Rainfall and extreme snow depths trigger trail instability and closures at Killington Resort

Around 1:00 a.m., the grooming team noticed a crack starting to develop on the Superstar Glacier. That crack has since grown into a crevasse 8–10 feet deep, showing ongoing movement.

RUTLAND COUNTY, Vt. – Recent rainfall and overnight precipitation have prompted Killington Resort to close the Superstar Six lift and the Superstar Trail on Wednesday until further notice, following an assessment of snowpack instability.

This season has brought near-record snowmaking totals to the mountain, with some depths exceeding a staggering 30 feet in some places, Killington Resort noted. 

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As a result, heavy, water-saturated snow combined with such extreme base depth has led to structural issues along the trails, they said.

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According to the FOX Forecast Center, Killington has received about 1–2 inches of rain since early Tuesday morning. 

Killington Resort said, around 1:00 a.m., the grooming team noticed a crack starting to develop on the Superstar Glacier. That crack has since grown into a crevasse 8–10 feet deep, showing ongoing movement.

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Ongoing warm overnight temperatures and increased moisture led the team to adjust their grooming plan to better maintain snow coverage.

"A number of trails remain ungroomed, including Double Dipper, Needle's Eye, and Highline among others. This is a strategic move as we continue to manage conditions through this stretch of spring weather," the Killington Resort said. 

The resort also wants guests to be aware of areas of thinning snow coverage. Ski Patrol is actively monitoring conditions, marking hazards, and identifying areas where walking may be necessary.

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Even after some recent snow loss, Killington Resort emphasizes that most of the mountain still has excellent coverage for a "spring-tastic" experience.

On the flip side, however, if unstable conditions persist, they may have to reassess operations. 

Thursday, the FOX Forecast Center says there is a chance of a wintry mix, with freezing rain likely. 

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While on Friday, skies will become partly sunny, and afternoon temperatures are expected to rise to 61 degrees, accelerating snowmelt.

Be sure to check Killington.com for any and all future updates.