Killingtons Like??

[SkiDog]

It strikes me that there are a TON OF PEOPLE on this board that really really HATE Killington...I often wonder why, but try not to let it "bother" me....

I came to a "semi analogy" Killington is like the New York Yankees..They are the team people love to hate...like Killington is the mountain people love to hate..and no matter whats said...no matter what the last few years have shown..(which is only a management problem the HILL hasnt changed) skier visit wise..it is still the "BEAST OF THE EAST" with only one season in my memory that it was not first to open last to close, and that was the crappy weather season of last....and you knnow what???

I think all you "haters" out there..ski there no matter what you might say...i call you "closet kmart fans"

;-)

M

 

[Greg]

Troll.

 

[ctenidae]

The actual skiing at K-town I like. It's everything else that I'm not a big fan of.
Plus, they make an interesting business case.

 

[thetrailboss]

I think that you have a point. I've always said that Killington is the Wal Mart of skiing....it is the biggest kid on the block, has anything "you'd want or need" at a good price, has a "blah" atmosphere akin to the cinderblock stores, serves the masses, and is often criticized because it is the biggest.

Regrettably, it seems the K-Mart is a legend...of the past. It always did everything bigger and better than everyone else. Until Les Otten and Sunday River came along. And then came ASC.

Much of the criticism I read is leveled at the management and operations of the ski area and not the terrain or actual "Killington" per se.

 

[thetrailboss]

Oh...and to continue...

My take on Killington, to quote the astute Bob R, "it is what it is." I personally have had good outings there. I like Pico for many reasons. That said, there's nothing like riding up K-1 and descending on the steeps underneath it, or basking in the sun on Outer Limits. The views are great and they still run the Poma on Snowdon, which I love. Some good terrain...is it MRG? No. Is it Bretton Woods? No. Good variety and good stuff for experts on Killington Peak. I'm looking forward to skiing there this season, but I know where to go and for many folks it is just overwhelming.

 

[SkiDog]

I think that you have a point. I've always said that Killington is the Wal Mart of skiing....it is the biggest kid on the block, has anything "you'd want or need" at a good price, has a "blah" atmosphere akin to the cinderblock stores, serves the masses, and is often criticized because it is the biggest.

Regrettably, it seems the K-Mart is a legend...of the past. It always did everything bigger and better than everyone else. Until Les Otten and Sunday River came along. And then came ASC.

Much of the criticism I read is leveled at the management and operations of the ski area and not the terrain or actual "Killington" per se.

I agree and hold NO ANIMOCITY towards anyone..we all have what we like and dont..i just think its funny that a LOT of hatred is directed towards good ole KMART...and thought it might make an interesting thread..

It is a SHAME WHAT ASC has done to that poor mtn..

M

 

[SkiDog]

but I know where to go and for many folks it is just overwhelming.

as do i this is why I personally Love it there...

but I can see...the first few times I was there...oofah...boy did I get lost..one wrong turn and see ya...

Pico...rocks for this reason..everything filters to the same place..nice for familes..and the snow sticks around casue everyone wants to ski the K..superstar and outer limits...Not me....too many people that ski it just to say... "i skied outer limits" that trail hasnt been what it once was in MANY MANY years...wall to wall bumps??? naaaa the weekenders can't hanlde that...

M

 

[ski_adk]

I used to be a K-hater, but after getting some runs in with some folks who know that mountain, I must say, it's on my top-5 list. The canyon area offers up some incredible steeps as does Bear Peak. There are some sweet trees and awesome top-speed cruisers there. The varying exposures provided by K's diverse terrain mean that somewhere on the mountain there should be decent snow if you look for it. And of course, Coops is uncomparable.

And oh yeah...Pico rocks (when there's snow)!

 

[thetrailboss]

I think that because of its shear size and volume, nearly EVERYONE has skied it, so there are more people to love/hate it. Now if I said, "how many people hate Burke?" a significant number would say, "where is that?" So it's all about the volume....this in no way minimizes the amount of criticism, but does explain why you hear so much.

 

[Vortex]

Killington is not my favorite, but close to the top 5. I posted on the old k Board before here. I use to travel with the K marketing guys back in the 80's when I was in the business.

I skied at K on many of my days off. Is has its advantages and its dis-advantages. I like it, but as really one of the leading mountains its prone to attacks. I have pushed many from K-zone (some I would consider friends to come over here.) An eastern ski site with out K paricipation would not be right. IMO.
ASC seems to be the area that is attacked more than the mountain itself. I would say that the mountain employees take alot of hits that are designed for corporate as well.

Your points are well taken though.

