Killington Resort Travel Guide - Free Web & App

Your ultimate guide to Killington Resort. Discover top landmarks, proposed trips, and local tips. Free on the web or via the Evendo companion app.

Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play Download the Free PDF guide
Killington Resort
Killington Resort photo 2
Killington Resort photo 3
All photos

Killington Resort in Vermont offers lift-served skiing, snowboarding, hiking and mountain views, with lively après-ski and access to the Green Mountains.

Mountain Setting and Four-Season Character

Killington Resort occupies a broad section of Vermont’s Green Mountains near the town of Killington, in the central part of the state. Its lifts and trails spread across several connected areas, including Killington Peak, Snowdon Mountain, Ramshead, Bear Mountain and the southern access area served by the Skyeship Gondola. The resort is known primarily for its extensive winter terrain, but its wooded slopes, ridgelines and valleys also provide a setting for summer hiking, mountain biking and scenic gondola rides.
Read more about Killington Resort

Winter Sport and Mountain Scenery

During the snow season, Killington offers terrain ranging from beginner slopes and learning areas to steep trails and demanding tree runs. The K-1 Gondola provides access to high mountain terrain and broad views across the surrounding Green Mountains, while Bear Mountain is associated with more advanced skiing and snowboarding. Snow conditions vary with elevation, exposure and weather, and the resort supplements natural snowfall with extensive snowmaking. Outside winter, marked trails, lift-accessed recreation and nearby forest roads reveal a quieter side of the landscape.

Life Beyond the Slopes

Killington’s visitor life is concentrated around the resort base areas and the scattered businesses along the access roads through town. Lodges, restaurants, pubs, equipment shops and accommodation serve a strongly seasonal tourism economy, with the busiest atmosphere during winter weekends and holiday periods. The wider area also offers access to Long Trail hiking, the Appalachian Trail in the region, Vermont farm products and small mountain communities. Killington is consequently less a traditional town centre than a dispersed mountain destination organised around outdoor recreation.

When is the best time to visit Killington Resort?

Best: June–August · 21–24°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January-370
February-260
March370
April980
May1690
June (best)21100
July (best)24100
August (best)23100
September1990
October1380
November680
December080

Getting to and around Killington Resort

How to get there

Killington Resort is reached primarily by road, with US Route 4 providing the main east-west approach through central Vermont and Vermont Route 100 offering a north-south route nearby. The access roads lead to different resort base areas, so visitors should check which lodging, lift or activity they are visiting before arriving. Rutland–Southern Vermont Regional Airport is the closest commercial airport, while larger airports including Burlington International Airport and Albany International Airport serve as alternatives. Amtrak service reaches Rutland, from where onward travel by car or other local arrangements is required; there is no railway station at the resort.

Transportation

A car is generally the most flexible way to move between Killington’s dispersed base areas, accommodation and nearby services, although winter driving requires care on steep or winding roads. Resort shuttle arrangements may operate during the ski season, but routes and availability can change, so current information should be checked before relying on them. Walking is practical within individual base areas but not between the whole mountain complex. Hiking and biking use designated trails, while local taxi and ride services may be limited outside peak periods. Visitors should allow time for changing road conditions and busy arrival periods.

Best attractions in Killington Resort

Killington’s principal attraction is its extensive ski and snowboard terrain, divided among several mountain areas with contrasting gradients, woodland trails and base facilities. The K-1 Gondola climbs towards Killington Peak and provides access to high-elevation slopes and mountain views, while Bear Mountain is associated with challenging terrain and the Skyeship Gondola links the southern side of the resort with the mountain. In summer, lift-served sightseeing, hiking and mountain biking reveal forested ridges and open viewpoints, although operations vary by season. The resort also offers access to the broader Green Mountain landscape, including nearby sections of the Long Trail and Appalachian Trail, though these are independent long-distance footpaths rather than resort attractions. Around the base areas, lodges, equipment facilities and outdoor activity centres form the practical focus of a visit. Beyond the resort, the town of Killington provides rural roads, ponds, rivers and dispersed businesses rather than a single concentrated sightseeing district.

Show more attractions

Best landmarks in Killington Resort

Killington Peak is the defining natural landmark of the resort, rising above a chain of Green Mountain ridges and forming the high point reached by the K-1 Gondola. The surrounding ski areas—Snowdon, Ramshead, Bear Mountain and the southern slopes served by the Skyeship—are recognisable landscape features in their own right, shaped by cleared trails set within extensive northern hardwood and conifer forest. The resort’s gondola systems and base lodges are important modern landmarks because they express the scale and engineering of contemporary mountain recreation. Beyond the developed slopes, the Long Trail and Appalachian Trail represent the wider cultural landscape of Vermont’s mountains, passing through a region where recreation, forestry and conservation overlap. The town’s dispersed rural roads and older settlement pattern provide a contrast to the purpose-built resort infrastructure, but Killington is not primarily a destination of historic monuments or grand architecture.

