History of Killington Vermont
Chartered in 1761, the Town of Killington maintains the character, charm and vibrancy that have made it a favorite destination for generations. Named for the mountain that towers above the town, Killington is home to one of the most popular ski and snowboard areas in North America with an enriched history that dates back hundreds of years.
Killington is the second highest peak in the Green Mountain range. Rounded and formed by glaciers, the Green Mountains date back at least five hundred million years making them older than the Rockies, Alps, and Himalayas.
Earlier settlers consisted of loggers and farmers who cleared much of the region of its timber so farmers could graze sheep and raise cows. The Town of Killington was granted a charter on July 7, 1761. Two years later, Reverend Samuel Peters christened the State of Vermont from Killington Peak, which provides views of all six New England states. The Rev. Peters is credited with coining the name “Verde-Mont” for Green Mountains.
By 1810 Killington had taken on a new name, Sherburne, and was home to only 116 residents. The name seemed to suit the community until 1999 when it was voted to revert to its original name in hopes of making it easier for vacationers to locate their renowned resorts.
Killington isn’t the only resort that can be found as you explore the area. In 1937, Pico Mountain opened as one of the first commercial ski resorts in the state of Vermont and operated the first T-bar lift in the United States. Pico was later bought by Killington Mountain Resort in 1997 and continues to attract skiers and riders worldwide.
Killington Resort celebrated its opening day on December 13, 1958 after several winters of measuring snowfall in the region and struggling to raise enough funds to build the access road from Route 4 to the base area. Eventually, perseverance paid off and the mountain evolved into one of the most popular in the snow sports industry.
When the mountain first opened, the ticket windows were housed in an old chicken coup and patrons used outhouses for bathrooms. Under Smith’s guidance, additional mountain faces were developed and the resort pioneered snowmaking to ensure skiers would have consistent conditions throughout the season.
Today the Town of Killington continues to cater to hikers and adventurers who come to experience the incredible views that provide spectacular settings for hiking, biking, skiing and snowboarding.