I guess not everyone loathes Okemo...

[Greg]

http://news.alpinezone.com/24392/

Good for them. And good for the industry! :flag:

 

[bobbutts]

grooming and snowmaking sell, that's pretty clear.

their lack of steep terrain is only a drawback for the fringe

 

[drjeff]

By far and away the masses would rather have 8 lane wide buffed super highways to cruise on than trees and bumps!

Given the overall great ski weather this season so far, and great conditions on the 4 big holiday periods (Turkey day, x-mas/new years week, MLK weekend, and now Pres weekend) it really wouldn't suprise me at all if come May or so when the full season numbers come out to hear that an all time skier/rider visit record was set for the Northeast this year.

 

[Zand]

Resort officials attribute the record-breaking day and year-to-date increases to favorable weather patterns and Okemo's positive reputation for snowmaking, grooming and customer service.

...And they also attribute that to Killington. Figured I'd fill it in for them.

 

[2knees]

...And they also attribute that to Killington. Figured I'd fill it in for them.

while you're probably correct, isnt the pass for okemo still more then the blackout pass killington offered this year. Or very similar at least? the only thing that will keep me away from killington is the price of their day ticket. $76. I usually dont think twice about the cost of tickets but $76 for killington is a bit much. Granted, i have had asc gift cards for 5 years until this year so i never paid attention to what a Mt Snow or killington ticket actually cost. I paid 49 for okemo with the harpoon discount. Any my legs thanked my liver for that contribution.

 

[roark]

isnt the pass for okemo still more then the blackout pass killington offered this year. Or very similar at least?

If bought early the okemo/stratton/sunapee was priced comparably to the Mt Snow blackout pass. Less than K (although they still hadn't released pricing at that point).

 

[deadheadskier]

I certainly don't loath Okemo, though the only reason I'd head back was for nostalgia purposes. My folks had a home there for 15 years and Okemo was my high school's home mountain. I've probably skied there 500+ days and managed to have fun. Though 90% of that fun was skiing bumps on one trail - Sel's Choice.

If all your interested in is consistently excellent grooming and snowmaking on low intermediate terrain, Okemo IMHO is the best mountain in the east. I'd rate it better than Sunday River and Stratton in these areas.

It honestly wouldn't suprise me if Okemo finishes this season number 1 in skier visits in the east with the massive fall off in visits I've heard at Killington. Another factor to consider is that Okemo is well set up for summer business. I don't think a resort in the east of it's size exists so close to great boating as Okemo. It's literally 4 miles from the boat launch of Lake Rescue to downtown Ludlow. That was a big factor in my folks decision to buy there.

The reality is that the collective opinion of Azers for what constitutes a great area; steeps, bumps, trees, classic trails, abundant natural snowfall that isn't groomed often; represents maybe what 10% of the skiing public thinks is a great mountain.

 

[SKIQUATTRO]

Blukemo is in close proximity to major metro areas..the local area has the infrastructure to support crowds (hotels/gas/restaurants etc) Okemo caters to the Westchester/Greenwich type clientel....nothing wrong with that, they are using what they were naturally given and are doing a great job. Its just not the place I want to ski (or my wife) not only terrain wise, we prefer steep, ungroomed, glades etc, classic narrow winding New England trails really only found in N VT (Smuggs, Stowe etc) ...the demo and type of rider/skiier is totally different btwn S VT and N VT...totally differnt vibe...its all good, i'm not knocking one or the other, just saying we prefer the harder skiier mtn and vibe than the resorts with the fluff...

 

[deadheadskier]

Blukemo is in close proximity to major metro areas..the local area has the infrastructure to support crowds (hotels/gas/restaurants etc) Okemo caters to the Westchester/Greenwich type clientel....nothing wrong with that, they are using what they were naturally given and are doing a great job. Its just not the place I want to ski (or my wife) not only terrain wise, we prefer steep, ungroomed, glades etc, classic narrow winding New England trails really only found in N VT (Smuggs, Stowe etc) ...the demo and type of rider/skiier is totally different btwn S VT and N VT...totally differnt vibe...its all good, i'm not knocking one or the other, just saying we prefer the harder skiier mtn and vibe than the resorts with the fluff...

agreed

 

[Highway Star]

" As of Feb. 17, skier visits for the season were 38 percent ahead of last year. "

Anybody else notice that???

