Greetings,
Labor Day has come and gone and that is the unofficial start
of fall. The weather doesn’t really say that as we have had some warm days but
it won’t be long when we have some crisp nights. This summer here at Okemo was
a good one. Okemo Valley and Tater Hill golf courses had a strong summer. The
Adventure Zone and EVO Bike Park had many visitors too. Vermont is very popular
in the summer and Okemo is working hard to continue to offer plenty to do
around the resort.
Improvements for the winter have been taking place, and this
has included new snow guns as well as upgrades in snowmaking pipe on Lower
Arrow and Black Out. The replacement of this pipe is somewhat hidden but the
impacts are significant. The snowmaking pipe replacement will make for more
reliable water into the mid-mountain pump station and thus more snowmaking
capacity from that pump station and on the upper sections of the mountain. There
will also be a replacement of the chairlift cable on the Morning Star Triple,
as well as repainting done on the Black Ridge and other lifts. Carpet, roofing
and painting has been done in many of the public spaces of the lodges. In the
Summit Lodge Sky Bar, there will be a new bar to greet skiers and riders. The new wooden bar looks great and it will be
a nice new touch to a great location to stop and get a drink during your ski
day. There continues to be work on WIFI points to enhance connectivity around
the and work is being done on improving recycling options and other lodge
improvements.
The question about the Vail Resorts transaction is what’s primarily
on everyone’s mind. We continue to look at a potential mid-September closing
date. The staff of Okemo, as well as Vail Resorts, is eager to finish this
process and begin working as one company. We are excited about this transaction
happening and understand there will continue to be questions on seasons passes,
ticketing and other items. Once the closing is complete, these questions will
be answered. Tim and Diane will be retiring and enjoying some quiet time, but
most likely staying busy with their grandchildren and hobbies. If you would like
to send a note to the Muellers, feel free to send them an email at info@okemo.com. All emails sent will be
forwarded to them directly. The mailing address for Tim and Diane is Okemo
Mountain Resort, 77 Okemo Ridge Road, Ludlow VT
05149.
The Okemo Job fair is scheduled for Saturday October 20,
from 10 am to 3 pm, in the Clocktower base lodge. Snowmaking will begin
any time after November 1st and we anticipate opening as soon as possible in
November. Thanks for your support in the past and I am hopeful of your
continued support moving forward. The
Okemo Difference will be continuing and is alive and well!
Bruce Schmidt
Vice-President
& General Manager
Okemo Mountain
Resort
