Conditions will Vary ---Okemo

[skidmarks]

Had to work this weekend so I skied Sundown on Sunday Morning. Conditions were great except for the seeded bumps (rink ice). I'm hearing that Mt Snow is skiing well and when I skied Stratton last Wed it was very good. Reports are that Bromley was good on Saturday too. We've had great snowmaking weather
for a while now after that nasty rain event.

This is what I find strange.
My better half was up at Okemo Saturday and Sunday and said it was like skiing in NJ back in the 80's.
Okemo home of "Guns and Hoses" and "best groomed in the east" has horrible conditions during prime time? Does anyone know what going on up there? I find skiing at Okemo very bland but they always have had great snow.

 

[roark]

I've always felt okemo has the most overrated snowmaking and grooming in the east. Can't say I've been there lately tho

 

[Talisman]

Okemo is very popular and gets a crowd which skis off the groomed to the icy hard park quickly. I also think Okemo has cut back on the snow making this year compared to the past. Since the crowds still come may be this is the time to maximize profits.

 

[deadheadskier]

Okemo is very popular and gets a crowd which skis off the groomed to the icy hard park quickly. I also think Okemo has cut back on the snow making this year compared to the past. Since the crowds still come may be this is the time to maximize profits.

definitely could be the case. Might have something to do with the change in ownership. I realize the Meullers still run the place, but they might have certain profit expectations from CNL and the snowmaking budget might have been cut.

I grew up skiing Okemo. Skied there 50+ times a year from 86-94. Always thought the surface back then was the best around for groomed terrain. Perhaps times have changed. Only been there a handful of times since and not at all in the past 10 years.

 

[jaywbigred]

I've always felt okemo has the most overrated snowmaking and grooming in the east. Can't say I've been there lately tho

I probably have 7 or 8 ski days there in the last 3 or 4 years, and I agree with Roark. Imo, they do not approach the snowmaking or grooming of Mt Snow, Stratton, or Kmart. I think the crowds are to blame.

I do always appreciate that they have bumps set up though, whereas e.g. Stratton often does not. I'll take an icy mountain with a handful of good bump runs over a well groomed mountain with none.

 

[Newpylong]

I think the amount of terrain that they cover - percentage wise covered with snowmaking is top notch - up there with Sunday River. But I also agree that the surface leaves much to be desired. I often wonder if they expand so fast that they never build a decent base or resurface. That is what it seems at least.