MEDIA CONTACT:
Bonnie MacPherson, Director of Public Relations
Okemo Mountain Resort | Ludlow, VT  05149
802-228-1947 | pr@okemo.com
2008/2009 Winter Season

OKEMO MOUNTAIN RESORT FAST FACTS

Resort Description
Okemo Mountain Resort is the big mountain that gets the little things right.

Rising above the village of Ludlow, in south-central Vermont, Okemo Mountain Resort is a family-owned, four-season, outdoor enthusiast’s playground. The resort continues to earn top awards and accolades for snow quality, grooming, terrain parks, family programs, slopeside lodging, resort dining, and friendly and professional guest service.

Originally, a small community-run ski hill, Okemo began to blossom when, in 1982, Tim and Diane Mueller purchased the ski area and transformed it into the popular, world-class resort that it is today. The Muellers also own Crested Butte Mountain Resort, in Colo., and they operate state-owned Mount Sunapee Resort, in N.H.

Okemo is the ideal hub from which to launch family fun and adventure at any time of the year. Winter sports enthusiasts find southern Vermont’s highest vertical drop and vast trail network that spans five distinct alpine areas, an exceptional skiing and riding experience for all ability levels. Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, ice-skating and snow tubing round out the outdoor winter excitement. During the warmer months, two 18-hole, championship golf courses offer challenging play with spectacular scenery. Okemo’s Jackson Gore is the resort’s newest introduction to the Green Mountain lifestyle. In addition to all the conveniences expected in a base area village, Jackson Gore’s newest center for relaxation and rejuvenation, The Spring House, offers state-of-the-art fitness facilities, sauna, an oversized hot tub and family swimming pools with slides, splash features and fountains.

Serving as a gateway to Okemo Mountain Resort, the town of Ludlow is a thriving, authentic New England village with Main-Street charm and local flavor. Gift shops, galleries and boutiques entice strolling shoppers, while assorted cafes, eateries and fine restaurants invite diners, après-ski revelers and nighttime partiers to while away the off-snow hours. Okemo’s central location also makes it ideal for daytime excursions to family attractions and points of natural and historic interest.

Location 
Okemo Mountain Resort is conveniently located in south-central Vermont, above the village of Ludlow, just off Vermont Routes 103 and 100.

Contact Information 
77 Okemo Ridge Road, Ludlow, VT 05149
General Information: (802) 228-1600
Okemo Mountain Resort Properties: 1-800-78-OKEMO (786-5366)
Okemo Mountain Lodging Referral Service: 1-800-78-OKEMO (786-5366)
24-Hour Snow Report: (802) 228-5222
Golf/Nordic Center: (802) 228-1396
Resort Fax: (802) 228-4558
Lodging Fax: (802) 228-2079
Web Address: www.okemo.com
Email: info@okemo.com

Average Snowfall: 200+ inches annually

Season: Early November to Late April

Trails

632 acres of terrain
96% covered by snowmaking (605 acres)
119 trails and glades
Novice 32%
Intermediate 36%
Advanced/ Expert 32%
Vertical Drop: 2,200 feet (most vertical in southern Vermont)
Base Elevation: 1,144 feet
Summit Elevation: 3,344 feet
Longest trail: 4.5 miles (Mountain Road)
Five Mountain Areas: Jackson Gore Peak, Solitude Peak, South Face, Glades Peak, South Ridge

Lifts: 19, including 9 quad chairs (5 highspeed quads), 3 triple chairs and 7 surface lifts

Uphill Capacity: 33,450 skiers/riders per hour

Lift Operations 
8 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Weekends and Holiday Periods
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Monday through Friday
(Hours of operation on Christmas Day are from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.)

Terrain Features (1 Superpipe and 5 Parks)
SoBe Superpipe
The Dew Zone Jib Park
Nor'Easter Super Park
Tomahawk FamilyCross Park
Hot Dog Hill Terrain Park (Introductory Park)
Inn Bound Park

Lift Ticket Rates
All rates include Vt. sales tax.  Three-tier pricing represents weekday, weekend/holiday and peak.
(peak period rates apply 12/25/08-1/2/09; 1/17/09-1/19/09; 2/14/09-2/20/09)

Adult (ages 19-64): one day $72/$77/$77; two day $132/$144/$149; five day $2780$286/$320.

Young Adult & Senior (ages 13-18 and 65-69): one day $61/$65/$65; two day $110/$122/$127; five day $240/$244/$275.

