The Killington Partnership

Killington/Pico Ski Resort Partners and the Green Mountain College Resort & Hospitality Management (RHM) program maintain a very close relationship. The Killington/Pico relationship enables each RHM student to become fully immersed in the resort industry well before graduation. Killington and Pico ski resorts including the Killington Grand Hotel and The Wobbly Barn act as learning laboratories for many of our classes such as Intro to Resort Operations, Food and Beverage Management, and Retail and Consumer Behavior.

Killington and Green Mountain College's partnership shines most during the winter months while students are in co-op. During the winter co-op term Resort and Hospitality students can be found working all over the mountain in departments like snowmaking, hotel front desk, guest services, and lift operations. The students are able to use Killington as their "text book" while they learn both what to do and what not to do. Supervisors in resort management allow students to complete special projects and work on their leadership skills throughout the term, further enabling each student to grow as future managers.

To make the co-op program successful, Killington has one year round and one seasonal employee within human resources to assist students during the placement process, throughout the winter, and as the students are exited from their positions. The co-op coordinators often keep in touch with the students during the summer months to prepare for the second season. The work both co-op coordinators do for the students and the program is essential to each student’s success.

Students also benefit from the GMC/Killington relationship by Killington/Pico management and executive team members making frequent presentations in different classes. These presentations help students relate what they are learning in class to the industry, an important link to each student’s success. Several members of the management team at Killington are also used as adjunct instructors for classes such as Human Resources Management and Retail and Consumer Behavior.

Killington and Green Mountain College's partnership doesn't end in the classroom. Killington has assisted with the placement of jib yard features, donated prizes and event supplies for the annual Tricks and Treats Rail Jam, and produces signage for The Lodge. In the fall of 2008 students were given a "sneak preview" of the newly built Burton Stash made possible with the help of the Killington Mountain Operations team.

You will see the close relationship right from your prospective tour through graduation day.