And Speaking of Air Compressors ...

In addition to the portable compressors pictured in the previous blog entry, Okemo has a large snowmaking compressor that is a permanent fixture here. As part of Okemo's overall plan to reduce, reuse and recycle, we've just spent $30,000 to upgrade that compressor with an SCR catalytic converter so it will produce 95 percent fewer NOx emissions. Nitrogen oxides (NOx) include various nitrogen compounds like nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and nitric oxide (NO). These compounds play an important role in the atmospheric reactions that create harmful particulate matter, ground-level ozone (smog) and acid rain. Okemo's installation of a new SCR catalytic converter is going to help Okemo improve air quality while providing the same serious snowmaking power it is so famous for.

SCR, or selective catalytic reduction is a means of removing nitrogen oxides, often the most abundant and polluting component in exhaust gases, through a chemical reaction between the exhaust gases, a (reductant) additive, and a catalyst.

Last year, Okemo made news with its commitment to environmental stewardship through the purchase of renewable energy certificates - enough to offset 100 percent of the resort's annual use of electricity. In addition, Okemo owners Tim and Diane Mueller purchased enough kilowatt hours of wind-generated power to offset the electrical need of their other two resorts as well. That same commitment to the environment continues with the purchase of renewable enrgy certificates this year - and other aggressive programs like the one mentioned above.

“Protection of the environment is one of our core values. It is also very important to our guests,” says Tim Mueller. “We have the ability to demonstrate that Okemo, Mount Sunapee and Crested Butte are good community and corporate citizens working toward energy independence for America through clean, renewable sources like wind energy.”

Cheers!

A Sign of the Season

Like the falling of leaves and the season's first frost, a sure sign of winter's imminent arrival is the delivery of Okemo's snowmaking air compressors. It's one of those special behind-the-scenes moments that turn a resort worker's thoughts to snow-covered trails and first tracks on newly opened runs - one of the perks of working in the ski industry.

With Okemo's Blogger Central offices located within earshot of those compressors, it's just a matter of time before we hear those first blasts of air that signify the arrival of cooler temperatures and the start of snowmaking operations.

Although Okemo's crews have the process down to a science, the concept of snowmaking is relatively simple. When you combine compressed air and water in the right combination, based on temperature and humidity, the result is snow! The serious cost to snowmaking comes through the production of that compressed air. It takes energy to do that.

Okemo has made huge investments in reducing the amount of energy used to make snow. The most visual of those energy conscious efforts can be seen in the resort's arsenal of HKD tower guns. Old-fashioned ground and sled-mounted snowmaking guns generally produce snow at an air-to-water ratio of 10:1. HKDs can cover trails more efficiently and with a broader spread, using a ratio that is as little as 1:1. Imagine the savings in energy being used at that rate! And, because the water and air are being combined in nozzles attached to elevated towers, it gives the water molecules more "hang time" to crystallize and form nice, big, fluffy snow "flakes."

This year, Okemo will demo some new HKD technologies that will allow the resort to make snow efficiently at closer-to-freezing temperatures. You can read about this and other "what's new" news online at Okemo's Press Room. Cheers!

Parents Magazine Picks Okemo!

In the November issue of Parents, Okemo is one of four resorts (and the only one in the East) highlighted in their travel feature titled "Snow Much Fun!" Executive Editor Kate Lawler asks, "Looking for a great family getaway this winter? Check out one of these kid-friendly ski resorts."

She starts her review of Okemo, "Popular with East Coasters, this resort is stepping up its services for parents and kids alike."

It's always interesting to see a magazine's top picks for a story like this and Okemo is in some good company here. Other resorts featured are: Jackson Hole, Wyoming; Beaver Creek, Colorado; and Northstar at Tahoe, California.

The November issue of Parents is on newsstands now, so pick up a copy. And if family travel is of particular interest to you, you can pick up some great tips at the magazine's blog Wish You Were Here. Cheers!

Opening Day Less Than a Month Away!?

I have to admit that I'm as thankful as the next person for the extended summer-like weather ... one more round of golf, a little extra time in the garden, another visit to the farmers' market and one last hike in shorts and a t-shirt. But winter will be here in a flash and Okemo's crackerjack team of snowmakers is already keeping an eye on the sky for cooler temperatures and the call to action. These guys have it down to a science and will take no time at all to turn grassy hillsides into snow-covered ski slopes.

We're ready for winter ... are you?

Okemo's "Get In Snow Shape" Lodging Package is book-able online right now and includes:
-Friday and Saturday night deluxe accommodations at the Jackson Gore Inn
-Access to the new Spring House fitness and aquatic center
-A ski- and snowboard-specific pilates class
-An hour with a personal trainer to develop a fall workout program
-An Okemo water bottle to keep you hydrated while you are working out!

Check it out at https://lodging.okemo.com/wc.dll?smsworld~availbox~&wsi=1#highlight

See you on the slopes soon. Cheers!

Say No to Butts

I had the fortunate experience last spring of joining Green Up Day at Okemo. Honestly, it was a lot of fun - getting outdoors during those few first warm days and soaking up the sun, and of course cleaning away all the trash from a season gone by. Heck, anything to spend a day outside away from my computer right?

Anyway, you wouldn't believe what we found. Dirty diapers (okay, that's gross), ski poles, socks and mittens, some loose change (but not much), the backs of lift tickets ( ALOT!), tons of soda and beer cans... but by far the most?
Cigarette butts. We probably picked up 1,000 butts each (there were about 10 of us, including Tim Mueller himself). The bad news was there were about 500,000 more we didn't. It honestly looked like it had hailed cigarette butts. We could have spent a week just picking them up.

So here is my plea: if you do smoke, I am begging you not to drop your butts on the snow in the base area this year. Pretty please? I don't want to have to pick them up come Spring. I know, selfish me.

Base Lodge Retro Redo

Did you know the Okemo clocktower Base Lodge was originally built forty years ago? Okay, maybe you did. :} Well, it got a facelift.

The redo became the summer project of Okemo owner Diane Mueller. And, if you know Diane, you should know that when she sets her mind to something you better watch out. No cheating, no cutting corners. The inside of the base lodge is now vintage 1968, and the cafeteria is now known as "Base68".

So, what’s old is new again with some crazy avocado green paint, funky carpeting, all new chairs, and ORANGE Formica countertops! Skeptical myself, I took a walk up yesterday to view the "work of art". I left pleasantly surprised... it really does look good!

Now I could post a picture so you could get a little preview....but that would take away all the fun. I might just make you wait and come see it up close and personal. What do you think?

The countdown is on...

As of today, we have just 40 short days until anticipated opening day of the 2007/2008 winter season at Okemo. Are you ready? It could be earlier...