So what's next for Killington Resort?

[KnobleOne]

Re-open the old Bittersweet headwall - this year. I like the new section added to Bittersweet but would like the option of skiing the old headwall. I can't understand the logic of closing this - it can't be traffic related given the other bad intersections that exist on the mountain.

[rogman]

I don't care a whit about the Bittersweet headwall. One more steep? Yawnnn. What I don't like is they straightened the trail, and that can't be un-done. The trails I enjoy the most twist and turn as they make there way down the fall line. Obvious examples are Cruise Control and Dream Maker: fun, intermediate cruisers, but there are others.

[Highway Star]

For next year, I think we'll see a HSQ replacing the snowdon quad and a removal of the snowdon triple. Possibly some reconfiguration of the crossovers on snowdon. Plus completion of the skye peak work that has been permitted.

Not exactly what I would do, but probably what will happen. I doubt the SRT will be addressed for many years.

[Nevada West]

My bet is that they will replace KBL with something more efficient over the summer, giving them yet another reason to eliminate Spring skiing this season.

[icedtea]

Also in regards to the interconnect, I believe that there is some sort of endangered owl (or some bird) that needs a 25 mile untouched radius and the preservation society has caught wind of this. Heard that in the gondi so not 100% sure on that.

O RLY?????

Somebody probably talking about the bicknell's thrush, without knowing what they are talking about.

so there is not endangered animal situation??

[daytripper]

LEAVE PICO ALONE!!!

if you make the inter connect you will lose 3 very faithful customers for sure. my wife daughter and i. im sure there are many more like us.

there is no other mountain in central vermont with such a relaxed atmosphere. also there is no other trail anywhere like the summit glades. i can ski that trail all day long. please dont turn it into another mountain with no soul.

DON'T KILLINGTON PICO.

Do you really think that powder will leave pico open without the inter connect? It is not making money and we all know powder is only about the bottom line. Without the interconnect pico will be on the nelsap list within 5 years.

[daytripper]

I don't care a whit about the Bittersweet headwall. One more steep? Yawnnn. What I don't like is they straightened the trail, and that can't be un-done. The trails I enjoy the most twist and turn as they make there way down the fall line. Obvious examples are Cruise Control and Dream Maker: fun, intermediate cruisers, but there are others.

I agree there....my favorite trail on the mountain is roundabout because it has character....not many trails do at K anymore

[icedtea]

LEAVE PICO ALONE!!!

if you make the inter connect you will lose 3 very faithful customers for sure. my wife daughter and i. im sure there are many more like us.

there is no other mountain in central vermont with such a relaxed atmosphere. also there is no other trail anywhere like the summit glades. i can ski that trail all day long. please dont turn it into another mountain with no soul.

DON'T KILLINGTON PICO.

Do you really think that powder will leave pico open without the inter connect? It is not making money and we all know powder is only about the bottom line. Without the interconnect pico will be on the nelsap list within 5 years.

i kind of doubt that but it would be pretty cool. think how cheap property would be and pico is pretty easy to hike. imagine all the fresh lines that would be there all the time. even though there is still fresh as it is right now.

i think pico will be alright. they should make the interconnect all natural terrain, this way it will keep the gapers and crowds away. while we are at it they should leave all of pico ungroomed maybe minus 49er.

[RENO]

#1 SNOWMAKING! More powerful. More effecient. More guns. If they spent almost every penny on that, I'd be happy.
I'd like to see the Interconnect done within my lifetime. I'd like to walk out my condo, hop the shuttle to K and be able to snowboard to Pico without touching my vehicle...

What will happen for next season:
New lift at Snowdon
cross over trail reconfig
Snowmaking upgrades

[BigAirSkier1580]

As much as I don't personally want it, I'm thinking a HSQ at Snowdon is next up for improvements.

[skiadikt]

#1 SNOWMAKING! More powerful. More effecient. More guns. If they spent almost every penny on that, I'd be happy.
I'd like to see the Interconnect done within my lifetime. I'd like to walk out my condo, hop the shuttle to K and be able to snowboard to Pico without touching my vehicle...

What will happen for next season:
New lift at Snowdon
cross over trail reconfig
Snowmaking upgrades

we do need some sort of lift upgrade in snowden - faster & more reliable but not necessarily with more capacity to maintain the character of the trails.

i agree about the snowmaking. or least use what you have. at this point with most trails in great shape, there's no excuse for them to NOT be putting a base down on the fiddle and vertigo.

