Terrain	4.0
Service	3.7
Crowds	3.3
Activities	4.0
Value	3.4
Overall Rating	3.7

21 Viewer Reviews

steve from haddonfield nj	Apr 22, 2008
Overall Rating:  3.2

Read recent comments on here and agree that the place is over-priced. The tickets are too expensive for the east coast. The condo was nice but it was also really pricey. We only paid $38 to ski in Kitzbuhel for the entire day. The facilities are pretty run down and the restaurants we ate at were downright bad. The lifts and the lodges are old. Some trails were closed but there was a competition in town so that accounted for some of it. The day care is excellent but the cost is absurd. The skiing was great and it is a big mountain with a lot of choices for families with different levels. It is the closest real mountain for those who don't want to travel 7 hours or more for skiing. No town or village feel at all. Overall, I think we will scout around for another place in VT that might provided better value for the long term.

John from Kingston, NY	Mar 31, 2008
Overall Rating:  2.0

Killington's attraction used to be the large amount of varied terrain. Now that the new owners have decided to cut back on services, the mountain is now reduced to being like any other mountain.
During the week skiers are more or less "herded" to certain areas of the mountain. This is accomplished by the closing of lifts and trails.
They have also ruined the ski on ski off attraction during the week by closing the gondola Tuesday and Wednesday.
Their grooming also left a lot to be desired. We were there the first week in March, and the only day that the skiing was not terrible was when there was a 6 snowfall overnight.
Overall, it was a disappointing ski trip.
The lift tickets are priced at a premium, while the skiing adventure is cut rate.
From checking other web sites I see that Powdr Inc., (who are the new owners of Killington) also own Mt Bachelor out west. According to these web sites, Powdr has run that ski area into the ground, so I guess that my hope for Killington to rebound next year is lost.
We will be skiing some other resort in 2009.

Steve from Bergen County, NJ	Mar 9, 2008
Overall Rating:  4.0

Well, Im only 15 and have been snowboarding for quite a while. For a while ive been skiing at Mountain Creek (Vernon NJ) and Places in NY like Windham. Obviosly Killington is way better. Ive never seen so much powder in my life! I was from late feb. to early mar. I left a friday after school and when I got there it started snowing. It snowed 1ft over night and was still snowing when we left for the mountain. We went right to the K-1 gondola, By the way..There was plenty of parking and it was a saturday. The longest I had to wait for a lift was 5 minutes. We were some of the first ones on the mt. The powder was absolutly amazing.

My favorite peak was probably bear and skye. The dream maker terrain park was insane. They had all types of rails, boxes and jumps. Since im a boarder, the terrain park was the best. Also the superpipe was awesome, well groomed and only a little icy on the lip. Landed my first 360 and 540 here.

The prices were decent, lift tickets were around 120$ for 2-day. But it was well worth it. The food was expensive but it was actually good.

Overall, great trip and im going back in a few weeks.

Alex from Arlington, VT	Jan 28, 2008
Overall Rating:  4.4

Well, Well, Well.

Im always on a lookout for new challenging trails and Killington seems to oblige. I can not say that the trails were steep but they are OK for the advanced skiers. Definitely more interesting then Stratton/Okemo. I parked at K-1 and was able to find a spot easily (busy Saturday). The walk to the base lodge is fine  note to those who whine about walking in ski boots to the main lodge  GET A BOOT BAG. Place your ski boots in the boot bag and change at the Base Lodge, also if you can not make this short walk, you should be skiing blues anyway i.e. go to Bromley.

Crowds. Was fairly busy Saturday but the lifts and Gondola were moving fast (K1). The staff was friendly  but I personally dont case that much about the staff  show me the steepest, bumps ridden trails with exposed rocks and I would not care about the Customer Service.

Trails. Skied Escapade, Double Dipper, Cascade, Outer Limits  covered all double blacks and blacks. Not challenging but definitely more interesting then Stratton/Snow. The greatest part is that the trails were not well groomed, I liked the bumps and exposed ice chunks. Beware some narrow blacks had exposed rocks that got my new Rossis B83s. Again if looking for groomed trails, stay in Stratton with their AARP crowd.

Skiers Profile/Things to do. The crowds are a lot more fun and younger then Stratton/Snow/Bromley. Mostly 30s  that is based on K1 observations. Sushi bar at K1  great touch. I was happy to see a younger dudes and gals. The place definitely does not resemble AARP hang outs like Stratton and Bromley. There are a lot of things to do, bars and restaurants. All and All  fun place.

Will be back for more ice and beer.

