Trip Report
Monday, November, 27 2023
Early-season skiing is something that everyone looks forward to but there are not that many resorts out there that are capable of pulling it off correctly. Of course, snow conditions are important but you have to think about how many trails are open, how many lifts are open, and what food options are available. Opening day for most mountains means long lift lines, long waits, and limited trails open. This was not the case at Okemo Mountain Resort which is located in the Green Mountains of Vermont. It had top-to-bottom skiing since November 27, which a lot of mountains do not offer at the start of the season.
Okemo opened on November, 17 with 6 trails, 2 lifts, 34.2 acres, and 2.74 miles of skiing. Eleven days later on November 27, it had 12 trails, 4 lifts, 79 acres, and 5.5 miles of skiing available. The front side of the mountain was open however the Jackson Gore side still was not open at that time. The conditions were great and Mother Nature helped out a little by providing three inches of fresh snow the night before. Okemo is a larger ski resort for an East Coast mountain and it can be a little confusing to get your bearings straight if you have never been there before. However, it is a lot easier when you are skiing with Courtney Difiore, the Senior Communications Manager of the Northeast for Vail Resorts giving you a tour of the mountain!
Quick Facts and History:
- First Opened on January 31, 1956
- Elevation: 3,344 Feet
- Vertical Drop: 2,200 Feet
- 121 Trails
- 33% Beginner Trails
- 37% Intermediate Trails
- 30 Advanced Trails
- 6 Terrain Park
- 632 Acres of Skiable Terrain
- 20 Lifts
Getting back on the mountain for the first time of the year is exciting for any skier or rider who has been dreaming of this moment since closing day last season. Okemo provides the terrain that will please any person of any skill level even when skiing early in the season when most mountains only offer a few trails to hit. Okemo is special not only because it has a wide variety of trails, but it has that family-friendly feel with that classic Vermont skiing vibe. There are sections of the mountain that are steep and long, but there are plenty of options for beginner and intermediate skiers as well.
There are several food and beverage options currently open for early-season skiing located on the mountain for guests to enjoy. The Coleman Brook Tavern is located on the first floor of the Jackson Gore Inn and is a more upscale dining option. The Bull and Base 68 which is located at the Okemo Clocktower Base Lodge is geared towards people getting in and out and provides grab-and-go style food. The Sugar House which is located mid-mountain can be accessed on your way to the Sunburst lift of the Clocktower Base area. The Sugar House offers pub-style food and also features noodle bowls for those looking for something a little different. If you are looking for something to warm you up then the Summit Café is where you need to head and it is located right at the peak as you get off the Sunburst lift and offers grab-and-go items as well.
The town of Ludlow sits at the base of Okemo Mountain Resort and offers plenty of dining and drinking options for those looking to unwind after a day on the mountain. Okemo is one of the only true ski resorts in Vermont that has a real town that you can walk through and check out local establishments. The Loft is a local hangout that sits right off the mountain and is where a lot of the Okemo staff members head to grab a drink after work.
Singleton’s General Store is something out of the past with its rustic decor, authentic New England style, and its homemade sandwiches and meats. People have said that it is a must-go place if you ever have the chance to ski or ride at Okemo for its delicious sandwich specials they offer. The specials change daily and are anything but ordinary when it comes to what the owners will come up with next. Regardless of what they decide to make, it is absolutely amazing and well worth the 8-minute drive from the mountain.
There are a lot of great ski resorts in New England to check out and Okemo is one of them that has to be on your bucket list if you get the opportunity. Besides just skiing and riding, there are several activities for guests who prefer other activities that do not require a pair of skis or a snowboard. Okemo has a a huge variety of recreational activities such as snowshoeing, ice skating, fat biking, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and more. For those looking to get a great view of the mountain without skiing or riding there is the Timber Ripper Mountain Coaster which will take riders 3,100ft down rollers, banking loops, and a twister section at speeds of up to 25 mph. The Sled-like cars carry two passengers but can be ridden by one person if desired. The riders control the speed of the cars which allows them the opportunity to go as fast or slow as they feel comfortable.
Okemo has a large variety of lodging options that range from luxury hotel rooms, ski-in/out houses, condos, and villages that are on the mountain. There are plenty of very expensive mansions that are located on the Jackson Gore side of the mountain for anyone looking for that majestic winter getaway. The town of Ludlow is just at the base of the mountain and offers lodging options as well for anyone looking to stay close after a night of bar crawling.
Okemo has everything that any skier or rider would want in a resort: great terrain, a lot of trails, plenty of lodging options, great Après-ski, and other fun activities on the mountain that the whole family will enjoy. If you ever have the opportunity to ski at Okemo you have to check out this truly authentic Vermont ski resort! Special thanks to Courtney Difiore for taking the time to have a meeting with me in your “outside office!”
Okemo is on the Epic Pass which gives you access to great resorts, products, and services at discounted prices. If you like to check out Okemo and other great resorts on the Epic Pass your last opportunity to purchase one is this Sunday, December 3.
For more information visit Okemo Mountain Resort’s website.
