Industry News
Around the country ski resorts have begun opening and many have fired up the snow guns getting ready for the 2023/24 season. There have been two ski resorts that have opened so far Ski Ward in Massachusetts and Arapahoe Basin in Colorado. Other ski resorts are planning to open in November which is also the month in which the Stifel Killington Cup is held. It draws the largest crowds in any other race in the U.S. with numbers reaching almost 30,000 spectators for the weekend. Killington, VT is preparing for that event and snowmaking should start this weekend with temperatures dropping enough to produce snow. In a press release, Killington announced the following below.
KILLINGTON, VT (October 30, 2023) – Vermont’s Killington Resort, the largest ski and snowboard destination in Eastern North America and part of POWDR, announced the entertainment lineup for the 2023 Stifel Killington Cup. Taking place November 24-26, the seventh edition of the Audi FIS Ski World Cup will bring together the fastest female technical alpine skiers in the world with live concerts, movies, fireworks and more. Tickets to the Stifel Killington Cup are available at killington.com/worldcup.
Killington will host concerts on the Kona Big Wave Stage throughout the weekend, featuring Young the Giant, Mix Master Mike, Matisyahu and 220 KID. Kicking off the entertainment on Friday, which includes the athlete bib presentation and a fireworks display, will be 220 KID. With over 15 million monthly listeners and 900 million streams, 220 KID has been on a stratospheric rise to the top. The double brit-nominated, multi-platinum-selling songwriter and producer not only mixes and produces for the best, but has written hit after hit, helping to launch the careers of up-and-coming artists such as JC Steward, Gracie, Lany and Jem Cooke. 2023 has kicked off 220 KID’s global acclaim with his most recent project, “Look Where We Are,” a cross-genre collaboration with K-Pop Idol Kangdaniel and Willim. He is exploring new sounds and avenues, as he hits the studio to produce exciting new materials and premiere a whole new live show.
On Saturday, between runs, catch Mix Master Mike. He’s been called “the world’s greatest DJ” by USA Today and the “Jimi Hendrix of the turntables” by MTV’s Kurt Loder. His skillful, hard-hitting scratch work has rightfully earned him the status of a pioneer in the hip-hop and DJ communities. The Grammy-award-winning DJ was inducted into the Rock ’n Roll Hall of Fame in 2012 with the Beastie Boys and has toured with Cypress Hill, Metallica and more. He’s also made waves in the VR world and created music featured on major television networks such as the theme music for Cartoon Network’s Team Titans. From his early days in the Bay Area until now, Mix Master Mike has always been looking for new ways to create art that challenges the status quo, keeping his brand relevant and exciting for fans of all ages.
After the races conclude on Saturday, critically-acclaimed, multi-platinum selling artist Young The Giant will headline. The band’s latest album, “American Bollywood” tells the multi-generational saga of the American immigrant, and the origins, exiles, battles, and denouement of reclaiming their collective identity while spanning genres from traditional Indian sounds to more western rock and pop. Young the Giant’s 2023 headline tour was the biggest to date with over 60 shows that saw the band performing to 238K+ fans across 10 countries.
Following the concert, the action moves to the Snowshed Lodge where stand-out women from the ski industry and beyond will discuss the contributions of women in the industry on a panel as part of U.S. Ski and Snowboard’s HERoic initiative. Then, catch a showing of the all-female ski movie “Advice for Girls.” Saturday will wrap up with the official Killington Cup After Party at the Wobbly Barn, featuring a second set by 220 KID and performance by Philadelphia-based Steal the Sky.
On Sunday, Grammy-nominated Matisyahu performs between runs. Matisyahu is a singer, songwriter, rapper, and alternative rock musician. He’s known for his skill in blending reggae and hip hop as he provides a raw expression of his spirituality. His long and winding career consists of seven albums including chart-topping Light, Youth, Spark Seeker, Akeda, and Undercurrent with hits like “One Day,” “Sunshine,” and “King Without A Crown.” Through his lyrics, Matisyahu develops a personal, artistic, and sophisticated way to express the yearning for deep spiritual meaning, and as his own beliefs opened up to find more variety and depth, the desire for his performances to match the unpredictable flow of life developed as well.
“World-class skiing isn’t the only reason to attend the Stifel Killington Cup,” says Killington President and General Manager Mike Solimano. “We have assembled a stellar line up of music to keep the party going all weekend long. New this year, don’t miss the movie showing Saturday night, following a panel discussing the experience of women in the industry.”
Highlights of the 2023 Killington Cup include:
Friday, November 24 (no ticket required):
Athlete bib presentation
Fireworks display
Music by 220 KID
Saturday, November 25 (tickets required):
Festival Village and giant slalom races beginning at 10:00 a.m. with Mix Master Mike performing between runs
Young the Giant performing after the second run
Heroic “Doing it All” Panel
Women’s ski film screening “Advice for Girls”
Wobbly Barn Party post-race party presented by Kona Big Wave with 220 KID and Steal the Sky
Sunday, November 26 (tickets required):
Festival Village and slalom races beginning at 10:15 a.m. with Matisyahu performing between runs
The full weekend schedule is available at Killington.com/worldcup.
The 2023 Stifel Killington Cup is a fully ticketed event. All attendees will need either a General Admission ticket, Grandstand ticket or VIP ticket to enter the Festival Village, concerts and spectating areas. General Admission tickets are available online in advance for $10.00, with a portion of proceeds benefiting the Killington World Cup Foundation, which supports athlete hospitality and provides grants to support winter sports infrastructure and access to winter sports throughout the region. A limited number of Grandstand tickets are still available for purchase, providing an unparalleled location to view the giant slalom and slalom races.
For additional information about Killington Resort and the 2023 Killington Cup, please visit Killington.com/worldcup and sign up for text alerts here.
