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Okemo Ski Resort
Offering southern Vermont’s highest vertical (2200ft), 4 distinct ski areas, and 98% snowmaking cover – when it comes to facts and figures, Okemo stands out from the crowd. But that’s not what makes this picturesque resort in the Green Mountains so special. When the Mueller family took over at Okemo in 1982 they had 2 tots in tow – and all of the steady improvements they made over the years were with the young ones in mind. It’s rare for a resort to literally be made to measure for children, and you’ll feel the difference. Fans call it the “Okemo difference”…
Orange bubble lifts, glades that aren’t steep and rock-strewn, music round the lift lines and the mountain coaster are just some of the reasons Parent’s Magazine, and other authorities on the matter, have named Okemo the No 1 family ski resort in the US. Everyone, meanwhile, will enjoy immaculately groomed trails, a reliable snow record and service that comes with a beaming smile. Always thinking of the future, the resort has even switched entirely to wind power in recent years, meaning you can feel extra good about skiing here.
Villages scenically dot the mountain in amongst the trees, but the main bases are separated between the Clock Tower base and Jackson Gore Village. The former can get lively, while the latter’s where the families pitch camp. Like a resort within a resort, this is deserving of the term “quaint”, but the amenities are as big as the super resorts (this is where the mountain coaster whizzes through the trees).
We’d go as far as to call Okemo trendy, and contemporary conveniences like radio frequency lift passes (which you can top up online) help the week tick along smoothly. The authentic mill town of Ludlow stands by below for yet another change of scene, with bags of antique charm minutes away by shuttle.
Stats & FAQ
Location: Vermont, USA
Established: 1955
Open: November - April
Downhill: 4.5 miles / 7.2km
View our detailed Okemo snow forecast or snow report and see all live webcams, piste maps, road and travel maps and lift pass prices. For a picture of historic snow conditions see the snow depths month by month with our Okemo snow history.
| Nearest Airport & Transfer Time: | |
| Albany International Airport (ALB) | 91 miles, 2 hours |
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| Top Altitude: | 3344ft / 1019m |
| Bottom Altitude: | 1134ft / 346m |
| Resort Altitude: | 1134ft / 346m |
| Longest run: | 667 acres / 121 runs |
| Slope Orientation: | N S W |
| Vertical Drop: | 2200ft / 670m |
| Skiable Vertical: | |
| Night Skiing: | No |
| Glacier: | No |
Snow Report
Web Cam
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| Downhill Runs: | 4.5 miles / 7.2km |
| Beginner slopes: | 32% |
| Intermediate: | 36% |
| Advanced slopes: | 32% |
| Lift Pass Price: | $90 - 100 (adult single day pass) |
| Nearby resorts: Stratton Mountain, Killington | |
Skiing/BoardingSkiing in Okemo
Families of solid beginner or intermediate level will make the most of this mountain’s 662 skiable acres. It’s all split between four main areas: Sunburst Six, Solitude, South Face, Jackson Gore. Huge long 1700ft vertical cruisers are the majority in all of them and the resort’s famously friendly glades are a great place to get acquainted with the wonders of tree-skiing. No matter your ability, you’ll appreciate the award-winning grooming and extensive snowmaking that’s given Okemo a reputation for reliability.
Beginners are spoilt for choice here, with a learner area at both of the bases. Once one of the ski school’s Learn-to-Ski packages has worked wonders on your turns, there are fun, meandering trails from nearly every chairlift - so you can cover lots of ground from the get go. The longest piste in resort, Mountain Road, runs for 4.5 scenic gentle miles from the peak and will deliver you exhausted but triumphant down to the Clock Tower base area.
Okemo has always held greatest sway with the intermediate crowd – with oodles of the long, wide, nicely-pitched cruisers that can make your heart sing. Glades here have none of the steepness or obstacles you often find elsewhere, so this can be a great place to get initiated into tree skiing. Even the expert runs are mellow – so earn yourself an ego boost and try “black” level skiing. The South Face’s manageable moguls aren’t too hard on the knees and Loose Spruce and Big Bang are big softies.
Most of the Okemo terrain is groomed and you won’t find extreme steeps or lots of bumps. The Jackson Gore side, however has some steeper, more challenging stuff and a few more advanced trails that the grooming machines tend not to touch. Experts don’t tend to come to Okemo in droves, so you’ll often find these are all yours.
Big on boarding, Okemo has 6 terrain parks and the East’s longest superpipe at 450ft, served by its own lift. The ski school usually offers “Nordica Drop” sessions to help kids with the daunting first approach to the parks, so they can enjoy them for the rest of the week.
