Killington, Vermont To Begin Reopening Memorial Day Weekend, Though Only Summer Operations
Though locals can see the snow first hand and fans have been keeping an eye on those webcams hoping that there would be one last snow outing at the Beast, it has been decided it would be better not to open for late-season skiing and snowboarding. In the video below, which accompanied the announcement that was made via a Facebook post, President and GM of Killington, Mike Salimano, explains why they decided to make this choice.
“As we transition into summer operations, we’ve made the tough decision to not reopen for skiing and riding,” says Mike Solimano, president and general manager of Killington Resort. “Given our commitment to early and late season skiing, it was hard to close the door on the 2019-20 ski season, but we feel fortunate to have enjoyed the longest season in the East – 133 days, despite the early closure – and to be offering our guests the Passholder Promise as an assurance for the future.”
“As we transition into summer operations, we’ve made the tough decision to not reopen for skiing and riding,” says Mike Solimano, president and general manager of Killington Resort. “Given our commitment to early and late season skiing, it was hard to close the door on the 2019-20 ski season, but we feel fortunate to have enjoyed the longest season in the East – 133 days, despite the early closure – and to be offering our guests the Passholder Promise as an assurance for the future.”
The commitment to the safety of the mountain's staff, guests, and the local community has been at the forefront of the decisions made during the COVID-19 outbreak. As Mr. Solimano stated, this choice to not reopen for skiing and riding not only keeps to that commitment but also allows the mountain to comply with guidelines and orders from the state of Vermont.
However, the mountain will get to start opening for summer operations, specifically, the golf course and the bike park, which are opening in phases and will come with restrictions, some of which will be similar to those ski mountains that are opening for late-season skiing and snowboarding.
The 18-hole course is set for a Saturday, May 23rd, opening day. This will be for Vermont residents, as well as non-residents that have quarantined for 14 days. Other restrictions will be as follows:
- The Golf Course will remain open daily through October 12 - conditions permitting - with tee times available from 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. At this time, the course is open only to Vermont residents and visitors from out of state who have completed the state-mandated 14-day quarantine. Tee times available from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. every 15 minutes
- Golf carts must be returned by 7:00 p.m.
- Advanced tee times and payment required. Walk-ins are not permitted
- “Park, Play & Go Home” will be enforced – there will be no gathering of players permitted before, during or after the round
- The Golf Pro Shop will be open with limited services
- We ask that only 1 person from the group enter the pro-shop to check-in
- At this time retail items like tees, balls, golf apparel, etc. will not be available for sale
- Pencils and scorecards not available
- Limited grab-n-go, snacks, and beverages will be made available – no outside alcohol is permitted
- Water coolers will not be available on the course
- Restrooms available on the lower level of the clubhouse – on course restrooms not available
- Carts available to 1 person only or those in the same household – guests will load their own golf bags in the cart
- Flagsticks will remain in the hole and should not be touched or removed for any reason
- Bunker rakes, ball washers, penalty area stakes, and all other touchpoints on the course are removed
- Practice areas closed
- Guests should arrive 10 minutes ahead of time and ready to play
- Rental clubs and lessons are not available
- The Bike Park is slated to open to pass holders only Saturday, June 6 and Sunday, June 7 and to the general public on Friday, June 12 (pending approval)
- After opening weekend, the Bike Park is expected to operate Friday through Sunday for the month of June from 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. with the Snowshed trails and Snowshed Express Quad available only
- No bike rentals or lessons will be available opening weekend
For any more information that you may need about Killington's summer operation scheduling or restrictions needed to open during these times, please head to the Killington Resort website, follow the mountain's social media pages, or go old school and give the mountain a call.
Sure, there are those who are disappointed by the news, but with the days getting longer and warmer, it's more than okay to move on to the next season. Remember, the quicker we get summer operations started, the closer we are to the summer operations closing down, which in turn will bring us closer to winter operations firing up. Enjoy your summer!
Photo Credit: Killington Resort/FB
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