Killington - Updated Lift opening times, The Beast wakes up early

Updated Lift opening times, The Beast wakes up early

Posted January 2, 2013

Last spring, we announced that all lifts will open at 8:30 a.m. for weekends and peak days. This decision was made based on the fact that there are many operational logistics to opening early and many of our competitors are moving in this direction (and of course it would save us some money).

After feedback from our guests, we tweaked the lift operations mode in the fall to have the K-1 Express Gondola and the North Ridge Triple open at 8:00 a.m. with all other lifts opening at 8:30 a.m. or 9:00 a.m. While many people appreciated our efforts to add back these lifts at the 8:00 a.m. opening, there are still inconveniences faced by guests due to this staggered lift mode.

As a result, we have decided to return to last year’s lift operating mode. Starting Saturday, January 5, 2013, our New Year’s resolution is to open at least one lift in all areas of Killington at 8:00 a.m. on weekends and peak days. Yes, we’re bringing back The Beast!

2013 Lift Mode, 8:00 a.m. Openings

K-1 Express Gondola
Needle’s Eye Express Quad
Northbrook Quad
North Ridge Triple
Ramshead Express Quad
Skye Peak Express Quad
Snowdon Quad
Snowshed Express Quad
Superstar Express Quad
Sunrise Village Triple

Other lifts will open at 8:30 a.m. or 9:00 a.m. Happy New Year and see you for first tracks Saturday at 8:00 a.m.!

Please know we are just as passionate about our resort as you are, and our intention is to make Killington the best mountain resort possible. We have been working over the past few months to improve our communication with the community as well as our guests. In addition, we have been seeking feedback on ways we can improve Killington Resort to make it a place all of our stakeholders, can and will be proud of, and will recommend to a friend.

We have started a community wide customer service program where we are working with the entire community to exceed guest expectations. We are making progress, but we still have a long way to go. We have already implemented some very simple changes based on your feedback:

Music at the K-1 Express Gondola
Okay, I know the music selection may not be everyone’s taste, but we are working on providing a more palatable choice.

Restricted Smoking Policy
We have implemented a restricted smoking policy where smoking is only allowed in certain areas of the resort (specifically banned from lifts, lift lines, Ramshead Lodge and Killington Tubing Park). We are working on enforcing this new policy, but, like any change it will take time.

Ramshead Lodge
We removed the valet parking and moved all staff parking out of this lot to increase the number of parking spaces for our guests. We also added a Yurt below the Magic Carpet area so kids have a warm spot to gather before, during and after their lessons.

Mountain Operations Communication
Jeff Temple, Director of Mountain Operations, has been providing blog posts weekly explaining what our plan is for future snowmaking expansion and other operations.

As I have said in previous blog posts, we are committed to making our guest experience the best it can be. While there are some requests that we just can’t accommodate (like running every lift every day), we are listening and really do want your feedback. My email is msolimano@killington.com and I do reply to all emails.

Thanks for your passion and support,

Mike Solimano
Killington Resort President and General Manager

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Your Comments

posted by mike moran on January 6, 2013 7:36 PM EST

thanks for bring back the 8:00 start time ,its nice to get 4-6
runs in before it gets to crowded .

posted by Steve Praskievicz on January 3, 2013 7:58 PM EST

Thanks for the earlier lift times. I think it adds to a safer morning of skiing as the skiers and riders will be more spread around the mountain. Also, thanks for not allowing smoking in the lift lines.

posted by Susan Brienza Gordon on January 3, 2013 10:20 AM EST

Mike

This is great! But I am still homebound until you open up the Skyeship ( even 1/2 way). With 4 kids in the KMS program I have one doing about 40 mph to get there in time for his group which now starts at 9, but may go to 8:30 with this change in the lifts, I am not sure I am checking with the coaches. The others do about 30mph with me ( they are 6 ,6, and 10) and barely make it. Is there anyway kids in the program that live over on this side of the mountain( we live off Great Eastern) can get on that Skyeship at 8? I know it is spinning? Truly taking up parking from other guests when we really don't need or want to is something I am sure others on this side of the hill will agree to. Please let me know your thoughts. I had intended to meet with you at KSC when you visited, I heard it was great, but with it being the Christmas holiday, we were not up until that Sunday and with family that day.
I know this is probably a money thing, that is what Chris Nyberg told us in the past, but it not only hinders us but our guests as we have several rental properties as well. Anyway, perhaps a reasonable compromise would be to get the kids a pass so they can make it to their programs??? I am sure I am not alone on this side of the hill and many drive over for this reason when it is completely unnecessary.

Thanks

Sue ( PS loved the tootsie rolls and am definitely noticing the changes)

posted by al smith on January 3, 2013 9:46 AM EST

thanks for opening the superstar express quad at 8 am sat and sun. I really appreciate it
al smith

posted by Chris Killian on January 3, 2013 8:29 AM EST

Thanks for re-awakening the Beast! We purchase the preferred parking pass, boot up at the car and typically slide down to the couch to get off to an early start on NorthStar or Vagabond before hitting the woods. Thanks again for listening to your customers!

posted by keith somen on January 3, 2013 7:58 AM EST

8 am opening. fantastic! best overturned decision you ever made. Thank you thank you thank you

posted by Lisa Weiss on January 3, 2013 7:32 AM EST

WOW - way to go Killington. Nice to see a large resort being responsive to their customer comments and concerns! Thanks for the new efforts!

posted by Brett Rose on January 2, 2013 9:03 PM EST

While I greatly appreciate all of the customer focus that is present this year that hasn't been present in recent years - I don't understand why the Skye Ship base is not among the early openings. For those of us with houses and condo on Great Eastern it means we now need to either drive instead of walking to the trail - or we can never have first tracks.

posted by Naked Dan on January 2, 2013 8:52 PM EST

Truly love the restricted smoking areas. Thank you

posted by Naked Dan on January 2, 2013 8:47 PM EST

Thank you, this is great news as it allows us to enjoy great skiing across more terrain and most importantly spreads out the crowd across multiple parking areas and lodges. We know this takes more staff and resources and truly thank you for your efforts.

Happy New Year! C U @ 8 !!

posted by Martin Jones on January 2, 2013 6:15 PM EST

Congratulations on this decision. It shows flexibility, concern, and a commitment to providing both occasional guests, and dedicated Killington skiers a willingness to listen. I was on the fence as to getting a season pass next year because of the previous decision. This changes everything.

posted by Mitchell Broder on January 2, 2013 6:10 PM EST

I forgot to mention it, but I immediately noticed and really appreciate the music at K1. I'm really not particular about the music choice so don't get too caught up in trying to please all the peoples music preferences all the time.
Music at the K1 = great bang for the resorts buck..

posted by Mitch Broder on January 2, 2013 6:06 PM EST

The early morning lift openings are very nice but don't do anything for me as I am not a morning person. All I ask is to please keep the Canyon chair running untill 4 on weekends. The Canyon is the the best area (especially when the snow is good like it is now..). There is nothing better than lapping the Canyon late in the day..

posted by Ted Strickland on January 2, 2013 5:48 PM EST

This is the best new years gift we can get.

Thanks to all those who let management know how we felt about this theft of services.

posted by Matt Sneider on January 2, 2013 5:47 PM EST

On weekend and peak days you guys should bring back the "maze" at skyeship base. I was skiing this past weekend and there was no maze and no singles line at skyeship base. The result was a very long line that wrapped around the corner and up the hill (literally) towards great eastern. I understand in past years there has not been enough volume to warrant the line "maze" at skyeship, but if this past week / weekend is any indication of the future it should be mandatory that lift attendants set it up. Thanks.