When Killington and Pico ski resorts were bought two years ago by a group of local investors, the new owners, Killington Independence Group, promised to increase capital investment and work alongside a developer who hopes to build a multi-billion-dollar ski village.
In recent days, resort officials told community members that they have lived up to their word, pouring tens of millions of dollars into the resort with plans for much more. But they conceded that the ski village is not moving as quickly as hoped.
Speaking to several hundred community members Thursday evening, Killington Resort President and CEO Mike Solimano said his company, Killington Independence Group, has dedicated $80 million for improvements during the first three years of local ownership.
But he said the village, which is to be built by Canadian developer Great Gulf, is “always a question.”
“I’ll be totally honest, we want it to move faster,” Solimano said.
He wouldn’t elaborate on the delays, but said the resort has focused on what it can control.
“If the village doesn’t happen right away, what can we still work on?”
Solimano said that includes $35 million for new and rebuilt lifts, $20 million for facilities, new grooming equipment and $13 million in snowmaking upgrades. A new $10 million lodge is expected to begin construction in 2027, and additional improvements are planned at nearby Pico Mountain.
“I’ve been here 25 years and many years, we got $1 million, maybe $2 million of capital. And in three years now, we’re investing $80 million,” Solimano said. “It’s almost sometimes hard to believe.”
Toronto-based Great Gulf did not provide a clear timeline or time commitment on the village. In a written statement, Michael Sneyd, President of Resort Residential at Great Gulf, said, "We recognize that the timeline for the base village project has been extended, and we continue to advance the foundational work necessary to bring the Village to life."
Sneyd indicated that Great Gulf's plans hinge on upgrades to Killington Road, which he expects will begin next year.
"With road construction anticipated to take approximately two years, this critical infrastructure work is an important factor in the Village's development timeline."
Meanwhile, Solimano said the resort plans to continue upgrading its infrastructure, with roughly $200 million in investment over the coming decade, much of which will be focused on snowmaking as increasingly unpredictable weather creates new challenges.
Solimano said 1,000 new energy-efficient snow guns are already increasing capacity.
“We used to be able to operate 100 guns simultaneously. Now we’re running 300 guns at once,” while cutting diesel consumption by 80%, he said.
He said the improved snowmaking will help them host the upcoming women’s FIS Alpine World Cup races this Thanksgiving weekend (Nov. 27-29). It’s the ninth time the resort has hosted the Stifel Killington Cup, an event organized by the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) that attracts the world’s fastest women ski racers and around 40,000 fans.
Asked about recent turmoil in Killington town government, including leadership turnover and well publicized problems managing local requirements surrounding the ski village development, Solimano said he remains confident the town will do its part.
“We do a lot of big projects, and big projects are challenging. We’re trying to help in any way we can,” he said, including helping the town hire a new manager.
Solimano pointed to progress on road and water infrastructure and assistance from the Chamber and Economic Development of the Rutland Region.
“You go to Facebook, everyone loves to fight about everything. … I think there’s a lot of great stuff happening here. If some of the groups would stop fighting, that would be great,” he said, drawing applause.
Killington residents Matt Hanrahan and Greg Cash were among those applauding.
Both welcomed the resort’s increased investment.
“It’s incredible what they’ve put into this place,” Hanrahan said. “It shows they’re confident and that they are very much looking forward to the future.”
Cash, who works for a local property management company, said the investment has effects beyond the resort.
“It’s very exciting to see what’s happening and how it does impact all the local businesses, you know, keeping people coming back. We're seeing younger visitors.”
Killington Select Board Vice Chair Jon Wysocki acknowledged the town has faced challenges, but said that Thursday it submitted final requirements to the Vermont Economic Progress Council to comply with an audit of its tax increment financing district documents.
“So we accomplished in three months what a fully staffed previous town administration could not accomplish in a year,” Wysocki said.
