Killington, VT (Tuesday, May 11, 2004) - Killington will turn off the lights and lock the door today on the 2003-2004 eastern North American ski and snowboard season, marking the earliest closing date in recent memory for the East's largest snow resort.

Financially-strapped American Skiing Company, Killington's parent, has implemented cost-cutting measures over the past several years in an attempt to stem the flow of red ink on the company's balance sheet.

"Tuesday is shaping up beautifully, (the) sun is coming out. Come get those last runs in, because today is our final day of the season!" the daily snow report on the resort's website proudly proclaims with no small bit of irony. Killington typically remains open until late May or early June, and the early closing will undoubtly affect the ski leg of the annual 14th Annual Killington Triathalon scheduled for Sunday, May 30.

The abrupt end to Killington's season comes despite nearly seamless top-to-bottom snow remaining on the resort's signature spring trail, Superstar. The resort proudly lays claim to the longest ski and snowboard season in eastern North America, and today's closing allows Killington to retain that title after Bretton Woods, the only other eastern resort still spinning its lifts, shut down for the season on Saturday.