Okemo Luxury Skiing at a Glance:
Summit Elevation 3,344′
Vertical Drop: 2,200’
667 acres, 5 mountains, 2 Base Areas, 20 Lifts, 121 Trails and Glades
98% snowmaking, the most in Vermont
Birth 1956
Vail Resort since 2018
Okemo puts the luxury in a family ski vacation – because they take a lot of the hassle and stress away. It’s that simple. Your Okemo ski trip, you are assured of quality snow – they blow a ton, convenient on mountain lodging in a condo or the Jackson Gore Inn, excellent kids learn to ski and ride programs – trust me – our kids were “snow stars” when they were just learning to turn (same goes for adults lessons). And to cap off your ski experience, Okemo serves some of the tastiest cuisine in ski country (they hang their chef’s hats on it)!
Located in the beautiful Ludlow Valley of central Vermont, Okemo is a broad ski mountain, with several peaks, plenty of speedy lifts (two brilliant orange bubble covered chairs, a six seater and a quad, with heated leather seats –seriously, there’s that luxury I was referencing). Winter 2020, another six pack chair will be added to Jackson Gore peak, and the Okemo base lodge will get a complete re-do to feature a skiers plaza.
Okemo’s ski slopes aren’t anything super steep, but typically all well-groomed, with sweeping views of Vermont. Classic New England trails like Jolly Green Giant, Sapphire and Nor’Easter are pleasant with just enough punch. We love Okemo’s South Face and Solitude area, often less busy – like its name implies.
Another “luxury”, the Okemo staff is uber-friendly, its like an extended family. In fact “Okemo” translates to “coming home” and their hastag is #welcomehome, you will likely feel very at-home at this Vermont ski resort too, the well-trained, welcoming staff make it so.
Okemo is Epic now that Vail Resorts has purchased Okemo, Stowe, Mount Snow, Mount Sunapee, Attitash and Wildcat and others, now 37 sister resorts to its Epic Pass conglomerate.
Ski to an elevated lunch, literally, Okiemo has some of the best on-mountain culinary experiences at 43 North – French-inspired fare in the Solitude Lodge served witha view of the ski slopes from this elevated more elegant dining room and bar. For southern comfort food at the Summit, Robin’s Roost downstairs dishes up biscuits, bbq, shrimp and grits, and cocktails from a casual setting with lotsof big screen TVs.
For lodging at Okemo on your ski trip, you can choose from a multitude of slopeside condos, we give our thumbs up for the proximity of Winter Place and especially Solitude for ski in ski out location. For a luxury ski hotel, the full service Jackson Gore Inn has suite lodging (177 rooms, so it’s a big hotel despite the “inn” nomenclature ) with the bonus of ski valet, underground heated parking, a fireside lounge and bar, a wine spectator Tavern, kids camp, indoor outdoor 
heated pools and Jacuzzis, plus outdoor firepits for s’mores, ice skating in the Ice House and swimming in the Spring House. Did we mentioned the Timber Ripper Mountain Coaster steps from the hotel’s plaza? Its super fun for après ski as a family. Our spacious suite had a gas fireplace, full kitchen and view of the mountain to watch the lifts spin, the skiers zoom and later at night – the snow cats groom from our living room and balcony. Okemo makes our Top Ski Hotels in The East List!
The charming town of Ludlow is another little Okemo luxury, just down the street, for more restaurant choices, kitschy Vermont boutiques and ski shops. We like The Killarney Pub for a casual Irish ski bar for apres ski, Stemwinder for tapas and wine, and Mojo’s for Mexican, but there are many great eateries on Main and Depot Streets.
We love to ski Okemo early December, since they prioritize early season snowmaking, rivaling Sunday River and Killington. It’s a festive time of year too, and we love to cut our own Vermont Christmas tree on the way home – reminding us of our Okemo ski time with a fresh pine scent throughout the holidays. Its a favorite family ski trip in New England.
An Okemo ski vacation is convenient, comfortable, and catered to, akin to western ski resorts Beaver Creek and Sun Valley. Okemo Mountain has two separate base areas, Okemo Village – the original base with the Clock Tower, and Jackson Gore where the Inn is located (added in 2003 ). A new South Face Village at Okemo is being built with more on mountain homes and condos, and two new lifts and trails to connect to the main mountain.
See our Okemo Top Ski Tips….
Okemo Top Ski Tips:
Pack your swimsuits for the indoor/outdoor heated pools and hot tubs! Its your après ski spa included in your lodging package. Jackson Gore Inn has a gigantic outdoor heated pool, two hot tubs, plus a Spring House indoor pool venue. If you prfere to chill, skate in the covered Ice House.
Put your kids in Snow Stars – Okemo’s top notch learn to ski and snowboard programs – pricey for all day – but worth it!
Ski to lunch at 43 North in the Solitude base lodge for northern French fare. Or try southern culinary at the Summit lodge Robin’s Roost.
Set the kids up with s’mores by the bonfire at the end of the day, after taking a thrilling ride on the Timber Ripper mountain coaster, while you have an adult toddy from the cozy Coleman Brook Lobby Bar.
Sitting Bull in the Okemo Village Base Lodge has live bands on Saturdaysand big plates of nachos and burgers daily if you prefer a more kicking après ski scene with slope views. For a seriously local beer scene, Tom’s Loft Tavern is as down to earth as it gets.
Okemo has something for everyone, young and old, newbies to freeskiers for their big terrain parks, and foodies. Okemo is among the Top Family Ski Resorts in The East. What we love about Okemo most is they remember what matters most…the mountain, the snow, the people, the food, and a warm inviting suite at day’s end.
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