The Killington Cup is back. After a one-year hiatus in 2025 due to lift construction on Superstar, the FIS Audi World Cup returns to Killington Resort November 28–29, 2026, bringing the best women ski racers in the world to Vermont for giant slalom and slalom races over Thanksgiving weekend.
If you've never watched a World Cup race live, it's one of the most thrilling spectator sports in winter — the racers disappear into a chute going 60+ mph, carve an impossible line through 40+ gates, and cross the finish line to a roaring grandstand crowd. Here's everything you need to know to plan your trip.
Key takeaways
- Dates: Saturday November 28 (Giant Slalom) and Sunday November 29 (Slalom), 2026
- Venue: Superstar trail at Killington Resort
- First run: 10:00 AM both days
- Second run: approximately 1:00 PM
- Tickets: Free general grandstand access; premium seating and VIP packages available
- Expected crowd: 30,000+ over the weekend
- Book lodging 6+ months ahead — Thanksgiving weekend + Cup weekend is the single highest-demand lodging window in Vermont
About the Killington Cup
The Killington Cup launched in 2016 and quickly became the only eastern U.S. stop on the women's FIS Audi World Cup tour. Over Thanksgiving weekend, some of the world's best alpine ski racers — including U.S. stars like Mikaela Shiffrin — compete on Superstar, a steep, famous Killington run that's been carefully prepped for World Cup conditions.
The event draws the largest crowds of any sporting event on the U.S. World Cup circuit, typically 30,000+ over two days, along with international TV coverage. It's become a cornerstone event for both Killington Resort and Vermont's winter tourism season.
2026 schedule
Saturday November 28 — Giant Slalom
- 10:00 AM — 1st run
- 1:00 PM — 2nd run (top 30 from first run)
- 2:30 PM — Awards ceremony
Sunday November 29 — Slalom
- 10:00 AM — 1st run
- 1:00 PM — 2nd run (top 30 from first run)
- 2:30 PM — Awards ceremony
Additional festivities typically run Friday through Sunday evenings — concerts at the base lodge, athlete meet-and-greets, and sponsor activations.
Where to watch
There are three main viewing areas, with very different experiences.
The grandstand at the finish line (free general access)
The main grandstand is at the bottom of Superstar and holds 8,000+ standing spectators. This is where the electric atmosphere lives — every finish is cheered, the announcer calls time splits, and the jumbotron shows the run in real time. Free general admission; arrive by 8:30 AM for a decent view on race day.
Premium grandstand and VIP tents (paid)
Killington offers paid grandstand seating and VIP packages that include reserved seats at the finish, food and beverage, and access to warming tents. Prices range from around $100 to $500+ depending on package. Book through killington.com/worldcup.
Mid-course viewing (free)
Spectators with lift tickets can ski to designated mid-course viewing areas along the Superstar trail. These spots offer closer views of the actual turns and gates. It's the aficionado's choice and requires a Killington lift ticket plus the ability to ski an intermediate-advanced run. Arrive early for a good spot.
Tickets and access
- General grandstand access: free (show up)
- Premium grandstand seats: typically $100–$300 per day per person, sold through Killington
- VIP hospitality packages: $350–$800+ per day, sometimes including multiple-day options
- Lift tickets (for mid-course viewing or skiing other trails): Thanksgiving weekend Killington lift tickets run $165–$195 per day for adults
Buy paid tickets by early October; premium grandstand seats sell out.
Parking and shuttles
Killington Resort runs an extensive parking and shuttle operation for Cup weekend. Expect:
- Main resort parking lots — fill by 7:30 AM on race days
- Remote parking lots with continuous shuttle service from Killington Road
- Free shuttles from most base-area lodges directly to the grandstand
Best advice: park once, shuttle everywhere. If you're staying in a Killington-area home, use local shuttles rather than trying to drive to the resort on race mornings.
What to wear
This is November in Vermont, standing outside for 4+ hours. You need:
- Ski jacket and ski pants (not a winter coat — you'll be outside too long)
- Thermal base layers
- Heavy wool socks and insulated boots
- Gloves, hat, and neck gaiter
- Hand warmers in every pocket
- Sunglasses or goggles — sun on snow is intense
Wear more layers than you think you need. You can always take them off in the warming tents.
Where to stay
Killington and the surrounding towns sell out months ahead for Cup weekend. Options in order of proximity:
- Killington base / Killington Road homes — walking or shuttle distance; highest rates
- Pico / Rutland (15 min) — lower rates, shuttle or drive
- Ludlow / Okemo (25 min) — great dining; good base if combining with Okemo skiing
- Woodstock / Quechee (35 min) — quieter after-race evenings, better dining; our favorite base for non-diehard race fans
For Cup weekend lodging, book by early May 2026 at the latest. Prices rise steeply through summer. Browse Stay Vermont homes.
Eating and drinking
Killington Road and the base area explode with food and bar activity during Cup weekend. Favorites:
- The Foundry at Summit Pond — Killington classic; reservations essential Cup weekend
- Preston's — base lodge casual; long lines but decent food
- Snowshed Pub — beer and apres, slope-side
- Wobbly Barn — legendary Killington nightlife; live music and dancing
- Moguls Sports Pub — packed during races; good for pre-race breakfast
For quieter dining, head to Woodstock (35 min): Prince and the Pauper, Worthy Kitchen, Mountain Creamery. See our Killington ski guide for more.
Tips from locals
- Get to the grandstand by 8:30 AM on race days for a decent standing spot. By 9:30 AM, the close-in views are gone.
- Eat a big breakfast before you head out. Concession lines at the grandstand are long and expensive.
- Bring a seat cushion if you're in general admission. Standing for 4+ hours on frozen ground is brutal.
- Download the Audi FIS app to see real-time splits during the races. Much better than straining to hear the announcer.
- Stay for the awards ceremony. The crowd energy when a U.S. racer lands on the podium is unforgettable.
- Ski Sunday afternoon after the race wraps. Killington stays open; the crowds clear; you get fresh lines on well-groomed snow.
- Consider the Sunday slalom over Saturday GS. Slalom has more action per minute and louder crowd energy.
Combine with Thanksgiving
Cup weekend is Thanksgiving weekend. Many families combine the two — Thanksgiving dinner in a Vermont rental home Thursday, skiing and races Friday–Sunday. This is one of the most popular combinations we see at Stay Vermont, and it's a great use of a larger home.
Nearly every homeowner we work with puts a 5-night minimum on the Thanksgiving/Cup stay to preserve the integrity of the week. Book accordingly.
The bottom line
The Killington Cup is the closest thing the East Coast has to a true alpine skiing event, and watching Mikaela Shiffrin — or any top World Cup racer — carve Superstar live is worth the cold hands. Get there early, dress in more layers than you'd dress in for a ski day, and soak in the atmosphere. After a year off, this one is going to feel big.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Killington Cup 2026? November 28–29, 2026 — Thanksgiving weekend.
Is the Killington Cup free? General grandstand access is free. Premium grandstand seats and VIP packages are sold separately.
Can I ski during the Cup weekend? Yes — Killington is open for skiing. Most trails are open; Superstar is closed for racing both days. A lift ticket also gets you access to mid-course viewing on Superstar.
Who races at the Killington Cup? The Killington Cup is a women's FIS Audi World Cup stop. Top racers from the U.S., Switzerland, Slovakia, Italy, Austria, and other nations compete.
What time are the races? First runs start at 10 AM both days. Second runs at approximately 1 PM. Awards at 2:30 PM.
