Vermont’s Killington Resort has moved beyond early-season snowmaking tests, firing up 165 snowguns across five trails on Saturday, October 17, 2026. The resort says its first significant snowmaking run began two weeks earlier than last season, offering an encouraging sign for Eastern skiers eager to get back on the slopes.

Temperatures dropped low enough for snowmaking early Saturday, allowing crews to begin producing snow on Rime, Reason, Upper East Fall, and Upper Great Northern in Killington’s North Ridge area. Another 50 snowguns were operating on Superstar, where the resort is preparing to host the Stifel Killington Cup over Thanksgiving weekend.

The activity marks a substantial step up from October 6, when Killington tested six snowguns at three locations. Those tests included two newly installed fan guns on Mouse Trap and Lower Skyeburst.

Killington began a big snowmaking push this weekend.
Killington began a big snowmaking push this weekend. Photo provided by Killington Resort.

Killington has invested heavily in its snowmaking infrastructure in recent years, installing 1,044 low-energy snowguns over two seasons. The resort has also upgraded water pipelines and other infrastructure to increase production capacity and make better use of favorable snowmaking conditions.

Superstar has received particular attention ahead of the World Cup. Improvements completed in 2025 included a larger water pipeline and additional snowguns, increasing the trail’s maximum snowmaking capacity from 125 guns to more than 150. Killington says it invested more than $1 million in snowmaking and trail improvements on Superstar alone.

The Stifel Killington Cup is scheduled for November 27-29, with women’s giant slalom and slalom races planned for November 28 and 29. Preparing Superstar for international competition gives the resort an additional reason to take advantage of October’s early cold spells.

Killington has long been among the first Eastern resorts to open each fall, making its initial snowmaking runs a closely watched sign of the approaching ski season. But an early start to production does not necessarily mean an early opening: snowmaking can continue only when temperatures cooperate, and crews need enough time to build a durable base.

Killington has not announced an opening date. The resort says it will welcome skiers and snowboarders when weather and snow conditions permit. For now, the 165-gun run represents a promising start to preparations, with several weeks of fall weather still ahead.