Industry News
We have all been told that watching any sporting event on television and being there in person are two different things. There is something that a camera just cannot duplicate or replicate compared to the sharpness of the human eye. Regardless of the sport, the athletes seem to be larger, faster, and quicker in person. Trying to give a fair and honest view of how fast, steep, and dangerous a FIS World Cup Ski Race is a very difficult task to accomplish. There are so many moving parts to put together an event that hosts a crowd of over 30,000 people during the weekend that organizers must account for.
Killington Resort in Vermont does an outstanding job at not only hosting the biggest World Cup Race in North America but accomplishing it while making it look easy. Killington brings in over 300 volunteers to assist with this massive operation along with its full-time staff as well. It hosts all the women ski racers competing in the Slalom and Giant Slalom races from around the globe. It is the seventh year that Killington has hosted the FIS Women’s World Cup which is broadcast to over 60 countries.
Ensuring that the race course is ready to go for Thanksgiving Weekend is the primary objective for Killington when it fires up the snow guns each season. While a lot of ski resorts across the country are still waiting to announce their opening day, Killington is already hosting this huge event. There are so many moving parts and attention to detail in making an event of this size successful it might be easy to forget something. Those could be several items such as the international athletes, course maintenance, media personnel, security, food and beverage, parking, lodging, and fans.
The fans that show up to the Stifel Killington Cup are well-known throughout the World Cup as some of the most fun, die-hard, and very vocal crowds on the tour. Killington understands this and provides them with a variety of events geared towards fans of all ages to ensure they have a great time and feel appreciated for their support. The three-day event started on Friday night when award-winning writer and producer 220 KID performed live at the athlete bib presentation that was followed by a fireworks display. The event also hosted the performers Young the Giant, Matisyahu, and Mix Master Mike to keep the crowd entertained and stoked. To ensure that children were part of the whole festivities there was a parade for children representing local ski teams and clubs before the first race on Saturday.
There was a large number of organizations and vendors who set up display tents representing numerous products and services throughout the ski industry for fans to check out as well. Some of them were the U.S. Ski Team, GoPro, Rossignol, and many other major brands in the ski industry. Killington Resort gave out free glow sticks to fans the Friday night that were in full display when 220 KID hit the stage and the fireworks show fired up.
Feeding over 30,000 people in a weekend is a huge task that requires an incredible staff, great planning, and organizational skills, and would probably take anyone’s stress level to new heights. However, the food and beverage team at Killington was on point and provided a wide variety of food options for all the people who attended the event.
The K1 Lodge which is the main lodge at Killington was the main source for fans to grab something to eat. The new lodge sits at the base of Superstar Glacier which is the slope where the race was held. It just celebrated its second birthday and is a huge upgrade to the amenities at Killington. Surrounding the base area was several food trucks, beer tent, and other vendors for fans to grab something to eat or drink. A huge VIP tent was set up as well for guests to sit and relax to watch the races which was another food and drink option for anyone lucky enough to get a pass.
If you are looking for great après skiing then Killington is the resort for you which offers a variety of restaurants and bars that would satisfy any person. Most of these establishments are relatively close to the event and are located on the main access road going to the K1 Lodge. If you are looking for a place that is within walking distance from the event and offers great drink specials, craft beers, and upscale food options then you should try Preston’s Restaurant in Killington’s Grand Hotel.
Preston’s sits at the bottom level of Killington’s Grand Hotel right as you walk into the main lobby of the hotel. It has a great vibe, and a cozy feel, and offers a seasonal menu that features dishes that are locally inspired. Most of the athletes and members of the teams stay at the hotel and can be found at Preston’s throughout the weekend. The staff at Preston’s is knowledgeable, provides friendly guest services, and goes the extra mile to make sure everyone is happy. A great example of this is when Rae, a bartender at Preston’s, found out that I was traveling with my dog and she made sure that my dog had a treat to eat as well.
Attending the largest Women’s World Cup event on the planet makes the three-day event the premier World Cup Race to attend in North America. The fans who show up and support the racers are really special and take the weekend to another level. It feels like a mix between being at a concert and a college football game. The cowbells go crazy when any member of the U.S. Ski Team is on the slope, but still cheer and support skiers from other countries as well. The bottom line is the fans are here to have a great time and watch world-class skiers take on Superstar Glacier.
If you have never been to the Stifel Killington Cup and want to check it out next year, here are some things that may assist you in looking like a seasoned veteran.
Dressing properly for the cold weather is key to being comfortable so you can enjoy the event and not worry about your fingers and toes falling off. Vermont is known for being cold in late November and this year temps were between 15-36 degrees during the weekend. The sun does not come over Superstar until around 9:15 am and the race officially starts at 10 am. This means the crowds in the grandstands will be standing in the shade until that big heat tab in the sky peaks over the mountain to warm them up.
Any event of this size is going to have a lot of security which means you and your bags/packs will be checked when entering the event. Bring only what you need inside the event, if you need to you could always leave backup stuff in your vehicles and grab them in between the morning and afternoon races.
If you have not been to Killington in a while it has been cashless since last season, however, there are machines located throughout the resort that allow you to convert cash into cards. Those cards can be used almost anywhere and not just at Killington Resort.
Arriving early to the event will help you get your bearings straight if you have never been there before. The Vendor Village opens on Saturday on Sunday at 7 am which gives you plenty of time to walk around and check out the top-of-the-line gear and equipment, grab great seats in the grandstand, avoid traffic on the main access road, and long lines at the security checkpoints getting into the event.
There are two sets of grandstands set up at the event and the best seats are on the grandstands that are set up on the right side if you are facing the K1 Lodge. The grandstands also are the location that first receives the sunlight as it rises above Superstar in the morning. So, if you are a person that does not like those cold winter mornings at the mountain then those are the seats for you.
There is also a general area for fans to stand at that is behind the finish line for people who want to get as close to the action as they can. It is an area where fans can see their favorite skier walkthrough and have the opportunity to take up-close photos or videos. This area is the closest you can get without having a hard pass to enter.
It does not matter if you are a die-hard ski fan or not, the Stifel Killington Cup is a once-a-year event that only happens at the “Beast in the East” and if you have the opportunity, it is a must to check out!
For more information about upcoming events at Killington visit its website
