New England town transforms into luxury ski destination with $3 billion revamp

A New Vision for Killington: Transforming Vermont into a Ski Resort Destination

Vermont, known for its scenic beauty and small-town charm, is set to undergo a major transformation with the development of a new ski resort community. This ambitious project aims to turn a quiet town into a glitzy mecca for skiers and other visitors, offering world-class amenities and experiences.

The developer behind this vision is Great Gulf, a Toronto-based company that has plans to build a $3 billion village at the base of Killington, the state's second-tallest mountain. The project, which will span over 25 years, is expected to create a unique destination on the East Coast, combining luxury, innovation, and community-focused design.

Killington is already a popular ski resort, welcoming around 800,000 guests annually to its 4,229-foot peak and 73 miles of ski trails. However, the new "village of the future" is set to redefine what a ski resort can be. The plans first emerged in 2023 when Great Gulf acquired 1,100 acres at the base of the main peak for $43 million. This land currently houses Snowshed and Ramshead base lodges, built in the 1960s, along with multiple large parking lots.

Great Gulf has released renderings of the development, showcasing a transformation that includes luxury homes, a fitness 'grove', an ice-skating path, a panoramic pool, public squares, a forest spa, and over 100,000 feet of dining and retail space. The goal is to create a destination that celebrates discovery, with memorable moments, innovative design, and a strong sense of community.

The project is being designed by Safdie Architects, the same firm responsible for the Marina Bay Sands resort in Singapore, which was featured in the film Crazy Rich Asians. Their involvement adds a layer of prestige to the development.

Michael Sneyd, who is overseeing the Killington project for Great Gulf, emphasized the importance of creating a resort community that appeals not only to skiers but also to those who may not ski as much. He expressed the ambition to compete with some of the most impressive ski resorts in North America, such as Vail or Aspen.

Originally expected to break ground in 2025, the project now hopes to start construction in the spring of 2027. In the first two years, Great Gulf plans to develop mountainside housing units that will cost between $2 million and $6 million. However, the project faces challenges due to Vermont's housing crisis, which the developer aims to address by increasing the number of housing units by 70 percent in the town of Killington.

The current population of the mountain town is around 1,400 residents. To help address the housing shortage, the developer and ski resort have donated $700,000 to the town to purchase land for the construction of more than 300 affordable housing units for employees.

Sneyd acknowledged the difficulty of finding workers but stated that the company will offer good benefits to attract staff. He shared his optimistic view of the project, noting that the untapped potential of Vermont presents an opportunity to take advantage of the 68 million people living within a five to six-hour driving distance.

He also highlighted the project's focus on adapting to shorter winters caused by climate change. The destination would be a place for visitors to come annually without being dependent on the weather, ensuring a consistent flow of tourists throughout the year.