Pico Mountain Opens for Winter 2025-26 on Friday, December 12th
KILLINGTON, Vt. (December 9, 2025) – Pico Mountain, Vermont’s premier family ski resort since 1937, will begin the 2025-26 winter season at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, December 12th, 2025, with operations continuing Thursday-Monday throughout the season and daily on select peak dates. As part of opening day, Pico & Killington donated $10,000 to BROC Community Action to help expand local food-assistance programs serving families across Rutland County. Those wishing to make additional contributions can do so directly by donating here.
Snowmaking at Pico Mountain kicked off on Thursday, November 27th, Thanksgiving Day, marking one of the earliest starts in many years. More than 50 snowguns were fired up on Fools Gold and Lower Pike before the team made their way up Pike to Forty-Niner. Thanks to this early start, consistently favorable temperatures, upgraded snowmaking infrastructure, and the hard work of our snowmaking and grooming crews, Pico will open with top-to-bottom skiing and two lifts. We’re also watching a Wednesday–Thursday storm that could allow us to open additional natural snow terrain.
This past summer and fall brought several notable capital improvements, the largest of which is the transformation of the Bonanza area at Pico. The former Bonanza Double has been removed and is being replaced with a new, fully covered Bonanza Carpet, scheduled to open to the public on Saturday, December 20th. This upgrade was made possible through support from Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports, and a $50,000 grant from the Killington World Cup Foundation (KWCF) dedicated to the project.
“The Bonanza Carpet is going to make a real difference for our community,” said Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports Executive Director Erin Fernandez. “It means more people of all abilities can access the mountain more easily and focus on learning, growing and just being outside. For our volunteer instructors, it’ll make lessons smoother and more enjoyable for everyone. We’re thankful for the continued support from everyone at Pico Mountain and Killington."
The Bonanza unload area was also regraded, with improved snowmaking systems at the top of the trail to improve the learning environment for instructors and guests. Together with a new elevator lift connecting the second and third floors of the Pico Base Lodge, these enhancements help ensure more equitable access for all guests.
As Bonanza enters its next chapter, Pico Mountain is also giving the community a chance to take home a piece of its history. Chairs from the former Bonanza Double are being auctioned off, with proceeds split evenly between the Pico Ski Education Foundation and Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports. Bidding began Friday, December 5th and will run through Thursday, December 11th at 6:00 p.m. More information is available on the auction website.
Pico has also invested in on-mountain operations this season, including the addition of a dedicated winch groomer that will remain at Pico all winter long. This specialized snowcat will bring more consistent and efficient grooming to steeper terrain accessed from Pico’s summit, including Forty-Niner, Upper K.A., and other peak-area trails.
Guests will also notice a digital upgrade: the Killington app now fully supports both Killington Resort and Pico Mountain. Beginning opening day, guests can easily toggle between the two mountains, track laps, receive real-time lift and trail updates, and access a full suite of on-mountain tools throughout the season.
Pico’s newest uphill travel route, from Pico Base to the top of the Golden Express Quad, will also open on December 12th, along with the Pico Base–to–Pico Summit route. An Uphill Travel Pass armband is required for all uphill guests, who must also follow established mountain safety rules while traveling on designated routes. Stay tuned to picomountain.com/uphill for updates on when additional uphill routes will open.
Guest services, rentals, and lessons will all be available starting on opening day. The Pico Cafeteria will be open during its normal operating hours, which are from 30 minutes before lifts open until 30 minutes after lifts close. The Last Run Lounge will have full bar service and will offer light fare including soups and garlic knots, with more options to follow.
For just $144, Vermont students in grades K–12 can access a full season of skiing and riding at Pico Mountain with the Vermont Student Pass. And this year, families in Rutland and Windsor counties can save even more: through our new Vermont Youth Ski & Ride Free Lease Program, eligible Vermont Student Pass holders ages 11 and under receive a free seasonal equipment lease from one of six participating local shops.
This program supports our Upward & Outward mission to make mountain access more equitable and help young Vermonters discover a lifelong love of winter. Learn more about the Vermont Student Pass and Free Lease Program here.
“My first reaction to the program was thinking how great the new resort owners are for trying to include local children in the world of skiing,” said Jean DeFrancesco-Sias, General Manager at Forerunner Ski Shop. “Between the [Forerunner] owners and I, we have three kids at Killington Elementary, so we’re strongly behind youth skiing, and the program 100% supports youth skiing and makes it affordable for a large range of people who are interested in the sport.”
Pico Mountain’s lift hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays, and 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on weekends and peak days. Visit picomountain.com/events for more information on all the events coming to Pico this winter. Head to picomountain.com/conditions for the latest on conditions and trail statuses ahead of December 12th.
High-resolution images & video can be found here. Please bookmark this link, as we will be updating it during and after opening day.
About Pico Mountain
In 1937 on Thanksgiving morning, a legend was born: Pico Mountain Ski Resort. Although it was humbly equipped with only a 1,200’ rope tow powered by a Hudson motor car engine, skiers – true skiers – loved it. Since then, a lot has changed, but the love for the mountain still lives today, and it’s as strong as ever. Families and skiing traditionalists now enjoy 58 trails and a terrain park serviced by six lifts, including two high-speed detachable quads. With more vertical drop than 80% of New England ski areas, Pico Mountain is your home for family mountain fun with big mountain terrain and small mountain charm. Pico Mountain, along with Killington Resort, is independently owned by a group of passionate local investors. Visit picomountain.com for more information and be social with #mypicomtn.
Contact: Josh Reed, Communications Manager
Cell: 802-770-9226