Show more landmarks

Explore Killington Resort on the map

Plan your trip on one map. See where the top attractions, landmarks, restaurants and hotels are, and book hotels and experiences in a few clicks.

Best restaurants in Killington Resort

Dining around Killington is shaped by the ski resort’s dispersed layout and strongly seasonal visitor economy. Resort base lodges provide food and drink during operating periods, while Killington Road and the surrounding approaches contain a mixture of casual restaurants, pubs, cafés and take-away options. Menus commonly draw on New England comfort food, burgers, pizza, soups, sandwiches and locally produced ingredients, with Vermont cheeses, maple products and craft beverages appearing in regional dining. Visitors staying in self-catering accommodation can find groceries and prepared foods in the wider Killington area, although choices are more limited than in a major town. More formal dining and evening meals are concentrated outside the ski trails, particularly around the main commercial corridor and nearby lodging clusters. Opening patterns can be seasonal, and winter weekends are busy, so checking current arrangements is sensible rather than assuming every venue operates throughout the year.

Show more restaurants

Best bars in Killington Resort

Killington has one of Vermont’s more active après-ski scenes, but its evening entertainment remains concentrated in resort lodges, pubs and scattered venues along Killington Road rather than in a walkable nightlife district. Après-ski usually centres on casual drinks, food and conversation after the lifts close, with the atmosphere varying according to the winter calendar and visitor numbers. Established local venues such as the Wobbly Barn and the Pickle Barrel are associated with the area’s restaurant, bar and live-entertainment culture, while smaller pubs and inns provide quieter alternatives. Outside the ski season, evenings are generally more subdued and some businesses may operate on reduced or changing schedules. Visitors should arrange transport responsibly because accommodation, restaurants and bars are spread along rural roads, and walking between venues is not always practical or safe in winter conditions.

Show more bars

Best nightclubs in Killington Resort

Killington has one of Vermont’s more active après-ski scenes, but its evening entertainment remains concentrated in resort lodges, pubs and scattered venues along Killington Road rather than in a walkable nightlife district. Après-ski usually centres on casual drinks, food and conversation after the lifts close, with the atmosphere varying according to the winter calendar and visitor numbers. Established local venues such as the Wobbly Barn and the Pickle Barrel are associated with the area’s restaurant, bar and live-entertainment culture, while smaller pubs and inns provide quieter alternatives. Outside the ski season, evenings are generally more subdued and some businesses may operate on reduced or changing schedules. Visitors should arrange transport responsibly because accommodation, restaurants and bars are spread along rural roads, and walking between venues is not always practical or safe in winter conditions.

Show more nightclubs

Best shops in Killington Resort

Shopping in Killington is practical and recreation-focused rather than based around a traditional high street. Equipment stores and rental businesses supply skis, snowboards, clothing, footwear, helmets and mountain-biking gear, while smaller retailers serve visitors looking for outdoor accessories and weather-resistant clothing. Along Killington Road and near accommodation areas, visitors can also find convenience shops, groceries, prepared food and souvenirs. Vermont products such as maple syrup, cheese, craft beverages, woollen goods and locally made food may be available through regional shops and farm-oriented retailers, although the selection changes between businesses and seasons. The resort itself is not a major centre for antiques, designer goods or large permanent markets. Visitors seeking a broader range of general retail services may need to travel to Rutland, outside the immediate resort area, rather than expecting an extensive shopping district within Killington.

Show more shops

Get your free copy of our complete guide to Killington Resort, delivered straight to you.

Everything on this page, from attractions and restaurants to essentials and local phrases, in one PDF you can read offline, print or share.

Already have an account? Sign in

By clicking Create account, you accept the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Killington Resort essentials

