New Developments
Okemo’s Summit Lodge and mid-mountain Sugar House Lodge received interior makeovers over the summer. On the slopes, Okemo has secured its reputation for consistent and reliable snow quality and surface conditions through more upgrades to its snowmaking system. Installation of 5,000 feet of pipe completed a five-year project to replace main feeds to Okemo’s snowmaking system across the entire mountain. And this winter, skiers and riders will be able to experience the entire mountain in a new way with EpicMix, a free app that provides access to a variety of features from their mobile phones. They can check snow conditions and lift-wait times, view web cams and trail maps, track vert, earn digital pins, and even track Ski & Snowboard School progress and accomplishments. Season pass introductions this winter include a new Northeast College Pass that offers unlimited, unrestricted access to Okemo and Mount Sunapee, in New Hampshire, as well as unlimited access with holiday restrictions to Stowe. Also, Vail Resorts has launched Epic Day Pass, allowing guests to ski world-class resorts for less than lift-ticket-window prices. The Epic Day Pass is perfect for those skiers and riders who may not need the unlimited skiing offered by traditional season passes. They can purchase from one to seven days valid all winter. For guests looking to ski more days in a season, the Epic Pass and Epic Local Pass continue to offer the best value and variety for unlimited skiing and riding. Visit Okemo’s online NewsRoom for more information.
Trending
Après for everyone! Okemo is reinventing the art of après ski, the practice of unwinding after a day on the snowy slopes, huddling with friends and family for socializing and having fun. There will always be those who search out the raucous scenes of dive bars, loud cover bands and shotskis, but Okemo caters to a different, more discerning reveler. For families who want to keep the day’s activities rolling, Okemo offers après-ski ice skating, snow tubing, mountain coaster rides and swimming. A more relaxing alternative might include mugs of hot, spiced cider by the fire or a sweet treat such as Coleman Brook Tavern’s signature S’mores. This family favorite includes Graham crackers, chocolate and a tabletop campfire for roasting marshmallows to perfection. And speaking of indulgences, après-ski at Okemo can include a fine vintage, a Vermont craft beer or a sampling of locally distilled spirits. And like many après-ski sessions that may extend into the evening hours, Okemo offers on-site family programing during vacation periods: Montshire Museum Pop-up Science, Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium Star Gazing, a Family Karaoke Party, Torchlight Parades, Fireworks Displays and more.
Good Eats
Okemo serves up a veritable buffet of culinary options: cafeterias to fine dining and everything in between - offering choices to suit every palate, lifestyle and budget. For full-service dining on the mountain there’s The Sitting Bull, Epic at Solitude, Coleman Brook Tavern or The Tap House. On the opposite end of the culinary spectrum, there’s the Waffle Cabin, recognized by the Food Network as The Most Extreme Fast Food – you don’t even need to click out of your bindings at either of their two trailside locations at Okemo. New culinary concepts this winter include a “food truck experience” along with healthy, alternative and delicious grab-and-go menu options in the upper level of the Summit Lodge. Downstairs, Carolina-style barbecue with a Vermont twist is available in the new dining area. The downstairs bar features a curated beer program that offers a revolving selection of craft and boutique brews. And signature craft cocktails are made with house-made syrups and other specialty ingredients. At Okemo’s mid-mountain Sugar House Lodge, the lower level is now a kid-friendly experience with an area for kicking back with friends. An elevated kid-food menu will feature favorites with flair.
Off-slope Activities
While the major draw for families visiting Okemo during the winter is alpine skiing and snowboarding, there are plenty of activities off the slopes too. Visitors can experience the thrill of Okemo’s Timber Ripper Mountain Coaster or sliding on a snow tube down a specially groomed chute in the Jackson Gore courtyard. There’s ice skating at Okemo’s Ice House skating pavilion, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, or even an indoor facility to work on your golf game. For more relaxing alternatives there are multiple swimming pools and hot tubs or enjoy spa services like a massage or a facial. And there’s always a comfy seat by the fire for indulging in some personal time with a seasonal beverage and maybe a good book.
Environmental Efforts
In August 2019, Okemo became one of nine major Vermont employers to participate in a new Efficiency Vermont Pilot program to reduce operating costs and spur innovation in energy management. Participants receive up to 100 percent of their Energy Efficiency Charge back to use for eligible projects and evaluation, measurement, and verification costs. In July 2017, Vail Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: MTN), Okemo’s parent company, announced its Commitment to Zero – a bold pledge to reach a zero net operating footprint by 2030. In November 2018, the Company announced a long-term wind energy contract. Additionally, Vail Resorts announced a partnership with Eco-Products to supply all of its North American restaurants with compostable and recycled-content items and eliminate conventional single-use plastics, a process which began during the 2018-19 winter season.
