Killington bets on aggressive snowmaking as World Cup returns
Resort officials ramp up artificial snow production in response to a strong El Niño forecast that could bring milder temperatures to the Northeast this winter.
By Mariam Saleh ·
Killington Resort is restarting its snowmaking operations this weekend as it prepares to host the Stifel World Cup over Thanksgiving weekend. The mountain took a year off from the event to install a new lift, and heavy machinery is now moving up the Superstar lift to finish preparations for the return of top female skiers in late November.
Resort manager Amy Laramie confirmed that staff are closely tracking weather patterns. A stronger-than-usual El Niño condition is expected to influence the winter, potentially bringing milder temperatures to the region. Laramie said the resort is planning for this scenario by adopting a more aggressive snowmaking strategy. The goal is to produce as much artificial snow as possible to stay ahead of the potential warm spell.
Snowmaking at Killington began in mid-October, but recent conditions have left only remnants of that initial effort. The guns are set to resume firing this weekend to rebuild the snowpack. While the El Niño pattern may lead to more precipitation in the Northeast, weather experts caution that the impact on mountain snowfall is inconsistent.
Seth Kutikoff of the National Weather Service noted that this particular El Niño event is notably strong. However, he explained that historical data shows a wide variety of snowfall outcomes during similar weather patterns. Kutikoff said that specific snow totals for the mountains remain highly variable and difficult to predict with certainty.
The weather debate has sparked conversation among local businesses and ski shop owners along the access road. Rob Cunliffe of Ski Essentials described the anticipation as fun but noted that the shop avoids using the word rain. Instead, the team expects plenty of the good snow word. The shop is hosting an El Niño party to kick off the season while preparing for the influx of visitors associated with the World Cup.
Cunliffe said the event brings a large number of people to the area, making the town feel alive early in the year. Tickets for the Thanksgiving weekend race are currently available online. While the exact date for the general public opening day has not been finalized, resort officials indicate it is coming soon.
The combination of a new lift and a major international event has placed a high priority on course readiness. The resort aims to have the slopes in top condition for the two days of racing. Local weather forecasts will continue to guide the intensity of the snowmaking efforts over the coming weeks.
