Pico
City:
Mendon
Region:
East Coast
Updated:
October 31, 2024
53
PeakRankings Score
To give each resort a Mountain Score, we assess 10 equally weighted categories that paint an overall picture of the typical mountain experience.
[Year] Rankings
Overall Rank
#
87
Rank In
United States
#
73
Rank In
Vermont
#
7
Category Scores
Snow
Criteria Breakdown
Scroll down to see all the scores
10
The resort gets top accumulation and snow that forms in a way that feels light and powdery all the time.
9
The resort sees very good accumulation and gets powder that takes awhile to track or feels notably light.
8
The resort sees very good snow accumulation each season that tends to stay powdery for several days in a row.
7
The resort sees very good, powdery snow accumulation each season, but powder doesn't always last long at certain places in the resort.
6
The resort sees good accumulation that forms a solid base each season and sometimes sees powder but sometimes suffers from variable cover.
5
The resort sees decent accumulation each season but sometimes suffers from variable cover and rarely sees powder.
4
The resort sees okay accumulation each season. Non-snowmaking trails regularly suffer from thin or variable cover.
3
The resort sees mediocre accumulation each season. Thin cover is a given on all non-snowmaking trails.
2
The resort receives poor accumulation each season and must heavily rely on snowmaking to stay open.
1
The resort would have little to no snow if it weren't for snowmaking. If you're not on a trail, you probably don't see any accumulation.
0
The resort doesn’t get any snow.
6
Lifts
Criteria Breakdown
Scroll down to see all the scores
10
High-speed lifts exist across every mountain area. Helper lifts are high-speed as well.
9
Most lifts are high-speed, with only a few areas serviced by helper fixed-grip lifts.
8
All but a few areas are accessible by high-speed lifts. Helper lifts may be fixed grip.
7
Most areas are accessible by high-speed lifts. Helper lifts are fixed grip.
6
Many areas are accessible by high-speed lifts, but some are only serviced by fixed-grip lifts.
5
About half of areas are accessible by high-speed lifts.
4
A few areas are accessible by high-speed lifts, but most areas only see fixed-grip lift service.
3
All lifts are fixed grip but some are at least modern.
2
Lifts are extremely old or low-capacity. Some places are only serviced by surface lifts.
1
Surface lifts only.
0
No lifts.
6
Resiliency
Criteria Breakdown
Scroll down to see all the scores
10
The mountain can quickly recover from the worst conditions and deliver the exact same experience as on a good day.
9
The mountain can quickly recover from almost any poor conditions thanks to excellent poor snow and weather mitigation.
8
The mountain successfully mitigates snow or weather issues in nearly every mountain area and across all terrain categories. A few parts of the resort may occasionally see significant impacts.
7
The mountain successfully mitigates snow or weather issues in most mountain areas, but some parts of the mountain are highly affected by inclement weather or poor conditions.
6
The mountain successfully mitigates snow or weather issues in many mountain areas, but other parts are highly susceptible to inclement weather or poor conditions.
5
The mountain has some capabilities to avoid inclement weather or poor conditions, but struggles to mitigate poor conditions in many mountain areas.
4
The mountain has some capabilities to avoid inclement weather or poor conditions, but is regularly forced to close a few major parts of the mountain. Under severe circumstances, the mountain may be forced to completely suspend operations.
3
The mountain has some capabilities to avoid inclement weather or poor conditions, but is regularly forced to close multiple major mountain areas. Occasionally, the mountain may be forced to suspend operations completely.
2
In the event of any inclement weather, the mountain loses most of its skiable terrain, with restoration regularly taking several days or weeks. A few small runs may stay open.
1
In the event of any inclement weather, the mountain loses its entire skiable footprint and may take weeks to recover.
0
Any inclement weather issues are season-ending.
5
Crowd Flow
Criteria Breakdown
Scroll down to see all the scores
10
The mountain's infrastructure is perfectly set up for crowd flow and capacity and does the best possible job to mitigate crowding.
9
The mountain's lift infrastructure is mostly direct and well-placed with excellent capacity.
8
The mountain's lift infrastructure is mostly direct and well-placed with good capacity. One or two areas could use a capacity upgrade.