Currency and Payment
The currency is the United States dollar (USD). Resort lodges, equipment businesses, accommodation providers and most restaurants generally accept major debit and credit cards, with contactless payment increasingly available, but practices vary among smaller businesses. Cash is useful for incidental purchases, tips and establishments with limited connectivity. Cash machines are more likely to be found at larger accommodation, resort or commercial areas than on the mountain itself. International visitors should notify their card provider when appropriate and check foreign transaction fees, while remembering that card pre-authorisation and gratuity arrangements can differ between businesses.
Safety
Mountain conditions can change quickly, with cold, wind, reduced visibility, ice and heavy snowfall possible in winter and wet, muddy or slippery ground common during shoulder seasons. Skiers and snowboarders should follow the resort’s trail signage, boundary rules and safety code, while hikers and bikers should remain on permitted routes and carry suitable clothing, water and navigation equipment. Roads may be hazardous during storms, and mobile coverage can vary in wooded or elevated areas. Keep clear of closed terrain, respect other trail users and avoid approaching wildlife or entering unmanaged areas without checking local conditions.
Emergency Situations
For police, fire or medical emergencies in the United States, call 911 and provide the clearest available location, including the resort base area, trail name, lift, road or nearby landmark. On managed ski terrain, alert resort personnel or patrol as soon as possible and follow their instructions; outside operating areas, assistance may take longer because of distance and weather. Carry a charged phone, but do not rely on mobile coverage in every part of the mountain. For non-urgent medical needs, use current local healthcare information or ask accommodation staff for the appropriate nearby service.
Do's and Don'ts
Do follow posted instructions, trail markings, lift procedures and temporary closures, and give uphill traffic and other users appropriate space. Do keep dogs under control where they are permitted and remove all litter, including food packaging and wax-related waste. Do not enter closed ski terrain, cross barriers or assume that a summer trail is suitable in winter. Respect private property, local residents and working roads, particularly in the dispersed areas around the resort. Tipping is customary in the United States for table service, bartending and many personal services; check the bill before adding anything.
Local Tips
Killington’s geography rewards planning: the K-1, Snowshed, Ramshead, Bear Mountain and Skyeship areas do not function as one compact base village. Winter visitors should identify their preferred terrain and lift access before choosing accommodation, while summer visitors should check which lifts and trails are operating. The town’s services are spread along Killington Road and surrounding routes, so combining errands with a planned outing is often practical. Early or late-season conditions can be especially variable, and scenic areas are best approached with flexibility rather than a fixed assumption about access.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloHowdy[/ˈhaʊ.di/]
GoodbyeSee ya[/ˈsiː jə/]
YesYup[/jʌp/]
NoNah[/nɑː/]
Please/You're welcomePlease/No worries[/pliːz/nəʊ ˈwʌr.iːz/]
Thank youThanks[/θæŋks/]
Excuse me/SorryPardon me/Sorry[/ˈpɑː.dən miː/ˈsɑːr.iː/]
How are you?Howdy?[/ˈhaʊ.di/]
Fine. And you?Doing good. You?[/ˈduɪŋ ɡʊd juː/]
Do you speak English?Ya speak English?[/jə spiːk ˈɪŋ.ɡlɪʃ/]
I don't understandI ain't gettin' ya[/aɪ eɪnt ˈɡɛt.ɪn jə/]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseCan I see the menu, please[/kæn aɪ siː ðə ˈmɛnjuː pliːz/]
I don't eat meatI don't do meat[/aɪ doʊnt duː mit/]
Cheers!Cheers![/ʧɪrz/]
I would like to pay, pleaseI'll pay now, please[/aɪl peɪ naʊ pliːz/]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Help![/hɛlp/]
Go away!Get lost![/ɡɛt lɔst/]
Call the Police!Call the Cops![/kɔːl ðə kɒps/]
Call a doctor!Call a doc![/kɔːl ə dɒk/]
I'm lostI'm lost[/aɪm lɒst/]
I'm illI'm sick[/aɪm sɪk/]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...I wanna buy...[/aɪ ˈwɑn.ə baɪ/]
I'm just lookingJust browsing[/dʒʌst ˈbraʊz.ɪŋ/]
How much is it?How much?[/haʊ ˈmʌtʃ/]
That's too expensiveToo pricey[/tuː ˈpraɪ.si/]
Can you lower the price?Can ya drop the price?[/kæn jə drɑːp ðə praɪs/]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?What's the time?[/wɒts ðə taɪm/]
It's one o'clockIt's one[/ɪts wʌn/]
Half past (10)Half past (10)[/hɑːf pɑːst (10)/]
MorningMorning[/ˈmɔːnɪŋ/]
AfternoonAfternoon[/ˌæftəˈnuːn/]
EveningEvening[/ˈiː.və.nɪŋ/]
YesterdayYesterday[/ˈjɛs.tə.deɪ/]
TodayToday[/təˈdeɪ/]
TomorrowTomorrow[/təˈmɒr.oʊ/]
11[/wʌn/]
22[/tuː/]
33[/θriː/]
44[/fɔːr/]
55[/faɪv/]
66[/sɪks/]
77[/ˈsɛv.ən/]
88[/eɪt/]
99[/naɪn/]
1010[/ˈtɛn/]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Where's the...?[/wɛəz ðə.../]
What's the address?What's the address?[/wɒts ðə ˈæ.drɛs/]
Can you show me (on the map)?Show me (on the map)[/ʃoʊ miː (ɒn ðə mæp)/]
When's the next (bus)?When's the next (bus)?[/hwɛnz ðə nɛkst (bʌs)/]
A ticket (to ....)A ticket (to ....)[/eɪ ˈtɪkɪt (tuː ....)/]

History of Killington Resort

A Green Mountain Landscape

Killington’s mountains belong to the Green Mountain range, part of the Appalachian system, whose rounded ridges were shaped by long-term erosion and repeated glacial activity. Glacial processes helped form the valleys, wetlands and rounded uplands of central Vermont, while later forest succession covered much of the terrain with mixed woodland. The resulting landscape supported seasonal Indigenous travel and hunting long before the arrival of European settlers, although the modern resort’s history is principally connected with nineteenth- and twentieth-century settlement, forestry, farming and recreation.