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

That's awesome for Okemo..last season got off to such a shitty start..I know they had downloading Thanksgiving weekend last year at Okemo and this year there were about 30 runs open that weekend..I think most VT areas will see double digit skier visit increases over last season..hopefully that will translate into more ski area improvements..

 

[Hawkshot99]

It was a good weekend all around. On Sunday Jiminey Peak had there best single day ever with 5,548 visits. Do not know the numbers for the entire weekend though.

 

[Mikey1]

It's true Okemo does not get a lot of love here, but the place does have some interesting trees and some nice seeded bump runs. You just need to know where to look and be able to navigate the crowds. Most of the rest of the mountain is a cruisers paradise with excellent snowmaking and grooming. It is what it is.

 

[billski]

not here

Clearly Okemo doesn't get a good rap here. In general the outspoken minority of this board don't fit the target demographic. Besides, we're too damn cheap.

If I had my choice (and I do) between Okemo and Bretton Woods, I'd take BW, but only because it is less crowded. They both pitch "convenience" to the suburban crowd. BW used to pitch it as "low stress skiing."

Once you have kids and try to take a wad of them to a ski resort for a few days, you'll appreciate why "convenience" and "low stress" are so important. It is a major hassle to juggle all the equipment of a family from those whose kids cannot take care of themselves or older kids who just want mom and dad's money.

For the resort that can make it easier for families to ski, those families will often pay the extra to take some of the stress out of THEIR lives.

Before we flame, we have to realize there are different slopes for different strokes.... Areas that choose to target their market are smart. they are making best use of their investments.

What thee, the el-cheapo, hard-core skier (or me the wannabe) needs to do is recognize this and formulate your strategy based on the strengths of each area. I would never consider Okemo on the weekend. But give me a midweek day, if I'm in the mood to cruise and carve, that might suit the bill perfectly.

Lastly, there are many, many people who fit those demographics who lurk on this forum. They remain silent because they know they'll get crap. Only the very thick-skinned were speaking up. And frankly, THAT JUST AIN'T FAIR, SIR!

I remember a discussion last year when I suggested the forum was acting exclusive. The bottom line response was, "hey, if I haven't experience it (motherhood, fatherhood, old age, etc.) I haven't anything to say about it." True and valid point. Since we've worked harder to draw out a diversity of interests (and be respectful of all), the group has become much wider-ranging and much more inclusive. My kudos to the yackity-yackers.

I can find warts on even my favorite areas - every area has it's core value and that's what we have to find. But look at the thread about what areas others have been exposed to because of AZ. That is very telling, and very important. Never underestimate the impact of your remark. Remember, we're 2.5% of the US population, that's it!

I'm off my soapbox now. I have to take my meds

 

[deadheadskier]

Point blank......this success illustrates what I said in another thread a while back as to what is the best run, most succesful ski area in the Northeast and I replied Okemo.

It's no longer my cup of tea, but Okemo should be without question, the model for success in terms of a ski area targeting a market demand, exceeding that demand's expectation and thriving. There isn't a single mountain in the east that has consistently done a better job than Okemo over the past 25 years at this. Sunday River somewhat comes close, but they certainly took their lumps during the latter years of the ASC regime. Every single ski area has had their ups and downs over this time, while Okemo has just kept growing and steadily chugging along with their operation.

I started skiing Okemo at 9 years old. They had just installed the Black Out triple and North west summit triple and had one quad up the base. I feel lucky that year they still had one killer poma lift that went up what is now Jolly Giant. From 9 to 18 I watched them expand and modernize with massive terrain and lift expansions. Every year they did something to make the place appreciably better than the last. How many other areas can say that over a decade, nevermind 30 years?

