twilight falls on the final day of the decade

So, the burning question on everyone's mind is, will it be twenty-ten or two-thousand ten? Okay, so maybe that's not exactly the burning question. Around Okemo Valley, the talk is all about the "New Year's" blizzard that probably isn't actually going to happen. It's shaping up to be ongoing snow showers with an inch or two here and there throughout the weekend. Sounds like it will be just enough to keep the trails nice with a new coating of pow on top of all the Okemo corduroy.

What's that, you're into natural terrain? Have you found Broken Arrow yet? It's so new, I don't think the sign is even up yet. It's an all-natural terrain park in the trees that's built entirely out of found timber. No live trees were sacrificed for this thrill-seekers folly. Let us know what you think of it when (and if) you find it this weekend.

Well, gotta go over to the Gore to help out with the festivities. Here's wishing you a happy and healthy new year!

spring into winter

What a difference a day makes. Yesterday's conditions were an advance taste of spring with lots of soft snow. As sweet as that was, we're not even close to being ready for spring skiing yet. Then, just a few nightime hours later, we went from a foggy winter bummerland to a snowy winter wonderland. The snow started early this morning and has been snowglobing steadily all morning.

There's pow on that there corduroy!

Fortunately, the clouds cleared in the afternoon, making it a great night for Okemo's torchlight parade and fireworks show.

This week is jam-packed with events and activities, so come pay us a visit and have some family fun.




Special thanks to Donald Dill for sharing his photos from last night's festivities.

into each life ...

... a little you-know-what must fall. We try hard not to use the "R" word around these parts - it is afterall, a four-letter word.

The rewards for skiers and riders who ventured out and braved the elements today were springlike conditions - not a bad little treat as we're about to embark on another plunge into seasonably winter-like temperatures. And now, in the final hour of the ski day, the rain has stopped and blue sky prevails. Monday is shaping up to be a splendid day. Check out the Okemo snow report.

Visitors to the Okemo Valley for this holiday period will notice a couple of changes to the Ludlow dining landscape. They happen to be very good changes.

The Cool Moose Cafe has taken over the spot where Archie's used to be. Inside and out, things don't look much different but this family-friendly dining option is certain to be a hit. Try the wings and ask about the secret hot powder they kep in the freezer for real hot-stuff afficianados.

The other most notable addition to the dining scene is a total re-do of the building across the street from the shopping plaza where Cool Moose resides. Outback Pizza (yes, the same Outback Pizza of Killington Access Road fame) has opened a new restaurant at the bottom ok Okemo's access road. I hear good things - especially from Okemo workers who get a sizeable discount on pie - thanks, Casey!

Good King Wenceslas looked out ...

Happy Saint Stephen's Day! Yes, today is the day of the feast that good 'ol Wenceslas looked out on. And just like in his day, the snow at Okemo is deep and crisp and even. Wenceslas was known for helping people like the poor man from the song who was gathering winter fuel. Some think that the U.K.'s Boxing Day came about, in part, because of Saint Stephen's Feast. Stephen was a martyr who, in his final words, asked forgivness for those who were stoning him to death.

In that spirit of goodwill, Boxing Day has typically been a day to recognize the things that people do for you all year long. It's also a good day to help those who are less fortunate or to simply offer random acts of kindness throughout the day.

At Okemo, this is shaping up to be our busiest day of the season so far and the whole week ahead is a popular time for skiers and riders to enjoy the fruits of our labors. Today would be a good time to remember Saint Stephen and to offer some simple acts of kindness ... give way to the person who arrives at the lift line the same time you do ... or hold the door for someone headed into the base lodge. Engage in conversation with lift attendants and thank them for holding the chair for you. Smile and wish a stranger a good day while out on the slopes. Imagine what it would be like if everyone on the mountain this week was courteous and giving. You can make it happen.

Santa Claus Came to Town

A few fortunate children and their families got to meet with Santa Claus one last time before his big night of deliveries around the world. Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived at The Jackson Gore Inn by snow groomer - Okemo's 500 hp "Beast" that is the largest and most powerful groomer manufactured by Prinoth. Although Santa was impressed by the machine, he has no imediate plans to replace his team of flying reindeer.

Santa will return to Okemo on Christmas Day, to make a few runs after he finishes his rounds.

Here's wishing you lots of warm Santa hugs and a very merry Christmas!

totally tubular, dude

Tubing season at Okemo begins on Saturday, Dec. 26 at 3 p.m. Pricing remains the same as last winter at $9 per hour and there is a limit of 100 tubers per hour. Hours of operation run from 3 – 6 p.m. through the holiday week.

Okemo's tubing lanes are located at Jackson Gore and are serviced by a user-friendly conveyor-style surface lift.

It's a treat to be heading into the holiday week with off-slope amenities in full gear. If you're not the tuber type, how about ice skating at Jackson Gore's Ice House? Rental skates are available. Learn more by clicking here.

CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?

What happens when you try to tape a TV commercial about Okemo's wicked smaaat snowmaking and the HKD guns are a little too loud? Heck -- you use subtitles, that's what you do.

Does that actually work? Well....