What is the plan once the fog clears?

Greetings,

We are experiencing some Vermont November weather when it isn’t quite cold enough for snow and it stays overcast, foggy and a little dreary.  The good news is that this is only temporary and colder weather is right around the corner.  Okemo is experiencing one of the better starts to the ski season we have had in a long time. Research has shown me that this is the first year, A.R.S (After real snowmaking), that we have skied top to bottom on opening day.  Before snowmaking the resort did not open until there was skiing top to bottom! I have not spoken to one person who has missed the shuttle bus ride, except our shuttle drivers.   Okemo staff worked hard to have a great opening day, there were a few bumps, but my goal was to not be skewered by the SF and we almost met our goal, but not quite.

So where are we headed once the fog clears?  Snowmaking temps look to return early this coming weekend.  The plan is to head towards the Solitude area.  Work will begin on the Lower half of Sapphire, Village Run, Heaven’s Gate, Screamin Demon & Sunburst.  The snowmakers will also work at doing sections of Mountain Road. This is being done so as we head towards Jackson Gore in 10 days or so, we have a way out of the Gore.  If the temperatures hold, the plan will be to work on Southern Crossing and into the Jackson Gore Base area.  We can make snow in the JG base area, but cannot begin making snow above the upper railroad bridge as that property is owned by the State of VT and there is no snowmaking allowed until 12/1 due to bear migration.

In talking to Eb, our Director of Mountain Operations, we will be working on moving the rails and features off of Sapphire and onto Nor’easter trail during the next few days. It may take some time, but should be done before Thanksgiving.  I would anticipate having 30 or more trails and 7 lifts for the Thanksgiving holiday.

This coming weekend we will be skiing 18 trails and 4 lifts. Instead of operating the Green Ridge Triple, we will be operating the Glades Peak Quad to give skier and riders an opportunity to round trip Defiance and Upper World Cup if they would like.

Thanks for reading and enjoy the snow either on your skis or board!

Bruce Schmidt

Okemo GM

Opening Day 2013

Greetings,

Opening day at Okemo is here.  I hit the slopes, while not on first chair, I at least hit the 10th chair. What a great day to open. To go along with top to bottom skiing and riding, there were bright sunny skies!  The snowmakers and groomers had done their job getting the snow laid down and groomed out. Now no doubt it was opening day as the snow was firm and some spots narrow, but all in all pretty good.  Each day will get better with the snow being skied and worked from side to side and with the groomers out each night.

Moving forward the plan is to continue to add another way down from the summit to the base. It looks like we will be making our way down Sapphire, Upper and Lower Arrow and then Lower Mountain Road.  This will also allow the Base Quad to be opened. When we do that, we would not operate the F-10 carpet or the Sachem Quad at least until we had more terrain around those lifts.  We will probably operate the Green Ridge at least during the weekend.

 

There will be lots happening with the Snowsports shop sporting a new look, Base 68 Café will be open and the Sitting Bull will open over the weekend.  The summit lodge will also open and both will be open every day from this point forward beginning on Saturday.  If you do come up to pick up your seasons pass, our Resort Services desk will be open.  If possible, try to leave a little extra time as there may be lines.  When possible if a guest has a seasons pass which has been purchased on line and there is a wait, we will give a pass pending ticket to get you out on the slopes.

Thanks for reading and enjoy the snow either on your skis or board!

Bruce Schmidt

Okemo GM

Won't be long........

Greetings,

 

Okemo has had a couple days of snowmaking and now we will sit tight as some warm weather comes through.  After making snow for 50 hours or so, I can say we are happy with the new snow guns.  We have been hitting our marks with pumping water and the air being used is less, just as they were advertised.  This time of the year getting some rain like we are today, Thursday, is not a bad thing.  Replenishing the streams is always good when it is as dry as it has been.

