Killington 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.
Killington at a Glance#
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.
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.
Killington Bucket List#
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
January
January is the coldest month with highs of -3°C and lows of -15°C. Regular rainfall (82 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
Comfort
Weather
February
February is freezing with highs of -2°C and lows of -14°C. Moderate rainfall (74 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
Comfort
Weather
March
March is freezing with highs of 3°C and lows of -8°C. Regular rainfall (89 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
April
April is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of -2°C. Regular rainfall (97 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
May
May is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 5°C. Significant rainfall (112 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
June
June is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 9°C. Significant rainfall (106 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
July
July is the warmest month with highs of 25°C and lows of 12°C. Significant rainfall (105 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
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.
Comfort
Weather
September
September is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 7°C. Significant rainfall (103 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
October
October is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 1°C. Regular rainfall (100 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
November
November is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of -4°C. Significant rainfall (109 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
December
December is freezing with highs of -1°C and lows of -10°C. Regular rainfall (98 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
Comfort
Weather
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.
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.
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#
Seasonal shuttles and driving are the dominant ways to get to Killington; Amtrak to Rutland is a rail option with a short onward transfer. On-site, resort shuttles and walking make getting around straightforward.
- Shuttle Services (Seasonal) ($40-$90) - Commercial shuttle operators provide direct transfers from Burlington, Albany and Boston airports to Killington, especially during ski season. These are convenient and drop you close to lodging; book early for holiday weekends.
- Car Rental / Driving ($50-$120/day) - Driving is the most flexible way to reach Killington, with well-marked interstate and state routes. Winter conditions can be severe - carry snow tyres or chains in season and check road reports.
- Amtrak + Shuttle (Rutland) ($10-$60 (shuttle/taxi)) - Amtrak services to Rutland let you avoid a long drive; from Rutland you’ll need a taxi or shuttle to reach Killington (about 30-45 minutes). Timetables can be sparse on some days, so align rail arrivals with onward transport.
- Local Buses / Resort Shuttles (Free-$10) - Killington operates local shuttle services connecting lodging, parking lots and ski lifts during peak season - these are usually free or low-cost for guests. Check the resort’s transport page for routes and operating hours.
- Taxi / Rideshare ($30-$120) - Taxis and limited rideshare coverage offer point-to-point trips in the region; expect higher fares for long transfers from distant airports. Useful for last-mile or off-schedule travel.
- Walking - Once at the resort base areas, walking between lodging, restaurants and lift access is common and often the fastest option for short trips. Dress for snow/mud depending on season.
Where to Stay in Killington#
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.
Killington area inns & motels (official listings) - Budget motels and lodges near the resort
The Inn at Long Trail (Ludlow/Killington) - Historic inn with affordable rooms
Killington resort - $140-300/night
Mid-range: several resort hotels and comfortable inns near lifts. Good balance of convenience and amenities for skiers.
Killington Grand Resort Hotel - On-mountain mid-range resort hotel
The Inn at Long Trail - Comfortable rooms with classic New England charm
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.
Top condos & upscale lodges (Killington listings) - Luxury condos and private chalets available
Upscale resorts in nearby Stowe (regional) - Full-service luxury resorts within driving distance
Where to Eat in Killington#
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.
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.
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.
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.