Roz from NYC	Dec 15, 2007
Overall Rating:  3.4

Me (42), the wife (30), and three guys in early 30s ski about 6 weekends per year @ killington (for the last seven years) and we have been spending a significant amount of money on season passes, lodging, food, shopping, drinks, clubs, supermarket, classes, etc. Yea, we may be considered NYC day skiers...but we paid our part.

We were aware that the PASSES had doubled in price...and we were actually ok with that. We decided to wing it this year...not get a pass...and see what happens.

We were going to go to NEW KILLINGTON on the second week of December. However, we quickly discovered that the new owners RAISED the DAYCARE rate from $75 per day to $130 per day. That rate is more than what we pay for childcare in our town.

We really love the variety of terrain and the BIG MOUNTAIN feeling and the relative closeness to NYC. There is nothing like it in the EAST. However, we are going to have to re-consider KILLINGTON.

It's too too expensive...even for us. We're going to find somewhere of better value.

Sorry Killington, we’re really gonna miss you.

Manny Kantski from Killington, Vermont	Nov 25, 2007
Overall Rating:  1.4

DOWNHILL SKIING
The new owners of Killington got the "Downhill" part right but seem to forgot the "Skiing". Went to the new "Killington" for the first time Thanksgiving weekend 2007 and the experience was AWFUL.

THE SNOW (ICE)
Wasn't much of it and what was there hadn't been groomed. Although the new owners claimed to have dumped millions into snowmaking, OKEMO definately had more coverage on better quality trails. I don't think they figured out how to start the groomers yet either because what was there hadn't been groomed. When they tried to blow snow on top it got skied off quickly, exposing the ungroomed boiler plate below. The terrain was totally unskiable unless you were Michelle Kwan. Most notable was the sideways slide down "CHUTE" claiming victims all day. Ski Patrolers had plenty of practice waving poles in the air and towing victims down to the first aid station.

NEW LOOK LIFTS
Yeah. Got to the mountain headed for K1, was greeted by permanent mounted pressure treated 4x4 posts in the ground. Even though I was only 30' from the gondola, I had to walk a quarter mile in my ski boots carrying my skis through the new look cattle corral just to get to the end of the lift line. The line did not seem to be moving to quickly even though cars were going up the mountain empty. I soon learned why. Afraid that some locals might pirate the lift the new owners policy is to scan every lift ticket, every person, every time. This means people with passes in holders had to take the out so they can be scanned even though there was a line and cars were going up empty. It was a circus as new ticket checkers were fumbling with there scanners all day long, trying to get tickets to scan. Even if you were skiing one lift and the checker recognized you, they still had to scan your ticket every time. It seems like it's all about the money to the new owners.

THE SERVICE
No Group Lessons.Only private lessons were available for new skiers because this will make more money for the new owners. OKEMO had totally FREE skiing for first time skiers complete with lessons and equipment. THANKS DIANE.

THE VERDICT
ANYONE WANT TO TRADE THEIR VERMONT SEASON PASS FOR A KILLINGTON PASS.

R	Apr 25, 2007
Overall Rating:  4.4

Killington is truly the beast of the East. The snowmaking is superp, the blacks and double blacks are steep some 54 degrees for example double dipper, down draft, and cascade. Awesome steep bump runs include outer limits, and devil's fiddle. It is definitely the best resort in the East. And it is my favorite resort.

Alex from NYC	Mar 19, 2007
Overall Rating:  3.6

Coming to Killington in the middle of March was spectacular. We accidentally hit the last blizzard of the year and the conditions were spectacular on the last trip of the day. The service was friendly and the crowds were medium sized. Also, apparently, the big impersonal corperartion that owned Killington sold it to another company, and several regualrs and employees told us this was a good thing. This was a very fun trip.

Joseph Foley	Sep 15, 2006
Overall Rating:  3.0

Great layout of trails and great black diamonds, but you have to be a great navigator to find your way around. I really enjoy the snowdon mountain The routes to the base lodges are not well marked and you can follow a sign for a green trail, but the green trail could take you to a bunch of diamonds that are extremely steep. Before you go to this place, study the map ALOT. The crowds are a problem too. Getting on the gondola is a pain. You have to take off your skis, wait for hours in dirty snow, then get your skis onto the rack, and ride up. The beginner areas are very crowded and some of the beginner trails are overrated. In fact, the beginner trails are so crowded that they have moguls at the end of the day. So come here if you like to navigate, ski black diamonds, and don't mind crowds. Dont come here if you are a beginner and can't read maps.