Plan Ahead for Greatest Savings
Planning ahead proves to be prudent. Whether it’s lodging or lift access, when guests book their winter getaway early they can save money. When they book winter lodging of three nights or more by Sept. 19, 2019, skiers and riders visiting Okemo will save up to 20 percent. Early birds who are planning to visit Okemo before Dec. 15 can get a third night free when they reserve two nights at any of Okemo's beautiful lodging properties at the regular rate. When it comes to skiing and riding, an Epic Pass is the best season-pass deal around. Epic provides tremendous variety and savings. Details about all Epic Pass options are available at epicpass.com. And new this year, Okemo is part of the new Northeast College Pass. Undergrad and graduate students can ski or ride at Okemo. Stowe and Mount Sunapee for just $399!
It's All About the Snow
Okemo consistently wins awards and accolades for its snow quality and surface conditions. Okemo’s reputation for lightning-fast recovery, especially when New England weather wreaks havoc, is renowned among eastern skiers and riders. Okemo covers 98 percent of its trails with snowmaking – that’s 1,300 energy-efficient HKD tower guns mountain-wide. Recent upgrades to Okemo’s water-pumping power allows the resort to move up to 9,000 gallons of water per minute through its snowmaking system. And ample amounts of water are ready to be turned into snow when the temperatures allow. Okemo’s primary snowmaking reservoir holds 155 million gallons of water. Okemo typically converts 350 to 450 million gallons of water into snow each winter season. Two snowmaking crews work 12-hour shifts so Okemo can make snow `round the clock when winter arrives. A fleet of state-of-the-art Prinoth grooming machines and a veteran team of operators work through the night to provide optimal surface conditions every day of the ski and snowboard season.
The Family that Learns Together ...
In addition to a variety of learn-to-ski and learn-to-snowboard options for children, first-timers, age 15 and older, can immerse themselves in a full-day program (four hours total) that includes lift access, rental equipment and professional instruction to build confidence and achieve new skills. Advance, online pricing starts at $155. New at Okemo this winter, a family full-day lesson will accommodate family groups of up to six people. The family that learns together … skis and rides together! Learn more at okemo.com.
Gearing Up for Vermont Adventure
Okemo is gearing up for winter with an additional retail location at the Jackson Gore base area plus new lines of gear in its retail shops. A new shop under the stone archway at Jackson Gore features Okemo logo’d items and assorted necessities and sundries for the convenience of Jackson Gore Inn guests. At Okemo’s Snowsports Shop and Mountain Outfitters, some new soft-goods brands are making their debut: The North Face, Alps & Meters, Alp-n-Roc, among others. And a dozen hard-goods brands include: Atomic, Salomon, Head, and more. In the rental shops, skiers and riders will find a revamped fleet of new rental skis, a new high-performance skis and a new tuning machine at the Clock Tower base area repair shop.
Skinny Skis and Snowshoes
Beyond the village of Ludlow, past the road to Okemo’s Clock Tower base area, a different sort of skiing is taking place…one that moves at a slower pace. Okemo Valley Nordic Center offers alternatives for enjoying the outdoors in winter. Extending across pristine snow-covered meadows and rolling hills, a hidden world of beauty and adventure invites people of all ages and abilities to discover the joys of cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. The well-marked trail network features 22 km of machine-tracked and skate-groomed lanes for skiers, and 13 km of trails dedicated to snowshoeing. Okemo’s Nordic Center trails are ideally suited to all ability levels and are groomed daily using state-of-the-art grooming machines. Rentals are available.
Make Way for Bears
Although Okemo typically begins operating for the ski and snowboard season starting in mid-November, access to the upper mountain via the Jackson Gore base area does not begin until early December due to a black bear migration corridor that crosses that section of Okemo Mountain. As soon as the bruins are tucked in for their long winter naps (Dec. 1, according to experts) Okemo's operations team fires up the snow guns and readies that section of the mountain for skiing and riding in record time.
Spring, Summer and Fall
The family fun isn’t limited to winter at Okemo! This popular resort offers lots of adventure, activities and events through summer and fall. Located just steps from Okemo’s Jackson Gore Inn, the Adventure Zone is a hub of activity and outdoor adventure for all ages. At Okemo’s Clock Tower base area, scenic chairlift rides to the summit are offered and there’s lift-served mountain biking. On the valley floor, between the two base areas is Okemo Valley Golf Club. Vermont's first heathland-style golf course features a championship 18-hole layout and a welcoming, full-service clubhouse. In addition to a full schedule of warm-weather events, Okemo kicks off every summer weekend with a free outdoor concert in the Jackson Gore Inn courtyard. Like a weekly welcome-home party, this concert series has become a true Friday-night tradition for area visitors and locals alike.
