Happy 2008!

Happy New Year!! Today's expected snow came early. It's not even 10:00 am and it is a winter wonderland outside! There's no better way to start the year with a fresh slate than with fresh new powdery SNOW!!

New Snow

What a day! What more could you ask for? After dumping six inches of fresh powder on top of groomed corduroy, the sun is starting to poke through the clouds.

More snow on the way - stay tuned to the Okemo snow report. Here's wishing everyone a safe and happy New Year. Cheers!

Holiday Hijinks!

Okemo is known as a family-friendly mountain, but not many people realize it's not just human families we strive to please. For years, a pair of penguin siblings named Toby and Philamena lived happily in the Snow Stars Children's Program building at the Main Base. When the Snow Stars Program was expanded to the Jackson Gore (J.G.) Base Area several years ago, the penguin pair was split up, with Toby being sent against his will to the other side of the mountain. Upon seeing how distraught his sister was over losing her only brother, the Snow Stars Penguin Protective Detail was born.

Sworn to secrecy, this crack-squad of kids’ instructors uses whatever non-violent means possible to keep Toby and Philamena together. After being reunited at the end of last season, Toby again disappeared around the beginning of December. Rumors claiming Toby was back at the J.G. Snow Stars H.Q. were impossible to confirm until yesterday. Upon learning of the location of their beloved bird, the S.S.P.P.D. sprang into action late last night.

It is my honor to announce that the penguin duo has once again been reunited! Although a ransom note has been dispatched to the J.G. Snow Stars staff, the demands are not expected to be met. A Jackson Gore Snow Stars official who refused to be identified said, "The Waffles aren't the issue so much as the smelling of [Snow Stars Assistant Manager] Kyle's feet!"

It is hoped that by publishing the previously classified details of the on-going penguin war, public outcry will lead to a détente between the two sides. Stay tuned for more information...

Arriving Just in time for the New Year!

Did you see the forecast for tonight....NEW SNOW!!! and Just in time to ring in the New Year. The mountain's been quite to sight this week. When you drive up VT Rte 103, all the trails are white and there's snow in the woods. There's snowmobiling, x-country skiing and of course everyone who likes to slide down hill.

I like to ski and have fun, just like the next guy, but I can say from experience, please, please, take your time when getting around the mountain and around the valley this week. We're all here to have fun and enjoy time with friends and family. Let's share our space with new people and we'll all have a really good time. When possible, remember to "pass it forward"....being nice has a great way of building up your Karmic energy reserves.

Speaking of good times and reserves. Have fun on new Year's Eve. Make reservations at a party or at a local hot spot. Drink responsibly, drive safe and see you on the snow on New Year's morning.


Cheers,
-Dex

PS. It's supposed to snow on New Year's Eve too. Sweet!

Ross Gives SoBe Superpipe a Thumbs Up!

Okemo's first Ride with Ross Day of the season is taking place today and the group of enthusiasts started their morning with a few runs through Okemo's SoBe Superpipe. Ross gave the pipe a thumbs up and said that it's in great shape. Okemo Freeride Team Member Ben Farrow said that the snow in the pipe is nice and soft. This is the kind of day to practice those tricks you've been working on.

Mark your calendar for the next Ride with Ross Day, Sat., Jan. 5. Meet up with Ross at the bottom of the SoBe Superpipe at 9 a.m. Depending on what the group wants to do, Ross will lead on a jibbing tour of the mountain or ride the halfpipe, demonstrating the steez that won him Olympic Gold.

The WAA WAA Sisterhood

Is alive and well at Okemo! Okay women, here is your chance to take your skiing or riding up a notch!

WAA stands for Women's Alpine Adventures ~ a women's only learning program here on the mountain. I've attended 2 years in a row, and am counting down the days until my first clinic this year, which runs over a 3-day weekend January 11-13. In fact, I'm signed up for two sessions this season!

If you're a great skier, an okay skier, or even a non-skier, this is the place for you! My first year I went from a non-skier (not able to complete a parallel turn) to skiing blues and blacks in just two days! Something about being taught by women, in a group of all women, gives you confidence you didn't know existed.

Skiing aside for a minute, the clinic offers so much more. Led by one of "America's Best Instructor's" (according to Skiing magazine), Maria Tomaselli leads morning strectches, fear and balance clinics and offers support in just about any facet of the sport. Add to that the delectable delights of a hot breakfast in the morning and lunch ready and waiting as you come off the hill, and it just can't get much better! (Okay, maybe a soak in the hot tub when the lifts stop turning!)

Anyway, if this sounds up your alley, definitely check it out.

Terrain Park Update

There are some cool new slideshows posted of all the features in our terrain parks, including the Dew Zone, Hot Dog Hill and the Nor'easter Super Park. Check them out.

And looking ahead to the weekend, don't miss our Ride with Ross Powers Day this Saturday ~ join two time Olympic Medalist Ross Powers at the bottom of the SoBe Superpipe and take a run with him!


Then, it's the Okemo Powers Series Slopestyle at 11 am. If you'd like to participate, registration begins at 8am in the base lodge mezzanine. And this year it's important to come to all three of the Okemo Series competitions as Okemo has put $2000 on the line for overall winners. Prizes for each competition will be handed out as well. Bring your board, bring your skis and go big on this slopestyle competition.



CU on the hill!