Guest experience gets even better at Killington Resort and Pico Mountain with $5.7 Million capital investment in winter infrastructure and renewable energy in 2018
Carrying the momentum of a two-year commitment to host the Audi FIS Ski World Cup in 2017 and 2018, Vermont's Killington Resort, the largest ski and snowboard resort in Eastern North America and part of the POWDR adventure lifestyle company, will offer a number of guest experience upgrades this coming season. POWDR has invested $5.7 million in capital improvements at Killington and Pico across the properties year-round attractions. The investments in 2017/2018 will further enhance snowmaking equipment and infrastructure, upgrade and rebuild lifts, expand summer activities at the resort and improve the overall experience at both resorts.
Since POWDR purchased Killington Resort and Pico Mountain in 2007, infrastructure improvements have exceeded more than $50 million, including a new lift, lift drives, snowmaking
"As we prepare to host another Ski World Cup in November, investments are being made to further enrich the experience at Killington and Pico," said Mike Solimano, president and general manager of Killington Resort. "The investments being made this year will help Killington and Pico preserve leadership in resort operations, sustainability and overall guest experience year-round. Last year, we hosted the longest winter season in the East, operating 201 days between October 22 and June 1, and we're hopeful that 2018 will be bigger and better with these enhancements."
Snowmaking Equipment and Infrastructure
Killington Resort will make major investments to its state-of-the-art snowmaking capabilities, highlighted by a partnership with Efficiency Vermont to add 163 new low energy tower snow guns. This significant increase in low energy tower guns, along with a number of other critical system improvements, not only
Pico Mountain improves snowmaking by increasing water capacity in their two snowmaking ponds with a dredging project completed this past summer. Additionally, key pipelines were replaced, valve stations upgraded and pump houses augmented to improve snowmaking at Pico Mountain. This $200,000 investment in snowmaking will enhance the guest experience and conditions throughout the 2017/2018 season.
Snow Grooming Machines
Killington has added three new grooming tractors to its impressive fleet of snow groomers. The new snow groomers are among the most powerful and efficient pieces of machinery in the industry and will enhance the operator's ability to deliver the best possible snow surface. A Prinoth groomer comes with the latest technology for terrain park grooming, providing the ability to creatively shape trending features which will further enhance Killington's world-class terrain parks. Killington will invest $965,000 in new snow grooming equipment this year.
Lift Upgrades and Rebuilds
Killington Resort will make significant upgrades this year to its lift infrastructure,
Summer Activity Upgrades
With summer now marching into fall, the warmer season remains top-of-mind with completed investments. Killington Resort added activities for young children in the Adventure Center for this past summer, which already offered a wide array of attractions such as a trampoline jump, zip
Mountain Bike Park
The Killington Mountain Bike Park is in the midst of a multi-year build out designed by Gravity Logic, a world leader in the design of sustainable progressive mountain bike trails for summer resort operations, which will continue to set the standard for mountain bike park operations in the eastern U.S. New projects include a new 2.5 mile jump trail, skills park and a 1.6 mile
Solar Sites and Renewable Energy
Already a leader in sustainability, Killington
In addition to the on-mountain solar installations, Killington partnered with Namaste Solar to develop four off-site solar farms within a short drive from the mountain. The four projects will be energized before the end of 2017 and generate more than 3,000,000 kWh of electricity per year, which is equivalent to nearly 12% percent of the resorts annual usage. The projects allow Killington to realize significant savings while doing its part to help the state of Vermont meet the visionary goal of achieving 90 percent of Vermont's total energy needs from renewable sources by 2050. The projects also help the resort reinvest into its energy future. Additionally, two new electric car charging stations are being added along with the existing unit at the Grand Hotel. Each new site will have both a Tesla and a universal charger.
Ongoing Infrastructure Improvements
Killington Resort will continue to improve the overall delivery of service to its guests with a number of other infrastructure and operations improvements at the property.
For more information about Killington Resort and Pico Mountain, visit www.killington.com and www.picomountain.com or search #beast365 or #mypicomtn on social media.
Source : Killington Resort