PHOTOGRAPHY
https://okemo.imagerelay.com/sb/963ff747-331e-451a-906e-6748cf5906a7/winter1920
Please credit: Courtesy of Okemo
Okemo’s Summit Lodge and mid-mountain Sugar House Lodge received interior makeovers over the summer. On the slopes, Okemo has secured its reputation for consistent and reliable snow quality and surface conditions through more upgrades to its snowmaking system. Installation of 5,000 feet of pipe completed a five-year project to replace main feeds to Okemo’s snowmaking system across the entire mountain. And this winter, skiers and riders will be able to experience the entire mountain in a new way with EpicMix, a free app that provides access to a variety of features from their mobile phones. They can check snow conditions and lift-wait times, view web cams and trail maps, track vert, earn digital pins, and even track Ski & Snowboard School progress and accomplishments. Season pass introductions this winter include a new Northeast College Pass that offers unlimited, unrestricted access to Okemo and Mount Sunapee, in New Hampshire, as well as unlimited access with holiday restrictions to Stowe. Also, Vail Resorts has launched Epic Day Pass, allowing guests to ski world-class resorts for less than lift-ticket-window prices. The Epic Day Pass is perfect for those skiers and riders who may not need the unlimited skiing offered by traditional season passes. They can purchase from one to seven days valid all winter. For guests looking to ski more days in a season, the Epic Pass and Epic Local Pass continue to offer the best value and variety for unlimited skiing and riding. Visit Okemo’s online NewsRoom for more information.
Trending
Après for everyone! Okemo is reinventing the art of après ski, the practice of unwinding after a day on the snowy slopes, huddling with friends and family for socializing and having fun. There will always be those who search out the raucous scenes of dive bars, loud cover bands and shotskis, but Okemo caters to a different, more discerning reveler. For families who want to keep the day’s activities rolling, Okemo offers après-ski ice skating, snow tubing, mountain coaster rides and swimming. A more relaxing alternative might include mugs of hot, spiced cider by the fire or a sweet treat such as Coleman Brook Tavern’s signature S’mores. This family favorite includes Graham crackers, chocolate and a tabletop campfire for roasting marshmallows to perfection. And speaking of indulgences, après-ski at Okemo can include a fine vintage, a Vermont craft beer or a sampling of locally distilled spirits. And like many après-ski sessions that may extend into the evening hours, Okemo offers on-site family programing during vacation periods: Montshire Museum Pop-up Science, Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium Star Gazing, a Family Karaoke Party, Torchlight Parades, Fireworks Displays and more.
Good Eats
Okemo serves up a veritable buffet of culinary options: cafeterias to fine dining and everything in between - offering choices to suit every palate, lifestyle and budget. For full-service dining on the mountain there’s The Sitting Bull, Epic at Solitude, Coleman Brook Tavern or The Tap House. On the opposite end of the culinary spectrum, there’s the Waffle Cabin, recognized by the Food Network as The Most Extreme Fast Food – you don’t even need to click out of your bindings at either of their two trailside locations at Okemo. New culinary concepts this winter include a “food truck experience” along with healthy, alternative and delicious grab-and-go menu options in the upper level of the Summit Lodge. Downstairs, Carolina-style barbecue with a Vermont twist is available in the new dining area. The downstairs bar features a curated beer program that offers a revolving selection of craft and boutique brews. And signature craft cocktails are made with house-made syrups and other specialty ingredients. At Okemo’s mid-mountain Sugar House Lodge, the lower level is now a kid-friendly experience with an area for kicking back with friends. An elevated kid-food menu will feature favorites with flair.
Off-slope Activities
While the major draw for families visiting Okemo during the winter is alpine skiing and snowboarding, there are plenty of activities off the slopes too. Visitors can experience the thrill of Okemo’s Timber Ripper Mountain Coaster or sliding on a snow tube down a specially groomed chute in the Jackson Gore courtyard. There’s ice skating at Okemo’s Ice House skating pavilion, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, or even an indoor facility to work on your golf game. For more relaxing alternatives there are multiple swimming pools and hot tubs or enjoy spa services like a massage or a facial. And there’s always a comfy seat by the fire for indulging in some personal time with a seasonal beverage and maybe a good book.
Environmental Efforts
In August 2019, Okemo became one of nine major Vermont employers to participate in a new Efficiency Vermont Pilot program to reduce operating costs and spur innovation in energy management. Participants receive up to 100 percent of their Energy Efficiency Charge back to use for eligible projects and evaluation, measurement, and verification costs. In July 2017, Vail Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: MTN), Okemo’s parent company, announced its Commitment to Zero – a bold pledge to reach a zero net operating footprint by 2030. In November 2018, the Company announced a long-term wind energy contract. Additionally, Vail Resorts announced a partnership with Eco-Products to supply all of its North American restaurants with compostable and recycled-content items and eliminate conventional single-use plastics, a process which began during the 2018-19 winter season.
