Snow guns in operation on Superstar

Snow guns in operation on Superstar

As 2008 fades into memory, and 2009 comes into view, I have been thinking about how life is changing at Killington. Living in a town that is dominated by one large business brings its challenges. When that town also happens to be a resort, "the locals" also find their lives influenced by outside events over which they have little or no control. 2008 of course, like most years, was filled with many surprises.

In random order, here is my short list of pluses and minuses for 2008 and some hopes for 2009:

2008 Minuses :
- The overall economy: I don't need to write too much on this as we are all experiencing this collectively. The bright spot I take on this is that the economy runs in cycles. This too shall pass.
- The hang over effect from the demise of the American Skiing Company (ASC). 2008 was the first full operating year for new owners at Killington after ASC went belly up. Operating procedures at the mountain changed, as they should have. The new owners, Killington Pico Ski Resort Partner, funded in part by Powdr Corp, made some tough calls when they took the resort over. Some of their decisions have turned out well. Others turned out to be mistakes, many of which they are working to correct in the 2009 season.
- Continued delay in beginning work on a village at the base of Killington. "Work" here of course means filing permits, putting in infrastructure, building buldings, etc. Much background work to construct a village at Killington did take place in 2008. But at some point, beautiful computer renderings need to transition to earth moving equipment digging some holes in the ground.

2008 Pluses :
- The resort is being run as a business. During the last years of operation of the resort by ASC, the information we received from the resort on their policies and procedures was not always accurate. Our experience with the new owners is very different. So far their communications have been direct, accurate, and they have stood by them. As a small business owner, this gives me confidence going forward. I may not like everything that I am told, but I will be able to communicate to my guests with confidence.
- The new lift at Sky Peak. For the first time in 10 years the Killington Resort has installed a new lift. A high speed detachable quad was installed during the summer and fall, replacing a slow fixed grip quad. Lift time have gone from 13 minutes to 5 with the new lift. Trails from the lift have been redesigned as well to modify traffic patterns. While it is too early to tell if the trail redesign will accomplish everything it intended, the new lift is a home run!
- The Killington community coming together with the Vermont Council on Rural Development. In early 2008 a series of community wide meetings were held to help the citizens identify a future direction for the town of Killington. The activities were coordinated by the Vermont Council on Rural Development(VCRD). While I do not, like most citizens, agree with every finding from the process, I was pleased at the outpouring of citizen interest in the future of Killington.

Hopes for 2009:
Certainly a wish list not based on any insider knowledge...but here it goes:
- A positive change in the economy. The administration in Washington has not done much in the last several years to stimulate optimism for the vast majority of people. The inauguration of Barack Obama in a couple of weeks has the potential to lift spirits and mobilize people to think positively about the future. Of course there will be pluses and minuses here. But the good old days turned out to be bankrupt. There must be a better way.
- Permits filed to begin construction of a village at Killington. Permits are just the formal beginning. But they would be a strong signal concerning the vitality of the resort and the community.
- A new lift on the Killington Peak side of the resort replacing either the Snowdon Quad or Snowdon Triple. This of course is dependent upon the resort having a successful 2009 winter season to generate enough cash to pay for a new lift.
- A short, cogent, plan from the new Killington Economic Development and Tourism Commission on how the town plans to move the community forward. (The commission was founded as an outgrowth of the VCRD process. The commission has been in existence for a short time. I know all of the volunteers on the committee and I know they are working hard to pull a plan together.)
- Resolution of the "Lifetime pass" controversy. Mary and I don't have any skin in this game, but settling this dispute between the new (now 2 years) owners of the Killington resort and bond holders from the former owner would be one more positive step moving the resort forward. I have heard snippets of arguments from all sides on this. It seems like the adults in the room need to settle this issue left over from the demise of ASC. A Pyrrhic victory by one side or the other will just pour salt in the wounds of the vanquished, causing unnecessary pain for years to come.

My list is somewhat short. Mary and I enjoy living in Killington, interacting with the Killington Community and greeting guests who visit the area. And continuing to do that is what we want most for 2009.

...Let it snow!