Killington Travel Guide

City Ski resort town in the Green Mountains of Vermont

Killington’s slopes keep winter calendars full - the ski resort’s lifts and challenging runs attract skiers; in summer find mountain biking, long foliage drives, sturdy inns and lively après-ski bars pouring local craft beers.

Costs
Moderate to pricey in ski season
Expect USD 150-300 per day; peak-season prices spike.
Safety
Generally safe, alpine hazards exist
Low violent crime; watch for winter sports accidents.
Best Time
December-March for skiing
Fall (Sep-Oct) is excellent for foliage.
Local Time
Weather
Overcast 51°F
Overcast
Population
811
Infrastructure & Convenience
Shuttles in season, limited public transit off-season, walkable resort base.
Popularity
Attracts skiers, snowboarders, and weekenders from New England.
Known For
Killington Resort, downhill skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking, vibrant après-ski, fall foliage, long season, hiking trails, festivals
Killington Resort offers over 1,500 skiable acres, making it one of the largest ski areas in the eastern United States.

Why Visit Killington? #

A classic New England mountain town, it draws skiers, mountain bikers and leaf-peepers to its alpine terrain and lively resort scene. Killington Peak and Killington Resort are magnets for winter sports and après-ski, while summer brings expansive hiking, mountain-biking trails and dramatic fall foliage. Expect busy weekends, energetic nightlife near the resort and local taverns serving hearty Vermont fare.

Best Things to Do in Killington

Killington Bucket List

Don't Miss
  • Killington Resort Village - Base area with shops, restaurants, and lift access for both summer and winter activities.
  • Killington Peak Trail - Hike or ride to the summit for broad mountain panoramas and ridge walking.
  • Killington Golf Course - Public golf course set on rolling terrain with mountain backdrops and club facilities.
Hidden Gems
  • Thundering Brook Falls - Short trail to a forested waterfall popular with locals for peaceful nature outings.
  • Gifford Woods State Park - Old-growth hardwood forest with quiet trails and opportunities for cross-country skiing.
  • Local maple sugaring stands - Seasonal roadside stands selling fresh maple syrup and hosting syrup-making demonstrations.
Day Trips
  • Appalachian trail segments nearby - Hiking sections of the Long Trail and Appalachian routes offering mountain ridge views.
  • Rutland County breweries and cideries - Short drives to local breweries and cider makers sampling Vermont craft beverages.

Best Time to Visit Killington #

Hit Killington in winter for excellent skiing and snowboarding, or late spring to early fall for hiking, foliage and fewer crowds. The area especially shines during autumn leaf season.

Winter
December - March · -12°C to 2°C (10°F to 36°F)
Snow-packed winter with world-class lifts and lively après-ski; expect cold, short days and variable storms that make conditions unpredictable but thrilling.
Spring
April - May · 1°C to 15°C (34°F to 59°F)
Thawing, muddy trails early, then blossoming greenery; shoulder season for quieter hiking and cycling before bugs and summer crowds arrive.
Summer
June - September · 15°C to 27°C (59°F to 81°F)
Warm, humid days ideal for hiking, mountain biking and festivals; afternoons can see pop-up thunderstorms-pack insect repellent for low-elevation trails.

Best Time to Visit Killington #

Climate

Killington's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -15°C to 25°C. Abundant rainfall (1200 mm/year), wettest in August.

Air Quality: AQI 23 Good
Best Time to Visit
JulyAugustJune
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
36°
Warmest Month
-35°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coldest month with highs of -3°C and lows of -15°C. Regular rainfall (82 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

33 Poor

Comfort

-9°
Feels Like Freezing
-9°C
Temperature
-15° -3°
92%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

82 mm
Rainfall
3.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.2
UV Index
Low
9.2h daylight

February

February is freezing with highs of -2°C and lows of -14°C. Moderate rainfall (74 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

35 Poor

Comfort

-8°
Feels Like Freezing
-8°C
Temperature
-14° -2°
92%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

74 mm
Rainfall
3.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.3
UV Index
Low
10.3h daylight

March

March is freezing with highs of 3°C and lows of -8°C. Regular rainfall (89 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

45 Poor

Comfort

-2°
Feels Like Freezing
-2°C
Temperature
-8°
86%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

89 mm
Rainfall
4.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.6
UV Index
Moderate
11.8h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of -2°C. Regular rainfall (97 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

56 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-2° 10°
79%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

97 mm
Rainfall
3.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.0
UV Index
High
13.3h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 5°C. Significant rainfall (112 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

64 Good

Comfort

11°
Feels Like Cool
11°C
Temperature
18°
79%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

112 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.4
UV Index
High
14.5h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 9°C. Significant rainfall (106 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

74 Very Good

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
22°
81%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

106 mm
Rainfall
3.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.6
UV Index
Very High
15.2h daylight