With snowmaking going full steam ahead, there has been a renewed buzz around the resort.  The lift maintenance staff worked hard this past week with some other employees and completed the load test on the Green Ridge Triple chair.  This test is required every 7 years and involves loading the chairs with 110% of expected weight.  Okemo uses water in boxes lined with trash bags. The Green Ridge passed with flying colors.  The facilities department has been helping the culinary staff moving food into the summit lodge and sugar house before the snow flies to make it easier on everyone. The paper products and non-perishables are transported in early and stored in the buildings.  The maintenance staff is also finishing up capital projects, doing some carpentry, shampooing carpet and getting things looking good.

So what does next week look like?  Cold weather is forecasted to return soon. We are going to try and make snow on Friday night and thru the weekend as we can and the beginning of the week looks promising.  We are very close to having top to bottom skiing and riding.  My best guess is that we will begin with the F-10 carpet, Sachem Quad with skiing down to the Northstar Quad and then skiing on Upper and Lower World cup.  Work is going strong on Sapphire, down Upper Arrow to Lower Arrow and the Green Ridge to.  Okemo is going to be aggressive and it looks like we won’t have any problem opening on November 16^th or perhaps before?

I will work on keeping you up to speed here as well as on our FB page and Okemo.com

Thanks for reading and we can’t wait to begin skiing and riding with you all!

Bruce Schmidt

Okemo GM

The Big Question - When are you making snow?

Greetings,

It is that time when we all get a little more aware that the seasons are changing. The angle of the sun is lower, there is more wind and the days are shorter.  So that must mean skiing at Okemo won’t be too far away!  I can tell you that things are in heavy duty prep mode all around the resort.  The forecast for the next 10 days looks to be true fall like.  Temperatures in the 40’s and 50’s, frosty at night and some dips into the high 20’s at times.

                                            Okemo Summit 10/24/2013 - 7:45am

The big question I get this time of the year is when will Okemo begin snowmaking?  The question is never easy to answer with certainty, as there are so many variables.  What I can tell you is that we are watching both the short term and long term weather forecast and how the patterns are potentially going to play out.  Our target date for snowmaking is sometime next week.  There looks like a few cold nights early next week, and then some moderation with colder temperatures retuning the first week of November.  Okemo is planning on firing up the guns heading into November and this may be towards the end of next week.

As we talk about snow guns, the new HKD SV-10’s are in place and about ready to be turned on.  Work is finishing up in the snowmaking pump stations as is getting all the hoses on the guns and testing some repaired water lines.  Other projects finishing up are the new seats on the Green Ridge Triple, Load test on the Northstar is done, Squeels on Wheels barbecue has been moved to the base of the South Face Quad, Lifts and carpets tested and state approved, Rental shop carpet replaced, painting done and new skis and boards unboxed and bindings set, snow plows put on the trucks, groomer tracks put back on, and the snow tubing tubes have been checked for leaks!!  Those are just a smattering of the work that is going on.

Stay in touch with the Okemo Facebook page and web site for the most up to date news on snowmaking operations and the Blog will now be updated more often to keep you informed!!

Thanks for reading and we can’t wait to begin skiing and riding with you all!

Bruce Schmidt

Okemo GM

Barry Tucker - VP of Mountain Operations. After 32 Years we say Thank you.....

Greetings,

On Friday August 30^th, Barry Tucker will drive down the mountain one last time as an Okemo employee. Barry has worked at Okemo since February of 1982.  Being the humble man he is, he would always tell you that what was accomplished with him as the Mountain Manager and VP of Mountain Operations was because of the team. There is no doubt that is true. Barry always surrounded himself with good employees.  He always told me it is good to surround yourself with others who are smarter than you so they can do what you might not be able to.  Even though Barry always preached team, there is no doubt that the team would have never been as successful without the leadership he provided.  He knew when to lead in the front, but he also knew when to lead from behind and mentor and teach those around him.

There will be many memories shared, stories retold and all and all reminiscing about the years that Barry has been at the helm at Okemo.  He has only had two job titles at Okemo, Mountain Manager and Vice-President of Mountain Operations. To be honest, he would have been happy with no title.  Barry was never one to stand in the spotlight, but he was always been very proud of all that has been accomplished during the years.  Barry has always stood strong for Tim and Diane and Okemo Mountain Resort.  He required you to respect the company and while he would listen to concerns employees might have, he was always quick to let you know when he disagreed with you.  It was always eye opening for me when I would have a conversation with Barry about something that was on my mind or I was struggling with in my job and a few days later, he would come back with some additional feedback or thoughts. He has always been the type of guy who thought about you as an employee and cared for you as a person.