 

[SkiDog]

Killington is not my favorite, but close to the top 5. I posted on the old k Board before here. I use to travel with the K marketing guys back in the 80's when I was in the business.

I skied at K on many of my days off. Is has its advantages and its dis-advantages. I like it, but as really one of the leading mountains its prone to attacks. I have pushed many from K-zone (some I would consider friends to come over here.) An eastern ski site with out K paricipation would not be right. IMO.
ASC seems to be the area that is attacked more than the mountain itself. I would say that the mountain employees take alot of hits that are designed for corporate as well.

Your points are well taken though.

Just trying to entertain myself for the rest of the day...and this is one of those threads like...snowboarders at MRG...could go on for a while least I hope so

I just like it...thats all...when I get there I try to forget everything BAD about the company that took that great place over...its been at least 2 years since the memorial day "triathalon" and thats LAMEATHON..



M

 

[thetrailboss]

Nothing wrong with starting a thread like this. In fact, I will tell the crew at KZone about it...

 

[SkiDog]

Nothing wrong with starting a thread like this. In fact, I will tell the crew at KZone about it...

the more the merrier...

M

 

[Vortex]

Ski Dog it was a good thread. It made me think anyway. I'm usually pushing people to be positive. No issue at all.

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

Dog, Good for you for sticking up for your mountain. I have to admit I’m a K-hater. The place is just too crowded for me. I think it’s biggest problem is that over the years there was half-assed expansion and now what you’re left with is a mountain criss-crossed with trails and high speed lifts.

You have experts trying to get somewhere and they have to cross where there are beginners.

Their lift capacity puts too many people on their trails at once.

When they have snow it gets skied off fast by the masses.

It has 3000 feet of vert but really it skis in 1,000 to 1,500 chunks.

It’s like a big maze with thousands of rats scarring around bagging into each other.

 

[SkiDog]

Dog, Good for you for sticking up for your mountain. I have to admit I’m a K-hater. The place is just too crowded for me. I think it’s biggest problem is that over the years there was half-assed expansion and now what you’re left with is a mountain criss-crossed with trails and high speed lifts.

You have experts trying to get somewhere and they have to cross where there are beginners.

Their lift capacity puts too many people on their trails at once.

When they have snow it gets skied off fast by the masses.

It has 3000 feet of vert but really it skis in 1,000 to 1,500 chunks.

It’s like a big maze with thousands of rats scarring around bagging into each other.

I do agree with most of the above points.....but if you get out early and ski the mtn bear first and over...you hardly EVER see a line or a crowd...as the "masses" show up...you move "away" from them...then...by like 2:30 -3:00 post up at a nice barstool....beat the crowds to the bar....usually "the lookout" for me...

some of those "chunks" though are nice let me tell you...and to have the ability to ski pico when the crowds get too harsh or snow skied off....it a nice feature.

I just want to clarify that this thread wasn't meant to provoke ANYONE...just to get opinions....im a yanks fan too...so im used to being "hated" ha......there are soo many mountains i love.....but only few I can ski on a regular basis...K's got a little of everything for everyone...management STINKS...but that hill rocks...

M

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

I do agree with most of the above points.....but if you get out early and ski the mtn bear first and over...you hardly EVER see a line or a crowd...as the "masses" show up...you move "away" from them...then...by like 2:30 -3:00 post up at a nice barstool....beat the crowds to the bar....usually "the lookout" for me...
M

That's just it, you're always trying to beat the crowd at Kmart. It's not the kind of experience I prefer.

I just want to clarify that this thread wasn't meant to provoke ANYONE...just to get opinions....
M

It's a great thread. It's the type that leads to an exchange of opinions, which I like to call a discussion. If someone doesn't agree with a post let him step up and defend his position. That makes for an interesting thread.

 

[tomski]

Likes:

Elevation
Bumps
Natural trails
Lenght of season
Steeps


Dislikes:

Lack of continuous verticle
Crowds
Parking
Regulars who think they're better than everyone else

 

[tree_skier]

That's just it, you're always trying to beat the crowd at Kmart. It's not the kind of experience I prefer.
.

I don't know of too many places where on the weekend you don't have to try to beat the crowd. In fact Magic and Willard were the only places I was at last year that didn't have a beat the crowd mentality on the weekend. I was a K-mart pres. week (thurs) and the only crowd issue was the K1, other then that no lines and great skiing.

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

I don't know of too many places where on the weekend you don't have to try to beat the crowd.

That's a valid point and one of the main reason why I settled in at Whiteface.

I think the crowds are worse at Kmart then anywhere else and I was a season pass holder at Hunter from age 6 to 46, so I've seen my share of big crowds.

You like Kmart, that's cool, lots of people do. I mean look at the crowds they get.:razz: