each ticket, you go through the ‘toll booths’ and your ticket is automatically scanned. You don’t even have to take it out of your pocket or anything. It’s the best.

ready to head out on the slopes of Killington
Ready to go

Ecofriendly practices at Killington Mountain Resort

Have you heard of ‘cow power’? Well, it’s a pretty cool way for farmers to use cow manure. The manure is put into an oxygen-free digester which produces biogas, and powers a natural gas engine that generates power and stops the methane gas from going into the atmosphere. The manure that is left over is even better as fertilizer, plus the farmers get paid for the power. Killington has been using this ‘cow power’ to run its K-1 gondola since 2012.

Killington has really been working toward lowering its carbon footprint. Their statement of “we want future generations to play here forever” is at the forefront of their work moving forward. For this reason, Killington has invested in solar panels as well as using cow power. As well as using high-efficiency snowmaking equipment, recycling programs and becoming the largest EV charging hub in New England.

I hope you can agree that Killington is working hard to continue to keep the environment intact for the next generation.

Mom tips for skiing with kids

As per usual with kids, you need to navigate through your day. Ainsley’s our kid that always says ‘I’m fine’ until it’s too late. To avoid this we have gotten both kids this camelback shown below. It’s great for avoiding the crash.

afternoon crash
To avoid this scene get your kids the camelback below

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And of course, you must keep those feet warm. Bombas socks are the absolute best socks. I love that this company gives back as well. For every pair of socks sold they donate a pair of socks to a homeless shelter. It’s a win, win with this company.


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Final Thoughts

Killington has some exciting changes they are working on. Starting with the K-1 lodge improvements to the upgrades to lifts to adding more terrain parks. For these reasons and many more, we will be going to Killington for years to come. I hope you will too.

Do you have a favorite ski resort? Tell me about it. I would love to check it out.

This Post Has 36 Comments

  1. It’s so fun watching your daughters on your family adventures! We’ve been to Killinton a few times and have some favorite places in the area.

    1. Leeanne

      Thanks, Jenn. They are getting bigger. My younger daughter’s favorite place is Sushi Yoshi. Her two food groups are sushi and donuts.

  2. Tricia Snow

    I really want to learn how to ski. You guys make it look easy!

    1. Leeanne

      It’s easy when you start young. I didn’t start until I was a teenager so it took me longer than it did my kids.

  3. Lisa Manderino

    That bubble lift looks awesome! This post makes me want to go skiing!

  4. Taci- Life Beyond Zebra

    This looks so fun! I haven’t skied in years, I honestly didn’t like it much but I would love to try other snow activities!

    1. Leeanne

      Well, Killington has you covered with the other activities like tubing, apres parties, music and so much more.

  5. Hera

    I’d be amongst the kiddos learning to do the pizza. Great info for anyone at each level. I wanna learn to ski before I get too old!

    1. Leeanne

      Everyone starts somewhere. The important thing is to give it a try. With a lesson of course.

  6. Courtney

    Killington is a fun place to ski!

  7. Julie Gazdecki

    I’ve only went skiing once while in high school on a local hill made from trash, LOL So I don’t have a favorite place. But I would love to visit a place to go tubing or sledding.

    1. Leeanne

      Killington’s tubing area is a ton of fun. I think we need to go again this Christmas.

  8. Cynthia

    This looks like such a great resort for family skiing. For the lessons for the kids are they all day or just a couple of hours? Thanks for sharing!

    1. Leeanne

      Killington offers half-day and full-day lessons. The great thing about their kid’s programs is that you can put them in for a full day and they can ski the whole day or only half. Then they have time to relax and play.

  9. Trisha

    This sounds like so much fun! Looks like they have something for everyone!

    1. Leeanne

      They really do have something for everyone, Trisha.

  10. Kmf

    While living in Vermont, Killington was one of the first places I ever skied (badly). But is a beautiful resort with so much to offer for all skill levels.

    1. Leeanne

      My husband would say you just need time on snow. I think having someone to give you tips while your skiing helped me the most.

  11. Lindsay Kelly

    This is amazing! It makes me want to learn to ski! Thank you for sharing with us!

    1. Leeanne

      Killington Mountain has a great ski lesson program. I’m sure you would love it.

  12. Heather

    It is so nice up there. We don’t ski, but we do like going up there to admire the beauty, whether it is summer or winter.

    1. Leeanne

      Yes, Heather, I agree Vermont is beautiful at any time of year.

  13. Missy

    I have never been skiing before. It looks like a wonderful time and I would like to try it in the near future.

    1. Leeanne

      It’s a lot of fun but I’d suggest taking a lesson first.

  14. Amanda

    My husband grew up in a ski resort town, was a ski instructor, named our daughter after that town, yet our girls have never been snow skiing! That has to change, soon! Looks like so much fun.

    1. Leeanne

      I’m sure your family would love Killington.

  15. Sarah Neeson

    I’ve never been skiing or snowboarding despite living pretty much next door to a few pretty awesome mountains (Whistler, Seymour, Cypress, and Grouse in British Columbia). It’s always been on my list of things to do but the cost has been a bit prohibitive. Seeing how much fun you had, I’m going to have to move it up on my list.

    1. Leeanne

      We’ve skiing Whistler and loved it too. I think you would love it if you tried it.

  16. meghan

    We’ve not tried Killington! It looks super family friendly! May have to add that to our skiing adventures!

    1. Leeanne

      Killington is really fun. It has so much terrain that it works for everyone. They’ve added the new bubble lift which I absolutely love.

  17. Shirley

    What an amazing experience!!! You all look like pros!

    1. Leeanne

      My husband is the pro, me, not even close but I have fun.

  18. Pam Hinkle

    I have skied Killington since the 70s, so I have seen a lot of changes, good and not so good. I’m not a fan of the RFID system. The new tunnels have done a lot to improve traffic flow at intersections. The snowmaking is superb – it’s amazing how they bounce back after rain or sleet! The new Snowden North Ridge lifts are great – smooth and comfortable!

    1. Leeanne

      I actually like the new RFID system. I agree with you that their snowmaking is amazing. We were just there over February again and the snow was fabulous and the mountain was empty. It really was a great week of skiing.

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