Nathan from New Windsor, NY	Mar 13, 2006
Overall Rating:  3.2

I started the day at Pico, but conditions were horrible, so I payed extra $23 to upgrade to a Killington pass. It was a saturday in mid-March. Crowds were very bad at the major lifts, but you could almost ski right onto some of the secondary lifts. Even on the crowded lifts, the most I had to wait was about 5 minutes in the singles line.

Positives: The terrain was great -- lots of very steep double blacks to choose from and some very long blue/green slopes that wind through the forest. Trails are well marked and the slopes were not crowded -- only the lifts.

Negatives: the claimed 3000 foot vertical is very deceptive. Most of the slopes are really only 1000-1500 feet. Only a couple of green slopes use the full 3000 foot verticle. Grooming seemed quite poor, by mid day even the blue slopes were covered with mogels.

Overall, a nice place with LOTS of trails -- but for much longer slopes that really use 2500+ foot verticle consider Whiteface, Stowe, Sugarbush, or Sugarloaf.

Tony from Fairfield County, CT	Feb 23, 2006
Overall Rating:  4.4

Killington is THE BEST among large eastern resorts.

I've always said it, Killy is the mountain people love to hate: "Hey I just went to Killington!" "Oh yeah, I hate that place, I'm going next week."

We've done all the big eastern mountains from Jay to Stratton to SugarLoaf and Killington is the only mountain that does enough right to keep us coming back on a regular basis.

Terrain: A 5 in the east. Best variety in each catagory. And I mean the trails actually feel and look different. At Stratton I can't tell a double black from a blue: same terrain, similar slope, same view. If you don't think it's challenging enough, then you don't know the mountain and I'm not sharing. Here's a hint - leave superstar and OL for the masses.

Service: I have never been to another mountain that has mountain ambassadors like Killy. 5 minute shuttles. Night Buses. I lock myself out all the time and someone is there to help in no more than 5 minutes. The lift operators need some help - but that seems to be true all over these days.

AND - they are finally putting some money back into the lodges, signs, and lifts - hope they keep it up. We ususally brown bag it, but the food is much better than any of our other mountain travels.

Crowds: Lift lines move faster here than anywhere else. It's never taken me almost an hour (usually more like 10 mins inc. chair time) to get to my first run at Killington. I can't say that for Stratton or Snow this past weekend. There are a lot of people on the slope in certain areas at certain times of day. They come in waves - either get in front or let it pass. OR - ski the edge of the trail. Yes, I've been bumped by the occasional boarder, or nearly run them over while they nap in the middle of the trail, but it is a great outlet to vent your frustrations :)

Activites: There is a ton to do, they just need to market it better. Sleigh rides, Dog sledding, snow mobiles. Best Bars and good restaurants. Venture off mountain - better food lurks just around the corner.

Value: I have a season pass. I skied for $18/day last year. I give free lesson passes and 20% off to my friends. We own a condo and rent it. It is increasing in value and the rent we earn more than covers our opperating costs. But what really matters is that all I can think of by Thursday afternoon is getting up there to ski with my friends yet again Saturday Morning.

Quinn from albany, NY	Feb 21, 2006
Overall Rating:  4.2

plenty of things to do of the slopes here. a very populated mountain(s). Can't really get bored here, and riding for any ability, any age. sure some lines get crowed especially on the weekends, but go to another lift..
although the Gondola at Killinton would be nice to ride (would be by far the best skiing), but you can't because of the lines. only really crowed on the holidays and weekends. if you won't bumps, and nice groomed runs, and lots of them, this is the place.
I come here quite often, and it's nice. I've skiied out west at Vail and Breckenridge, which are a bit nicer to ski. I don't get to Killington to much because I prefer Whiteface, but only because it's a nice challenge for the east, plenty of ice, and steep terrain

John from New England	Feb 12, 2006
Overall Rating:  2.6

it has a nickname: K-Mart. its big, impersonal, and crowded. corporate skiing at its greatest.

have skied it in pure ice, and 30 in of fresh snow. its all the same. my buddy lives at the base and works in a local shop. so i stay for free- the only reason i go. only good for snowboard park hounds and competition skiers.

trails are cut wide, and boring for the most part. bulldozed and blasted from 1970's and 80's era corporation-approach to skiing. mountain after mountain criss-crossed with high speed lifts. throwing a city's worth of people up onto the hill.

bus loads of new yorkers and bostonians (no offense) offload daily. crowded beyond comprehension. good skiers interspersed among a mass of aweful skiers sliding uncontrolled down intersections of trails.

