What has new ownership aleady done to improve Killington this season?

[Southside_Bobby]

I'll start. Snowmaking, Spring, and South Ridge

Major snowmaking investment everywhere you look. From fan towers on the bottom of SS, to fixed guns on the bottom of GE.

Spring plans this season are fantastic. New ownership had to approve the additional costs involved. Would Powdr have signed off on them?

All it took was one little operational change, and now navigating K on a Wednesday FINALLY feels like it should once again. Farewell to Powdr's putrid penny-pinching policies for operating the SRQ.

[snoloco]

Without a doubt, the weather has been much more favorable this season than it was the last few. But I feel like the improvements we have seen have gone further than that.

The thin to win snowmaking strategy that marked the late Powdr years is a thing of the past. They made enough snow on every snowmaking trail to withstand thaw cycles, even when none were in the forecast.

They are willing to go the extra mile to ensure things run smoothly. For example, last weekend, they had a major snowstorm on a holiday weekend, and they coordinated with the town to ensure that all the roads and parking lots were adequately plowed, and even rented additional equipment to help. This contrasts to that huge March storm last year, where they didn't plow anything, and appeared to wish that it hadn't snowed at all.

There is a clear and stated goal to, between snowmaking, and natural snow, always have as much terrain open as possible, and run lifts to serve that terrain. South Ridge and Outpost have run every single weekend since Christmas, even when conditions weren't ideal, as long as there was at least something open. The previous few years, there were multiple entire weekends where all the terrain off those lifts was open, yet they didn't run them.

Communication has been a lot better. Look at the spring operations plan. That was communicated well in advance, and before spring passes went on sale. Last year, they attempted to cut Fridays after spring passes went on sale.

[Stormchaser]

Much better communication on lift delays.

[skiadikt]

the most important thing they've done is get a positive post from loco. means they must be doing something right .

in general, feel as though a weight has been lifted from operations. the independence feels pretty good. mike really seems like he can do what he wants w/o answering to park city. and he's always had the back of the skiers and the resort.

as has been said snowmaking, the spring plan and south ridge. maybe it's been the constant complaining here but the snow reports have "improved". no more howdy beast fans. even little things like running the bear chair at 7:30 sunday of pres weekend. was a pow day. worked out great.

looking ahead - we're getting a new superstar chair, the skyeship gets a major facelift and like 'em or not, 500 more snowguns this summer.

[KingsFourMan]

Agree with all, the South Ridge running much more often is huge, snowmaking efforts and upgrades have been great, and the Spring work around looks to be a good one. Just bought my Spring Pass today.

Love this independence, the new vibe and optimism, and the planned upgrades for this year and beyond. The future is looking bright for Killington which is so great to see.

[MrsG]

Well said by all - Mother Nature dealt some nasty weather - some major wind issues, and Killington ops came through as best as can be expected

[ski]

Huge improvement on powder day readiness . .

** Parking lots plowed
** Lifts loading as scheduled.
** Rapid trail openings
** Park crew NOT taking multiple laps in front of waiting crowds

Thank you

[rogman]

They pretty much shut up Kzone. They ought to get a Nobel Peace prize or something for that.

[hillbangin]

Honeymoon period for sure.

This is a great weather year since the middle of the Xmas break.

Short memories back before the WC when things got off to a pretty rocky start.

Looking forward to a couple new lifts next year.

Sent from my SM-S906U1 using Tapatalk

[ozzy]

Better lift communication

Readiness. Lifts, lots and lodge at pico.


I saw them open the pico summit chair at 3:30 one day after the wind subsided and long after the summit guarantee went into effect.

Definitely best thing i saw this season is the new liberal open terrain policies. There's been plenty of times where i couldn't believe sone terrain was open, but so happy to see it. If you want it, go for it, but be responsible for yourself. Thats the way it should be, but I get it.

[Captain Hafski]

I think they are doing a better job at keeping the chairlift 'exit ramps' in a condition that supports peeps getting off the chair and being able to ski away a bit to help clear the area for the next chair.

This includes: Using Snowdon 6 pack as the example

- Not having the snow level too high at the unloading 'line'; Old people with bad knees need to wait until the snow level is just right to be able to easily get out of the chair and push off. When the level is too high, the chair starts turning around the bullwheel before you are out of the chair. I think it's why they have the 2x4s on the sides of the off ramp to indicate the proper snow level.

- After that, the rest of the unloading zone needs to pitch down for a bit. This requires them to clear snow out as necessary so the people just don't stop in the unloading zone and/or get hit by the chair. Not much vertical to work with at the SD6 so real important to get this right.

Similar at top of South Ridge chair.

Kudos on improving this ! I'd like to think it may be due to some suggestions I have posted here in the past but regardless, helps keep the lifts turning.

[Captain Hafski]

Probably echoing others but the Snow Report has improved immensely. That includes the Snow Reporters Update and the Snowmaking Update. They've also improved the Grooming Update though that doesn't do much for me unless it happens that they show an unusual trail groomed [Ridge Run, etc].

Also, like them adding the lift open/close times to the App.

Like being able to see the three temperatures [Peak, Top of Bear, K1 Lodge] on the app. Not sure if this is new or I just figured it out this year. Also, it seems like these do get updated hourly or so.

[newpylong1]

Snow Report and priority to operate as many lifts including if only on natural snow early on has greatly improved.

[wtf021]

They are making it abundently clear how much Powdr sucks at running a resort.

[Skid Mark]

They are making it abundently clear how much Powdr sucks at running a resort.

I'm pretty sure the new owners repeatedly said that they were staying out of operations and will continue to let Mike et al run the resort. You people are high.