The Highline Lodge and the Rich History of Killington Ski Resort

The Highline Lodge is the perfect place to go for a great family vacation. Tucked into the folds of the Adirondack Mountains and only a mile from Killington Mountain, a vacation at The Highline Lodge is a trip into some of the most beautiful country in the North East where there's natural beauty in every direction.

Killington Peak

Killington Peak, Vermont

With activities that appeal to everyone in the family, from skiing and snowshoeing, to golfing and biking, there's truly something for everyone in the family to enjoy. Their cozy accommodations ensure you have a place to unwind after a day of fun, while their on-site dining lounge provides you with 5-star meals!

The surrounding area of The Highline Lodge is full of rich history, and its own story goes back to the 1950s when it was first established as a skiing location. Killington Mountain is the second highest in the Adirondack Mountains and you can see all six New England States from its peak. Discover this incredible location during your Vermont vacation!

A Destination for All Seasons

Killington Mountain dominates the area surrounding The Highline Lodge. The perfect location for skiing, it has been home to ski lodges and resorts since the 1950s. But just because it's great for winter sports, doesn't mean it doesn't also have appeal in the summer months! Explore the area on hiking trails or by bike too!

Read also: From Pisgah to Premier: Mount Snow's Evolution

Killington Grand Resort

Killington Grand Resort

Killington Ski Resort and the surrounding town have a fascinating history filled with adventure and discovery. Killington Ski Resort has a vibrant history beginning nearly a century ago. What started as a hotel near the summit of Killington Peak transformed over the years into what it is today; a popular four-season travel destination with endless year-round activities and plenty of ski in/ski out condo rentals in Killington, VT!

Killington Peak is the second-highest summit in Vermont and the Green Mountains. The summit first became accessible in 1859 when a horse path was cleared, but it became fully accessible in 1879 once a carriage path was established. This carriage road led to the construction of a near-summit hotel, which M. The hotel enjoyed success for several years but was sold to Marcellus Wheeler in 1901.

A group of Green Mountain Club members made the first ascension of Killington Peak in 1917. The hotel was beyond repair at this point, and the summit tract was purchased by Mortimer Proctor two years later. Proctor deeded a portion of this land to develop a lodge in honor of Charles P. Cooper, a former member of the Green Mountain Club.

The Birth of a Ski Resort

The talk of creating a ski lodge near Killington Peak by the Vermont Forest and Parks Department began, and the state finally acquired a tract of land for this purpose in 1945. Preston Leete Smith, a graduate of Earlham College, was encouraged by a friend to look into opening a resort on Killington Peak.

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The Sherburne Corporation, formed in April 1956, headed the project. After three years of intensive planning and labor, their project came to fruition. The Killington Basin Ski Area opened on December 13, 1958. The Killington Basin Ski Area quickly became a popular destination in Killington, VT.

Killington, VT - Hidden History Unveiled

During the 1960s, this resort underwent several updates and expansions to draw in a larger crowd. The first chair was added in 1960. Several low snow seasons in the 1960s prompted Smith and Sargent, his investor, to install snow-making systems. This was an unusual move, as snow-making systems were considered a luxury for southern resorts. However, it paid off in spades, and the resort continued to attract exponentially more visitors each year.

There were only 118,000 visitors in the 61-62 season, which skyrocketed to 300,000 in the 68-69 season. Killington expanded further in the late 70s with the addition of several lifts and the acquisition of Glen Ellen Ski Area. This decade also brought about a record number of snow days, which increased interest and visitors to this area.

SuperStar Trail

SuperStar Trail on Killington

Expansion and Growth

Financial challenges hit nearby Mount Snow during the 80s, which led to Killington purchasing the land. Once it became clear that further expansions at Killington were in peril, S-K-I decided to expand by acquiring more land. In 1996, S-K-I merged with another large company to create the American Skiing Company.

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The American Skiing Company bought resorts and areas all around the US, eventually leading to financial difficulties. The Powdr Corporation and SP Land Company had the backing needed to expand Killington. The Killington Peak Lodge opened in 2013, and in the following years, they also opened the Snowshed Adventure Center with mountain biking trails.

The SuperStar trail on Killington hosted the best female skiers in the US in 2017, and new challenges, like the Bear Mountain Mogul Challenge, have now become a rite of passage for skiers in Vermont. The resort continues to expand and add new activities and equipment to enhance the experience of skiers and visitors.

Plan Your Visit

If you’re craving an unbeatable skiing vacation, it’s time to start planning your adventure to Killington, Vermont! When you book a vacation rental with The Killington Group, it’s easy to make your dream ski vacation a reality. When you’re looking for accommodations with the best amenities and easy access to Killington Resort, you’ll want to stay with Killington Vacation Group.

We have fully equipped kitchens, high-speed internet, fireplaces, cable TV, and more! Our ski-in/ski-out properties in Killington, Vermont, are the perfect choice for those who want a cozy, comfortable spot to come home to after spending the day exploring Killington Peak. We have activities and rentals that will suit all lovers of outdoor winter activities at our Killington, Vermont, ski resort.

Killington Ski Resort is one of the most prominent destinations in the state of Vermont. Our resort has the most extended ski season in North America and has the best nighttime skiing and mountain biking trails east of BC! Out of all the things to do in Killington, VT, skiing is one of the most popular activities. When you want to enjoy one of the highest peaks in the Northeast, our Killington, Vermont, ski resort is the place to go!

Killington, Vermont, is located just three hours from Boston, MA, and only three and a half hours from Providence, RI.

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