30" of fresh snow gets skied out by 11 am on a non-holiday weekday. $70 a lift ticket. no deals for college kids.

condos? EVERYWHERE. get 'em while there hot.

only thing they got: best night life. but it isn't all that great. don't think you're in aspen.

this place HAS NO CHARACTER, and NO GOOD SKIING.
don't waste your time and money here.

paul from Bethlehem, New Jersey	Feb 11, 2006
Overall Rating:  5.0

GREAT GREAT MOUNTAIN, i have went to okemo, stratton, stowe, smugglers notch, okemo, and killington. clearly, killington just owns them all. but if you dont like crowds ski during the week. great terrain great service.

Ed from Long Island, NY	Feb 8, 2006
Overall Rating:  5.0

We skiied the day after a significant thaw with rain and were surprised to find the conditions as good as they were. Serious attention paid to the beginner and intermediate runs. Lots of snowmaking brought the mountain back to as good as could be expected condition.

JSM from Albany,NY	Nov 7, 2005
Overall Rating:  4.2

Great skiing. So much terrain you'll never get bored. Even when snow is sparse they have unlimited water supply for unbelievable snow making. Great night life and accommodations.

Kameron from Mass	Nov 5, 2005
Overall Rating:  4.0

Great place to go skiing. The town surrounding these slopes is just amazing, great nightlife, great places to stay.
Terrain is awesome straight through april, crowds were next to none around march. A lot of ski-able areas.

A friend took lessons and claims they arent very good. Unless you've NEVER been anywhere near snow, those lessons are a waste, just get on the small slopes.

Beware of the "scenic" trails however...waste of time for adventurers, I had to push myself the whole way down, NOT so fun.

Otherwise GREAT mountian.

Katie Palazzi from Killington, Vt	Nov 4, 2005
Overall Rating:  4.6

I have skied all over New England, and Killington is the best. The greatest part of Killington is that there are never any lines. The mountain is so large, that everyone is distributed evenly all over the mountain, which means NO waiting in lift lines!! The terrain that is at Killington is surpassed by no other mountain in New England. If you want fresh powder, groomed trails, glade trails, steep trails, or beginner trails, Killington is the place.

Steve from Worcester,MA	Nov 3, 2005
Overall Rating:  3.0

The Good:
Killington is the biggest area in New England. It has 6 mountains of skiing. They do the best job of snowmaking of any New England Ski Area. It has so much terrain and so many lifts, every level of skier will find what they want. It has the most extreme skiing and steepiest bump runs in New England. The nightlife on the access road is legendary. If you want to party after skiing, Killington is the best possible place in the east for apre ski fun.

The Bad: Killington gets really crowded on saturdays. It has so many lifts, that the lift lines are generally manageable.. but the slopes can be really really over crowded. Having someone crash into you is "just part of the Killington experience". It is also the most expensive lift ticket in New England. $72 for a day of riding is expensive, but worth it. Killington is so big, it can be very confusing to get around and meeting people there can be challenging.

The Ugly: Parking can be a major problem as well. You can end up with a long hike to get to the lodge (there are 6 base lodges). If you arrive past 10 am consider parking on the access road, changing in your car and jumping right onto the slope. You can ski down to the ticket window, and at the end of the day, you can ski back to your car.

In summary:
Killington is the biggest best area in New England, which means it gets the biggest crowd, has problems with parking, life lines and over crowded lodges.. but in the end, the $72 lift ticket it worth it, because the skiing is so good.

Jack Thomson from Elmira Ont.	Oct 27, 2005
Overall Rating:  3.6

Went to Killinton first week of Feb. 2005. Have skied at other resorts in Vermont & and New Hampshire and heard Killington was the best and so we tried it. Our Hotel was great even if they got our reservation wrong and we had to pay more. It was clean well kept. It also had a breakfest included as well an out door pool.

The hill had lots runs and spread over a large area. They had a great varity of runs and sometimes it was hard to a certian run you may want to return to.

The one poor point and likely more important was the quailty of the grooming. We skied for 3 days and the groomed once. I was told after a good snow fall they wait until the next day, so people can ski powder. Sounds great but not realwstic. On most runs it was like moguls all over. On overs at points my boys had to take off snow boards and walk further down the hill.

In all I would still say is was a good trip. Also the bars and food places in town are very good and reasonable!!!

Tony from Northampton, Pennsylvania	Aug 21, 2005
Overall Rating:  4.4

For an east coast resort, Killington is the best. I went their in late march and the weather was perfect. 196 Trails out of 200 open, which were perfectly groomed early in the morning.For snowboarders, Killington is the place to go in the east. Anything from massive kickers to small begginner rail. I would recomend this resort to anyone!!