Killington – Mountain Summers, Forests, and Active Vacation Days

In Killington, mountain activities meet quiet woodland scenery: a gondola ride takes you to the summit of Killington Peak, while hiking trails and natural areas reveal other sides of the town. In winter, too, there are a variety of experiences to enjoy. When choosing your vacation rental, it may therefore help to first consider whether you associate Killington primarily with summer activities, winter sports, or hiking.

Summer at Killington Resort

From late May to mid-October, Killington Resort offers a full range of summer mountain activities. These include 35 mountain biking trails and the K-1 Express Gondola, which carries passengers 1.25 miles to the summit of Killington Peak. Those who would rather experience the mountain on two wheels have a different activity option from taking the gondola. The details about the trails and the mountain ride give you specific points to consider if you want to plan your vacation days around these experiences.

The Snowshed Adventure Center brings together the Beast Mountain Coaster, the Skye Ropes Course, and Amaze'n Maze. The Beast Mountain Coaster is a 4,800-foot alpine coaster with 360-degree corkscrew turns. So, in addition to mountain biking and gondola rides, there are other activities to choose from, including a coaster ride, a ropes course, and a maze. Which of these activities you include in your trip can shape your personal focus in Killington.

Winter Sports and a Variety of Runs

For a winter trip, there are various ways to experience the mountain in Killington. The Tubing Park has groomed lanes and lift service. Killington Parks form a network of terrain parks with features for skiers and snowboarders of different skill levels. If you’re interested in these types of winter sports, you can consider them alongside the downhill runs as you plan your trip.

The Peak-to-Creek Run leads from Killington Peak to the Skyeship base area. It is 4.5 miles long and descends more than 3,000 vertical feet. These details describe a longer route with a substantial elevation change. This makes it easy to distinguish from a visit to the Tubing Park or the various terrain parks, without equating these experiences.

Hiking Trails and Old-Growth Forests

Killington also has several options for those interested in hiking. The Long Trail passes through town. In addition to the Appalachian Trail and the Long Trail, Killington Resort’s summer hiking offerings include 15 miles of designated hiking trails. Thundering Falls is one of the scenic areas of the Appalachian Trail in Killington. These names offer different ways to consider incorporating nature and trails into your trip.

Gifford Woods is of particular importance: it is home to one of the few remaining original sugar maple–beech climax forests in the northeastern United States. The undisturbed northern hardwood forests of Gifford Woods include some of Vermont’s oldest trees. Those interested in forest scenery as well as active days in the mountains will therefore find another, distinctly different focus in Killington.

More Experiences and Choosing Where to Stay

Other options include a water trail for kayaks and the Green Mountain National Golf Course, located in Killington. The Killington Music Festival was one of the town’s annual cultural events. Together with the mountain activities, these options offer a broad range of interests, from outdoor recreation to culture.

The Bus provides bus service on the Rutland–Killington route. You can take this connection into account when planning where to stay and how to get there. If you’d like to view pages for other towns in addition to Killington, you’ll find Brandon, Danby, Rutland, Chittenden, Castleton, Shrewsbury, and Mendon here.

For the broader travel overview: Rutland County.