Press Release from Killington:

$5.1 million will be invested in the new Peak Lodge at Killington and Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports invests $1.3 million in new base lodge at Pico Mountain

KILLINGTON, Vt. (June 7, 2013) – Vermont’s Killington Resort the largest ski and snowboard destination in Eastern North America, is proud to announce a $9.8 million investment in capital improvements for the 2013-14 winter season. This is the most significant capital spent since Powdr Corp purchased Killington Resort and Pico Mountain in 2007. Additionally, construction is already underway at the base of Pico Mountain for the new Andrea Mead Lawrence Lodge, a $1.3 million facility for Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports and the Pico Ski Education Foundation.

“As we reflect on last season, we are grateful for all the support and feedback that we received from our guests,” stated Mike Solimano, president and general manager for Killington Resort and Pico Mountain. “Not only did the 2012-13 season provide more snow and skiing from October 13 until May 26, but we were also fortunate enough to increase our skier visits by 22% year over year.”

The coming season’s most anticipated project is the state-of-the-art Peak Lodge facility being constructed at the 4,100 foot level of Killington Peak. The original structure, built in the late 1960’s, was removed in the summer of 2011. The foundation, footings and bottom floor walls of the new structure were completed in the fall of 2012. Engelberth Construction, Inc., of Colchester, VT, will build throughout the summer with a projected completion date of December, 2013.

Robert Carl Williams Associates in Pittsfield, Vt., have designed the new 15,000 square foot facility to include seating for 300 guests, a food venue featuring a selection of fresh fare, and a full bar  in addition to lounge areas with couches and coffee tables. The versatile facility will be available for weddings, meetings and conferences, operating year-round.  Guests will enjoy a Vermont feel enhanced by an abundance of natural light and the vistas of the White Mountains of N.H. and the Green Mountains of Vt. The venue will be part of Killington’s Cow Power Program, looking to electricity converted from cow manure for its energy needs.

“We partnered with Green Mountain Power and local Vermont farmers by joining the Cow Power Program in the fall of 2012 to power the K-1 Express Gondola year round,” stated Solimano. “This program is a creative way to utilize renewable energy, and we’re thrilled to expand our use of Cow Power to the new lodge.”

In addition to the new Peak Lodge, Killington continues to invest in maintenance of other important infrastructure projects, including $2 million in pipeline upgrades across the resort, snowmaking and lift improvements, trail maintenance, and new glades. Furthermore, four new groomers will  round out the already aggressive Killington fleet, including a specialized terrain park groomer, allowing even more innovative progression parks for free riding guests.

“Crews will replace snowmaking pipe and hydrants and rebuild pumps this summer,” stated Jeff Temple, director of mountain operations for Killington Resort and Pico Mountain. “Due to the storms of the past year, there will be extensive pruning and trimming on existing gladed trails at both resorts and a new gladed trail at Pico. Killington’s iconic K-1 Express Gondola will continue to run on Cow Power and crews will significantly expand the gondola’s heated concrete loading area for guests’ comfort.”

Down the mountain range, Pico Mountain at Killington will be receiving an additional food venue and seating adjacent to the Pico Base Lodge. Furthermore, Pico is proud to donate the land for the $1.3 million Andrea Mead Lawrence Lodge, the new headquarters of Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports and the Pico Ski Education Foundation.

“Pico has a rich history of supporting local organizations and ski racing,” stated Tracy Taylor, director of operations for Pico Mountain. “We are thrilled to provide the land for the Andrea Mead Lawrence Lodge and look forward to the growth of both the Vermont Adaptive Program and the Pico Ski Club.

Killington Resort will continue to focus on enhancing the overall on-mountain guest experience by providing unparalleled access to the most extensive trail network in the northeast. Killington skiers and riders will enjoy over 200 trails, or 88 miles of skiable terrain, on one ticket with 27% more mileage than the closest competitor in Eastern North America. Conditions permitting, snowmaking will resume in October once again, setting the stage for the longest season in the East.