Snow guns are blazin’ at Killington Resort

Killington Resort started snowmaking on Oct. 10 in advance of the 2016 Audi FIS Ski World Cup coming to Vermont’s largest ski area on Nov. 26-27, 2o16. Killington Resort was the first North American ski mountain to open its season to the general public in 2015, in part because of the resort’s advanced snowmaking and grooming prowess. Snowmaking lit up on Killington and Skye Peaks just before dawn Monday, building stockpiles for both public consumption on the North Ridge trails and the approaching World Cup races on the legendary trail, Superstar. 

In addition to summer snowmaking improvements to the water lines, Killington has dedicated a snowmaking team to specifically build the race venue on Superstar where the women’s slalom and giant slalom races will take place. Killington’s powerful snowmaking system has the ability to pump more than 720,000 gallons of water into 240 snow guns, which can cover 80 acres with 12 inches of fresh snow in a matter of hours. Killington’s snowmaking capacity and grooming allow the mountain to maintain a dependable and consistent snow surface regardless of weather conditions.

Because of their advanced snowmaking technology, Jeff Temple, director of mountain operations and facilities maintenance, isn’t necessarily praying for snow.

“I don’t care if one flake of snow falls, I need cold,” he recently told The Mountain Times.

Temple and his team have been studying more than a decade’s worth of weather patterns to ensure they are prepared to make the early season race happen. Part of the preparation has included adding “more hydrants and adding additional temperature monitoring stations as well as dividing the trail into elevation zones since the peak is colder earlier than the base due to the elevation difference,” according to The Mountain Times article.

“Our operations team has snowmaking and grooming down to a science, which makes Killington able to host an event of this magnitude early in the season,” said Mike Solimano, president and general manager of Killington Resort. “Hosting the World Cup is a tremendous opportunity for both Killington and the East in general. We are preparing for a successful event regardless of how much powder Mother Nature drops between now and Thanksgiving.”

Killington will be the first mountain in the eastern U.S. to host an alpine World Cup event in 25 years. The general public can view the women’s giant slalom and slalom races in a free general admission area, which will accommodate approximately 7,500 spectators. Beyond some exciting racing, the rock band O.A.R. will headline a robust music and entertainment lineup for World Cup spectators.

Release courtesy of Killington Resort