Didja Hear The One About The Big Snowstorm?

Snow... snow... snooooow... snowsnowsnowsnow. (Snow!) We Okemo snow geeks just love it when the weather forecasters start freaking out over the possibility of another snowstorm hitting us right in the mouth. (Seriously, it's like a "Brangelina and Babies" sighting for these guys.) It's happening right now, as a matter of fact, as every major weather forecaster has their sights set on a big storm bearing down on the East.

How much snow are we gonna get, starting tonight? It's still a bit early to tell, but what the heck: I'm gonna go out on a limb and predict... 7-10 inches of snow on the mountain. (One forecast has us getting as much as 14 inches of snow, but let's not get ahead of ourselves, here.)

I wouldn't really be surprised if we get dumped on; to date, we're about 40% ahead of our average snowfall, so we've already seen our share of snowstorms this season, big and small. That means the biggest base depths in Vermont are, to quote Messrs. Hagar and Van Halen, right here, right now... and the conditions on Okemo Mountain are just about as buffed-out sweet as you'd expect.

So... if you not here right now (and if you are here right now, what the heck are you doing off the mountain reading a blog?), make plans for an epic upcoming weekend at Okemo. The roads will be clear on Friday... the sun will be shining... the mountain's calling to you... snow... snow...

The Truth About Teeth?

In the days leading up to President's Day, the Okemo snow report has made several references to George Washington's wooden teeth. It got me wondering, so I checked the George Washington Wiki. Here's what I learned ...

Washington had tooth-loss problems throughout his life and although he had several sets of false teeth made, none of them were crafted from wood. Apparently, the set he had when he became our country's first president was carved from hippopotamus and elephant ivory. The ivory was sculpted into a plate into which human teeth, plus pieces of horse and donkey teeth were inserted. It's no wonder his portraits never show him smiling.

Aside from the dental distractions, this has been a wonderful Washington's birthday weekend. Sunny skies, seasonable temperatures and great conditions have put smiles (none made of donkey teeth) on the faces of skiers and snowboarders from one end of Okemo to the other.

It looks like we may get something to sink our teeth into later this week - a little new snow! Stay tuned to Okemo's snow report and snow phone (802-228-5222). I promise our endentured snow reporters will stop filling the reports with toothless trivia.

Cheers!

Obama buys $600 million in hybrid cars - Okemo gives away a 1992 Camaro

Joey's rejoice - your economic stimulus package has arrived. March 28th marks the date for what some are calling the oddest event to hit a ski area in years. Others don't know what to call it. It is, simply put, the Joey Jam. Chock full of rear-entry ski boots and NFL jackets, the Joey Jam will surely put a smile on your face with funny prizes, comedians showing off their best impressions of the infamous Joey, and celebrity judges throwing what little bit of dignity we had left down the ski slope. Registration is open and space is limited, so head on over to www.active.com to register for this epic event.

The idea was created late in the 2007-2008 ski season and has picked up followers as we near the competition date. A kamikaze budget item, once created as a way to distract upper level management from more reasonable needs, it has now grown into what may be the largest event of the year.

Ski shops across the northeast are excited about the event as well. We recently ran across this blog from Pioneers Surf Skate and Snow shop in North Hampton NH. They have hailed the Joey Jam as "...possibly one of the greatest events to be held in New England, possibly the world". Their words, not ours. In any case, Pioneers looks like they are helping to spread the good word, and if you don't want our sexy "purple haze" Camaro you can trade it in at Pioneers for "a head to toe outfit along with a board package". If you ask me, this sounds like a challenge for other ski shops in the North East!

So get our your best jeans, your chromed goggles, your headbands and ear warmers, and go sign up on active.com to be part of.... "...possibly the greatest event in the world".

....To Be Continued

Deep Presidents' Weekend Thoughts...

Do you think Abraham Lincoln would ski or ride, had he been living today (and wasn't, like, 200 years old)? My wife and I have had several deep discussions on this very subject, usually in the middle of the night:

Me: I think Abraham Lincoln would have been a pretty good skier, you know? Probably a telemarker. Maybe a snowboarder. But he was just so tall and lanky... I just think that he would've been a graceful, speedy, blue-groomer-kinda guy. Fleece stovepipe hat, ice on the chin beard, the works. "Four score and twenty minutes ago... I shredded that gnar!" "With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right for big air and tasty rails..."

