Killington Resort Opens November 17, Kicking Off Winter 2026/27 in New England
KILLINGTON, Vt. (November 15, 2026) – Vermont’s Killington Resort, the largest independently owned ski and snowboard destination in Eastern North America, will officially open for the winter 2026/27 season on Tuesday, November 17. First chair will be at 10:00 a.m. at the latest but could be as early as 9:00 a.m. depending on operational timelines. Final word on the opening time will be posted on Killington’s Mountain Report early Tuesday morning.
This marks the resort's third winter under independent ownership, who have already committed over $80 million towards capital improvements and plan to commit an additional $200 million to further projects over the next decade. Killington will again be the first resort in New England to open for skiing and riding this season.
"It's great to be back for another winter of skiing and riding at The Beast," said Mike Solimano, president and CEO of Killington Resort and Pico Mountain. "Our snowmaking team has worked very hard to offer winter terrain to our guests while still preparing for the upcoming Stifel Killington Cup presented by Dunkin'. We're also excited to see further capital improvements come to life this season, including the new Snowdon Quad and new snowmaking capabilities on Conclusion and Upper Wildfire."
In celebration of Opening Day, Killington Resort is donating $10,000 to Killington Mountain School (KMS) and their Join Us at the Top campus expansion campaign. More information about the campaign can be found on this page, while guests and community members who wish to make additional contributions can do so on the KMS donation page.
Opening Day Details
Opening Day (Tuesday, November 17) will be reserved exclusively for Killington Winter 26/27, Beast 365, and Ikon Pass holders. The resort will open to the general public on Wednesday, November 18 at 9:00 a.m., beginning our daily operations for the winter.
The K-1 Express Gondola and North Ridge Quad will provide lift access to Rime, Reason, and Upper East Fall in the North Ridge area. Guests will be required to take the Peak Walkway both to and from the K-1 Gondola to enter and exit the open terrain on North Ridge. While terrain is only accessible in this manner, the last ride up K-1 Gondola will be at 3:00 p.m. and the last ride up the North Ridge Quad will be at 3:30 p.m.
Early-season conditions will exist, and there will be no beginner terrain available at this time. Killington’s Park Crew expects to have approximately eight features set up for Day One laps in Reason Park and will continue to modify the park as the early season progresses.
Base Lodge and Guest Services Information
Food and beverage options will be available at the K-1 Lodge, Peak Lodge, and Subie Shack located at the bottom of the North Ridge Quad. Honoring a long-standing Killington tradition, passholders are invited to enjoy a complimentary lunch on Opening Day, Tuesday, November 17, as a thank-you for their continued support.
Guest Services, including pass assistance, will be available on the first floor of the K-1 Lodge during lift operating hours, with the service desk open on Monday, November 16 from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. to assist guests ahead of Opening Day. Lift tickets for Wednesday and beyond are now available for purchase online at killington.com/tickets.
Guests can stay up to date on operations and snowmaking progress through Killington's Mountain Report and the Killington app, which offers real-time lift and trail status, wait times, and GPS tracking.
Guests are encouraged to visit the resort's Pass Checker page to verify that their One Pass RFID card is active before arriving to ensure seamless lift access and avoid delays at Guest Services locations.
View high-resolution images and b-roll courtesy of Killington Resort. Please bookmark this link, as we will be updating it throughout the week with content from Opening Day.
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About Killington Resort
Located in the heart of Vermont’s Green Mountains, Killington Resort has earned its moniker “The Beast of the East” with four seasons of adventure spread across six peaks plus Pico Mountain. With the most expansive snowmaking and lift system in Eastern North America, Killington offers more than 200 trails and 92 miles of diverse snow sports terrain, including a world-class terrain park network and the longest season in the East. During the summer, Killington features a destination bike park with 30+ miles of mountain biking trails, an 18-hole championship golf course, the family-friendly Snowshed Adventure Center, plus 15 miles of hiking trails. With elevated on-mountain dining, a plethora of après options, and a commitment to investment, quality, and the environment, Killington is a can’t-miss destination for the whole family. Killington is locally and independently owned and looking forward to a bright future including the forthcoming Great Gulf Killington Village and more. Visit killington.com for more information and be social with #bethebeast.
Contact: Amy Laramie, VP of Marketing & Events
Cell: (201) 230-9084
Email: communications@killington.com