Killington Announces $16 Million in Improvements for 2018-19 Season
The project includes a new six person bubble chairlift.
Thursday, March 1, 2018, NewEnglandSkiIndustry.com
Killington is about to embark upon its largest capital investment in over two decades, according to a press release issued by the resort today. The $16 million project is the largest at the resort since American Skiing Company invested the equivalent of $18.5 million in 1997.
The cornerstone of the expansion is a new Leitner-Poma six person bubble chairlift, which will replace the Snowdon Quad. The new lift will be roughly 4,475 feet long by 1,110 feet vertical, cutting ride time from roughly a dozen minutes to less than five. To support the increased skier traffic, the racing venue on Upper Bunny Buster, including the associated original 1958 Pomalift, will be relocated to Swirl on Ram's Head. In addition, skier bridges will be installed to allow Great Northern to pass under the Snowdon trails, thereby reducing trail junctions.
The new lift will have a storage barn to keep the bubbles out of the elements during storms. The Snowdon Triple will remain in place.
The Snowdon Quad will be reinstalled on South Ridge, following the downhill line of the former Snowdon Triple. Killington had previously filed paperwork stating the South Ridge Quad would be a new, turnkey installation. The 3,900 by 875 foot Yan-Poma quad will be upgraded with new grips and electrical controls and is expected to operate on weekends and holidays.
Meanwhile, the K1 Gondola will receive significant upgrades, including new Leitner-Poma Sigma 8-person cabins and a storage barn. The original K1 cabins will be used on the Skyeship Gondola.
In addition to the lift projects, RFID ticketing will be rolled out at Killington and Pico.
The proejcts are expected to be completed for the 2018-19 season.
As of March 1, a Vermont Act 250 application has not been submitted for the Snowdon project.
