KILLINGTON, Vt. — Local businesses along Killington’s access road are reporting steady revenue this ski season, despite the absence of the FIS World Cup, which did not return to the mountain resort this year.
The mountain’s Superstar lift upgrade interfered with the timing of the FIS World Cup. Without the big commitment, the resort has spent the year upgrading lifts and increasing snowmaking.
For local businesses, the usual revenue boost from the event was different this year, but favorable weather conditions have helped maintain customer traffic.
“Everyone was kind of skeptical about the world cup not being here, with how business would be, but I think the fact that the weather was really good, it kind of helped save a lot of that as far as the flow of traffic and all,” said Giancarlo Turiello, one of the managers at Darkside Snowboards.
Turiello said things have been busy and expects that to continue.
“Boot sales definitely flying off the walls but with the colder temperatures coming in a lot of outerwear and stuff for sure,” he said.
Further up the access road, Northern Ski Works is experiencing similar results.
“Dollar wise we’re the same when the world cup is here because the snow has been so good, and people have been traveling, that it wasn’t a big hit for us,” said Rick Gaspar, general manager at Northern Ski Works.
Gaspar said business has been steady, helped by their new Jupiter ski tuning machine, and great conditions.
“Tons of business coming in, from local and outside of Vermont, um we’re just lucky to have the business that we have because if you look out west they have no snow,” he said.
Many local employees also hit the slopes and have noticed the snowmaking improvements are helping the mountain and their business.
“Last time it rained it was like two or three inches, and it was only bad for like two days opposed to like the whole week being ruined,” Turiello said.
Local shop owners said they are hoping for more snow, both manmade and natural at the top of the resort, so they can continue the strong start to the season they have already had.
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