Killington K-1 Gondola Scenic Ride
3861 Killington Road
Killington, VT
A gondola that lifts you to the shoulder of Killington Peak, where a short summit walk opens a view said to reach five states and Canada on a clear day.
The K-1 Gondola carries visitors up the flank of Killington Peak, the second-highest mountain in Vermont, to a summit lodge and a short walk from one of the broadest views in the state. In winter it serves skiers on the largest ski area in the East; in the warmer months it runs as a scenic ride for anyone who wants the summit without the strenuous hike.
From the top, the reward is a sweeping panorama across the Green Mountains, and on a clear day the view is said to stretch to the peaks of neighboring states and into Canada. It is the easy way to stand near the roof of Vermont and take in the ranges rolling off in every direction.
What Guests Love
- Riding to near the summit of Vermont's second-highest mountain without the long climb
- A panoramic view that on clear days is said to reach several states and Canada
- A summit lodge and easy walking to viewpoints once you are up top
- Access to lift-served hiking and mountain biking on the same mountain
Worth Knowing
- The summit is much cooler and windier than the base, so bring a layer even in summer
- The scenic ride runs on a seasonal schedule; confirm dates and weather before going
- Clear days deliver the famous long view, so time your ride to the forecast if you can
- Sturdy shoes help for the short but rocky walk to the true summit viewpoints
Details
Killington, VT
Learn about Killington K-1 Gondola Scenic Ride
The Beast of the East
Killington grew from the 1950s into the largest and one of the most famous ski resorts in the eastern United States, nicknamed the Beast of the East for its size and its long season. Its terrain spreads across several connected peaks, with Killington Peak the high point.
The resort became known for opening early and closing late, sometimes stretching skiing well into spring thanks to extensive snowmaking, and for the sheer scale of its trail network.
That winter identity is the backdrop to the summer scenic ride, which uses the same lifts to open the mountain to hikers, bikers, and sightseers when the snow is gone.
The view from the top
Killington Peak rises high enough that its summit ridge clears the surrounding forest, giving open, long-distance views in most directions. The gondola drops you near the top, and a short walk on rocky trail reaches the best vantage points.
On a clear day the panorama takes in the spine of the Green Mountains, with claims that the view reaches New Hampshire's peaks, New York's Adirondacks, and even distant Canada. Haze and weather change what you can actually see, so the crispest days are the most rewarding.
The high, exposed setting means real mountain weather, so conditions at the summit can be markedly cooler, windier, and cloudier than at the base even on a warm day.
More than a lift ride
The scenic ride is also a gateway to summer recreation on the mountain. Killington runs a large lift-served mountain bike park, and hiking trails, including a stretch of Vermont's Long Trail, cross the peak for those who want to earn the view on foot.
The summit lodge gives a place to rest, warm up, and take in the scenery, and events and dining bring the mountain to life through the warm season.
Whether you ride up and straight back down or use the lift as the start of a bigger day, the gondola makes the high country accessible to a wide range of visitors.
Season by season
Summer offers the warmest, most reliable scenic riding, plus mountain biking and hiking on the same slopes.
Fall is spectacular, with the gondola lifting riders over a canopy of foliage and the long view spread with color, one of the finest times to ride.
Winter transforms the mountain into a major ski resort, when the lifts serve skiers and riders rather than sightseers; the scenic ride is a warm-season experience.
Closest Boutels
The closest Boutel™ stays, so you can turn this stop into an overnight. Each is an independently owned, editorially selected place to stay.
Things to Do Near Killington
Pico Mountain
About 4 miles, a 10 minute drive
A neighboring, more low-key ski mountain long linked to Killington, with its own trails and character.
Quechee Gorge
About 30 miles, a 45 minute drive
Vermont's deepest gorge, spanned by a highway bridge with dramatic views down to the Ottauquechee River.
Rutland
About 15 miles, a 25 minute drive
A historic railroad and marble city with dining, services, and a downtown farmers market.