Junior & Super Senior (ages 7-12 and 70+): one day $47/$50/$50; two day $82/$94/$97; five day $180/$184/$210.

Kids age 6 and Under: FREE with a Child lift ticket, available at any ticket window location.

Accommodations
Slopeside Condominiums
Okemo Mountain Lodge, Kettle Brook, Winterplace, Ledgewood and Solitude Village
condominiums offer the finest in luxury and convenience with direct ski-in/ski-out and mountainside access.  The Okemo Resort Shuttle enables guests to conveniently access Okemo’s condominium complexes, the base area at Jackson Gore, the Okemo Clock Tower base area, Okemo Valley Nordic Center and Willie Dunn's Grille without having to drive a car.  One- to five-bedroom condominiums may be reserved by calling Okemo Mountain Resort Properties at
1-800-78-OKEMO (786-5366).

Jackson Gore Inn, Adams House and Bixby House 
The Jackson Gore Inn combines the warmth and charm of a Vermont country inn with the accoutrements of a fine hotel. Guest rooms range in size from well appointed standard accommodations to three-bedroom suites. Most are fully equipped with all of the comforts of home including fully outfitted kitchens, stereo systems, jetted tubs, and more. Valet parking, bellman service, concierge, full-service restaurant and lounge, underground parking, health club, indoor/outdoor swimming pool, whirlpool spas and heated walkways are among the many amenities and services provided.  Call 1-800-78-OKEMO (786-5366) for reservations and information. The Adams House and Bixby House offer all the same amenities and are located slopeside along the Bright Star Basin trail.

Area Lodging 
To help guests choose the most appropriate place to stay, the Okemo Mountain Lodging Referral Service provides free, one-call reservation and referral services for a variety of country inns, bed and breakfasts, motels, hotels, condominiums and private homes within and surrounding the Okemo/Ludlow region.  Call 1-800-78-OKEMO (786-5366) or (802) 228-5579 for information.

On-Mountain Dining Options
* Okemo Clock Tower Base: Base Lodge Café, Caffé Origins bakery counter, Sitting Bull Restaurant & Bar
* Sugar House Lodge – Mid-Mountain: Sugar House Café, Smokey Jo's BBQ, Vermont Pizza Company, Carver's Deli
* Summit Lodge: Summit Café, Sky Bar, Jump Asian Cuisine
* Solitude Village: Epic, Snackbar,  Barbecue
* Jackson Gore: The Roundhouse, Siena, and Coleman Brook Tavern and Wine Room
* Okemo Valley Nordic Center: Willie Dunn's Grille
* Waffle Haus: Located across from the bottom of the Black Ridge triple chairlift

Okemo Ski + Ride School
The Okemo Ski + Ride School programs feature a staff of more than 400 teaching professionals. Private and group instruction is available for all ages and ability levels.

Children’s ski programs include: Starboosters – children as young as two-years old can participate in one-on-one, 30-minute, on-snow sessions; Mini Stars (ages 3-4), offered a la carte or as an add-on to day care; Snow Star Skiers (ages 4-7) and Snow Star Riders (ages 5-7), and Mountain Explorers (ages 7-14) for skiers and snowboarders.

First Tracks and Double Tracks introduction to skiing/snowboarding packages offer an affordable lesson, lift ticket and rental equipment package in one- or two-day options.

Women's Alpine Adventure Programs are offered exclusively for women with two- and three-day options for skiers and snowboarders. The goal of these sessions, taught by women, is to take skiing and snowboarding women to the next level in any snow conditions and on any terrain.  Participants quickly overcome fear, boost self confidence and meet new friends in a supportive and social environment.
 
Okemo also offers telemark skiing instruction.

Penguin Playground Day Care
Okemo’s state-approved Penguin Playground Day Care Center welcomes infants and children ages 6 months to 6 years and offers supervised indoor and outdoor activities in a nurturing and secure environment.  MiniStars ski program is available as an add-on for kids ages 3-4 with 60- and 90-minute sessions scheduled throughout the day.  Parents may select a convenient location at the Okemo Clock Tower base or the Jackson Gore base.  Kids’ Night Out evening care sessions are available at the Jackson Gore Day Care Center from 6-9:30 p.m. on Saturday evenings during the season.

