At first glance you wouldn’t expect me to develop an unbreakable bond with a spot like Okemo Mountain Resort (https://www.okemo.com/), the family-friendly, semi-upscale resort celebrating its 70th birthday this year.
After all, I’m the gal who grew up with duct tape on her mittens and a passion for steep and deep in her heart. And there’s Okemo: lovely, cruiseable, dotted with great dining and amped up with fantastic customer service. Sure we could share respect, but could we find love?
Here I am, a lifetime skier, ski mom and now ski grandma (the cool kind) and I can tell you with all certainty that decades of Okemo visits have not just helped us build a solid foundation to our now three-generation ski family; they’ve filled our palette with memory after memory.
Because there’s something to be said for a resort that makes you feel comfortable in every way. From the ease of using their solid childcare program to just about any style lodging that’s slope side to cocoa by the roaring fireplace in the Jackson Gore base, I’ve found happiness at Okemo. True confession: Every skier has a “lovely day” skier inside of them.
My family and I started sharing life experiences with Okemo at least once a year in the early 1990s. Our older daughter took her first turns on the little learner hill just outside the daycare area (then at the Clocktower Base, the only base at that time). Later my younger daughter would do the same – itching to be old enough to get out there with her sister.
Let me share some of my core memory days there as a way to explain exactly how and why Okemo has won my love.
A frightening diagnosis made less scary: In the late fall of 1997, my then 6-year-old was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. Those were the days of crudely working insulin, crazy meal schedules and no cell phones. But ski family had long been our identity, so her doctors pushed us to not only go, but go exactly the way we did before the diagnosis.
So early that winter I headed off to Okemo alone with my daughter to test it out. I signed her up for all-day ski school and planned on skiing with some friends. I was terrified.
Okemo talked it all through ahead of time, finding out exactly what meals they’d be serving so I could plan doses and working her ski school classes schedule around the time she needed to eat. They let me speak to her instructor ahead of time and help him understand the basics (and know which pockets her glucose tabs were in, if need be). I was able to swing by and check her blood sugar because while Okemo is a decent size, you’re never too far away.
At the end of the day after our traditional last hour of skiing with just us, we stood at the base in the alpenglow as fat, cinematic snowflakes began to fall. My little girl threw her hands up to the sky and exclaimed, “Kids with diabetes still have fun!” Moms, too. Okemo helped us keep skiing in our lives.
Leaving our mark on a snowfilled day: One year we stayed in a condo at the top of a lift (I believe it was the Black Ridge Triple). We’d pulled the kids from ski school at half day and had the time of our lives ducking in and out of the trees along Okemo’s lovely winding green and blue trails (perfect for our little girls to feel like they were skiing big when it was super safe). Back at the condo, before swimming in the fabulous heated outdoor pool, the kids had an idea: Build a snowman family to greet skiers as they got off the lift. We did, and all weekend I saw people smiling and taking photos with them. Core memory indeed.
That time it was better than the Alps: About 10 years ago I traveled home from a ski trip in the French Alps and went directly to Okemo to meet up with friends once again. That weekend was magical: while early season Okemo – like most any ski resort – can be iffy, we hit it so well. More than a foot of fluffy, perfect snow blanketed the trails and the tree branches hung down like a ski-through canopy of snow. I can truly say that week that Okemo conditions were better than the Alps.
My own return: In 2020, I was in a pretty ugly snowmobile crash, my left leg taking the brunt of the hit. Getting back to skiing was a project, and a year later, my ortho said “some day there will be a blue sky and perfect snow and you’ll just feel ready.” I knew where that day would be – and it was. On a sunny spring skiing day on their always impeccably groomed trails, I came back. By midday, I was flying down some of my favorite fast cruisers like Sapphire, Limelight and World Cup. The perfect conditions were the perfect way to embrace the speed and the fun.
The next generation: Three seasons ago, I started my grandkids skiing, and of course we chose Okemo. They went to ski school – just like their mom did long ago – and discovered they loved skiing, too. My littlest for now will be ready this spring and I just know he’s going to love the resort’s new Giggle and Glide program. I bet we’ll make a snowman too.
In other words, there’s more foundation to build and memories to be made. For Okemo and me, the (heart)beat goes on.
Finding slice of heaven in Ludlow, Vt.
Want to build your own Okemo Memories? Here’s your bingo card of how, what and where to find the best experiences at Okemo Mountain Resort.
Know the stats: Okemo (https://www.okemo.com/) is located in Ludlow, Vt., about two and a half hours from Boston proper. It boasts two robust base areas, 129 trails and glades with a 2,200 vertical. It is on the EpicPass. Season runs from late November to early April. Jackson Gore base often does not open until early December due to black bear hibernation routines.
Book your lodging: There are plenty of nearby spots but if there was ever a time to nudge up your budget for slope side, an Okemo visit is the one. Choose from two base areas (I prefer the Jackson Gore base where you have indoor parking, a sports center complex, skating rink and a fantastic fireplace lobby area.) There are also countless condos and large homes slope side, most in the resort lodging portfolio.
Check out the parks: Okemo is hailed for its dedication to parks. Their parks along with the Okemo Mountain School have produced some big-time champs like gold medalist Hannah Teeter. There are six parks to watch the coolness as you ski by or to check out yourself. Start with their wonderful Vermont Family Adventure run that eases you into the park feel and even has a covered bridge to ski through.
Tabletop smores by a crackling fire: For possibly the best family apres (or just for the kids in you), head to the Jackson Gore base, where you can order tabletop smores fireside. There’s a cocktail bar right there too. Fancy hot chocolate for the kids; espresso martini for you? Yes, please.
Get to town: Downtown Ludlow is quaint and quick, yet packed with fun. Grab takeout or dine in at Mojo Cafe for incredible Mexican (get the Possessed by Poblano Rings), try the amazing Brown Butter Old Fashion at Main & Mountain Bar, go full on Irish at Killarney’s, and poke around the wonderful Book Nook store.
Go over the hill to Weston: It’s a lovely ride up and over the mountain to Weston, where you’ll find the must-visit Vermont Country Store, the Weston Village Christmas Shop where there’s an ornament for everyone (truth), and more.
Find the Candy Mailbox: A lovely slope side resident keeps a mailbox filled with candy. Find it and grab a treat and a bragging right selfie. It’s located … we’re not telling because where’s the fun in that?
