Killington Announces Different Spring Skiing Plans As Part of $32 Million Upgrades
The largest ski resort on North America’s East Coast’s, Vermont’s Killington, has announced that its spring skiing will look different this year as work begins on multiple lift upgrades in a $32m upgrade project.
The largest ski resort on North America’s East Coast’s, Vermont’s Killington, which recently came back under local ownership after many years, has announced that its spring skiing will look different this year.
The Skyeship Gondola closed for the season at the weekend with the current cabins due to be replaced and next the Superstar Express Quad will close to the public on Sunday, April 13th after 38 years of service to begin construction of its replacement, a new 6-passenger high-speed lift as part of $32 million in capital improvements.
The upgrades mean that that Killington’s main spring skiing run, Superstar, will need to be closed as work on the upgrades will start immediately. However other trails in the area will remain accessible via Launch Pad.
"While we know spring skiing and riding will look a little different this year, this $12 million investment will elevate the guest experience for decades to come," said Mike Solimano, President & CEO of Killington Resort, adding, "That said, we’re still committed to hosting the longest ski season in the East and will stay open as long as Mother Nature allows."
Construction will begin immediately once the lift is turned over to Doppelmayr, with the removal process expected to take approximately six weeks. Killington aims to complete much of the work on snow, utilizing grooming tractors to access terrain that traditional construction vehicles cannot. The full project timeline is estimated to be eight months, with the new lift scheduled to debut in early December 2025.
“We’re keeping things as sustainable as possible. Several components of the existing lift—such as the chairs and sheave trains—will be repurposed, particularly all the chairs on the Golden Express at Pico will be replaced, which are similar models to Superstar. Any remaining steel will be salvaged and recycled. Sorry, we won’t be selling any Superstar chairs,” a Killington spokesperson said.
Killington say they remains dedicated to spring operations and that the K-1 Gondola will operate daily through May 11, providing access to North Ridge and the Canyon. A special spring skiing pass is available.
After May 11, Snowdon Triple and lifts in the Canyon will run Friday–Sunday, as long as conditions allow. Snowmaking efforts will focus on Double Dipper, Downdraft, and Lower East Fall (Canyon area), while in North Ridge, additional snow will be made on Rime and Reason to extend the season.
To commemorate the Superstar Express Quad’s legacy, Killington has introduced a special achievement on the Killington App. Skiers and riders are encouraged to complete 87 rides on the lift this season to honor the year it was built (1987). Those who complete all 27 achievements in the app will be entered to win the first ride on the new Superstar Six chairlift next season.
Because of the new Superstar lift replacement this summer into early winter, the Audi FIS Ski World Cup will take place at Copper Mountain, Colorado next winter 25-26 over Thanksgiving weekend 2025. The race is expected to return to Killington Thanksgiving Weekend 2026.
