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ropeways.net | Projects | Future | 2024-10-24

Killington Resort to Upgrade Superstar Quad with a Six-Passenger Lift

New roomier lift to be installed in summer '25

At Killington Resort, we’re always looking for ways to enhance the guest experience. With that in mind, we’re thrilled to announce more details on the upcoming replacement of the Superstar Express chairlift with a brand-new six-passenger lift, set to be completed in summer 2025.

What’s Changing?

The current high-speed quad will be replaced with a six-person UNI-G lift from Doppelmayr – the first of its kind at Killington. While the new lift will feature roomier seating, it will maintain the same uphill capacity normally, with the option to increase speed if needed. The reconfigured lift maze will make loading easier, and the lift will spin clockwise, similar to the Snowdon Six Express. However, unlike Snowdon, the new Superstar lift won’t include a bubble, mainly due to storage challenges and the relatively quick ride.

“Upgrading to a six-person chairlift is mostly about comfort,” says Killington President and CEO Mike Solimano. “We want to provide the best possible experience for our guests, so this new, roomier lift made a lot of sense. The heavier chairs also help with the wind, which is an added bonus.”

A Piece of History

The original Superstar lift has been a staple since 1987, making it one of New England’s oldest detachable chairlifts. It was later retrofit by Poma in 1997. Superstar is the 10th longest aerial lift in Killington’s fleet of 17 with a rise of 1,199 vertical feet.

Key Construction Details

While the new lift will follow the same line as the current one, there will be a few adjustments. All lift towers will be relocated with the exception of the main terminal towers. Tower four will shift 80 feet uphill and closer to the tree line. Snowmaking pipelines will also be modified, and we’ll be adding a small, new maintenance workshop at the top of Skye Peak to support ongoing operations.

Impact on Spring Skiing

Lift installation will start sometime in April 2025, which means spring skiing on Superstar will be affected. But don’t worry – we’re planning to make additional snow in other key areas like the Canyon, Snowdon, and Ramshead to keep the season going strong. And while the status of the 2025 Stifel Killington Cup is still to be determined due to construction, we’re excited to confirm that the 2024 event over Thanksgiving Weekend is a go!

Looking Ahead

This lift replacement, estimated at a $12 million project, is part of a broader $30 million investment in capital improvements at Killington Resort over the next two seasons. We’ll be sharing more details as they unfold, so stay tuned for updates!




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