For release at will
Winter 2007/2008
Contact: Bonnie MacPherson, director of public relations
Okemo Mountain Resort | 77 Okemo Ridge Road | Ludlow, VT 05149
802-228-1947 | bmacpherson@okemo.com
CUTTING EDGE INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMS
FOR KIDS - AN OKEMO SPECIALTY
LUDLOW, Vt. – By consistently evaluating programs and services, Okemo Mountain Resort continues to improve its children’s instructional programming, allowing participants to reach their true potential through encouragement and accomplishment. At Okemo, the difference is confidence. For children as young as six-months old, Okemo offers the Penguin Playground Day Care centers and children as young as two-years old can participate in one-on-one, 30-minute on-snow sessions.
Most families begin their day at Okemo’s Cutting Edge Learning Center. It’s the one-stop shop for any skiing or snowboarding instructional need. Okemo's teaching pros know how to get everyone in the family skiing and snowboarding with confidence – particularly the younger members of the family. The Learning Center’s unique and personal teaching approach is combined with the use of the latest in equipment technology. Okemo’s award-winning children’s programs accomplish two very important goals – they provide fun, exciting and valuable learning experiences for kids, and they allow parents to enjoy themselves, knowing that their children are being instructed and supervised by professionals. With two convenient locations offering identical programming, parents may establish their ski day hub at Okemo’s Clock Tower base area or the Jackson Gore base area.
GROUP INSTRUCTION FOR KIDS
First Tracks (ages 7 and up) Novices learn the basics of skiing or riding. This one-day package comes complete with two beginner group lessons, rental equipment and unlimited use of Okemo's beginner lifts. Available at 10 a.m. (11 a.m., weekends and holidays) and 1 p.m. Everyone who completes the First Tracks novice program receives Okemo’s exclusive First Tracks Plus Card for season-long savings on group lessons, rental equipment and lift tickets.
Double Tracks (ages 7 and up) The two-day beginner program allows participants to build upon the skills learned in the first day by getting students back out on the slopes for a second straight day of instruction. Double Tracks includes three lessons, with two on the first day and one on the morning of the second day. On day two, the lift ticket can be upgraded to a full-day, full-mountain ticket at no extra cost. Available at 10 a.m. (11 a.m, weekends and holidays) and 1 p.m. Everyone who completes the First Tracks or Double Tracks program receives Okemo’s exclusive First Tracks Plus Card for season-long savings on group lessons, rental equipment and lift tickets.
Group Lessons (ages 7 and up) Two hours of expert coaching for skiers and riders who have mastered the basics and are ready to ride the lifts and explore easy on-mountain terrain. Group lessons help participants gain confidence and improve their skills. Group lessons are available daily at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Ski and Snowboard Specialty Clinics (ages 7 and up) Intermediate and advanced skiers and riders may select from a variety of clinics to address specific challenges and rise to the next level. Specialty Clinics are designed to offer different options based on the terrain, speed and skill. Available daily at 10 a.m.
Ski and Snowboard Adventure Workshops (ages 7 and up) These low student-to-instructor-ratio afternoon workshops focus on theme-specific topics and trends for intermediate and advanced skiers of all ages (maximum of 3 participants). Available daily from 1 to 3 p.m.
PRIVATE INSTRUCTION FOR KIDS
Parent and Tot Private (parents and kids age 6 and under) A great way for parents to see their child explore new skills while they learn from an Okemo teaching pro, how to help their children progress when skiing or riding together. The only requirement is that parents are able to ski or snowboard at least at level three and children should be age 6 or younger.
Assigned and Requested Privates (any age) These one-hour (or more) sessions are just the thing for skiers and riders who are looking for personalized instruction to help them improve. Additional hours are available by appointment through the Cutting Edge Learning Center.
Advantage Private Lessons (8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.) This morning and afternoon private lesson option provides the perfect way to start the day with a lesson or it’s a great way to end a day on the slopes after getting warmed up. Best of all, the discounted rate makes Advantage Privates a popular choice.