Okemo Apres Ski
The liveliest place to be when lifts close? Definitely the Jackson Gore Inn lobby, where adventurers big and small huddle round burners and share stories while toasting s’mores. Drier throats tend to head to the Loft Tavern, which will do you for traditional après beers, the lowest prices in resort.
From there, this resort is all about the après activities; taking turns on the ice-hockey rink, trying to reach the Mountain Coaster’s 25mph speed limit, heading out on mini snow mobiles, enjoying maple sugar scrubs at the Spring House spa and topping it all off with a swim beneath the stars.
To fuel these adventures, Okemo has lots of top quality chow and it’s worth dedicating an evening to a languid sit down meal. If you only eat out once, make it a snow cat dining adventure, and travel by heated piste-basher up to a five-course meal by a roaring fire. The talented chef lets you choose between an “indulgent” or “spa” menu – according to how many hot chocolates you’ve put away throughout the week… Both are spectacular. Live a little and kick off another night at the fireside Coleman Lobby Bar with a s’moretini (complete with graham cracker rim…), before settling down to farm-to-table fare in the Tavern.
What we love about this place is the variety of the eats on offer all through the day. Chicken wings and chili can certainly be found, but you’re just as likely to graze on Umami burgers (head to Epic), the Zen Den’s sushi and Smokey Jo’s pulled pork. If it all gets a bit adventurous, there’s a local Starbucks for the basics.
Best time to go
Best time to ski Okemo
Best time to visit & ski Okemo
March is the Vermont ski month, when maple syrup is in season and winter delivers a bounty in terms of snowfall. Okemo sees 44 inches on average in March and the month also sees events Sugar Daze and the Spring Demo Day, a chance to test out the latest ski gear for free.
Okemo has a reputation for reliable top-to-bottom conditions throughout the season, and with 98% of its trails covered by snowmaking, takes matters into its own hands when Mother Nature doesn’t deliver.
Peak Dates
With everything from Santa’s balloon parade to the Shakin’ Skate night at the ice rink, Christmas in Okemo is hands down the most wonderful time of year. Family skiing through wintery glades on the big day makes for memories that last a lifetime.
New Year in Okemo sends off the old year in style with sleigh rides, magic shows, coaster rides, a DJ dance party and fireworks, all wrapped up before 9 so kids can get to bed for a full day on the mountain.
Make the most of the school holiday with an action packed Half Term in Okemo. The Mountain Coaster is roaring, the s’more sets are working overtime and the snow is the best of the season. Plus, as this week isn’t a school holiday in the US, travelling a little further can be well worth it.
This resort’s top of the range snowmaking gear is worth its weight in gold at this time of year, ensuring reliable conditions to go with bluebird skies. And besides traditional Junior and Golden Easter egg hunts, there are often exciting events like the Slush Cup and Splash for Cash for Easter in Okemo.
Families in Okemo
Maybe family managed resorts are the key to family skiing. Whatever the reason, this resort just gets it. Essentials like special family rates, smiley service and sensible base layouts are the foundation of its child-friendliness. What’s great is that in both the resort and the ski area, parents feel safe enough cutting bigger kids loose for adventures they’ll rave about at tea.
Then there’s the wow factor of extras like the Timber Ripper Coaster, an exhilarating ride following a 3100ft track through camel backs, banking loops, and a “twister” section, at speeds of up to 25mph. Keeping the pulse racing, 6 terrain parks never fail to delight, while a one-off Nordica Drop session with the ski school will get littler ones over the first hurdle and exploring the parks with glee for the rest of the week.
With two day-care facilities, tots from 6 months can come and have all kinds of fun, while mum and dad and bigger kids get stuck into the mountain. Lessons start from as young as 2 (a year earlier than most), to give the next generation of ski champions a flying start.
We love the Kids’ Night Out program (for children from 6 months to 6 years) and Kids’ Night Out X sessions (for ages 7 to 12 years) - group babysitting that lets the monkeys hang out with new chums from ski school, while parents try out the drinks and dining options in peace and quiet.
GroupsGroup Holidays Okemo
Provided your group doesn’t contain any super ski veterans, Okemo is just the ticket for an exciting break with friends. Because the terrain is so gosh darn friendly, everyone can make leaps and bounds in their technique, whether trying glade skiing for the first time or braving their first (technically) “black” runs. Throw in a bit of friendly competition in Okemo’s NASTAR race arena, or book a private race on trails like Chief or Wardance. The resort has previously been happy to step things up by providing race bibs, timing and even awards...
As if this package itself wasn’t attractive enough, financial incentives often include special rates for groups of 15 or more and a complimentary lift ticket for every 20 you purchase.
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