Killington, Sunday River to begin daily operation Thursday

Killington will have Rime and Reason open to skiers and riders to open the season on Thursday. (Killington Resort)

Killington and Sunday River will be the first mountains in New England to offer daily operations for the 2024-25 ski season.

Killington will be open to Killington, Beast365 and Ikon Pass holders, while Sunday River will be available to those with a season pass, Ikon Pass, Mountain Collective pass or a ticket pack, on Thursday at 9 a.m.

The initial announcement came from Killington around 3 p.m., and Sunday River followed about 15 minutes later.

For those heading to Killington, the K-1 Gondola will whisk skiers and riders to the top, and users will be able to ski down to North Ridge, where Rime and Reason will be ready for skiing and riding.

Killington Parks will be setting up a few features on Reason and will continue to build up the temporary park as conditions permit.

At the end of the day, users will need to take the North Ridge Quad back to the top and walk back to the gondola via the Peak Walkway.

Skiers and riders are invited to a free lunch Thursday at either the K-1 Lodge, Peak Lodge or the Subie Shack at the bottom of the North Ridge Quad. Killington also willbe making a $5,000 donation to the Share Winter Foundation.

Much like Sunday River’s Halloween opening, the Locke Triple will be used to service T2, which will be ungroomed. Skiers and riders will need to download at the Locke midstation.

The Barker Lodge will be open and there will be shuttles between Barker and South Ridge for easy access.

Both resorts are reminding customers that early season conditions are present and that this isn’t the best time to get a beginner out on the slopes. People without passes will be able to get on each mountain Friday.

Tentative opening dates

Nov. 22 – Loon Mountain, Okemo, Stowe, Sugarloaf

Nov. 23 – Sugarbush

Nov. 27 – Mount Sunapee, Stratton

Nov. 28 – Mont Tremblant

Nov. 29 – Bromley, Cranmore, Jay Peak, Wachusett

Nov. 30 – Waterville Valley

Dec. 6 – Pleasant, Saddleback

Dec. 7 – Magic