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Corduroy superstar skier (Photo: Courtesy of Killington)
Killington will always be what many hard-charging city-dwellers from the New York metro area consider to be the closest, best destination. Back in the day, when it was hosting more than a million skier visits a year, the Beast rightly earned a bad rap for being crowded. And worse: mobbed with joeys.
These days the resort handles a more manageable number, and frankly, a higher percentage of real skiers, giving it a more soulful feel despite its size. And nowhere in the East beats the Access Road for after-hours action. That’s partly a tribute to its wealth of fine drinking and dining establishments, but also to the party-hearty attitude of many of the passholders. Some still complain of too many out-of-control skiers, and others find it difficult to navigate from peak to peak—the flip side of the mountain’s sheer massiveness. But even the hardest-to-please of Killington regulars have to admit that management has made some great decisions in recent years. Among them: the brilliant stroke of hosting the Women’s World Cup, and a returned commitment to opening in October and closing in late May or even early June. – Joe Cutts
No. 5 in the East: Killington Resort, Vt.
Killington Resort Mountain Stats
Average Snowfall
Acres
Lifts
Trails
250″
1,509
22
155
Killington Resort Pass Info
Killington is on the Ikon Pass. Passholders get 7 days at the resort. Ikon Base Pass holders get 5 blackout-restricted days.
Trip Planning
From lodging and and dining to off-slope activities and local tips, here are the SKI editors’ picks for what to do in Killington, Vt.
Mandatory Run
The trees between Outer Limits and Devil’s Fiddle on Bear Mountain are some of the best glades anywhere east of the Mississippi. With more creative lines than you could count, this pod was made for powder days.
Après Spot
If it’s après-ski at Killington, it’s got to be the Wobbly Barn. This iconic steakhouse-cum-nightclub has been cheffing up and throwing down for 57 years.
Local Tip
Headed back down to the Tri-State Area? Take Route 100 to 103 for a scenic ride through the Vermont countryside. Stop by the humorously named Smokin’ Bowls shack for a killer bowl of soup before you hop on the highway.
Lunch Spot
The Bear Mountain Lodge gets reader raves for its flatbread pizza and French onion soup.
Après Spot
Nearby Bridgewater Corners was an early hotbed of the Vermont beer scene, thanks to Long Trail Ale, which is still brewed there. The restaurant and brewery are about seven miles from the Skyship base lot.
Challenge
Satisfy your bump cravings on Bear Mountain or go for sustained vert on Devil’s Fiddle.
Inside Intel
Hit Worthy Kitchen, in Woodstock, for fried-chicken sandwiches, poutine, and a rotating list of local craft brews.
Killington’s website
Corduroy superstar skier (Photo: Courtesy of Killington) Killington will always be what many hard-charging city-dwellers from the New York metro area consider to be the closest, best destination. Back in the day, when it was hosting more than a million skier visits a year, the Beast rightly earned a bad rap for being crowded. And worse: mobbed with joeys. These days the resort handles a more manageable number, and frankly, a higher percentage of real skiers, giving it a more soulful feel despite its size. And nowhere in the East beats the Access Road for after-hours action. That’s partly a tribute to its wealth of fine drinking and dining establishments, but also to the party-hearty attitude of many of the passholders. Some still complain of too many out-of-control skiers, and others find it difficult to navigate from peak to peak—the flip side of the mountain’s sheer massiveness. But even the hardest-to-please of Killington regulars have to admit that management has made some great decisions in recent years. Among them: the brilliant stroke of hosting the Women’s World Cup, and a returned commitment to opening in October and closing in late May or even early June. – Joe Cutts No. 5 in the East: Killington Resort, Vt. Killington Resort Mountain Stats Average Snowfall Acres Lifts Trails 250″ 1,509 22 155 Killington Resort Pass Info Killington is on the Ikon Pass. Passholders get 7 days at the resort. Ikon Base Pass holders get 5 blackout-restricted days. Trip Planning From lodging and and dining to off-slope activities and local tips, here are the SKI editors’ picks for what to do in Killington, Vt. Mandatory Run The trees between Outer Limits and Devil’s Fiddle on Bear Mountain are some of the best glades anywhere east of the Mississippi. With more creative lines than you could count, this pod was made for powder days. Après Spot If it’s après-ski at Killington, it’s got to be the Wobbly Barn. This iconic steakhouse-cum-nightclub has been cheffing up and throwing down for 57 years. Local Tip Headed back down to the Tri-State Area? Take Route 100 to 103 for a scenic ride through the Vermont countryside. Stop by the humorously named Smokin’ Bowls shack for a killer bowl of soup before you hop on the highway. Lunch Spot The Bear Mountain Lodge gets reader raves for its flatbread pizza and French onion soup. Après Spot Nearby Bridgewater Corners was an early hotbed of the Vermont beer scene, thanks to Long Trail Ale, which is still brewed there. The restaurant and brewery are about seven miles from the Skyship base lot. Challenge Satisfy your bump cravings on Bear Mountain or go for sustained vert on Devil’s Fiddle. Inside Intel Hit Worthy Kitchen, in Woodstock, for fried-chicken sandwiches, poutine, and a rotating list of local craft brews. Killington’s website
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Check out Moira McCarthy's author page.
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The Killington access road is a five-mile-long uphill jaunt littered with après options.
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Check out The Editors's author page.
Get the best lodging deals here and plan your escape.
This New England village offers first-rate lodging, from luxurious to laidback.
News
First Tracks
John "Grizz" Puchalski shares his tips for coping with Killington.
Some complain it's crowded, commercial and crass. But Killington is among the East's most popular resorts For a reason. Our visit finds expansive slopes, wicked steeps, and-if you know where to look-a surprising amount of soul.
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