7
The mountain's lift infrastructure is usually direct and well-placed with good capacity. A few areas could use a capacity upgrade or better placed lifts. Trails themselves rarely become chokepoints.
6
The mountain's lift and trail network is usually direct with good capacity. Some areas suffer from indirect lift placements or poorly thought out junctions.
5
The mountain’s lift and trail network comprises a comparable mix of direct, well-placed routes and indirect or capacity-constrained ones.
4
The mountain's lift and trail network is set up in a way that causes major crowding or indirect routing for many popular routes. Some areas are served by direct, well-placed lifts.
3
The mountain's lift and trail network causes serious crowding or indirect routing for most areas, but a few places are served by direct, well-placed lifts.
2
The mountain's lift and trail network is not equipped to handle crowds on a normal day and sees backups of more than half an hour.
1
The mountain's crowd flow logistics are seriously flawed. Poor lift placement and uphill capacity can cause backups of more than an hour.
0
The mountain's crowd flow logistics are so bad that you shouldn't expect to get on the mountain on a typical day.
8
Size
Criteria Breakdown
Scroll down to see all the scores
10
7000+ skiable acres
9
3500-7000 skiable acres
8
2500-3500 skiable acres
7
1800-2500 skiable acres
6
1200-1800 skiable acres
5
800-1200 skiable acres
4
500-800 skiable acres
3
250-500 skiable acres
2
100-250 skiable acres
1
1-100 skiable acres
0
0 skiable acres
3
Facilities
Criteria Breakdown
Scroll down to see all the scores
10
The mountain boasts easily accessible, high-capacity lodges at every major and minor junction area.
9
The mountain boasts easily accessible, high-capacity lodges throughout most mountain areas.
8
The mountain boasts several lodges or huts across the resort. A few minor mid- or high-elevation areas lack easy access to high-capacity facilities.
7
The mountain boasts several lodges or huts across the resort. Some major mountain areas lack easy access to high-capacity facilities.
6
The mountain boasts several lodges or huts across multiple areas, but some places lack easy access to the closest facilities.
5
The mountain consists of high-capacity lodges at each base area but suffers from limited, low-capacity, or impractically placed on-mountain facilities.
4
The mountain consists of high-capacity lodges at each base area. Any on-mountain facilities are limited, low-capacity, and impractically placed.
3
The mountain consists of at least one high-capacity base lodge but no on-mountain facilities.
2
The mountain consists of a moderately-sized base lodge but no on-mountain facilities.
1
The mountain consists of a singular base lodge that's either impractically small or hard to reach.
0
The mountain doesn't consist of any on-site lodge facilities.
4
Terrain Diversity
Criteria Breakdown
Scroll down to see all the scores
10
The mountain has an abundance of terrain in all categories for all ability levels.
9
The mountain offers multiple options in all terrain categories you'd typically find at a ski resort.
8
The mountain offers at least some options in all terrain categories you'd typically find at a ski resort.
7
The mountain offers terrain in most categories for a range of ability levels, but may fall short in one or two areas.
6
The mountain offers terrain in many categories but either falls short or lacks terrain in a few others.
5
The mountain offers terrain of varying lengths, gradients, and widths but lacks terrain in multiple categories.
4
The mountain offers similar terrain of moderately different lengths, gradients, and widths.
3
The mountain offers similar terrain of slightly different lengths, gradients, or widths.
2
The mountain consists of runs that are similar to one another but vary slightly by difficulty.
1
The mountain only consists of runs that provide nearly identical terrain experiences.
0
The mountain has no terrain.
4
Navigation
Criteria Breakdown
Scroll down to see all the scores
10
It's easy, direct, and clear to get anywhere on the mountain from any place.
9
It's easy, direct, and clear to get anywhere on the mountain from most places. A small fraction of trails don't have direct access to all other mountain areas.
8
It's easy to get to and from most mountain areas. A few minor areas aren't directly accessible from all other parts of the resort or may be hard to find.
7
It's reasonably simple to get between most major mountain areas. A few areas require catwalks or traverses to get to or from or are hard to find. Some areas require multiple direct lift rides to travel between.