My Wife: Um... hon? You really need to stop eating buffalo wings right before bed.

(So it isn't really a "deep discussion" so much as proof that my wife is a patient woman. Sue me.)

Here's my question for you, Dear Readers (all twelve of you): Abe Lincoln, Great Emancipator, Savior of the Union and Our Greatest President: Skier or snowboarder? Discuss...

Okemo in under $50 a day!

Food. I love food. Who doesn't love food?

I recently challenged myself to a "whisk around Okemo Mountain" on under $50 a day... think I can do it?

8 am rise and shine - head to the mountain. For breakfast it's a quick stop at Cool Beans in the Okemo Clocktower Base Lodge for breakfast. That way I'm just steps from the chair. Gotta start my day with a hot VT brewed coffee and a freshly baked scone. Hey, there's fruit in it! 5.10 including tax.


11:45 am and it's ePIC at Solitude for lunch - a ski-in/ski-out mid-mountain restaurant, and my personal favorite. Stopping just before noon to hopefully get right in with a fireside table.

To start I go with a Soup Trio - I get a taste of three amazing hot soups in one entree - it's a nobrainer really at just $8. I follow that up with Pan Seared Scallops - a little protein served with a small salad - now we're talking. Just $11. To drink? Water with lemon. I need to rehydrate after a full morning of skiing. With tax and tip we're sitting right around $24.

2:30 or so and it's time for a Snack and bathroom break back at the Clocktower Base Lodge. I grab a bag of trail mix with peanuts, raisins and chocolate from the Base68 Cafe and hit the water fountain on the way back out the door. $4.30 including tax.

When the lifts close at 4 it's back inside - and the Sitting Bull is alive with entertainment. Great place to end the day. I'm not super hungry after a big lunch, so a hot cheese quesadilla packed with melted cheese, onions and peppers served with fresh salsa and sour cream and a cold Sam Adams hits the spot for dinner. With tax and tip its $14.98.

My grand total for the day? $48.38.

What's your favorite restaurant at Okemo?

Ludlow Winter Carnival Fun Race

Ludlow's 2009 Winter Carnival, the Village Vikings - Conquerors of Snow was last weekend. It proved to be another success. Okemo entered it's Viking Ship into the parade on Saturday evening. It sailed down main street with it's crew launching Snickers to all parade enthusiasts. The parade was followed up by Marshmallow roasting, a bonfire and a fabulous fireworks display at Dorsey Park.

Sunday was the inaugural Kid's Fun Race at Jackson Gore. This free race timed children as they ran up the huge mound of snow, down the backside, over bails of hay and thru the finish line. All children who participated won a prize. We had prizes for the fastest Boy and Girl, with a 6 & Under division and a 7 - 12 year old division.

This years winners were:

Boys - 6 & Under - Joseph Caldiero

Girls - 6 & Under - Emma Casey

Boys - 7 - 12 yrs - James McGuire

Girls - 7 - 12 yrs - Monigue Labarre

Well over 200 children participated in the Fun Race. Pictured are the winning Girls and their new goggles. We hope to see ya'll next year at the Ludlow Winter Carnival!

Wicked Nice Snow...and counting trails

Funny how the snow report this morning talked about trying out new trails. I've been skiing here for a number of years and decided it was time to "complete" my list of skiing every single trail at Okemo. And I too just traveled down Eclipse for the first time on Tuesday. I was quite please with the natural snow conditions. And the week before, I went down Rolling Thunder. I really liked Rolling Thunder... nice snow, nice pitch, and good moguls.

I'll admit, I usually hate midwinter moguls. I have memories of skiing on brutally hard snow, with shaved troughs and being absolutely miserable. So this winter, with all the natural stuff covering Okemo's mogul runs, I've been pleasantly surprised.

My current trail total is: 113 out of 119. Does Snowtrak really count? I hate walking back to the base area. I know, it's there for the guests to ski and ride home. Trails I have yet to ski are Supernova, Snowtrak, White Lightning, Rising Star, Blackhole and The Bends. How about you? My point, along with our snow reporter's is...get out and try some new stuff. Perhaps you will find a new favorite.

Have fun!