Alpine Racing Programs
Alpine competition programs are designed with the long-term development of young athletes in mind, whether they choose the recreational competition path or shoot for national championships.  Okemo Mountain Alpine Racing Association (OMARA) members can enjoy season-long programs for youngsters starting at age 7 for Hopefuls and Hopefuls Freestyle, Development (ages 8-12), Development PG (ages 13-18), Junior 1, 2 and 3 racing (USSA competitor’s license is necessary) and Snowboarding and Freestyle Skiing (ages 8-18).  Okemo Mountain School (OMS) was founded in 1992 and is designed with the serious competitor in mind.  Students in grades 7-12 achieve both their athletic and academic goals during the winter season.  

Recreational Racing (National Standard Racing)
NASTAR is a great way to enjoy the challenge and thrill of recreational racing. The Mountain Dew Race Arena is conveniently located under the Black Ridge triple chairlift. Coin operated racing is also available.

Nordic Skiing and Snowshoeing
Okemo Valley Nordic Center is conveniently located off Rt. 103/100, between Okemo’s two alpine base areas.  The Nordic trail network features 26 km of tracked and skate-groomed cross-country trails and 10 km of dedicated snowshoe trails. The Center offers a retail shop, cross-country ski and snowshoe rentals, demos, guided tours and lessons.  The terrain is ideally suited for all ages and ability levels.  The Nordic Center features a gracious clubhouse setting with fireplace, restaurant and lounge, meeting/conference space, locker rooms and showers.

Driving Directions
Located just off Vermont Route 103/100, Okemo is easily accessible. Visitors may choose between Okemo’s original Clock Tower base area, located just north of Ludlow Village, or the Jackson Gore base area, a bit farther north off Rt. 103.

To Okemo from Points West (N.Y., N.J. or Western Mass.)
Take I-87 North to New York Exit 23, follow I-787 North to Troy, NY to Exit 9E toward Troy NY and Bennington, VT. Follow NY Route 7 East to NY Route 279 (the bypass) to VT Route 7 North to Exit 4. Take VT Route 11 East to Londonderry, VT, to VT Route 100 North approximately 15 miles to Ludlow. In Ludlow, take left on Route 100/103. Follow signs to Okemo Mountain Road, 1 mile on left.

To Okemo's Jackson Gore entrance from Points West (N.Y., N.J. or Western, Mass.)
Take I-87 North to New York Exit 23, follow I-787 North to Troy, NY to Exit 9E toward Troy NY and Bennington, VT. Follow NY Route 7 East to NY Route 279 (the bypass) to VT Route 7 North to North Clarendon, VT. Take right onto VT Route 103 South. Follow 103 South for 17.5 miles. Prior to the VT Route 100 intersection, take a right off of VT Route 103 onto Okemo Ridge Road (opposite the VFW Post on the left). Take first right off of Ridge Road and follow signs to Jackson Gore base area parking, or to the Jackson Gore Inn.

From Rutland, Vt.
Take VT Route 7 South to North Clarendon, VT. Take left onto VT Route 103 South. Follow 103 South for 17.5 miles. Prior to the VT Route 100 intersection, take a right off of VT Route 103 onto Okemo Ridge Road (opposite the VFW Post on the left). Follow signs to Jackson Gore base area parking, or to the Jackson Gore Inn.
 
From points North
Take VT Route 100 South from Plymouth, VT. At VT Route 103 intersection in Ludlow, take right onto Route 103 North. Take immediate left onto Okemo Ridge Road. Okemo's Jackson Gore entry sign will be on your right. Follow signs to Jackson Gore base area parking, or to the Jackson Gore Inn.

From points South
Take I-91 North to Vermont Exit 6, then VT 103 North, 24 miles to Ludlow. Mountain Road entrance is on the left.

From points East
Take I-89 to New Hampshire Exit 9, then NH 103 West to VT 131 West to VT 103 North, 2 miles to Ludlow. Okemo Access Road Entrance is on your left. Or, as an alternate from Boston, take MA 2 West to I-91 North to Vermont Exit 6, then VT 103 North, 24 miles to Ludlow. Mountain Road entrance is on the left.

Airline Service      
Service is available through Albany, N.Y.; Boston, Mass.; Burlington, Vt.; Hartford, Conn.; Lebanon, N.H.; Manchester, N.H. and Rutland, Vt.  Carriers servicing gateway airports include American Airlines, Continental, Southwest, jetBlue, Delta, US Airways Express operated by Colgan Air into West Lebanon, N.H., and Cape Air, servicing Rutland, Vt.

Rail Service 
Passenger train service is available through AMTRAK on the Ethan Allen Express passenger train from New York City’s Penn Station to Rutland, Vt. 1-800-USA-RAIL.