Killington Resort Launches Upward & Outward, A New Commitment to Sustainability and Community

Debut initiatives include $100,000 in hurricane relief for Jamaican employees and a $60,000 youth ski and snowboard lease program for Vermont students

KILLINGTON, Vt. — Killington Resort and Pico Mountain announced today the launch of Upward & Outward, a new commitment to sustainability, community partnership, and positive regional impact designed to turn good intentions into meaningful action.

Rooted in Killington’s new era of independent ownership, Upward & Outward reflects a clear philosophy: we rise by lifting others. The commitment brings together existing efforts in sustainability, community giving, and employee support under one purpose-driven banner—ensuring every initiative we take moves our people, our partners, and our mountain forward.

Guided by three pillars—Respect, Connect, and Project—Upward & Outward focuses on building a stronger, more sustainable future for our mountain community:

Respect speaks to protecting natural resources, embracing renewable energy, and fostering a culture of inclusivity.

Connect highlights collaboration with our employees, guests, and local partners to strengthen the bonds that sustain our region.

Project represents bold, visible actions that expand Killington’s impact locally, regionally, and beyond.

“Upward & Outward is how we’re putting our values into action,” said Mike Solimano, President & CEO of Killington Resort and Pico Mountain. “It’s not all about slogans or checklists; it’s about taking advantage of our independence to make real progress for our community, our employees, and the environment we all share.”

First Initiatives: Relief and Access

Hurricane Melissa Relief: $100,000 for Jamaican Team Members

As part of the commitment’s debut, Killington and Pico are providing direct support to our 100 Jamaican employees whose families were impacted by Hurricane Melissa. Through the Upward & Outward Employee Relief Fund, every affected team member will receive a $1,000 donation to help rebuild and recover.

The effort is being made possible through direct contributions from Killington Resort & Pico Mountain totaling $100,000. A GoFundMe campaign has also been launched to allow guests and community members to contribute additional support, with all funds raised going directly to any impacted Jamaicans in the Killington area.

This initiative brings the Connect and Project pillars to life—acting quickly, compassionately, and with purpose for members of our extended resort family.

Vermont Youth Ski & Ride Lease Program

Upward & Outward’s second initiative focuses on increasing youth access to winter sports through a $60,000 seasonal lease program for Vermont Student Pass holders in Windsor and Rutland Counties. For the 2025/26 winter season, Killington and Pico will fully cover the cost of ski or snowboard leases through participating local shops for over 300 children ages 11 & under, reducing financial barriers for families and fostering a new generation of lifelong skiers and riders.

Partner ski and snowboard shops include Basin Ski Essentials, Darkside Snowboards, Peak Performance, Aspen East, First Stop Board Barn, and Forerunner. With the help of these partners and member businesses of the Killington/Pico Area Association, we look forward to keeping this program thriving for years to come. This initiative, rooted in the Respect and Connect pillars, underscores the resort’s belief that everyone deserves access to the joy of mountain sports, while supporting local retailers who will help make that possible.

For more information about Upward & Outward, including updates on our upcoming initiatives to support small, local ski areas, visit killington.com/upward-outward.