A First-Time Visitor’s Guide To Killington Bike Park

There’s a good chance that affiliate links are scattered throughout this post. If you click on one I may receive a small commission at no extra charge to you and I’ll definitely be using it to buy bike gear.

Vermont is home to some of the best mountain biking in New England (and arguably the US!) and Killington Bike Park is one of those must-ride destinations.

Killington is a small town located in south-central Vermont that, until recent years, was almost exclusively established as a ski resort. In fact, when my dad was growing up in Rutland, there wasn’t even a town of Killington, it was just a ski hill with a couple of lifts.

Over the past few years, though, Killington Resort has heavily invested in creating an amazing summer bike park that has grown and expanded and now attracts riders near and far.

The trails range from fast, bermed flow tracks built by Whistler’s Gravity Logic to insanely rocky and rooty double-blacks that test the skills of even the best riders.

With three lifts that access a wide variety of trails from beginner-friendly jump lines to pro-only rowdy descents, Killington Bike Park is definitely worth checking out next time you’re in the area.

In this post, I share everything you need to know for your first visit.

Watch PinkBike’s First Impressions at Killington Bike Park

Killington Bike Park Maps

Paper maps can be picked up at the ticket counter or you can also download the Killington App, which shows the map, trail status, and much more.

Below are the summer trail map and TrailForks map of Killington Bike Park.

Interactive TrailForks map

Tickets, Passes, & Hours

Tickets are required to bike at Killington Bike Park even if you plan on pedaling up the mountain (who are you???).

Killington Bike park tickets

• Tickets must be purchased online, even if buying day-of
• Choose from 1-day, 2-day, or 3-day bike park tickets options
• Adults are considered 19+ and youth are 18 & under
• Get discounted rates for purchasing tickets in advance
• Group rates available for 12 or more riders

Killington Bike park season passes

Killington Mountain Bike Park passes can be purchased for unlimited fun throughout the bike park season. Early bird pricing is available.

Additional benefits of purchasing a pass include:

• 2 free one-day buddy passes
• 2 free day passes at both Thunder Mountain Bike Park (MA) and Windham Bike Park (NY)
• 35% off lift tickets at Bromont Bike Park in Quebec
• 15% off group and private bike park lessons
• 15% discount on retail prices, food, and non-alcoholic beverages
• Up to 40% off select lodging at Killington

Killington Bike Park Hours

The bike park typically opens in late May with Snowshed Lift then Ramshead and K1 Gondola start running in June. The park is open through October depending on weather and conditions.

Killington Bike Park hours vary depending on the month – you can find the summer operating schedule here.

Killington Bike Park Lifts & Trails

There are three lifts at Killington Bike Park and they each access different areas of the mountain.

Each lift also accesses different types of terrain and trail difficulty.

1. Snowshed Express Quad

Snowshed lift accesses Killington’s beginner and intermediate terrain. It’s fun to start out here and do a few laps to warm up.

>> My favorite runs from the Snowshed lift are:

2. Ramshead Express Quad

Ramshead ups the ante a bit and accesses trails that are techier and more challenging.

>> Here are my top trails from Ramshead:

3. Killington Peak (K1)

K1 is the gondola that runs all the way to the top of Killington Peak and accesses the hardest trails on the mountain.

The trails from the top are a bit strange in that you have to ride down a stretch of rough access road to get to them. But [most] of them are worth it! (I say ‘most’ because Funny Bone is really not very fun).

>> Here are my favorite trails from the gondola:

Killington Bike Shops & Rentals

There is a full-service bike shop right at the base of the Killington Bike Park where you can find a fleet of high-end rentals and a team of bike mechanics.

They rent Devinci, Norco, Rocky Mountain, and Trek as well as full face helmets, body armor, and shoes.

In the town of Killington, there is Alpine Bike Works and True Wheels with Basin Ski, Ride & Bike shop, both of which rent/demo mountain bikes and fix any (or most…) problems you may have with your own two wheels.

Camps, Lessons, & Programs

Killington has a number of different options when it comes to camps, lessons, and bike programs throughout the summer.

Planning Your Trip

First time visiting Killington? Here are some resources to help plan you trip:

Getting there

By Air

The closest airports to Killington are Rutland Southern Vermont Regional Airport (RUT), which is about 18 miles from Killington, and Lebanon Municipal Airport (LEB) in New Hampshire, about 24 miles away.