July

July is the warmest month with highs of 25°C and lows of 12°C. Significant rainfall (105 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

77 Very Good

Comfort

19°
Feels Like Mild
19°C
Temperature
12° 25°
82%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

105 mm
Rainfall
2.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.7
UV Index
Very High
14.9h daylight

August

August is cool with highs of 24°C and lows of 11°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (125 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

75 Very Good

Comfort

18°
Feels Like Cool
18°C
Temperature
11° 24°
82%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

125 mm
Rainfall
2.6 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.5
UV Index
High
13.8h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 7°C. Significant rainfall (103 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

67 Good

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
19°
81%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

103 mm
Rainfall
2.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.1
UV Index
High
12.4h daylight

October

October is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 1°C. Regular rainfall (100 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

54 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
13°
83%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

100 mm
Rainfall
3.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.5
UV Index
Moderate
10.9h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of -4°C. Significant rainfall (109 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

44 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-4°
85%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

109 mm
Rainfall
3.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.2
UV Index
Low
9.5h daylight

December

December is freezing with highs of -1°C and lows of -10°C. Regular rainfall (98 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

33 Poor

Comfort

-6°
Feels Like Freezing
-6°C
Temperature
-11° -1°
90%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

98 mm
Rainfall
3.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.8h daylight

How to Get to Killington

Killington is most commonly reached via Burlington (BTV) or Albany (ALB) airports with shuttle or rental-car transfers; Rutland is the nearest Amtrak railhead for rail travellers. During ski season, scheduled resort shuttles make arrival and departure easier.

By Air

Burlington International Airport (BTV): Burlington is the nearest major airport to Killington for most visitors. From BTV drive or take a shuttle to Killington - driving time is about 1h20-1h40 depending on traffic. Shuttle operators run seasonal ski transfers; fares for shared shuttles to Killington typically range from about $40-$70 one-way when booked in advance.

Albany International Airport (ALB): Albany is another common gateway; driving time to Killington is roughly 1h45-2h. Several shuttle companies and private transfer firms operate between ALB and Killington, with one-way shared-shuttle fares commonly in the $50-$90 range.

By Train & Bus

Train: Amtrak’s Ethan Allen Express and other regional services terminate at Rutland (depending on service); Rutland is the nearest regular passenger railhead. From Rutland it’s a roughly 30-45 minute drive to Killington; taxi or shuttle services operate between Rutland and the resort.

Bus: Regional bus and shuttle operators (seasonal ski shuttles) connect Burlington, Albany and Rutland with Killington. Advance-booked shuttle buses are a convenient option during the ski season and special event weekends.

How to Get Around Killington #

Killington’s village areas are very walkable, especially around the resort base areas. During ski season resort shuttles and seasonal buses run between lodges, parking areas and lifts; outside peak times a car is most convenient. Ride-hailing may be spotty; taxis and private shuttles service the area but expect higher fares for longer hops. If you’re arriving by air, plan for a rental car or scheduled shuttle from Burlington or regional airports.

Where to Stay in Killington #

Budget
Killington VT - $60-140/night
Killington has plenty of budget-friendly motels, lodges and shared rooms-book early for ski season to secure low rates.
Mid-Range
Killington resort - $140-300/night
Mid-range: several resort hotels and comfortable inns near lifts. Good balance of convenience and amenities for skiers.
Luxury
Killington / Green Mountains - $300+/night
Luxury properties are mostly upscale condos, private chalets, or drive-to resorts; true five-star hotels are in nearby towns.

Where to Eat in Killington #

Ski-Town Dining
Comfortable, hearty post-ski meals-pubs, pizza and lodge dining dominate in Killington, with a few upscale options for special nights.
  • Wobbly Barn Steakhouse & Saloon - Longtime Killington live-music steakhouse.
  • The Foundry at Summit Pond - Lodge dining with local craft beers.
  • Ramunto's Brick & Brew - Casual pizza and brewpub near slopes.
Casual & Après-Ski
Après-ski bars and family diners keep things simple - classic American comfort food, burgers and pizzas to refuel after runs.
  • Lookout Tavern - Slope-side bar with burger and sandwiches.
  • Bella's - Italian-American favorites and homestyle pastas.
  • Grizzly's - Family-friendly diner near the resorts.

Breakdown of cuisine types found across Killington's restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.

Pizza
Waffle
American
Jamaican
Steak House

Nightlife in Killington #

Killington has an active après-ski and resort-night scene with bars, pubs and seasonal live music tied to the ski season. The scene is concentrated around the resort base areas rather than a dense downtown nightlife district.

Shopping in Killington #

Shopping in Killington centers on ski and outdoor shops, small gear rental outlets and a handful of village stores selling essentials. For wider retail choices, larger Vermont towns are a drive away.

Nearby Cities #