 

I know I speak for many of us when I say that I am the person I am because of Barry.  Many of us grew up in our families, were molded as individuals during our younger years and then we began to work for Okemo and learned so much more from Barry. Many times we never even knew he was mentoring us, it was just his way.  When we had tough choices to make, Barry would listen to us.  When we had career paths to choose, we sought out his advice.  I can honestly say that I am the Okemo VP & GM because of Barry’s support, guidance and direction. 

So we now must say goodbye and wish Barry Tucker the best of luck. He has earned an enjoyable retirement and years of doing what he wants to do with his family and friends.  We all know he will be hard at work on something and it is for that very reason that we respect and admire him so much.

Bruce Schmidt

Okemo GM

Okemo Happenings - Summer at the Big O!

Greetings,

Summer has arrived at Okemo Mountain Resort.  While it may not always seem like it because of the wet weather we have had, the Adventure Zone, Okemo Valley Golf Course, Tater Hill and Sawyer’s Sweep Zip line all have been open for guests to visit. 

The snow has been gone for a while so the Mountain guys have been hard at work painting, replacing parts and doing all that is done on the lifts, the buildings and the snowmaking system that we do each summer.  This year’s capital projects include a considerable amount of work being done all around the resort. A few examples include new round tables and upgraded chairs in both the summit lodge and Sugar House, New seat pads on the Green Ridge Triple Chair, New Rental Skis and Snowboards, Enhanced and upgraded software for on-line sales and inventory control in the rental shop, a new Challenge Course to enhance the Adventure Zone. (Challenge course is similar to a ropes course to some degree, but guests are attached to a cable during the entire course and there are swaying bridges, balance beams and other fun features.)This will be available for guests 4 years old and up.   Okemos Haul Back Challenge Course will consist of a beginner course and intermediate course and will have 7-9 events per course. No doubt our most visible capital project is the finishing touches that were put on the Toll Gate Wedding Garden. Here is a photo of what the new site looks like in full use.

 

With July 4^th almost here, keep in mind that guests who stay at the Jackson Gore Inn or other Okemo Lodging properties receive a discount to visit the Adventure Zone, use the Zip Line or Segway tour as well as other discounts.  July and August are really stacking up to be busy with the highlight of the summer in August the Hops in the Hills brew fest.

Keep your ears open for some BIG news in August.  We have something planned that will enhance Skiing and Riding all season long…….. We hope to be able to announce around early August.  You heard it here first!

Summer in Vermont is fun, summer at Okemo is even better. Come and spend some time with us.  You will soon learn we provide the Okemo Difference all year round…….

Bruce Schmidt

Okemo GM

Time to put up the closed sign.........

          Greetings,

I wanted to let everyone know that we gave it a try and we have run out of guests.  We knew this day would come, we just thought it would be a little later.

Okemo's last day that the lifts will be turning will be Sunday April 14^th.  After a great run this season, a fabulous March and working at extending the season, our skier count has fallen below levels where it makes sense to stay open.  The weather for the past 10 days has been good, but even that has not brought out very many guests.  Between those who are buying a day ticket and seasons pass holders, it just doesn’t make sense for us to continue another week.

Closing for the season on Sunday April 14^th will give Okemo a 158 day ski and ride season.  That is great news and ranks right up amongst some of the better ones.  If you are wondering the longest season, it was the 1991-92 season when we closed on April 26, 1992 and had 172 days on the slopes.

Many thanks to our skier and rider guests who made this a tremendous season and thanks to all our staff for your hard work this past winter.  Seasons pass sales will continue thru our deadline of April 30^th.  Guests can go to Okemo.com or call 802.228.1600

 

Thanks for a great season

 

Bruce Schmidt

Vice-President & General Manager

Okemo Mountain Resort