Killington is a good place to work indeed. There are many reasons why including the staff, the perks, and the personal development that come with working at one of the premier ski destinations in North America. “Work” often doesn’t feel much like work at Killington. For me the biggest reason why Killington is a good place to work is that it offers us as coaches the chance to give our guests a great gift. It’s a gift that our guests can keep for life. Alpine skiing can be rewarding for everyone, no matter one’s background or when they start. I believe that introducing someone to alpine skiing, or helping him or her gain more skills and enjoyment from skiing is an important job. Quite simply, it helps people experience life more fully. Good skiing is good living! In today’s fast-paced and technology driven world there seem to be diminishing opportunities for outdoor leisure or adventure. The numerous benefits of alpine skiing are real. Time on the slopes in Killington’s grand setting is time that’s not spent in front of a computer, or a TV, or on a cell phone, or playing a video game. That alone is worth something. Many of my younger students tell me that ski school with me at Killington feels more like recess than it does school. For me as a coach, that’s one of the highest compliments that someone can give.

Rob

As a 65 year-old Vermont resident, I’m often asked if I ski. I love to watch their jaws drop when I tell them that I snowboard. In fact, I go on, I teach snowboarding at Killington. After a brief pause to consider this unexpected answer, a conversation begins between us about the popular misconception that snowboarding is just for kids. Don’t believe it, I emphasize, if you can ride a bicycle, I can teach you to ride a snowboard, and Killington is the place to learn. Killington’s instructors do not practice the “sink of swim” style of teaching, I explain. Killington’s snowboard instructors practice Burton’s “Learn-To- Ride” program, on Burton equipment especially designed for beginners. Then, if I happen to be talking with a peer, I point out that as the most senior member of Killington’s team of snowboard instructors, I take special delight in opening the door of possibility to my peers by teaching them a skill that is fun, rewarding, and healthy. Come to Killington this winter, and let me teach you how to snowboard, I tell them. You can do it, and I’m not lying.

Chuck

Every day at Killington is different- new people, new trail conditions, and sometimes even new wildlife… on more than one occasion I’ve found myself with a group of beginners in the middle of the learn to ski trail with a bunch of turkeys. I don’t mean human turkeys, I mean the real deal- the big, noisy thanksgiving bird. If that doesn’t put a smile on someone’s face and make the rest of the lesson fun- nothing will.

Katherine

I had group of 14 to 17 year old skiers. We had spent 3 days exploring the mountain developing skills and tactics for advanced skiing. The forth day I told the group a surprise was in store for them. We had been down all the black diamond trails except the cat walk trail. There was new snow so we set off first thing in the morning. I broke trail for them up to mouth of the drop in.

Halfway down there is a four way intersection so I sent 3 of the strongest skiers first to wait there on the side of the trail. When I got to the first 3 skiers a couple of people were already there. I was looking up to assess my group when someone skied in behind me, and said" I can’t believe somebody’s here this early, figures it’s the ski school."

I turned my head and was excited to find Glen Plake looking at my group! I asked my group if they new who he was and introduced them to him. All I heard was a group of kids saying awesome, cool, I see you in the ski flicks.

I said to Glen, show us how it’s done, and he proceeded to drop in the bump run. For the next two days the Plake encounter was the main topic of their vacation!

Brad