Settlement and the Sherburne Valley

European-American settlement developed around the valleys and upland roads of what became the town of Killington. The community was originally known as Sherburne, a name still reflected in local historical references, and its economy combined small-scale agriculture, timber use and transport through the Green Mountains. Much of Vermont’s upland land was later affected by farm abandonment and forest regrowth, creating the heavily wooded setting that now surrounds the resort. Rural settlement remains dispersed, with services concentrated along the principal roads rather than in a compact historic centre.

The Resort Opens in 1958

Killington’s modern tourism history began in 1958, when the ski area opened as Sherburne Mountain under the leadership of Preston Smith. The development brought lifts, trails and winter employment to a landscape previously shaped mainly by farming and forestry. Its growth reflected the wider expansion of skiing in New England after the Second World War, when improved roads, increasing car ownership and new leisure habits made mountain recreation accessible to a larger regional audience.

Expansion Across Six Mountain Areas

The ski area expanded substantially during the second half of the twentieth century, adding lifts and terrain across a chain of connected peaks and valleys. It became known as Killington after the town’s name was restored in 1999, having previously been associated with the Sherburne identity. Development spread beyond the original ski slopes to include base lodges, accommodation, snowmaking, dining and summer facilities. The resort’s large footprint explains why its terrain is organised into distinct areas rather than one single compact village.

Modern Mountain Tourism

In the twenty-first century, Killington has continued to operate as a four-season recreation destination, with winter skiing and snowboarding complemented by hiking, mountain biking and other warm-weather activities. Snowmaking has become an important part of managing a variable New England climate, while summer trail use has broadened the resort’s visitor season. The surrounding forests, watersheds and wildlife habitats remain part of the Green Mountain environment, making responsible trail use, erosion control and respect for changing weather important elements of contemporary tourism.

Killington Resort in Photos

Browse through our photo collection highlighting the charm and character of the destination.

0 / 0

Cities in Killington Resort

The towns and cities of Killington Resort, and the easiest places to base yourself.

Neighbouring destination travel guides

The closest destinations to Killington Resort, if you have time for more than one.

Explore more

Windsor County
More of the region

Explore more of Windsor County

Explore Windsor County, Vermont, for historic villages, mountain resorts, covered bridges, river valleys, farm produce and four-season outdoor travel.

Explore Windsor County
Vermont
More of the country

Explore more of Vermont

Discover Vermont: A year-round haven of natural beauty, charming towns, and rich heritage in the Green Mountain State.

Explore Vermont
The Evendo app on two phones

Evendo: Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Killington Resort, Vermont

Download Evendo, the 100% free app-based travel guide to Killington Resort. Discover attractions, restaurants, hotels, tours, and more with our all-in-one guide.

  • Detailed information on attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities
  • Rich set of information including images, descriptions, local tips, maps, and contact details
  • Easy booking for hotels, tours, tickets, and experiences
Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play
More about the Evendo app

Explore Killington Resort like never before with Evendo, the ultimate free travel guide app. Plan, book, and discover all the best attractions, restaurants, and experiences in one place.

  • History of Killington Resort and travel essentials
  • User-friendly navigation and 'Near me' feature
  • Curated local tips to experience Killington like a local
  • 100% free with no in-app purchases

Welcome to Killington Resort, Vermont—an outdoor enthusiast's paradise. With Evendo, the ultimate travel guide app, you'll have everything you need to make the most of your trip right at your fingertips. From the breathtaking views at Killington Peak to the adrenaline-pumping slopes of Pico Mountain, our app has detailed information on all the must-see attractions.

Discover the best local dining options like The Foundry at Summit Pond and the unique flavors at Liquid Art Coffeehouse. Evendo also guides you to iconic landmarks such as the Killington Adventure Center and the serene Thundering Falls Trail.

But that's not all—our app makes it easy to book hotels, tours, tickets, and experiences directly. No more juggling between websites to plan your itinerary. With rich images, descriptions, local tips, maps, and contact details, Evendo ensures you won't miss a thing.

Whether you're a solo traveler or planning a family vacation, our 'Near me' feature helps you find nearby attractions, shops, bars, nightclubs, and more. Plus, curated local advice ensures you experience Killington like a true local.

Download Evendo today and unlock the full potential of your Killington Resort adventure!

Get the latest from Evendo

Hand-picked travel deals, new destination guides and trip ideas, straight to your inbox.