Killington aiming for its longest season in 25 years

Killington's Superstar as it appeared on the resort web cam Thursday afternoon. (Screenshot Photo)

If you’ve never skied in June, you might have one more shot to do so this weekend. 

After wrapping up its Memorial Day weekend skiing Superstar, Killington Mountain Resort, one of only a handful of ski areas across the country that were still open for skiing and riding, announced it was hoping to open for one, final weekend to close out its 2021-22 campaign. 

However, the Superstar trail has seen quite a bit of deterioration since the holiday weekend. Killington will still give Saturday a go, at least for a few hours, but the resort warned in a social media post that Saturday “won’t be an experience for everyone.” 

The anticipated closing date would be the latest at Killington in 25 years (the mountain operated until June 22 to end the 1996-97 season).

“We are determined to offer June skiing and snowboarding this year, but Mother Nature seems a little less enthusiastic,” Killington posted on its snow (and dirt) report on Thursday afternoon. “After some warm nights and rain this week, coverage on the Superstar Glacier is looking a bit browner than we’d hoped. We want to keep our promise and enable you to check ‘ski/snowboard’ in June off your to do list, so we will spin the Superstar Express quad for at least a few hours, beginning at 9 a.m. on Saturday.” 

With so little snow remaining, grooming may not be an option, which means Superstar’s conditions will be “as is.”  

“Needless to say, the experience is not going to be for everyone, as it will require skill negotiating steep, rocky patches with gear in hand,” the report read. “We recommended looking at the webcam before you make the trip.” 

Killington stockpiled snow on its Superstar trail all the way through March 31, allowing the resort to make a run at June. “Snow depths were in excess of 30 feet on most of the trail once snowmaking efforts concluded,” the resort posted Monday evening. “Our world-class grooming team has worked hard to preserve that snow since then, and here we are skiing and riding right into June, for our latest closing date since the record breaking 1996-97 season.” 

Day-of purchase lift tickets will be $25 on Saturday, with proceeds benefitting Pride Center Vermont to commemorate the start of Pride Month. 

Of course, remember; If you don’t ski this June, you’ll be one year older when you do. 

Eric Wilbur can be reached at [email protected]