The new chairlift could be carrying skiers within the next few weeks.
Monday, September 30, 2019, NewEnglandSkiIndustry.com
The haul rope has been spliced on the new North Ridge Quad and snowguns have been set up and hosed below it, as Killington prepares for its traditional first-in-the-East opening day.
The $2.2 million fixed grip chairlift is the third Poma brand to serve the North Ridge/Glades complex. Originally featuring a Pomalift in 1959, the complex had been served by a Heron-Poma triple chairlift since 1972. The new lift follows the line of the triple, climbing some 587 feet over a run of 2,270 feet.
The North Ridge Quad is the only brand new chairlift being installed in New England this year.
Killington has had an October opening in six of the last ten seasons. The earliest opening on record is October 1, which was achieved three times during the 1990s.
Meanwhile, construction continues on the new K1 base lodge. The original structure remains standing, though it is currently closed to the public. The entrance and parking areas have been reconfigured to facilitate the construction, which is expected to be completed before the 2020-21 season. The 58,000 square foot facility is expected to cost $26,970,000.
