KILLINGTON — The Killington Pico Area Association (KPAA) has announced a full slate of events for the 2016 summer season. Beginning with the Killington Stage Race on Memorial Day weekend and continuing through September with the Spartan Race, the robust lineup includes the return of several signature summer events including the free Cooler in the Mountains Concert Series, as well as new events including the STRIDER Bike Adventure Zone, Beast of the East ProGRT, Killington Bike Bum Race Series, and the Vermont Senior Games. In conjunction each event, the KPAA is offering a variety of Stay and Play lodging packages.
“From music fans, to families, to outdoor enthusiasts and competitors alike, everyone is going to find something to love about Killington this summer,” says Amy Morrison, director of the KPAA. “And with these great lodging deals, you can spend the weekends in the mountains, see a show, take a hike and get a room starting at $89.”
The summer season officially gets underway Memorial Day weekend when hundreds of cycling enthusiasts from throughout the Northeast converge on Killington for three days of professional bike racing. Following are the highlights of the summer schedule:
- Beast of a Bike Swap, May 27-29 — Looking to sell an old bike or get a smoking hot deal on a new one? Stop by Snowshed Base Lodge Memorial Day weekend for the first annual Beast of a Bike Swap. Whether you’re looking for mountain or road, fat or skinny, kids or women’s bikes, there’ll be something for everyone.
- Killington Stage Race, May 28-30 — One of cycling’s top Eastern events, this race attracts over 500 competitive cyclists Memorial Day Weekend from across the country for three days of racing one of New England’s most challenging courses. The Killington Stage Race is a series of three races structured to cover a variety of terrain and distances, and set against the cool, lush landscape of Vermont’s Green Mountains.
- Downhill Throwdown World Cup Event, June 16-18 — Downhill skateboarders and street lugers from around the world will gather in Killington to ride the fastest course east of the Mississippi. Reaching speeds of over 60 mph, gravity lovers will have a new reason to visit Killington in the summer.
- Long Trail Century Ride, June 25 — Benefitting Vermont Adaptive, this ride offers a course for every ability level, as riders may choose the 100-mile loop, 50-mile loop, or 20 mile loop. All courses start and finish together at Long Trail Brewery, located on Route 4. Post-ride festivities at the Brewery include a BBQ, live music and family entertainment, refreshments, and more.
- Bike Bum Race Series, Wednesdays June 29 – Aug. 31 — The Bike Bum Race Series is a summer-long race series held at the Killington Bike Park’s Snowshed trails. With a focus on fun and camaraderie in the mountain bike community, these are not high pressure races.
- Eastern States Cup, July 2-3 — The popular Mountain Bike series returns to Killington in 2016. This summer come watch some of the top bikers from around the country take on “The Beast” in a series of Downhill and Enduro Races for this exciting East Coast Showdown.
- Killington Junior Golf Championship, July 3-7 — The American Junior Golf Association returns to Green Mountain National Golf Course in 2016 as the top junior golfers from around the world compete in the 54-hole stroke play event.
- Fourth of July Activities, July 3-4 — The Foundry kicks-off celebrations with a fireworks display on July 3rd, followed by the Killington Fire Department and Killington Parks and Recreation’s all-day 4th of July party and fundraising. Festivities include a parade, live entertainment, family activities, a BBQ, pool party, and fireworks on the River Road recreation fields.
- River Road Concert Series, Thursdays July 7 – Aug. 18 — Head to the Sherburne Memorial Library on Thursday evenings for the River Road Concert Series. Bring lawn chairs, blankets and snacks to relax in the cool summer nights, while enjoying a variety of free musical entertainment.
- Dirty Girl Mud Run, July 9 — Dirty Girl Mud Run events inspire fabulous females to run, walk, climb, jump, and laugh their way, hand in muddy hand, to an unabashed sense of accomplishment. The event features a 3.1 mile(ish) obstacle course run for women only. If this is your first time running an organized obstacle run or 5k, you will get to the finish line! Over 900,000 women of all ages, shapes, sizes, and athletic backgrounds have completed this incredibly fun obstacle course since its debut in 2011.
