In Like a Lion?

A few wisps of white in an otherwise bluebird sky makes me think that the old adage, "in like a lion and out like a lamb," may not apply to the month of March this year. But wait - snow is on the way and it could start before midnight. With any luck at all, we'll be skiing and riding in six inches of powder by morning.

As far as I'm concerned, March is the best month of the year for skiing. We inevitably get a big dump of snow in the first week or so and conditions are at their best. The stronger sun means fewer layers and lunch breaks on the deck. I'm all about the goggle tan.

Don't even think about your bike or those golf clubs in the garage . For real skiers and riders, the best is yet to come! Cheers!

What did you get for your birthday?

Ross Powers rides with Kelly and Michael, two lucky twins who received the special day with an Olympian after winning an eBay auction for the memorable experience. All proceeds from the auction went to benefit the Ross Powers Foundation, and Kelly and Michael had a birthday present of a lifetime. The weather was beautiful, the snow was fantastic, and these lucky ones got to spend it with Olympic Gold Medalist Ross Powers.

Put your face on a box of Wheaties...

Well, not really. But you could be featured in Okemo's ad campaign for 2009/2010. Just submit a few photos and your best Okemo Story and it could be you.




To get your creative juices flowing, post a quick comment here with one of your best Okemo memories and we'll pick two comments (at random) next Friday for one free Okemo lift ticket each for the 08/09 season.

It's an Over Snow!

We picked up two more inches of snow last night than even our most generous meteorologists were predicting -- 8-10 inches in all! If you can't get out of work or school today though, then don't go into a frenzy. The mountain is in great shape for this weekend and we should be skiing and riding on all 119 trails (or very close to it) with some superb packed powder conditions! There's no doubt in my mind that the skiing and riding will be gangbusters. But wait, there's more!


We have some great events planned for this weekend including our 7th Annual Comedy Night on Saturday, 2/21 with comedian Rusty DeWees, also known as "The Logger." The Vermont-raised DeWees perfected his comedic attack in New York City, and now he's here at Okemo. Co-sponsored by Vermont Properties and Development, the doors at ePIC open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8. Call (802) 228-8877 to purchase your tickets in advance, or pay at the door for slightly more while seats last.

From Wolaver's Organic Apres at Siena to Moonlit Snowshoe Tours, there's much more happening around the resort this weekend. Stop on by the events calendar to check it all out.

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