VERMONT
Along the ride the chatter inevitably turns to speculation about our weekend lodgings. The gang finds endless amusement comparing the gamut of past outings from the finest to the “puniest” (my daughter’s word) of slopeside accommodations we have encountered. Okemo Ski Resort in central Vermont took our top honors this winter for the classiest ski condo of the season. We arrived at Okemo’s vast 20-year-old resort property and checked in at the ski area base. A winding 3-mile drive across the mountain brought us to Solitude Village, which is a resort unto itself, perched high above the charming town of Ludlow.
Nearly 100 trails wrap around the broad faced 3,344-foot Okemo Peak. 520 acres of skiing terrain hosts a pleasantly tame trail network that is sprawling while at the same time very manageable. Families can ski together or explore independently knowing that all trail pods lead to one of seven convenient quads that whisk you back up for another 1,000 feet of vertical. I could cruise the kids down the perfectly manicured and scenic Dream Weaver while my husband surged down Wild Thing on the South Face. Most of Okemo’s runs are spacious rolling boulevards, covered with deep snow compliments of one of New England’s most impressive snowmaking systems, groomed daily to a white carpet consistency. Okemo has earned its reputation for excellent surface conditions and a modern, efficient lift system. As an added bonus, outstanding views of the rolling Green Mountains and the pastoral Ludlow valley sweep below.
Two of Okemo’s thirteen lifts were located right
out our condo door and four ski trails wind their way around the
exclusive hillside homes of Solitude Village. From any of these homes,
you can make a few turns and arrive at the base of Solitude’s new Day
Lodge. Ticket sales, a small ski shop, and a convenient satellite ski school center are all under this roof. It is a luxury to bring your littlest skiers here for the all-inclusive “Snow Stars” ski day camp, avoiding Okemo’s busier central base area. Solitude’s Day Lodge also serves as a private health club for owners and guests. In the heated pool you can swim from indoors to out, then hurry from your swim to the steamy outdoor hot tub, and if you’re brave enough - even make a Swedish roll in the snow. The Gables Restaurant occupies the glass-lined
top floor of this expansive lodge, where enthusiastic culinary
students impress diners with their latest concoctions. I can
personally attest that the fried calamari makes a far superior skiers
lunch to the traditional burger. This classy Vermont resort is the result of 2 decades of hands on management by the Mueller family. “Our goal is to guarantee the most consistently enjoyable, hassle-free time for you to spend with your family,” says owner Tim Mueller. Okemo is already big, and sits on the verge of one of the East’s largest resort expansions in history. For 2001, permits allowing, Okemo will create an entire vacationers’ resort village complete with an all-new mountain of skiing terrain to be christened Jackson Gore.
With Okemo’s impressive snowmaking system,
arguably the most powerful snowmaking system in Vermont, perhaps in
the East, early season skiing is a great bet at Okemo. The “winter
value fun pack” rates are dramatically less in early and mid December
prior to the busy holiday week. A trip to Okemo promises a big mountain with impeccably groomed, wide-open trails covered in freshly made snow, a fast efficient lift system and luxurious condominiums. Solitude is my pick for the best on mountain location, at least until the debut of Jackson Gore. It is refreshing in this day and age of ski resort monopolies, to find a family like the Mueller’s, providing great quality and good value for your skiing dollars. During our Sunday afternoon trek home our family
of tired skiers all came to the consensus that Okemo scored high for
skiing, friendly hospitality, and our hats off for “the best condo” of
the season. If you go to Okemo:
Okemo Central Lodging can be reached at 1-800-786-5366 http://www.okemo.com Okemo family factoids: Skiing and riding is free for kids 6 & under. Sister Sunapee
After years of neglect under State operation, the Mueller’s immediately infused the mountain with a $9 million face-lift. The installation of two quads, new groomers, a dramatic 24,000 square foot base lodge and the addition of Okemo-like snowmaking have revitalized this family day area. Now Sunapee’s 1,500-foot vertical is accessed by 9 lifts servicing over 50 trails. The cruising terrain gives way to some truly outstanding views of Lake Sunapee, the White and Green Mountains in the distance. If you go to Mount Sunapee:
Mount Sunapee’s snow reports are available by calling 1-603-763-4020 Lodging Information for Mount Sunapee can be
reached at 1-877-687-8627 -Updated 12-15-00- As seen at: http://www.travellady.com/ARTICLES/article-okemo.html |
During
the winter weeks our family scouts trail maps and gets excited about
the upcoming weekend looking at the glossy ski resort brochures. Come
Friday after school and work, we cram in the family van with
equipment, frozen lasagna and snacks to head for the slopes. 
As
we turned the key to our unit we were delighted with our elegant and
spacious weekend digs complete with giant foyer, gas fireplace,
washer/dryer, a master bath featuring a giant Jacuzzi tub, all
decorated to the nines. The exemplary lodging turned out to be only
the preliminary slice of the tasteful Okemo experience. 
A
few classic New England style glades offer skiers some variation, and
a little challenge. The “Nature Zone” gives kids a chance to glide
through the trees and search out wildlife prints. Lift attendants can
provide a special guide to the Snow Tracks. Kids love this alpine
version of a guided “nature walk” on skis, complete with deer rubbings
and bear claw marks. 
The
blueprints outline a top-notch hotel with units for sale in a quarter
share fashion, and a surrounding pedestrian village with shops,
services and eateries. The on-slope expansion calls for 16 trails, a
six-passenger gondola and two detachable quads. The location for this
village is prime; train service connecting with Amtrak may ultimately
deliver skiers from New York City right to the new base area in a few
hours time. 
For
those in the Greater Boston area or southern New Hampshire who cannot
venture on the overnight trip to Vermont, try Okemo’s little sister
ski area. One-hour east, across the border in New Hampshire is Mount
Sunapee. In 1998, the Mueller’s took over the operation of Mount
Sunapee from the State of New Hampshire.