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Killington Resort Announces Improvement Projects for the 2012-13 Season

RENO

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http://www.killington.com/winter/beast/blog/authors/killington/killington-resort-announces1

Killington Resort Announces Improvement Projects for the 2012-13 SeasonPosted June 10, 2012

Killington Resort has invested over $20 million in the last five years including the Skye Peak Express Quad, snowmaking improvements along with preparation to build Killington’s new Peak facility.

Crews will complete the sewer system from the Killington Peak to the K-1 Lodge as well as set the foundation, footings and bottom floor walls of the new Peak facility. The construction management company, Engelberth from Colchester, VT, will resume building in the spring of 2013 with the intention of completing the new facility by Christmas 2013. Furthermore, we will continue to upgrade our snowmaking system, fine tune our trails and install an 18-hole disc golf course this summer.

Over the last five years, majority of Killington’s capital spending was used on deferred maintenance and general improvements around the Resort. Last summer nearly $6.5 million was devoted to enhancement projects including improving our snowmaking system with replacement pipe, upgrading our snow gun arsenal to include more energy efficient guns, improving ski runs, upgrading lifts, updating our lodge interiors and expanding the Wobbly Barn’s dining area. Additionally, a lift served Tubing Park was installed at the Killington Golf Course and four new Prinoth groomers were added to the fleet.

Due to tropical storm Irene striking Vermont on August 28, some last year’s projects were put on hold including the installation of the sewer pipe. With over 12 inches of rainfall in 24 hours, bridges and huge sections of road were washed away, leaving over $6 million in damage from the tropical storm, which immediately changed our capital improvement priorities.

There was a silver lining that came from the tropical storm, we were able to replace the collapsed 6,800 square foot Superstar Pub in the K-1 Lodge with the Roaring Brook Umbrella Bars, a 6,400 square foot heated deck and bathroom, located at the base of Superstar Trail, so thank you Irene.

Additionally, crews created a few more unique venues last season including the Motor Room Bar atop of Bear Mountain and the Dog Sled. The Motor Room Bar, located in the original drive terminal of Killington’s first four-passenger lift atop Devil’s Fiddle trail, debuted this past winter and offered an exclusive après ski experience for guests that included a snowcat ride in an enclosed cabin. The Dog Sled also opened providing specialty hot dogs and drinks at the bottom of the North Ridge Triple Chair during our early season, upper mountain skiing and then moved next to the Roaring Brook Umbrella Bars.

Moving forward, Killington Resort has many exciting projects in the queue including replacing the Snowdon Quad in the next few years along with adding an uphill service in the South Ridge area. Additionally, the long awaited Killington Village plan has been submitted to Vermont and the Act 250 is in the review process. Plans to connect Killington Resort and Pico Mountain are in place and will begin when the new village breaks ground.
 
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AdironRider

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An 18 hole disc golf course! Oh Boy.

For once, HStar has a leg to stand on with his ranting and raving.
 

millerm277

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English translation: Killington resort will be doing no improvement projects besides a disc golf course and working on a lodge that won't be finished for another year.

Which I understand, considering Irene, the season, and the significant projects they've previously done, we can't get a new lift every year.

That said, I don't understand why you'd make an announcement drawing attention to the fact that you're doing nothing of importance this year, and I don't understand why they can't give even rough timeframes/explanations of what they're planning to do in the future.
 

skiadikt

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a sewer pipe and disc golf wow ........

thought the vista view and motor room bar were nice additions but trumpeting a hot dog stand ......

didn't expect anything. regarding snowmaking "improvements", let's hope they don't "improve" the snowmaking on other trails like they did on outer limits last year.
 

AdironRider

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I have to admit, who gives a rats ass about maintenance. THat is a given, Im not going to feel good for you because you are maintaining the status quo.

Ive defended Killington on lots of things on message boards, but this is just pitiful.
 

oakapple

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I don't understand why you'd make an announcement drawing attention to the fact that you're doing nothing of importance this year. . . .
Easy answer: the Peak Lodge is important. And it's a pretty big deal financially too, probably the most expensive upgrade Killington has had in many, many years. Now, I realize there are people who feel that as long as there's a port-a-potty on the hill, lodges are a waste. But that is not how ski areas actually operate. Not every year can have the improvements you favor personally. The Peak Lodge is huge.

I don't understand why they can't give even rough timeframes/explanations of what they're planning to do in the future.
Because if they tell you the Snowdon Quad is going to be replaced in 2014, and the date winds up (for whatever reason) being 2015, the "KILLINGTON = FAIL" message board threads will be about 30 pages long. They're not going to announce a date until it is practically etched in stone.
 
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drjeff

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Easy answer: the Peak Lodge is important. And it's a pretty bit deal financially too, probably the most expensive upgrade Killington has had in many, many years. Now, I realize there are people who feel that as long as there's a port-a-potty on the hill, lodges are a waste. But that is not how ski areas actually operate. Not every year can have the improvements you favor personally. The Peak Lodge is huge.


Because if they tell you the Snowdon Quad is going to be replaced in 2014, and the date winds up (for whatever reason) being 2015, the "KILLINGTON = FAIL" message board threads will be about 30 pages long. They're not going to announce a date until it is practically etched in stone.



Spot on analysis
 

Geoff

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Because if they tell you the Snowdon Quad is going to be replaced in 2014, and the date winds up (for whatever reason) being 2015, the "KILLINGTON = FAIL" message board threads will be about 30 pages long. They're not going to announce a date until it is practically etched in stone.

A lot of us are hoping the Snowdon quad isn't replaced for quite a few years. A high speed 6-pack will be an attraction that ends up trashing the snow surface. Joe Average doesn't have the patience to ride a slower fixed-grip lift more than a few times.
 

drjeff

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2.5 hour drive. Try 5+ from where I'm at. $80 ticket? Think I got my pass under $20 a day this year.

I like Snowdon just the way it is.

The reality is that with the changes that have occurred at K over the past few seasons HAVEN'T yet driven away a multi year season pass holder, the chances are that they'll keep coming back and buying another season pass, so for that group, many of whom love the slow lifts on snowdon for what it offers, that business group isn't likely to change too much. Now, the bean counters out in Utah, may have realized that some of their actions might of thinned out K's business just a bit more than they wanted it too. To help reattract some of that business, "those folks" (i.e. the few time a year day ticket, rentals, lessons, lodging demographic) tend to love seeing new high speed lifts and LOTS of high speed lifts, and i'm quite sure that that factor will weigh in strongly with the decision to upgrade the snowdon lift system whenever it gets done
 
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