Fall continues to hang around Killington, but winter will be arriving again soon. The long-term forecast shows colder temperatures moving in around the first few days of November and we’re ready to fire up the snow making system again.
Snow guns are currently set down to the K-1 base area along Great Northern, Lower Chute and Lower Bunny Buster. In addition, our new Techno-Alpin M-18 Fan gun has been installed and will be operational for the next snowmaking window. Crews have also set up snowmaking equipment off Skye Peak on Upper Skyelark and Lower Bittersweet.
Despite two inches of rain this past weekend, the snow we produced from October 13-17 on the upper slopes of Killington Peak held up real well. All that snow remains in “whale” piles from four to six feet deep and will be spread around prior to opening for the season. Our early season snowmaking effort also allowed us to test the system, identify problem areas and fix them prior to running the full system for the start of the season.
Now that early November is almost upon us, all of us here at the mountain are very excited to kick off the season and we remain committed to open as soon as snow and weather conditions allow us to provide our guests with a quality top-to-bottom skiing experience.
So what is it going to take to get open for the 2009-10 season? About 48-72 hours of sub 28 degree temperatures down to the base of K-1. Obviously the colder the better as we’ll be able to utilize our entire arsenal of Low Energy snow guns and produce a massive amount of snow with as little environmental impact as possible in regards to diesel and electric usage.
We continue to take advantage of cold upper mountain temperatures and produce snow on Rime, Reason, Upper Double Dipper and Great Northern Trails. The current weather conditions have allowed us to utilize our Ratnik and HKD Low Energy snow guns for maximum production and lower energy consumption.
This morning temperatures were 19 degrees at the peak, 26 at the base of Northridge and 30 at the base of K-1. Based on the current forecast, snowmaking will continue on the upper mountain through Saturday morning.
Over the past four days we have focused our efforts on stockpiling snow on the upper mountain area. We chose this strategy based upon mild temperatures forecasted for the coming week (Oct. 18-24). When the next cold spell arrives, we expect to have minimal snow production involved to prepare the upper mountain area, allowing us to focus snow making production on the lower mountain trails.
In addition, our new Techno-Alpin M-18 fan gun will be operational soon and producing snow as weather conditions permit. The new gun will be located on Snowdon Mountain at the intersection of Lower Chute, Great Northern and Mouse Trap.
While we are gearing up for an early November opening, all of us here at the mountain are very excited to kick off the season and we remain committed to open as soon as snow and weather conditions allow us to provide our guests with a quality top-to-bottom skiing experience.
Killington has long been known as the Beast of the East, and we’re proud to bring it back!
For the past decade, you’ve seen a softer side of Killington in how we present ourselves. Endless Adventures, Rise Above and Nowhere Else were tag lines that may have worked in the short term, but never had a long-standing message, feel or sense of pride.
For too long, we’ve let other mountains compare themselves to Killington. Fact is no other resort in the Northeast can compare to Killington in terms of size, terrain, lifts and snowmaking. No other resort area has a five-mile long access road loaded with the best après, dining and nightlife you’ll find in ski country.
Over the next few weeks, you’ll see our new ads, new look and a new website. As we welcome back the Beast of the East, just remember, it’s more than a marketing term. It’s who we are! It’s who you are!
Welcome back to the Beast of the East!
The first flakes of the season have already fallen on Killington Peak, and that means the season is right around the corner. We’re getting all fired up to fire up the World’s Most Extensive Snowmaking System, but there are a number of things we need to finish before we open for the season, here are six of them:
1. Install rebuilt tracks on snowcats
2. Mail out season passes!
3. Finish pressure testing snowmaking system
4. Install new fan guns (concrete pouring today)
5. Complete enhancements to The Stash (Check out the photo of the New Double Ha Ha to Wall Ride!)
6. Hire staff! (Lots of great opportunities at Killington!)
Now that we have our top 6 list, here is yours, courtesy of Katja Presnal of Skibamco.com.
Big changes in our overall weather pattern are upon us as the National Weather Service is forecasting the possibility of the first snowfall of the season Wednesday night into Thursday morning atop Killington Peak.
The Weather Channel, Accuweather.com and Snowforecast.com are all calling for cooler temperatures and rain, but no snow. So what how much credibility can we put into the NWS forecast for our first snowfall of the season?
For starters, the National Weather Service utilizes a pinpoint forecast for Killington Peak at an elevation of 3,113, which is about the halfway between the K-1 Lodge and Killington Peak, or about halfway down Cascade Trail. Snowforecast.com uses the same NWS forecast for 3,113 feet. The Weather Channel forecast, displayed on our snow report page, is pinpointed for Snowshed Lodge at 2,000 feet. Accuweather.com is forecasting for the Town of Killington at approximately 1,000 feet.
All organizations use similar data in preparing forecasts, but meteorologist’s interpretation of the information is where the variables come into play. In addition, computer models, synthetic forecasts, normal “climatic” values and historical data are all tools utilized for compiling forecast information. The University of Illinois offers basic forecasting information in its WW2010 project.
Regardless, if you’re heading to the Killington Brewfest, dress accordingly because the forecast is calling for cooler temps and a chance of showers.
