VERMONT

OKEMO... IT JUST KEEPS
GETTING BETTER

George Schissler

The Okemo Mountain Resort in Ludlow, Vermont is like a good wine--it keeps getting better with age-- sporting a vintage label of 1982. That's the year Tim and Diane Mueller applied the correct formula for success the resort enjoys today. Virtually located right in town, Okemo has steadily progressed annually under the Mueller's leadership until it's now regarded as one of the country's premier resorts. That's resort, not ski areas. As a resort it offers every amenity a visitor, skier or non-skier comes to expect when looking to a winter vacation or weekend.

An expenditure of $1.5 million for this season has resulted in many of the improvements skiers and riders will experience and enjoy this winter. Vacation cross-country enthusiasts and golf devotees now have available a new Okemo Valley Nordic Center and a Winter Indoor Golf Academy providing bit of diversity.

Thrifty skiers will want to inquire about the money saving Okemo Flex Card when stepping up to the ticket window. It's new this season and for just $99 dollars skiers and riders can save 30% on midweek daily lift tickets and 25% on weekend and holiday daily lift ticket purchases. Another benefit ticket purchasers can take advantage of, is the fully reciprocal season pass and lift ticket program with Sunapee, NH and Stratton, VT. Also inquire about the resort's State Day Specials when residents of specified states enjoy added lift ticket savings.

The Ski Season Begins

Skiers who can't wait for the snow to fall can get an early start on winter at Okemo. The ski season normally opens in early November and continues until late April. The long season gets the jump on winter thanks to a snowmaking system that covers 95% of the 98 trails, slopes and glades. The 520 acres of very diversified, evenly balanced terrain is rated 25% novice, 50% intermediate and 25% most difficult. Even with these skill distributions Okemo is considered to be an intermediate skiers paradise. Once winter puts in an appearance the resorts average annual snowfall of approximately 200 inches insures a great winter through spring ski season.

A Mountain of Many Surprises

The non-breath-taking base elevation of 1,194 feet and a summit that tops off at 3,344 feet still gives Okemo a vertical drop of 2,150 feet, rating it number one in Southern Vermont and ninth overall in the east. Vertical drops, slopes and trails are well spread out giving skiers and boarders a wide variety of open terrain to practice their turns. Additionally, the Mountain Road trail carries skiers on a 4 1/2 mile run. Thanks to the 14 lifts, 7 quad chairs, (including 3 high-speed detachable quads), 3 triple chairs and 4 surface lifts keep the lift lines moving along swiftly. These lifts are strategically placed to provide efficient uphill service to 24,850 skiers every hour. Included with the surface lifts and keeping with Okemo's Snow Stars theme is their new "Sky Walker Carpet," a conveyor-belt type conveyance.

Snowboarders will have a great time on the two halfpipes, including the new "Super Pipe" which measures 440'L x 55'W x 17'H. There is also a Quarter Pipe and the gigantic 1/2 mile long Snowboard Park.

Lodging and Dining

Eight restaurants are conveniently located at the base, mid-mountain and summit of the resort and provide every type of dining experience from cafeteria style at the Summit Lodge near the North Star Express lift to full dining at Sitting Bull Lounge at the base, or a complete sit-down meal at Gables at the foot of the Solitude chairlift. Lodging is also easily accessible to the slopes with ski in-ski-out convenience. The resort has five slopeside lodging accommodations offering housing in one to five bedroom facilities. All are equipped with modern conveniences including TV, washer and dryer.

Get Ready for "Jackson Gore"

Even with all that has been accomplished since 1982, Okemo still has its sights set on the future. A complete new expansion area--"Jackson Gore"--has received the State of Vermont's approval. This $100 million plan will result in a totally new resort area with its own access road off Rt. 103. It will feature a quintessential New England Village at the foot of the slopes complete with a 390-seat cafeteria, restaurants, ski and rental shops, fitness center and pool. Also included in the master plan is a 113 car underground parking garage and the building of a 117 condo-hotel. Construction is planned to begin this spring with skiers benefiting by winter.

Overall, Skiers and riders will be serviced by six new lifts including two high-capacity quads and a new gondola. Three of these new lifts are expected to be in place before the snow flies next season. The six additional lifts will increase Okemo's uphill capacity by 10,100 per hour. Ski terrain will be comprised of 16 new trails, many with steeper pitches than on Okemo Mountain. In addition to the trails there will be 55 acres of gladed skiing, a lighted halfpipe, snowboard park, snow tubing and a beginner's area.

Save Time Ski More

When you head north to Vermont via route I-91 for a day, weekend or extended vacation of skiing, do yourself a favor and get off at the Ludlow exit sign. You'll save yourself some driving time (its only 2 1/4 hours from Albany, NY; 2 1/3 hours from Hartford and 2 3/4 hours from Boston) and experience what is now one of Vermont's premier ski resorts. It's a safe bet you'll return many times in the years to come. You are sure to enjoy the good snow, great grooming, pleasant surroundings and be a first hand witness to the graceful aging of a fine ski resort. It just keeps getting better and better. That's become the Mueller's Okemo tradition.

George W. Schissler
Editor