[realreddy]

Kids program pricing is really where Killington loses me. For me to come up with wife and two kids, and ski for the weekend with the older kid in lessons and the younger at friendly penguin would be $878 (with the express card discount included). Thats before buying any lunches, coffees, waffles etc etc. I would think that would be offensive to even the super wealthy.

I couldn't agree more. I think Nyberg has major league f*cked up with the kids programs. I have several friends with kids who have decided to go to other mountains because of the cost of the kids programs. And what's the story with A SEASON PASS FOR A 6 YO BEING NORTH OF $700 WHILE A COLLEGE PUKE CAN GET A SEASON PASS FOR $300+?

I have 2 kids in the Mini Stars program which I prepaid $3,000 in order to get the discount and yet I still have to buy a lift ticket for my 6 yo if I want to ski with her 1 day on the weekend.

Not well thought out and I think this decision alone is going to bite Killington in the a** since for 2 years now they have stuck it to families with kids and it will take a lot of undoing to get those folks back to the mountain.

[RENO]

#1 SNOWMAKING! More powerful. More effecient. More guns. If they spent almost every penny on that, I'd be happy.
I'd like to see the Interconnect done within my lifetime. I'd like to walk out my condo, hop the shuttle to K and be able to snowboard to Pico without touching my vehicle...

What will happen for next season:
New lift at Snowdon
cross over trail reconfig
Snowmaking upgrades

we do need some sort of lift upgrade in snowden - faster & more reliable but not necessarily with more capacity to maintain the character of the trails.

Yes, get rid of the triple and quad and put in a HSQ up the line of the POMA lift. Move the POMA to skiers right on upper Bunny...

[RENO]

Kids program pricing is really where Killington loses me. For me to come up with wife and two kids, and ski for the weekend with the older kid in lessons and the younger at friendly penguin would be $878 (with the express card discount included). Thats before buying any lunches, coffees, waffles etc etc. I would think that would be offensive to even the super wealthy.

I couldn't agree more. I think Nyberg has major league f*cked up with the kids programs. I have several friends with kids who have decided to go to other mountains because of the cost of the kids programs. And what's the story with A SEASON PASS FOR A 6 YO BEING NORTH OF $700 WHILE A COLLEGE PUKE CAN GET A SEASON PASS FOR $300+?

I have 2 kids in the Mini Stars program which I prepaid $3,000 in order to get the discount and yet I still have to buy a lift ticket for my 6 yo if I want to ski with her 1 day on the weekend.

Not well thought out and I think this decision alone is going to bite Killington in the a** since for 2 years now they have stuck it to families with kids and it will take a lot of undoing to get those folks back to the mountain.

We don't have kids, but I agree that their pricing for the programs are horrible! If we had kids in programs we probably would've sold our condo and moved on to another resort...

[Bubba]

Kids program pricing is really where Killington loses me. For me to come up with wife and two kids, and ski for the weekend with the older kid in lessons and the younger at friendly penguin would be $878 (with the express card discount included). Thats before buying any lunches, coffees, waffles etc etc. I would think that would be offensive to even the super wealthy.

I couldn't agree more. I think Nyberg has major league f*cked up with the kids programs. I have several friends with kids who have decided to go to other mountains because of the cost of the kids programs. And what's the story with A SEASON PASS FOR A 6 YO BEING NORTH OF $700 WHILE A COLLEGE PUKE CAN GET A SEASON PASS FOR $300+?

I have 2 kids in the Mini Stars program which I prepaid $3,000 in order to get the discount and yet I still have to buy a lift ticket for my 6 yo if I want to ski with her 1 day on the weekend.

Not well thought out and I think this decision alone is going to bite Killington in the a** since for 2 years now they have stuck it to families with kids and it will take a lot of undoing to get those folks back to the mountain.

So, how would you restructure pricing, because you've hit on one of the key issues I asked about. Your point is that season pass pricing isn't rational and, between that and the price of the kids' program, Killington has driven families away. How would you restructure both pricing and program options? What should Killington charge for an adult pass, a kids' pass and a college pass? What price would make sense for a family and how would this compare, for example, to Sugarbush and Okemo? What kids' programs should be offered in addition to (or as a replacement for) the high priced program they have today?