I haven't skied there since I was 22, but still have followed the progress, especially in college as the Meullers son was in my classes. Since that time, the addition of Sunapee and Crested Butte; the dissappointment of the non Steamboat Sale; Tim and Diane Mueller have done a better job than arguably any ski operator in the country over the past 25 years at building quality products.

I'm no fan of Okemo, but that's only because of the physical terrain and snowfall it offers. That said, if I were to somehow acquire a ski area tomorrow, the Muellers would be the FIRST people I'd call to ask to run it. Nobody does it better....

 

[Geoff]

The success of Okemo is linked to population demographics. The obesity rate in adults has grown from 15% in 1980 to 32.9% in 2004. With modern equipment, you can be completely out of shape and still have a good time cruising the blues. Groomed intermediate terrain sells.

 

[artooman]

My wife and I ski Okemo on occasion with another couple. The ladies like it for their easy blacks and good cruising. The men can find a little bit of fun on Sel's Choice and the "double blacks" on the leftmost peak. Bottom line: it is a good compromise for us since the ladies are not quite as hardcore (yet) as the men. After dragging the women to Jay (not as friendly for blue cruising), we have to give them a reason to like skiing again.

Plus, it is pretty close to Worcester, MA (bit more than 2 hours).

Gokemo! 8)

 

[ckofer]

Blukemo is in close proximity to major metro areas..the local area has the infrastructure to support crowds (hotels/gas/restaurants etc) Okemo caters to the Westchester/Greenwich type clientel....nothing wrong with that, they are using what they were naturally given and are doing a great job. Its just not the place I want to ski (or my wife) not only terrain wise, we prefer steep, ungroomed, glades etc, classic narrow winding New England trails really only found in N VT (Smuggs, Stowe etc) ...the demo and type of rider/skiier is totally different btwn S VT and N VT...totally differnt vibe...its all good, i'm not knocking one or the other, just saying we prefer the harder skiier mtn and vibe than the resorts with the fluff...

I guess I am guilty of picking on Okemo here. I was just disappointed with its lack of challenge. I, for whatever reason, expected a Sunday River experience. If their business plan works for them, well that's great. I don't listen to top 40 either. On the other hand, I'm still feeling the vibe of my first trip to MRG. :wink: . I've got Wildcat, Cannon and Ragged within easy reach, I'll be fine. I might consider taking my board there.

I should give them credit for a very nice Sunday deal for NH & VT folks: open till 2 pm for $29.

(ps one of my Greenwich CT college buddies loves Okemo)

 

[deadheadskier]

I guess I am guilty of picking on Okemo here. I was just disappointed with its lack of challenge. I, for whatever reason, expected a Sunday River experience. If their business plan works for them, well that's great. I don't listen to top 40 either. On the other hand, I'm still feeling the vibe of my first trip to MRG. :wink: . I've got Wildcat, Cannon and Ragged within easy reach, I'll be fine. I might consider taking my board there.

I should give them credit for a very nice Sunday deal for NH & VT folks: open till 2 pm for $29.

(ps one of my Greenwich CT college buddies loves Okemo)

That's a very good analogy. Okemo is very much a top 40 ski area.

I think of areas such as Stratton, Mount Snow, Killington, Loon, Sunday River in the same light, though some of those do offer decent challenge. The overall vibe is very much top 40 though and I prefer the less Top 40 mountains.

There somewhat is a definite parallel between the music I like and the ski areas I love. Wildcat, Sugarloaf, Sugarbush, Jay, MRG, Stowe (though to a lesser extent) are kind of deadhead mountains :lol:

 

[ckofer]

I haven't been to Stowe either but the snow looks great. Is it a bit more Bruce Hornsby?

Also, I hold Killington in a somewhat different regard. I have been there primarily for spring skiing and the vibe is pretty good there for that.