Plan Ahead for Greatest Savings
Planning ahead proves to be prudent. Whether it’s lodging or lift access, when guests book their winter getaway early they can save money. When they book winter lodging of three nights or more by Sept. 19, 2019, skiers and riders visiting Okemo will save up to 20 percent. Early birds who are planning to visit Okemo before Dec. 15 can get a third night free when they reserve two nights at any of Okemo's beautiful lodging properties at the regular rate. When it comes to skiing and riding, an Epic Pass is the best season-pass deal around. Epic provides tremendous variety and savings. Details about all Epic Pass options are available at epicpass.com. And new this year, Okemo is part of the new Northeast College Pass. Undergrad and graduate students can ski or ride at Okemo. Stowe and Mount Sunapee for just $399!
It's All About the Snow
Okemo consistently wins awards and accolades for its snow quality and surface conditions. Okemo’s reputation for lightning-fast recovery, especially when New England weather wreaks havoc, is renowned among eastern skiers and riders. Okemo covers 98 percent of its trails with snowmaking – that’s 1,300 energy-efficient HKD tower guns mountain-wide. Recent upgrades to Okemo’s water-pumping power allows the resort to move up to 9,000 gallons of water per minute through its snowmaking system. And ample amounts of water are ready to be turned into snow when the temperatures allow. Okemo’s primary snowmaking reservoir holds 155 million gallons of water. Okemo typically converts 350 to 450 million gallons of water into snow each winter season. Two snowmaking crews work 12-hour shifts so Okemo can make snow `round the clock when winter arrives. A fleet of state-of-the-art Prinoth grooming machines and a veteran team of operators work through the night to provide optimal surface conditions every day of the ski and snowboard season.
The Family that Learns Together ...
In addition to a variety of learn-to-ski and learn-to-snowboard options for children, first-timers, age 15 and older, can immerse themselves in a full-day program (four hours total) that includes lift access, rental equipment and professional instruction to build confidence and achieve new skills. Advance, online pricing starts at $155. New at Okemo this winter, a family full-day lesson will accommodate family groups of up to six people. The family that learns together … skis and rides together! Learn more at okemo.com.
Gearing Up for Vermont Adventure
Okemo is gearing up for winter with an additional retail location at the Jackson Gore base area plus new lines of gear in its retail shops. A new shop under the stone archway at Jackson Gore features Okemo logo’d items and assorted necessities and sundries for the convenience of Jackson Gore Inn guests. At Okemo’s Snowsports Shop and Mountain Outfitters, some new soft-goods brands are making their debut: The North Face, Alps & Meters, Alp-n-Roc, among others. And a dozen hard-goods brands include: Atomic, Salomon, Head, and more. In the rental shops, skiers and riders will find a revamped fleet of new rental skis, a new high-performance skis and a new tuning machine at the Clock Tower base area repair shop.
Skinny Skis and Snowshoes
Beyond the village of Ludlow, past the road to Okemo’s Clock Tower base area, a different sort of skiing is taking place…one that moves at a slower pace. Okemo Valley Nordic Center offers alternatives for enjoying the outdoors in winter. Extending across pristine snow-covered meadows and rolling hills, a hidden world of beauty and adventure invites people of all ages and abilities to discover the joys of cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. The well-marked trail network features 22 km of machine-tracked and skate-groomed lanes for skiers, and 13 km of trails dedicated to snowshoeing. Okemo’s Nordic Center trails are ideally suited to all ability levels and are groomed daily using state-of-the-art grooming machines. Rentals are available.
Make Way for Bears
Although Okemo typically begins operating for the ski and snowboard season starting in mid-November, access to the upper mountain via the Jackson Gore base area does not begin until early December due to a black bear migration corridor that crosses that section of Okemo Mountain. As soon as the bruins are tucked in for their long winter naps (Dec. 1, according to experts) Okemo's operations team fires up the snow guns and readies that section of the mountain for skiing and riding in record time.
Spring, Summer and Fall
The family fun isn’t limited to winter at Okemo! This popular resort offers lots of adventure, activities and events through summer and fall. Located just steps from Okemo’s Jackson Gore Inn, the Adventure Zone is a hub of activity and outdoor adventure for all ages. At Okemo’s Clock Tower base area, scenic chairlift rides to the summit are offered and there’s lift-served mountain biking. On the valley floor, between the two base areas is Okemo Valley Golf Club. Vermont's first heathland-style golf course features a championship 18-hole layout and a welcoming, full-service clubhouse. In addition to a full schedule of warm-weather events, Okemo kicks off every summer weekend with a free outdoor concert in the Jackson Gore Inn courtyard. Like a weekly welcome-home party, this concert series has become a true Friday-night tradition for area visitors and locals alike.
PHOTOGRAPHY
https://okemo.imagerelay.com/sb/963ff747-331e-451a-906e-6748cf5906a7/winter1920
Please credit: Courtesy of Okemo