>suggested routes

Don't you sometimes wish you had someone recommending the best routes to take on the mountain? Whether you have a half-day to plan, or just an hour, look here for great paths suggested by Okemo Mountain faithfuls - those that know the mountain the best!

From Diane Mueller, owner of Okemo Mountain Resort:

My favorite route down the mountain, umm…brings back memories of those first years at Okemo when I decided we needed better signage on the hill. I spent summers driving a pickup truck around the mountain to locate trails signs. I did all the painting in the “Little Wahoo Nursery” which was wall to wall trail signs. Fast forward to today and you might catch me heading towards Sapphire. First I have to take in the view from the top of the North Star Express because for me the beautiful vistas are part of the ski experience. Off to Sapphire I go because I love the undulation of the trail where I get to cruise with a little "skip in my step". From there it is either Village Run or Screamin' Demon depending on how I feel at the moment. The goal is to get to Solitude to enjoy lunch at Epic Restaurant…food is also part of my ski experience! After lunch I might head down Line Drive. I like the solitude of this quiet run where I can hear my skis carve the snow as I enjoy being between the trees in this winter wonderland. Another reason for this route is that I like to say "Hi" to the liftie at the base of the Morning Star…it can get a little lonely down there. Back up the hill I go and then over and down as I have fun working my way back to the office because I got a day job here, too!

From Chris Del Sole, 5-year veteran Okemo instructor

One of my favorite runs at Okemo has always been the "other" route to the South Face. This run is recommended for skiers,m and is especially nice on a cold, windy day because it really gets the blood flowing! From the top of the Northstar Express, head skier's right down Upper World Cup. At the first intersection, bear right onto Countdown. Following Countdown to its end, ski under the Glades Peak Quad onto Sprint. Sprint quickly becomes Moments Rest (go ahead and take a breather - your secret's safe with the mountain!), which spills onto Lower Rimrock. The last leg of this run involves making one more right turn onto Catnap, which is a long, gentle catwalk. After a few minutes of skating and poling, you'll be surrounded by palm trees and pink flamingos at the bottom of the South Face Express Quad! (Ok, while you may not see palm trees and flamingos, the South Face is often warmer than other parts of the mountain, thanks to its southern exposure.) Although this route may sound complicated, if you remember to keep going right, you can't go wrong!

Here's a great route from P.J. Hoberman, Okemo Snow Stars Instructor:

My favorite run at Okemo has been the same since I've been able to ski it. At first, my dad and I always skied World Cup for the first run, stopping on the first knoll to look at the valley. We still do that when we're skiing together, but when we're not, my run is Searle's to Sel's (technically, it's the first part of Nor'Easter --> Searle's Way --> Sidekick or Jolly Green Giant depending on what's open --> Sel's Choice --> Park). This run has just about every type of terrain packed into a 10 minute hurtle or a 30 minute saunter down the hill.

Starting off, Searle's Way is incredible. It's generally empty, very quiet, holds powder longer than most runs (Shhh - don't tell anyone about it!), and offers a variety of terrain. It's steep at points, the trail makes you turn, and there are a few lips to aim and/or watch out for. If you have to take Jolly Green Giant because lower Searles's is closed, you get your race fix in. Otherwise, you get a short jaunt through the trees, errupting right above the next leg of the perfect run: Sel's Choice.

Sel's Choice is great. While the music is unfortunately no longer keeping the beat, Sel's is like the kitchen at any ski town party - the place to be! You really learn the lines after skiing it 20-30 times a day. By that point, a non-stop Sel's run is just what the doctor ordered - and definitely worth it. A quick hop into the pipe or off a few tables, and you're back on the Northstar for another lap.

Here's a fun trip from Okemo's Director of Public Relations, Bonnie MacPherson

I could ski Heaven’s Gate to Screamin’ Demon all day long! There’s just something about those two trails that puts a smile on my face … a stupid, permanent grin of pure skiing satisfaction.

Those wide, almost seamless ribbons of corduroy stretch from one tree-lined side of the interstate-wide trail to the other. The comfortable pitch and rhythmic rolling of the slope allows me to practice my carving skills or experience the sensation of weightlessness as I cruise over each contour and set myself up for the next drop. I love the thrill of controlled speed that borders on effortless abandon just as I approach the Mountain Road intersection … check my speed, like drawing up the reins of a galloping horse … and then, when it’s safe to do so, drop down into the steepness of Screamin’ Demon, letting my skis run under me, making quick, rounded turns along the edge of the trail where others fear to tread.

Then, at the first hint of fire in my thighs, the trail flattens, slowing me down like the final spin of an amusement park ride. It’s a quick hop on the Solitude Express Quad for a high-speed trip to do it all over again. With even the best intentions of heading to another trail or a different part of the mountain, it’s “just one more time” over and over again until I force myself to turn a different way at the top of that luring Heaven’s Gate trail sign.

This from Giovanna Urist, former Okemo Freestyle skier and 14 year Okemo pass holder

My favorite run always depends on how early I wake up! If I'm up with my dad for the first run of the day, my favorite run is Sapphire to Ridge Runner to Screamin' Demon. Sapphire is unbeatable when there's a perfect line of corduroy. Then, when you're making huge sweeping turns across the trail and over the rollers, you're often the only one there, and you get that awesome feeling of sliding across the tiny, untouched ridges. Sapphire is also high enough on the mountain to get a beautiful view of Ludlow, Ascutney, and beyond.

If it is still early, I'll take Ridge Runner to Screamin' Demon because the bumps tend to stay a little harder until the sun hits them for a few hours. If it's a little later, I'll take Sapphire straight to The Plunge and warm up with some great bump skiing before heading to Sel's Choice.

Another advantage of skiing this combination is that you end up in Solitude: a whole new side of the mountain! And, from Solitude, you can easily get to Jackson Gore or back to the main mountain. So many choices!

Have fun!

What's your favorite run?  Write in and maybe your favorite route will be posted here! (Pictures welcomed.)