In-depth analysis

Should you buy an STR in Killington in 2026?

Yes, if you can stomach the seasonality and accept that ski-condo product is the dominant viable form. Killington Resort is the largest ski mountain in eastern North America and produces the most reliable Northeast ski-condo cash flow. ADR is $279, occupancy 58%, RevPAR $162. Market score: 84/100. Vermont’s 2024 statewide STR registry adds a low-friction layer rather than a regulatory crackdown.

Regulation: where the city stands

Vermont and Killington STR rules:

Vermont statewide STR registry (effective 2024) — register annually, no permit cap, modest fee, but a real disclosure system.
Killington Town — broadly permissive; no density cap.
Vermont Rooms and Meals Tax 9% + 1% local option in Killington = 10% total.
Vermont Land Gains Tax can apply on rapid resale.

Vermont state-level: no separate STR ban, but Act 76 (and successor legislation) is layering on registration and tax-collection enforcement. Most condo-hotel HOAs at Killington include rental-pool participation as a default option.

The market by the numbers

Metric	Killington	Comparison
Avg ADR	$279	Top NE ski market
Occupancy	58%	Bimodal
RevPAR	$162	Strong NE ski
Market score	84/100	High

Demand: December-March ski (60-65% of annual revenue), peak fall foliage (late September-October), Killington Cup World Cup ski race (November), summer mountain biking (smaller but growing). April-May mud season is the deepest soft period in any New England market.

Submarkets that matter

Killington Access Road (lower) — closest to lifts, ski-shuttle dependent, condo-heavy.
Killington Access Road (upper) — closer to Snowshed/Ramshead bases, walkable, premium.
Pico Mountain side — less crowded, slower ski lifts, cheaper basis.
Rutland / Mendon (off-mountain) — meaningfully cheaper, requires car, lower ADR.

The 3 mistakes buyers make here

Underwriting mud season at the blended occupancy. April-May can run under 20% occupancy. Reserve cash.
Buying off-mountain expecting on-mountain ADR. A 15-minute drive separates premium ski-condo pricing from regular Rutland-area pricing.
Missing Vermont state STR registration. Required as of 2024; failure to register is a fine and back-tax exposure.

What to do next

Register with the Vermont Statewide STR Registry at acquisition.
Pull the Town of Killington STR posture and verify zoning.
Run Market Score and Comp Analyzer.
Use Year 1 Cash Needs with deep mud-season reserves.

Not investment advice. Verify all regulatory and tax information with local authorities and licensed professionals before committing capital.