Biking
Killington bike report from Wednesday, June 25, 2025
As the summer solstice came and went, I was once again reminded that the ski season is getting closer, yet it is still very much far away for us on the East Coast. And while there is not much we can do about that fact, that doesn’t mean I wasn’t dying to return to the mountains and chairlifts in a form I’m not as familiar with—downhill biking. As someone on the chairlift quickly pointed out on one of my first laps at the Killington Bike Park, “Downhill biking may be the most mainstream sport that has this level of danger.” I’m familiar with this fact quite well, as the only time I’ve ever broken a bone was my first time trying downhill over 7 years ago. Yet even with my nerves tingling and this fact cemented in my mind, I was eager to try what is commonly regarded as one of the best downhill bike parks in North America.
Quick Bike Facts & History
- Date Opened: 2007
- Multi-Destination Pass: Ikon Pass (base pass holders get one free day at the bike park, full pass holders get two)
- Trail Distance: 30+ miles
- Number of Trails: 35
- Vertical Drop: 2,041′
- Base Elevation: 2,200′
- Summit Elevation: 4,241′
- Terrain Breakdown:
- Beginner: 17%
- Intermediate: 40%
- Advanced: 43%
- Number of Lifts: 3
- Ownership: Anonymous Local Group
- Other Activities:
- Golf
- Mountain Coaster
- Skye Ropes Course
- Amaze’n Maze
- Scenic Gondola Rides
- Hiking
While temperatures were pushing 100ºF in the NYC tri-state area, I hit the road at 6:30 a.m. to make it up to the Green Mountains that morning, where it was a much more bearable 80ºF. After that, it couldn’t be easier: parked, ticket, rental gear, bike, and on the lift within 10 minutes. If only skiing were always that quick. As I rode up the Snowshed Quad, my impulsive mindset instantly wanted me to go bigger—Ramshead? Killington Peak? The K-1 Gondola was not yet opened for the season, which I quickly discovered was the perfect excuse to inform you why I was unable to ride and report on the lengthy and extreme double black trails off Killington Peak.
As I got the blood flowing after a couple of laps on Snowshed, I realized why the majority of riders flocked to this area of the park. The diversity of trails makes it the only area with something for everyone, and the length of those trails leaves you wanting to catch your breath at the bottom without being too exhausted and eager to go for another lap.
As a first-timer to the bike park, I thought it would only make sense for me to work my way up: Easy Street, Roller, Wiggle, Step It Up, Stinky, Coaster Trail, Jump Start. Each one felt like a nice, easy progression for my level until I hit Jump Start, where I was quickly reminded I’m not a jump person when it comes to biking. To me, I instantly gravitated to the well-maintained flow trails that are more unique to bike parks in comparison to the tech trails that felt more familiar in mountain biking. Step It Up was great, but the Coaster Trail was my favorite in the Snowshed area simply because of its density of unique bridges and tight turns.
After many laps across all of the beginner and intermediate trails at Snowshed, I was informed by a seasoned Killington bike rider that my next step should be trying Side Show Bob off of Ramshead. As I rode up the chair and it climbed higher and higher, it quickly felt like I was peering down at a tiny Snowshed area. I realized that whatever I was in store for, this was a major step up in my downhill biking. But as I hit the trail, I felt a thrill and safety of the well-maintained trails that left me with a newfound level of skill in this sport. Side Show Bob was definitely my favorite trail of the day, although its length and speed prevented me from solely lapping it all afternoon.
For anyone who has done downhill before, it goes without saying that skiing the same terrain is significantly easier than biking it, but Killington’s extensive bike park makes this fact all the more clear in comparison to anywhere else I have been. Its trails offer a great steady progression for anyone’s skill level, allowing you to comfortably push within your limits to bigger, longer, and taller trails that most bike parks may leave for the true experts of this sport. This great design allowed me to feel the best I’ve ever felt on a downhill bike while doing the most on the trails. Now, as ashamed as I am to admit this, I’ve got the summer at Killington crossed off my list, with only the skiing itself I have yet to experience.
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For more information on Killington, visit their website here.
