Killington outlines spring plans; will not host World Cup in 2025

The last day for the Superstar Quad at Killington will be April 13. (Killington Resort)

Spring will look a lot different at Killington this season. The Vermont resort announced its plans for the next few months and the timeline for replacing the Superstar Quad with a six-pack.

Killington also confirmed that because of the lift replacement, the FIS Alpine World Cup will not be making its stop in central Vermont on Thanksgiving weekend but did say it hopes to host again beginning in 2026. Courtney Harkins, director of marketing and communications for U.S. Ski and Snowboarding, confirmed the women are expected to return in 2026.

April 13 will mark the final day for the quad, which was installed for the 1987-88 season, with Killington having a party to bid adieu to the Yan-manufactured lift.

Doppelmayr will then start to decommission the lift, which Killington says will take about six weeks. The Superstar trail will be closed during this time, but access to nearby trails such as Skyelark, Bittersweet and Ovation will be open via Launch Pad as construction allows.

The entire process of replacing the lift is expected to be about eight months, with the new six-pack opening in early December.

“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,” Killington Resort president and CEO Mike Solimano said in a statement. “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.”

This is part of the new ownership group’s $30 million investment in capital projects.

Among the changes in the schedule will be:

• The K-1 Gondola will run daily through May 11 before undergoing annual maintenance and gear box work.
• Beginning May 16, the Snowden Triple and Canyon and North Ridge quads will operate Friday-Sunday, as long as conditions allow.
• Snowmaking efforts for the spring will focus on Double Dipper, Downdraft and Lower East Fall. Rime and Reason, the two trails on North Ridge most associated with Killington’s push to be the first to open, also willsee snowmaking leading up to the spring season.
• Bear Mountain is expected to run through mid- to late April.
• The Snowden Six Express and Ramshead Express Quad will remain open through April 20.
• The chairs from Superstar will be heading to Pico and replacing the chairs on the Golden Express.

Copper Mountain in Colorado, which has been an early season training ground for the American ski teams, will host men’s and women’s slalom and giant slalom on Thanksgiving weekend.

“Although I’ll miss racing at Killington this Thanksgiving, I am so excited that World Cup ski racing is coming to Copper Mountain for men and women,” said Mikaela Shiffrin, who has won six of her record 99 World Cup victories at Killington. “Copper is the athlete’s mountain. Athletes from all around the globe come to Copper early in the season especially, and in springtime, to get the best training in the world and best preparation for World Cup racing.

“It’s so exciting to see Copper as a true World Cup race venue, and I’m particularly excited because it’s so close to home, I can sleep in my own bed and my community can come and experience it.”

Said Vermont resident Paula Moltzen: “While we will miss Killington this upcoming season, I know Copper will make a great race and it will be fun to have men and women back to back.”

Killington’s Spring Pass, which provides unrestricted access to Killington and Pico, is valid starting on March 14 through the end of the season will go on sale Feb. 22.

It is $359 if purchased through March 13 and $389 after that date. Killington Midweek, Pico and Ikon Pass holders can add on a Spring Pass for $199.