Press Release: Killington Resort
October 9, 2001
KILLINGTON, Vt., Oct. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- After waiting for low temperatures at higher elevations to ``blow the mice
out'' -- test the snow guns -- for the past two weeks, Killington snowmakers found their window of opportunity
Sunday night and created a ribbon of white snow on Cascade, an upper elevation trail. As a result, Killington is
the first to make snow in the East for the 2001- 2002 ski and snowboard season. Killington also received a dusting
of natural snow as well. Shortly after this test, Killington opens for the season and expects to be the first to
open in the East for the 41st consecutive season.
``We watch the weather very closely during the early fall, searching for a high pressure system that will bring
us the cold temperatures that we need to make snow,'' said Dave Lacombe, snow surface manager at Killington. ``While
its exciting to be the first to open, having a premium snow product is extremely important to us. We really want
to make sure there's enough snow for a good number of people-say 200 to 300-to enjoy the trail for several hours
on opening day. We also monitor long-range forecasts for warming trends. When we officially open for the season,
we want to stay open at least through Memorial Day and sometimes right into June.''
Killington traditionally sets the pace for early season skiing and riding in the East. Last year, with the addition
of water resources from Woodward Reservoir, located in nearby Plymouth, Vt., Killington was the first to open in
the East and continued to expand terrain while other resorts were simply trying to open for the season. By Thanksgiving,
Killington had 75 trails and 35 miles of terrain open for all ability levels, two to three times more than the
nearest competitor. Water from Woodward Reservoir is transferred through a seven-mile pipeline connection from
the reservoir to two existing snowmaking reservoirs at the resort. The two-year project is a $5 million investment
for the resort and was completed in October 2000. The snowmaking project allows Killington to keep surrounding
stream's flows to February median levels and still produce more snow mid-winter without having an impact on the
environment.
``Fall foliage colors and the beginning of snowmaking season typically coincide here at Killington,'' said Gillis
Lynn, vice president of marketing and sales. ``It's a pretty awesome sight, with bright reds, yellows and oranges
then a streak of white snow making a path through them. We've been in high gear since June, planning for a great
winter. It's refreshing to see the snow finally arrive thanks to our snowmaking team.''
Killington opened Oct. 29 last season. It's earliest opening was Oct. 3, 1994. To monitor opening day status at
Killington, skiers and snowboarders are encouraged to visit killington.com, where they will find an ``Opening Day
Watch'' page with the latest information, weather reports and status.
Early season ski and stay packages are available from $57 per person per day and including lodging and lift ticket.
A two night minimum is required. For more information or to make a reservation, book online at killington.com or
call 800-621-MTNS.
Killington is an American Skiing Company resort. Based in Newry, Maine, American Skiing Company is the largest
operator of ski, snowboard and golf resorts in the country. Other resorts include: Sunday River and Sugarloaf/USA
in Maine; Mount Snow in Vermont; Attitash Bear Peak in New Hampshire; Heavenly in California/Nevada; Steamboat
in Colorado; and The Canyons in Utah. For more information, visit Killington's website at www.killington.com.
SOURCE: Killington Resort