Turn your Thursday into a speed session at Pico Mountain’s Michelob ULTRA Pico Race World. Timed runs on Lower Pike, weekly prizes, and lively après-parties at the Last Run Lounge make this an ideal midweek escape for skiers of varying skill.
Turn your Thursday into a speed session at Pico Mountain’s Michelob ULTRA Pico Race World. Timed runs on Lower Pike, weekly prizes, and lively après-parties at the Last Run Lounge make this an ideal midweek escape for skiers of varying skill.
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Operated by Killington · Mendon, Vermont
Every Thursday afternoon this winter, Pico Mountain in Mendon, Vermont turns into a low-stakes, high-energy speed corridor when Michelob ULTRA Pico Race World opens its weekly gates. Located at 73 Alpine Dr, Mendon, VT 05701, USA, the series runs eight timed races on January 15, 22, 29, February 5, 12, 26, and March 5 and 12, with racers meeting skier’s right of Lower Pike to pick up bibs and line up for start windows. The format is simple and social: solo racers or teams of up to five drop in for a timed run on Pico’s Lower Pike racecourse, chase personal bests, and trade lines and banter between heats. Each run is followed by an après at the Last Run Lounge from 4:00–6:00 p.m., where Michelob ULTRA sponsors a buffet, raffles, and drink specials. Registration covers eight weekly timing sessions and the after-party; a valid Pico lift ticket is required for lift access and is not included with registration. What makes Pico Race World stick out in New England’s winter calendar is the blend of accessible competition and community. Lower Pike is a classic in-bounds pitch that threads through spruce and hardwood, offering enough pitch to register speed without forcing expert-only lines. On clear afternoons the race corridor frames broad views across the Green Mountains toward Killington Peak, and the mountain’s compact vertical gives spectators easy sightlines from start to finish. Racing here is part party, part practice ground. The series draws local racers, weekend warriors, and teams who treat Thursdays as training days with the payoff of weekly prizes. Minimum age is 21 for the sponsored after-parties; teams cap at five members, and organizers will confirm bib numbers ahead of each event. Expect a lively crowd and a supportive vibe whether you’re chasing a fast time or just tuning your tuck. Practical notes: arrive early to pick up bibs and warm up on adjacent trails, bring a valid lift ticket, and plan for mixed winter conditions—groomed hardpack can be fast, and night temperatures often firm up surfaces. The Last Run Lounge is the social hub after runs, making Pico Race World as much about the people you ski with as the seconds you save. Travelers usually base themselves in nearby Killington or Rutland for lodging, and short drive to Pico makes Thursdays convenient midweek escapes. If you’re new to gate training, ask race staff about line choices and gate etiquette—these runs are timed but run in relaxed order so racers of varied skill can participate. Helmets are strongly recommended, and layered synthetic clothing helps manage exertion between runs. For visitors, the weekly format offers an easy way to plug into Vermont’s ski community without committing to a race season.
moderate.
2 hours (each week).
Moderate cardiovascular fitness and comfort skiing intermediate to advanced blue runs; quick recovery between runs helps.
Yes. A valid Pico lift ticket is required each week for lift access and is not included with race registration.
Races run Thursdays on January 15, 22, 29, February 5, 12, 26, and March 5 and 12, with runs from 1:00–3:00 p.m. and après at 4:00–6:00 p.m.
Both. You can sign up individually or form a team of up to five racers for the series.
Minimum age for after-party participation is 21; check event rules for any other age-related restrictions for racers.
Pico’s base area supports rental options from local shops—contact the resort or local rental providers to reserve equipment ahead of the event.
After registering, go to the skier’s right of Lower Pike at event time to pick up your bib; organizers will confirm numbers as needed.
Pico Mountain is a long-standing Vermont ski area that shares ridgelines with the larger Killington region and has hosted community ski events for decades.
Stick to groomed trails and designated parking; compact mountainside crowding and off-trail traffic can damage winter vegetation and disturb wildlife.
Killington is a year-round outdoor events destination in Killington, Vermont, known for a diverse calendar of seasonal competitions, festivals, and community gatherings. The property hosts summer golf events, including the Michelob ULTRA Golf League at Killington Golf Course, a Thursday night 9-hole scramble series running from June 12 to August 28 with prizes, dinner, and local giveaways. In autumn, Killington stages Killington Brewfest at Pico Mountain, featuring live music, food, and craft offerings from about 40 breweries, ciders, and seltzers against Vermont foliage. Winter events include organized competitions at Bear Mountain Lodge such as the Bear Mountain Mogul Challenge and amateur races with age divisions and discounted lift tickets, plus volunteer-driven activities supporting safety and operations. Spring highlights include the annual Pond Skim and volunteer opportunities that aid participant safety and event logistics; the kparks Spring Send-Off jam in Timberline Park; the Slash & Berm Grom Slalom for riders 13 and under supporting Wings for Life; and a lively Mini Shred Madness at Pico with crew support. Killington also presents community gatherings such as an Easter Sunrise Service reached via the K-1 Gondola with a non-denominational service at Peak Lodge and a shared breakfast. Multiple volunteer roles are available across events, offering lift tickets, meals, and hands-on experience. Each event listing emphasizes safety, community involvement, and competitive or celebratory elements, providing visitors and volunteers clear expectations and organized programming. The Bear Mountain Mogul Challenge accepts the first 150 registrants for competition, with course inspection, safety measures, and volunteer support available.
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