I can't believe my eyes

My morning commute almost always includes a stop at the bottom of Okemo's access road. Sweet Surrender is an a.m. oasis of fresh-baked goodies and hot Green Mountain coffee. A set of well-worn wooden stairs leads from the parking spaces to a wide wooden porch and on a cool fall day, the heat of the ovens meets me at the screen door like a welcoming warm embrace. Although the glass case is stocked with sweet treats, the "counter intelligence" (as the countertop tip jar indicates) workers know my preference and have a whole wheat blueberry muffin in a bag with the top neatly folded over, waiting on the counter before I finish fixing my coffee the way I like it.

The joke among marketing folks in the industry is that ski season starts August first. All the prep work that goes into ad buys, brochures and press kits starts well before that, but it all reaches the boiling point in mid-summer. By October, we're counting down the hours until opening day and everyone in the department is consumed by thoughts of winter and hopes for plentiful snow.

Granted, I can be in a fog before that first cup of java brings the world into focus ... and I have been surprised to find the weather in Ludlow much different from my point of origin 20 minutes south, but one day last week I found myself wondering how in the world it could have snowed in September!? I could hardly believe what my eyes were seeing as I made my daily pilgrimage to, as one co-worker refers to it, the muffin place.

The ground beneath the stairs was covered in white and as I climbed each step I felt certain I was in a dream. A light dusting of snow appeared to have fallen - but it was 60 degrees! It had the look of a typical first snow - just a light cover of granulated crystals that collect on less-than-frozen ground and melt away within hours of settling. It was as bright white as the season's first snow and it looked like a light breeze could send the frozen flakes aloft again.

It only took a few seconds for me to realize that what I was seeing was the result of a delivery-gone-bad. A wayward bag of sugar destined for the baker's oven must have broken open, leaving a coating of what my winter-obsessed mind could only interpret as snow. I felt foolish and delighted at the same time and was thankful for the brief premonition of the season ahead.
Cheers!

A Refreshing Environment

Have you ever found yourself enjoying your job? Have you ever worked in a setting, where all your colleagues like their jobs and people in their department? I've had many jobs I liked, but usually all the corporate BS surrounding the gig has made me crazy. This is not the case at Okemo. I'm the new guy and boy it is great. I have never worked in an environment, where communication happens and everyone plays as a team! It took me a few weeks to get used to it, but now I am settled in just fine. Okemo not only projects a great image on the surface, but if you dig deep into its working parts you will find a group of people who are passionate about their job and sport. The concept of teamwork really does exist! I may have been tainted by corporate America in the past, but now I have found a home. You may have heard about it - Okemo Mountain Resort!

That's the word on the street - Gravity Hound

Apples to iPods

A friend recently told me about a really cool promotion the VT Department of Tourism has developed in conjunction with VT apple growers.

My eleven year old who had proclaimed "apple picking is boring" is now ready to climb trees until the sun goes down. Hey, whatever works!

Learn more: http://www.wcax.com/global/story.asp?s=7087819

Searchin' for My Lost Shaker of Salt

The trees may be turning color and the days of summer waning, but the whirr of the blender and warm, sunny days like today are keeping me in a Margaritaville state of mind.

You can savour the season too, when Okemo hosts a Parrothead Party October 6. For more information visit http://okemo.com/okemosummer/resortinfo/pressroom/releases/page.asp

Cheers!

Okemo's Outdoor Fall Makeover

Hey There!

I haven't chipped-in in a while...so here it goes. As much as Ludlow's lookin' all fancy and new....did anyone look up on the hillsides around the valley. The colors are already changing. At my house I've seen really bright reds from the maple trees. If you get a chance to drive by some VT bogs (not blogs) or swamps.....they are approaching peak colors.

and.....and....did you know there's less than 2 months until the snow flies? yup......at least if Mother Nature cooperates.....there will be snow soon. Are you getting in shape yet? I've been slacking for a few weeks...so it's time for me to go running again.

Get off yur duff and get outside?

-Dex

Ludlow got a makeover!

If you haven't been up to Ludlow this summer, you're in for a nice surprise on that first trek this season. Roadwork started in May, and while it was particularly painful for those of us that commute from points South of Ludlow, it was well worth it in the end.

VT Route 103, from Chester to Ludlow has been completely regraded, repaved, repainted and new guard rails now sparkle on either side of the road.

Plus! - the crosswalks in downtown were all redone in brick and new lamposts line the streets. Should make for a great Norman Rockwell scene come winter.

Kudos to all the road and paving crews. You guys did a great job!

Okemo Icon

Greetings,

I normally don’t talk about individuals when I write for the blog. We are all a TEAM here at Okemo and inadvertently, I will miss someone who should be mentioned. I am going to break my own rules this time.

There was a surprise birthday celebration held at the Maintenance shop on Friday August 24th. You might ask, why would anyone have a birthday party in the end bay of the Maintenance shop? Well it was fitting that Barry Tucker was honored for a milestone birthday. Due to scheduling difficulties, I was unable to make the party, but from what I hear, it was well attended and a complete surprise to Barry. I wanted to summarize what I would have said if I had attended…..

I have known Barry Tucker most of my life, either as a ski racing figure or as an Okemo employee. You do not even have to mention his last name at Okemo. When “Barry” is mentioned, it is well known who is being described. Barry has his quirks no doubt. We all know he drives too fast. He supports his staff to the nth degree. I never knew we had so many guys in Mountain Operations who were “the backbone of the operation”……. and depending on the job that needs to be done, he’ll tell you that it will take at least 1-2 weeks longer than it really does…….

The other side of Barry is his ability to provide a special form of leadership. The type that you only read about in books. Barry leads by example and makes you want to work harder than you feel you can. His can do attitude and sense of humor makes the job go that much faster. As someone who worked side by side with Barry for over 12 years during the early Okemo construction projects, I know first hand how his presence and leadership can affect staff and the ability to complete a project.

The celebration of Barry’s birthday is also a celebration of him as an Okemo Icon. Probably many people do not even know that it took two tries to name a trail after him. The original name for “The Plunge” trail was actually “Tucker’s Revenge”. Barry did not feel that should be the name, so it was changed. When we named the trail in Jackson Gore, Tuckered Out, we did not even ask him about it. We knew the answer!!

I can honestly say that I would not be were I am today with out Barry’s help and guidance. Barry was very humbled with all the fan-fare for the celebration of his birthday and thanked everyone many times. It is probably we who should be thanking him for his part in making Okemo Mountain what it is today.

Happy Birthday to Barry Tucker from all of us at Okemo Mountain Resort.