6
It's reasonably simple to get between many major mountain areas, but some areas require more effort due to poor signage, indirect lifts, or catwalks.
5
Some mountain areas are easy to navigate while others require more effort due to poor signage, indirect lifts, or catwalks.
4
Some mountain areas are easy to get between, but navigating many major areas can be confusing. Some major trails may suffer from poor signage or require catwalks.
3
It can take multiple lifts or be notably confusing to get between major resort areas. Many resort areas suffer from indirect trail routes, poor signage, or multiple catwalks.
2
It takes a substantial amount of effort and multiple indirect lifts to get between resort areas with little enjoyable terrain in between. Expect to occasionally get lost.
1
Expect to regularly get lost at this resort due to poor signage and lift placement. Getting between mountain areas requires notable effort and extremely unenjoyable terrain.
0
It's impossible to get around this resort. You will likely get lost or spend your whole day trying to get from one place to another.
8
Challenge
Criteria Breakdown
Scroll down to see all the scores
10
The resort boasts truly extreme terrain across several prominent areas. Any double blacks should not be attempted, even by experts, without using extreme caution.
9
Select resort areas boast some of the most challenging runs in the world. The most challenging terrain should not be attempted, even by experts, without using extreme caution.
8
The mountain boasts extremely demanding terrain with sustained pitches, cliffs, drop-ins, and/or tight turns.
7
The mountain offers a range of very steep, ungroomed terrain with features like cliffs, drop-ins, or tight turns.
6
The mountain offers a range of steep, difficult terrain, with expert features like cliffs in some places.
5
The mountain offers some fairly steep groomed and ungroomed runs.
4
The mountain offers some steep runs but very little ungroomed terrain.
3
The mountain primarily offers groomed terrain with moderate pitches.
2
The mountain offers mostly gently-sloped terrain.
1
None of the mountain's terrain is more difficult than a typical bunny hill.
0
The mountain is completely flat.
5
Mountain Aesthetic
Criteria Breakdown
Scroll down to see all the scores
10
The resort offers one-of-a-kind views, terrain, isolation, and vibes. You probably won't find a resort that feels like this again in your lifetime.
9
The resort offers unique terrain, views, and isolation that you'll rarely find anywhere else.
8
The resort clearly distinguishes itself with class-leading views, terrain, and isolation.
7
The resort feels unique, with high-quality views, terrain, and isolation across the footprint.
6
The resort doesn't boast the same unique terrain as some competing resorts but offers excellent views and isolation in many areas.
5
The resort offers some cool terrain and great views and isolation in some areas. Some areas may feel commercialized or built-up.
4
The resort offers decently cool terrain, nice views, or pockets of isolation in places. Major areas may feel commercialized or built-up.
3
The resort either feels commercialized or built-up around more than half the resort or offers only moderately interesting terrain, views and isolation.
2
The resort either feels commercialized or built-up in most areas or offers only mildly interesting terrain, views or isolation.
1
The resort barely feels like a mountain, with intense commercialization and very little in the way of views, terrain, or isolation.
0
The resort is completely flat or indoors.
4
Good To Know
Aprés-ski:
Limited
On-site Lodging:
Yes
Nearest City:
Boston (3 hrs), Montreal (3.5 hrs), New York (5 hrs)
Pass Affiliation:
Ikon Pass
Epic [Backend]
Ikon [Backend]
Mountain Collective [Backend]
Other [Backend]
Recommended Ability:
From
Beginner
To
Advanced
Beginner [Backend]
Intermediate [Backend]
Advanced [Backend]
Expert [Backend]
Extreme [Backend]
Pros
- Low crowds
- Local feel
- Straightforward footprint
- Available ski-in/ski-out lodging
Pro Con Item [Backend]
Cons
- Modest footprint
- Secondary lifts that don’t operate consistently
- Closed on most Tuesdays and Wednesdays
- Intermediate trail congestion at summit
Pro Con Item [Backend]
Mountain Stats
265
acres
Skiable Footprint
490
acres
Total Footprint
100
%
Lift-Serviced Terrain
3967
ft
Top Elevation
1967
ft
Vertical Drop
7
Lifts
58
Trails
18
%
Beginner
46
%
Intermediate
36
%
Advanced/Expert
Comprehensive Review
For years, Pico has perhaps been the most overshadowed ski resort on the East Coast. This modestly-sized mountain sits just a few miles away from Killington—which actually owns and operates it—and regional visitors often overlook Pico to exclusively spend their time at the larger, more diverse slopes of its neighbor.