However, these are small airports with limited services. The nearest major airports are Burlington International Airport (BTV), approximately 74 miles away, and Logan International Airport (BOS) in Boston, which is about 150 miles away.

From these airports, you can rent a car or take a private shuttle service to reach Killington.

By Car

Killington is easily accessible by car. It’s located on VT-100, which is one of Vermont’s main highways.

The approximate driving distances to Killington from some major cities in the Northeast are:

• Boston, MA: 150 miles
• New York, NY: 250 miles
• Montreal, QC: 175 miles
• Burlington, VT: 75 miles

Best time to visit

The Killington Bike Park typically opens in late May with the Snowshed lift running for a few weeks before Ramshead and the K1 Gondola follow 3-4 weeks later.

Late June to mid-September is probably the best time to go if you want to hit all three lifts and have decent weather.

I love riding in the fall because it’s so beautiful with all the leaves changing color.

The bike park typically closes mid-to-late October depending on weather and snowfall.

Where to stay

Hotels

If you’re looking for a soft bed and hot shower, Killington Grand Resort Hotel is kind of swanky, but very conveniently located just steps away from the bike park lifts. The hotel also has several dining options including Preston’s (see above) as well as storage for bikes.

Rentals

Since Killington is a ski resort town, there are a handful of really awesome rentals and VRBOs. Personally, I like to stay in rentals when I’m on a mountain biking trip because it’s nice to have access to a kitchen, laundry, secure bike storage, and maybe even a private hot tub!

Camping

Killington actually has free camping on a first-come-first-serve basis in the Vale Parking Lot and Ramshead Parking Lot (for RVs). There are portable toilets and water available. Read the camping policies here.

If you don’t want to camp in the parking lot, Gifford State Park is a really beautiful state park about 10 minutes from Killington Mountain. There are 21 tent/RV sites and 19 lean-to sites as well as 4 rustic cabins.

The state park is very popular with Appalachian Trail thru-hikers, though, so it’s a really good idea to book a site/cabin beforehand.

Dining

**Killington is a cashless resort, so you need your credit/debit card or pay with your phone.

At the Mountain

• The Beastro: A food truck at the base of Snowshed lift
• Clubhouse Grill: Decent food and great views
• Snowshed Umbrella Bar – The Umbrella Bar serves decent drinks and light fare at the base of Snowshed lift.
• Preston’s – located in the Killington Grand Hotel, Preston’s is a great farm-to-table restaurant that uses fresh Vermont ingredients. Their creative cocktails are perfect after a big day on the mountain and their burgers are top notch.

In town

• Liquid Art Coffeehouse – This is a super cute and eclectic coffee shop that serves great food (B, L, D) and delicious coffee.
• Sunup Bakery – a great little place to grab a breakfast pastry and sandwich to-go.
• Back Country Cafe – excellent breakfast place with big portions.

Other things to do around Killington

Have a few more days to explore? Check out these other great things to do in and around Killington.

More riding!

Southern Vermont is packed with great mountain biking. If you’re in the Killington area, also check out:

• Pine Hill Park in Rutland
• Aqueduct Trails in Woodstock
• Mount Peg Trails in Woodstock
• Green Mountain Trails in Pittsfield
• Ascutney Trails in Ascutney
• Sherburne Trails in Killington

Hiking

If you need a day off the bike (or you’re traveling with someone who doesn’t mountain bike), there are a ton of great hiking trails around Killington.

The Appalachian Trail and Long Trail also pass through the region and Deer Leap Overlook Trail is also a popular option.

Kayaking & Canoeing

There are a few bodies of water around Killington like Kent Pond where you can get out on a kayak or canoe. If you need to rent a boat, Kayak King will transport rental gear to Kent Pond.

Go on a brewery tour

Vermont is known for its craft breweries and there are several within short driving distance to Killington. You can check out the map on the Vermont Brewers website.

Final Thoughts

Killington is one of my favorite bike parks that I’ve been to and definitely my favorite in Vermont.

With three lifts and lots of trail options for all levels of riders, it’s a great place to learn new skills or just do fast laps with friends.

Plus, the fun doesn’t have to stop when you’re tired of the lifts. There are literally hundreds of miles of pedal-access trail just a short drive from Killington (or you can check out other bike parks in the area).

If you can, try to plan a trip to Killington in September or October to catch the magic of Vermont’s fall foliage!

Have you ridden at Killington Bike Park? Which were your favorite trails? Let us know in the comments below!