Killington Resort, the largest mountain resort in Eastern North America, is making a major investment in energy-efficient snowmaking, adding 1,000 new snow guns over the next two seasons.
For the 2024 season, Killington and Pico will be upgrading their snowmaking arsenal with 36 portable HKD Phazer snow guns, 454 HKD Impulse and Phazer R5 tower guns, and four fully automated HKD Diablo fan guns. In 2025, another 510 HKD Impulse and Phazer R5 tower guns will be installed, more than doubling the fixed tower snow guns at both mountains.
This $7 million initiative will reduce electricity, fuel, and labor costs while cutting 5.8 million pounds of carbon emissions annually. The investment also includes advanced snowmaking automation for the 2025/26 season with the HKD ISno system and hydrant tracker to maximize efficiency across the resort.
“This is the biggest snowmaking transformation since we expanded to Bear Mountain in the ’70s,” said Greg Gleason, Snowmaking Manager. “The new equipment will not only cut costs but also allow us to open terrain faster and maintain top-notch snow conditions.”
Located in Vermont’s Green Mountains, Killington Resort, known as “The Beast of the East,” spans six peaks plus Pico Mountain, offering year-round adventure. It features the most expansive snowmaking and lift system in Eastern North America, with over 200 trails and 92 miles of terrain. Killington is also a destination for summer activities, including mountain biking, golf, hiking, and family-friendly attractions.
In partnership with Efficiency Vermont and Green Mountain Power, Killington will soon operate 2,459 snow guns across 3,500 hydrants, enhancing its ability to offer top-tier snow sports while supporting sustainability efforts.
Tara Schatz is a freelance writer and the founder and editor-in-chief of Vermont Explored and Back Road Ramblers, an American road trip blog. She is also the co-author of the 3rd edition of AMC’s Best Day Hikes in Vermont, released in May 2023, and the author of 100+ Wonderful Ways to Experience Vermont.