But is Pico worth a visit on your next Vermont ski trip? Let’s take a look.
Size and Terrain Layout
With a 265-acre skiable footprint and just under a 2,000-foot vertical drop, Pico feels somewhat modestly sized. That said, unlike some competitors, the trails are thoughtfully designed and feel distinct from one another. The resort can generally be broken down into a bottom and top half, with high-speed quads servicing each portion, and a series of tiny lift pods near the bottom with dedicated double and triple chairs.
Beginner Terrain
On paper, Pico’s beginner footprint may not look the best. There are only one or two easy ways down from lower-mountain chairlifts, and the upper mountain doesn’t offer any green trails at all. But the modest size, lower skier density, and straightforward layout make Pico generally more family friendly than nearby Killington.
For those who are just learning, the Bonanza bunny hill provides a dedicated double chair and rope tow; while dated compared to magic carpet setups at other mountains, this area still provides an effective learning environment.
Intermediate Terrain
Pico’s intermediate trails make up almost half of the resort. Guests will find well-groomed cruisers across the whole mountain, with the largest conglomerate of blue trails existing off the lower half of the Summit Express Quad and the upper half of the Golden Express Quad. The Summit chair serves a small section of intermediate glade terrain, which can be great for those looking to progress into the trees.
However, the only blue trail that starts directly off the summit is Forty Niner, and this trail gets packed during peak times—even with Pico’s relatively moderate visitation. In addition, a minority of blue runs do not receive grooming, which may be surprising to guests who have chiefly skied or ridden at other Vermont destinations.
One of Pico’s blue runs also features a small terrain park, which hosts a series of small to medium boxes, rails, and jumps. However, it’s not very competitive versus other setups in the state.
TRAIL MAP
Advanced and Expert Terrain
Pico may be more family-friendly than some of its competitors, but the resort hosts a couple of solid advanced and expert trails if you know where to look. In lower-mountain areas, guests will find short but steep terrain off the Outpost Double and Little Pico Triple chairs. The Summit Express serves the longest advanced-level trails at the resort, with a mix of bombable groomers and steep, icy mogul runs—as well as a few strong glade areas ranging from more widely-spaced trees to thicker woods.
Pico has two double-black-diamond runs: Upper Giant Killer and A Slope. Both of these trails are incredibly steep and perennially icy, and they include technical features such as rocks that are absent from other areas of the resort.
But we’d argue the hardest Pico skiing isn’t even marked inbounds. Immediately to skiers’ left of Upper Giant Killer exists an unmarked trail that was once a poma lift line. Barely skiable except with a generous base, this line involves all the same technical features as Upper Giant Killer but with a much narrower profile. Oh—and the old lift foundations protrude out from parts of the trail as well!
Snow Quality and Resiliency
Thanks to its central Vermont location, Pico sees its fair share of natural snowfall throughout the season. The resort doesn’t reach quite the same top elevation as Killington, but the difference in snow quality between the two is negligible. In fact, Pico’s lower skier density results in less-skied-out runs, allowing for somewhat better snow preservation on good days.
However, Pico is still an East Coast mountain, and variable conditions—including ice and thin cover—are commonplace after a few days with no significant snowfall. Pico does employ snowmaking on the vast majority of its trails, which helps weather-proof the resort when natural conditions don’t deliver.
Crowds
One place where Pico consistently beats Killington—and all major Vermont ski resorts—is in crowds. The resort rarely sees serious lines, and on peak weekends and holidays, waits of longer than 10 or 15 minutes are rare, even when they could be more than triple that length at other competitors. Skier density can be an issue at Pico, including on the aforementioned Forty Niner trail and a few other lower-mountain blues, but it’s far from the worst offender in the state.
RECOMMENDED SKIS FOR PICO
NOTE: We may receive a small affiliate commission if you click on the below links. All products listed below areunisex.
