The Killington Download Killington Resort
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- Sports
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Killington Resort
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Opening Day and Inside the Snowmaking Control Room
This episode the Killington Download podcast sits down with Steve Reynolds, snowmaking control room supervisor for the resort. We chat with Steve about his first job at Killington making snow and his transition into the control room. We learn exactly what happens in the control room, that there is 90 miles of pipe that covers Killington and Pico and the most challenging part of his job is the weather. Then we get one little nugget from Steve that this season, with the right weather, we should see snowmaking on Devils Fiddle for the first time in 7 years.
Then we welcome President and General Manager Mike Solimano back. Mike speaks about what it's like to manage the Beast fo the East and the energy around the resort as we get into winter. Lastly, we chat with Mike about his take on what he would do to improve the resort if he had a blank check and his best guess to when the resort might open for the season.
Links
The Killington App
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/killington-resort/id1532074858
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.wearlynx.slandroidkillington
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/killingtonmtn/
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/killingtonresort
Twitter
https://twitter.com/KillingtonMtn
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/user/KillingtonMountain
Host: Justin Cash
Guests: Stephanie Backus, Steve Reynolds, Mike Solimano -
Staffing the Beast with Anne Reynolds
This episode the Killington Download podcast sits down with Anne Reynolds, Director of Human Resources for the resort. We chat with Anne about staffing the largest resort in the East and the 1600+ employees Killignton has in the height of winter. We even debate the oddest jobs at the resort.
Then we welcome President and General Manager Mike Solimano back. Mike speaks about the impact the flood had on the resort and community and updates us on the recovery process. Lastly, we chat with Mike about investments happening around the resort to prepare for the start of the ski/ride season.
Links
The Killington App
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/killington-resort/id1532074858 https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.wearlynx.slandroidkillington
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/killingtonmtn/
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/killingtonresort
Twitter
https://twitter.com/KillingtonMtn
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/user/KillingtonMountain
Host: Justin Cash
Guests: Stephanie Backus, Anne Reynolds, Mike Solimano -
Dakotah Norton and Aletha Ostgaard talk all things FOX US Open of Mountain Biking
This episode features three guests, US Open co-founder and race director Clay Harper and professional downhill mountain bikers Aletha Ostgaard and Dakotah Norton. In 2022 Aletha finished 3rd and Dakotah finished 1st in the open class division at the US Open. We talk to both about what it’s like to race professionally around the globe as well as what sets racing at the FOX US Open apart from other races. We then get detailed accounts of their race runs down Goat Skull, their take on the vibe in the parking lot and how they deal with the highs and lows of professional mountain bike racing.
5:15 Clay Harper
14:30 Aletha Ostgaard
29:30 Dakotah Norton
Then we welcome President and General Manager Mike Solimano back to the podcast. We talk to Mike about what improvements are being made to the mountain this summer, the current state of the new village and how he recharges his batteries during the summer.
Links
The Killington App
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/killington-resort/id1532074858 https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.wearlynx.slandroidkillington
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/killingtonmtn/
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/killingtonresort
Twitter
https://twitter.com/KillingtonMtn
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/user/KillingtonMountain
Host: Justin Cash
Guests: Stephanie Backus, Clay Harper, Aletha Ostgaard, Dakotah Norton, Mike Solimano -
Joe De Sena, Founder and CEO of Spartan
This episode features Joe De Sena, Founder and CEO of Spartan. We talk to Joe about life lessons learned growing up next door to a mob boss, the adventure that was Joe’s first trip to Killington and then we learn all about the Death Race and the origins of the Spartan race itself. As a bonus Joe challenges any listener who has never done one of his races with a free entry into the Killington Beast race. Email Joe at joe@spartan.com with the subject line “Justin Killington” and make sure to do this before July 1st.
Then we welcome President and General Manager Mike Solimano back to the podcast. We talk to Mike about what he’s looking forward to this summer, a new event at Killington - Outerbike, July 7-9 and the retirement of a 45 year snowmaking veteran, Greg Hiltz.
Links
The Killington App
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/killington-resort/id1532074858
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.wearlynx.slandroidkillington
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/killingtonmtn/
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/killingtonresort
Twitter
https://twitter.com/KillingtonMtn
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/user/KillingtonMountain
Host: Justin Cash
Guests: Stephanie Backus, Joe De Sena, Mike Solimano -
Managing the Killington Snowcats with David Wright
This episode features David Wright, Grooming Manager for Killington and Pico Resorts. We discuss springtime grooming and the reasons every trail isn't groomed when the temperatures rise. We learn the ins-and-outs of winch cats, discuss the new snow depth technology (don’t call it RADAR) and finally hear the challenges behind grooming Dave’s favorite trail.
Then we welcome President and General Manager Mike Solimano to reflect on the 2022-23 ski season and learn what he's looking forward to this summer. Lastly, we chat about the recent warmup and what that might mean for closing day.
Links
The Killington App
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/killington-resort/id1532074858
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.wearlynx.slandroidkillington
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/killingtonmtn/
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/killingtonresort
Twitter
https://twitter.com/KillingtonMtn
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/user/KillingtonMountain
Host: Justin Cash
Guests: Stephanie Backus, David Wright, Mike Solimano -
College at Killington with Amy Laramie and Calvin Merrill
In this episode we speak with Amy Laramie, Director of Brand Marketing, Events and Special Projects and Calvin Merrill, Snow Reporter about attending the Castleton Resort and Hospitality Management program at Killington Resort. This unique college experience combines real world, hands-on learning with more traditional college classes just a few miles from the base of Killington. We hear about the unique accelerated program that provides paid co-operative education for students, and in turn provides the resort with dedicated, enthusiastic employees.
Then we talk with President and General Manager Mike Solimano about his take on the resort and hospitality program and what value it brings. We also learn that Mike taught the very first class at the program—before, as he puts it—“they found a real professor.”
Links
The Killington App
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/killington-resort/id1532074858
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.wearlynx.slandroidkillington
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/killingtonmtn/
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/killingtonresort
Twitter
https://twitter.com/KillingtonMtn
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/user/KillingtonMountain
Host: Justin Cash
Guests: Stephanie Backus, Amy Laramie, Calvin Merrill and Mike Solimano
Customer Reviews
What happened to the Podcast??
Great show… why are there no more episodes?
Love it!
I have so much love for Killington, and getting to learn all this inside info is amazing. Is it ski season yet??
Love it
Great program for getting information and learning about the mountain and how it works.