KILLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) — As ski season kicks off across southern Vermont, Killington Resort is putting the final touches on one of its largest infrastructure upgrades in years — the replacement of the Superstar Express lift. While early-season skiing has already begun, the resort is operating without the fully functioning lift as crews rush to complete a multimillion-dollar upgrade.
The $12 million project, launched over the summer, will transform the existing quad chairlift into a high-speed six-pack lift designed to improve uphill capacity, reduce wait times, and enhance the skier experience on one of the mountain’s most popular trails. The upgrade is part of Killington’s ongoing investments in modernizing its lift fleet and strengthening its position as one of the East Coast’s premier ski destinations.
The construction timeline forced the resort to make a difficult decision earlier this year: moving the annual FIS World Cup event out west. Typically held at Killington during Thanksgiving weekend, the race has become a signature event for the region, drawing tens of thousands of fans and international athletes. Organizers say the event will return to Vermont next year once the lift upgrade is fully operational.
Despite the temporary disruption, resort leaders say the project is on track and progressing smoothly.
“Finishing up the construction is actually okay. In years past, we have hosted the World Cup on that trail, so that’s sort of been an isolated area in the past anyway,” said Amy Laramie, brand marketing and events manager for the resort. “Right now, the team is just continuing to work in partnership with Doppelmayr, whose the lift manufacturer, putting that in, getting ready as soon as possible.”
The Austrian company Doppelmayr, one of the world’s leading lift manufacturers, has been assisting on-site to ensure the installation meets international standards for safety, speed, and performance. The new lift is expected to offer a smoother ride, increased wind resilience, and more efficient loading and unloading zones.
Killington officials anticipate that skiers and riders will be able to access the new Superstar lift by late November or early December, depending on final inspections, weather conditions, and testing requirements. In the meantime, snowmaking crews are taking advantage of cold temperatures in an effort to achieve top-to-bottom snow coverage starting this weekend.
The lift replacement is part of a broader pattern of investment in Vermont’s ski industry, which contributes hundreds of millions of dollars annually to the state economy. Upgraded infrastructure helps attract visitors during early-season conditions and extends the usable terrain for major events and holiday periods.
The Killington World Cup has been one of the most attended women’s World Cup races globally. The temporary relocation underscores the importance of the lift to race logistics, but organizers emphasize that the event’s return next year will coincide with improved terrain preparation and more efficient spectator movement thanks to the new lift.
The construction has provided seasonal and contract jobs, strengthening local partnerships with regional contractors and technicians specializing in lift installation and mountain operations.
Once operational, the lift will support both recreational skiers and competitive athletes, bringing higher capacity to one of Killington’s signature runs. The upgrade sets the stage for improved race infrastructure, expanded snowmaking capabilities, and smoother operations during peak holiday periods.
Originally reported by Connor Ullathorne in WCAX.