Operating Schedule
However, Pico’s low visitation also translates to its operating schedule. The resort does not operate on Tuesdays and Wednesdays except during holiday periods, making it a tough choice for an off-peak weeklong vacation. The resort also doesn’t always operate its secondary lifts, and if you go on a Thursday, Friday, or Monday, chances are the Little Pico Triple, Outpost Double, and Knomes Knoll Triple won’t be operating.
Ease of Navigation
Pico is also a lot easier to get around than most competitors. It’s pretty straightforward to get to most trails, with easy access to most lifts (the Outpost Double is the only one that’s modestly hard to find), clear signage, and connector trails that—with the exception of getting out of Outpost—don’t require flat traversing. The singular base area makes it difficult to get lost at the end of the day.
Facilities
Pico only has a singular base lodge, meaning that on paper, it may seem tougher to go in for a break than competitors with mid-mountain facilities. However, this lodge is pretty sizable, with three different floors, a cafeteria, and a restaurant. As a result, it’s rarely impossible to find a seat, even during peak times. This can make Pico a great place to visit on a holiday if spending time in a lodge is your priority.
Mountain Aesthetic
Pico may not be quite as large as some competitors, but its lack of buildup and strong upper-mountain views results in a natural, local feel. From the top, you can see the slopes of Killington itself, including multiple peaks of that much larger resort. Some of Pico’s trails retain the narrowness classic to New England ski resorts that some competitors have lost to trail widening over time.
RECOMMENDED SNOWBOARDS FOR PICO
NOTE: We may receive a small affiliate commission if you click on the below links. All products listed below areunisex.
Getting There
Located in central Vermont, Pico sits within driving distance of several major Northeast cities. With no serious traffic, it takes about three hours to get to Pico from Boston, and just under five hours from New York City. Pico is about 15 minutes closer to New York than Killington, but it’s about the same distance from points east.
Unlike many Vermont competitors, Pico offers public transportation options, although they may not be the most convenient. Visitors can take an Amtrak from New York or utilize bus services from various regional cities to reach Rutland. From there, hourly buses are available to transport them to Pico and even further to Killington.
Parking is easy, with free options conveniently located within steps of the base.
Lodging
Pico offers a number of on-site condo options, including a few ski-in/ski-out accommodations. This can make the resort a desirable alternative to Killington, where true ski-in/ski-out options are limited. These condos are generally upscale and good for larger groups.
Offsite, several hotels and inns exist. The cheapest options can be found about 15 minutes west in the Rutland area. If you want to split your days between Killington and Pico, a number of options on the Killington access road sit nearby.
Aprés-ski
Pico is a generally quiet mountain, but the resort does host live music and strong happy hour vibes on certain peak weekends and holidays.
The nearby Killington access road offers upscale restaurants, sports & billiards bars, nightclubs, and live music venues. Few are within walking distance of hotels and condos, but Ubers and shuttle services are available here. There’s plenty going on in the nearby town of Rutland as well.
Oct 16, 2023 Written By Sam Weintraub
Verdict
Pico isn’t large enough to directly compete with the top tier of East Coast mountains, but it offers enjoyable terrain and a unique opportunity for uncrowded slopes. The mountain’s midweek closures make it tough for an off-peak weeklong vacation, but if you’re already in the Killington area and you want to escape the lift lines, it might be worth stopping by.
Pricing
Pico’s lift tickets aren’t exactly dirt cheap, but prices come out significantly below its larger in-state counterparts, and the highest rates go for around $120. In-state residents can score discounts on the weekdays that Pico is open. It’s also worth noting that Killington lift tickets are valid at Pico (although this is not the case the other way around), so those visiting Killington can drop by without having to buy another ticket.
Pico is also a member of the Ikon Pass, with either five or seven days, shared with Killington, depending on the pass type.
Best Winter Wonderland Getaway
The resort is a true winter wonderland, with stunning scenery and fantastic skiing conditions. The après-ski activities were a blast, and the staff went out of their way to ensure everything ran smoothly. I especially enjoyed the variety of trails and the relaxing atmosphere after a day on the slopes.
Read More