Killington prepares for longest season in the east along with Superstar lift replacement and announces staff promotions for 2025

On Feb. 18, Vermont’s Killington Resort announced details around the replacement of the Superstar chairlift and its spring skiing and riding operating plans for 2025. The Superstar Express Quad closed to the public on April 13 to begin construction of its replacement, a new six-passenger high-speed lift for guests’ enjoyment. Before bidding farewell, Killington celebrated the lift’s 38 years of service with a special sendoff party in true Killington fashion.  

Construction will begin immediately once the lift is turned over to Doppelmayr, with the removal process expected to take approximately six weeks. Killington aims to complete much of the work on snow, utilizing grooming tractors to access terrain that traditional construction vehicles cannot. While Superstar Trail will be closed during this time, other trails in the area will remain accessible via Launch Pad. The full project timeline is estimated to be eight months, with the new lift scheduled to debut in early December.

“While we know spring skiing and riding will look a little different this year, this $12 million investment will elevate the guest experience for decades to come,” said Mike Solimano, president and CEO of Killington Resort. “That said, we’re still committed to hosting the longest ski season in the east and will stay open as long as Mother Nature allows.”

Killington remains dedicated to spring operations, with lift service continuing in other areas of the mountain:

• K-1 Gondola will operate daily through May 11, providing access to North Ridge and the Canyon.
• After May 11, Snowdon Triple and lifts in the Canyon will run Friday to Sunday, if conditions allow.
• Bear Mountain lifts are expected to operate until mid-to-late April.
• Snowdon Six Express and Ramshead Express Quad will remain open through April 20.
• Snowmaking efforts will focus on Double Dipper, Downdraft and Lower East Fall (Canyon area), while in North Ridge additional snow will be made on Rime and Reason to extend the season.

The sale of the Spring Pass began on Feb. 22, giving access to skiing and riding from March 14 through the end of the season. To commemorate the Superstar Express Quad’s legacy, Killington has introduced a special achievement on the Killington App. Skiers and riders were encouraged to complete 87 rides on the lift this season to honor the year it was built (1987). Those who completed all 27 achievements in the app will be entered to win the first ride on the new Superstar Six chairlift next season.

Because of the new Superstar lift replacement this summer into early winter, this year’s Audi FIS Ski World Cup will take place at Copper Mountain, Colo., over Thanksgiving weekend. The race is expected to return to Killington on Thanksgiving weekend of 2026.

On Jan. 14, Killington Resort announced the promotions of several team members to new roles with the organization. Continuing their tradition of promoting from within, these promotions will help streamline efficiencies across the resort with a new structure within several key departments and create opportunities for growth throughout the organization. 

Vice president Tait Germon has created a new position in mountain operations – the mountain experience manager – who will work to advance quality controls and promote Killington’s hospitality standards around the mountain. With this new promotion, Kayla Sarajian assumes a larger role within the mountain operations group and takes on added responsibility. 

Formerly the lift operations manager, Sarajian will now oversee all guest-facing mountain operations departments in her new role. This includes lift operations (including ticket checking, tubing and summer adventure center), terrain parks, ski patrol and race event operations. 

Sarajian began her career at Killington Resort in 2014 as a team leader for the Unleashed program in the Snow Sports department, then worked summers as an attendant for the Snowshed Adventure Center, eventually becoming a foreman for the lift operations group and transferring to that department full time in 2016. 

Also in mountain operations, Christine Bulgini, currently mountain operations administrative co-ordinator, was promoted to the role of administrative manager. This change will enhance the crucial role Bulgini plays in overseeing mountain operations’ extensive safety program and in auditing mountain operations’ compliance with federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration laws and state tramways regulations. 

Bulgini’s strong organizational skills and collaborative work style make this a natural progression. As with her previous role, she will continue to facilitate communication, disseminate information and provide timely and relevant reporting.

Eric Rusch has been promoted to food and beverage director of the Grand Hotel and Northside Dining. Rusch recently expanded his role to include front of house food and beverage operations in the Grand Hotel. These additions include Preston’s, Banquet Events, the Ledgewood Yurt and the Clubhouse’s winter operations. His promotion will include the oversight of the Grand Hotel culinary team. 

Rusch started his career in 2010 as the executive sous chef in the Grand Hotel, exhibiting strong interpersonal and leadership skills as well as culinary excellence. He was then promoted to open the new Peak Lodge Restaurant as chef/manager. In this role, he was instrumental in making the Peak a premier on-mountain dining location. Soon thereafter, Rusch and team elected to bring to life the Jerk Jamaican Mountain Grill, which has become a must-stop for many of skiers and riders.

Sophie Parvez has been promoted to hospitality business manager. Her new duties will include financial/budgetary management for the resort’s food and beverage and lodging operations. Parvez will also assume oversight of the conference sales team operations and provide technical support for operating sales platforms. Parvez also manages commissary operations. 

Nate Stoodley has been promoted to K-1 base lodge manager. In his new role, Stoodley will oversee all food and beverage operations in K-1, as well as acting as a liaison with other departments and events in K-1.

In human resources, Rebecca Reed has been promoted to employee experience manager. In this role, Reed will helm the day-to-day operations of human resources. Reed began her career at Killington in 2021 as international recruiter before expanding to focus on all recruitment efforts. Danielle Hewitt and Susanna Foster will continue their roles as recruiting specialists under her guidance.

Jordan Spear has been promoted to the role of vice president of resort services and sales. In this expanded capacity, Spear will oversee all skier service revenue and guest service areas, unifying these key functions under one leadership team. This alignment will allow us to streamline operations and continue delivering outstanding service to our guests.

Spear began his career at Killington as part of the resort and hospitality management program at the now Vermont State University. During his 17 years at Killington, he has served as guest services manager, tickets manager, marketing manager and director of product marketing and sales.