SNOW STAR SKIERS AND RIDERS
Okemo’s popular Snow Stars program is offered at two locations: the Jackson Gore base area or Okemo’s Clock Tower base area – each complete with indoor center, teaching slope and multiple surface lifts. Reservations are necessary and can be made by calling (802) 228-1600.
Mini Stars (ages 3-4) Children can start learning some basic skills of skiing at an early age with this snowplay instructional program offered as an add-on to Okemo’s Penguin Playground Day Care Center or as a stand-alone session without the day care component. Children are taught by professional instructors in 60- or 90-minute sessions. Rental equipment is available at the Okemo Express Rental Shop, and parents should secure their equipment prior to check-in. Day care add-on sessions are offered: 9:30-10:30 a.m.; 10:30 a.m.-Noon; 2-3:30 p.m. Stand-alone sessions are offered: 9:30-10:30 a.m.; 10:30 a.m.-Noon; 12:30-2:30 p.m.; 2-3:30 p.m.
Snow Star Skiers (ages 4-7) An ideal program to build a base of knowledge, skill and experience so kids have fun and grow in confidence and ability. Two surface lifts access private beginner teaching slopes and as they improve, Snow Star Skiers can venture onto more challenging terrain, riding all 19 of Okemo’s lifts.
Snow Star Riders (ages 5-7) Young riders of all ability levels learn control and refine skills in these fun and exciting classes. After mastering basic skills, Snow Star Riders can advance to appropriately challenging terrain and experience the real thrill of snowboarding.
Snow Star Boosters (ages 2-7) This personalized program gives children the opportunity to spend a half-hour, one-on-one session with a trained teaching professional who can provide the individual attention needed to help make a fun introduction to the sport or encourage a child to become more confident.
"TWEENS" AND TEENS
Young Mountain Explorers (ages 7-14) YME offers a different kind of instructional experience for any ability level – one that lets kids explore Okemo’s vast terrain network and have fun with other kids of similar age and ability. Young Mountain Explorers is offered every day as a full-day program, morning lesson or afternoon lesson for all ability levels.
Young Riders (ages 7-14). Learning and fun make the perfect combination for young snowboarders. Riders explore Okemo’s variety of terrain features with top-notch teaching pros while making friends with others of similar interests and ability levels. Young Riders is offered every day as a full-day program or as a single lesson for all ability levels.
New Season-long Programs
The Program and Amplitude+ are learning options that last all season long for ages 7 to 16 with an ability level of five or better.
* The Program is a season-long snowboarding instructional program focusing on the development of skills in terrain parks, the halfpipe, and for riders with alpine recreation and competition goals. This program is offered 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., weekends and holiday periods Nov. 24 through March 16.
* Amplitude+ is a season-long program focusing on helping young athletes become ultimate, all-mountain freeskiers. Whether it is to reach competition goals or to maximize on-mountain experience, sessions include park and pipe skiing, bumps, glades and race training. This program is offered 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., weekends and holiday periods Nov. 24 through March 16.
PENGUIN PLAYGROUND DAY CARE CENTER
Day Care (ages 6 months to 6 years) Penguin Playground day care is available at two locations: the Jackson Gore base area and the Okemo base area. The environment is secure, interactive and professionally supervised in a state-licensed setting filled with activities and fun. Day Care is available in full-day or half-day sessions. Reservations are necessary and can be made by calling (802) 228-1600.
Mini Stars (ages 3-4) Morning and afternoon on-snow instruction sessions may be incorporated into the day care schedule of three- and four-year olds. Mini Stars lessons are available as an add-on to a Penguin Day Care reservation, or as a stand-alone session (without day care).
Kids’ Night Out (ages 6 months to 12 years) Evening Day Care is available from 6 to 9:30 p.m. at the Jackson Gore Penguin Playground Day Care Center. When moms and dads want to enjoy a private night out, Kids’ Night Out keeps kids entertained with fun activities and a pizza party every Saturday evening starting November 25. Evening Day Care is not offered Dec. 24 or 31. Reservations are necessary and can be made by calling (802) 228-1600.
For more information, please call 1-800-78-OKEMO (786-5366), or visit www.okemo.com.
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