- Jeep Jamboree, July 14-16 — Located in the beautiful Green Mountains of central Vermont, the Jeep Jamboree in Killington features an expansive and challenging road and trail network. Join for a weekend of off-road adventures that bring together the outdoors, down-to-earth people, and their Jeep 4x4s.
- Cooler in the Mountains Concert Series, Saturdays July 16 – Sept. 3 — Top names from the national music scene will be taking the stage for an expanded eight-week series as the Cooler in the Mountains summer concert series returns in 2016. Grab a lawn chair, a beach blanket, the whole family, and head to the Snowshed Adventure Center for this free family-friendly event presented by Long Trail Brewing Company.
- STRIDER Bike Adventure Zone, Saturdays July 16 – Aug. 27 — If your toddler can walk, your toddler can ride a STRIDER. Come out and get the young ones out on a bike this summer! These no-pedal balance bikes were developed specifically to help toddlers and young children learn balance and coordination before pedaling. The STRIDER Bike Adventure Zone will be available during the Cooler in the Mountain concert series at the Snowshed Adventure Center.
- Killington Wine Festival, July 15-17 — One of the Killington Region’s signature events, this year’s Wine Festival toasts 15 years of tasting events in the heart of the Green Mountains. Featuring hundreds of wines from around the world, the event features three days of mountain wine tasting events. Signature events during the Festival include the Estate Tasting at Killington’s Peak Lodge, the Grand Tasting, and Green Mountain National’s Wine and Nine Golf Outing.
- Chili Cook-Off, July 28 — The Annual Chili Cook-Off is guaranteed to bring the best tasting chili in town! Join the competition and bring your finest dish to compete for the title of Best Chili, or stop by the event to taste the chef’s creations.
- Beast of the East ProGRT, July 28-31 — This summer the USA Cycling Pro Gravity Tour will be stopping at the Killington Bike Park for an exciting Downhill event. Come out to watch some of the sport’s top riders compete in this three day race series.
- VT Women’s Amateur Championship, Aug. 8-10 — Green Mountain National hosts the Vermont State Women’s Amateur Championship in 2016 as the best women golfers in the Vermont come to challenge “Vermont’s Favorite Golf Course!” More information and eligibility requirements can be found at vswga.org
- Race to the Peak, Aug. 20 — Experience summer in Killington at the second annual Killington Boot Camp Race to the Peak. Hike or run this challenging and scenic 5K course from the Ramshead Base Lodge to the Peak Lodge of the famous Beast of the East ski resort.
- Vermont Senior Games, Aug. 27-28 — The Town of Killington and Rutland Recreation have partnered for the first Regional National Senior Games Pentathlon at the Johnson Recreation Center in Killington for 40+ years of age. The National Senior Games exists today as a non-profit organization dedicated to motivating active adults to lead a healthy lifestyle through the senior games movement. The Pentathlon will consist of a swim meet (3 events) 20K cycling, and 5k run.
- Vittoria Eastern States Cup – Enduro Finals, Sept. 10 — Top mountain bikers across the country converge to compete in the Regional Enduro Championship Series Finals. The Eastern States Cup is officially sanctioned by USA Cycling for Mountain Biking.
- Spartan Race, Sept. 17-18 — Home of the 2014 Spartan World Championship, this course is brutal. Located in what is known as “Joe’s backyard,” this land is where the company was founded; that means anything goes. Steep slopes; muddy waters; huge hills. Choose to race in the Ultra Beast: 26+ miles; the Beast: 12+ miles; or the 3.5+ mile Sprint. Young Spartans are invited to race the Spartan Kids Races.
For more info, visit www.discoverkillington.com, or www.killington.com.
