Why is everyone speeding recklessly at Okemo?

[New Daddy]

My family is skiing for the first time here at Okemo.
My first impressions are very positive - true ski-in, ski-out lodging, friendly staff, nice layout, short distance from Boston, etc. - EXCEPT for the fact that everyone seems to be speeding over their limits!
Why is everyone going so fast here? Is it because every run is groomed? Is it the time of year?
I wouldn't be as concerned if these thrill-seekers were advanced skiers who could make an abrupt stop or make a sharp turn to prevent a major accident.
They are mostly beginners or intermediates at best.
I can't remember any other resort where you really have to be on the lookout every time you are traversing across a blue or black run.
I'd be really worried to send my kids alone to ski here.

 

[RISkier]

We've only skied at Okemo 1 time. Crowds, both on slope and off, were such that we've never had a real desire to return.

 

[billski]

I have not skied Okemo in a bazillion years, so I can't comment on Okemo, but I can relate a Wednesday experience which may have parallels. I took my daughter and her friend skiing at Wachusett. We plied the same green trail all day. It was groomed to perfection - wall to wall coverage, not a bump, washboard, ice patch to be found. It bordered on perfectly smooth.

I found my rather under-confident daughter skiing faster than I've ever seen her ski. Since she could let her guard down and not worry about conditions, she opened it up.

I'll suspect the grooming where you skied was also groomed to perfection.

 

[marcski]

And to think we used to call the place SlOkemo to due to the lack of any steep terrain. But, I'll have to agree with Bill on this one....it's probably due to the over groomed super smooth slopes over there.

 

[powhunter]

More seeded bumps will slow the masses down


steveo

 

[JD]

It's the timing. Rookie week all over VT. Rookies coming out to eat in the restaurants....well done tenderloin with sauce on the side...undercooked, doughy baked goods, 4 tops splitting aps, entres and desserts and camping at the tables all night like they were the king of freaking england...ah yes, the holidays....also the time of year for the tuck/snowplough combo, the unguided missle scenario that has been described here, and my favoite complaint, too much fresh snow. (maybe not this year)...Also of note, driving up rt 100 at 12 mph with the left blinker on for 8 miles...people dropping names of all the places in Europe they've skiied on the lift ride up moments before you watch them become an unguided missle on the local blue trail. One piece embroydered ski outfits on the same unguided missle. Hum Vees with free tibet stickers on the bumper doubled parked outside the local box store pick up/drop off zone......ah yes...I think I'll stay in today.

 

[billski]

It's the timing. Rookie week all over VT.

They fund your pleasure

Merry Christmas! 8)

 

[riverc0il]

It's the timing. Rookie week all over VT. Rookies coming out to eat in the restaurants....well done tenderloin with sauce on the side...undercooked, doughy baked goods, 4 tops splitting aps, entres and desserts and camping at the tables all night like they were the king of freaking england...ah yes, the holidays....also the time of year for the tuck/snowplough combo, the unguided missle scenario that has been described here, and my favoite complaint, too much fresh snow. (maybe not this year)...Also of note, driving up rt 100 at 12 mph with the left blinker on for 8 miles...people dropping names of all the places in Europe they've skiied on the lift ride up moments before you watch them become an unguided missle on the local blue trail. One piece embroydered ski outfits on the same unguided missle. Hum Vees with free tibet stickers on the bumper doubled parked outside the local box store pick up/drop off zone......ah yes...I think I'll stay in today.

And thank freaking goodness for all those folks who ski only three times a year for not a cut trail would remain in New England if not for those innocent folks seeking a good time and willing to spend out the teeth to get it.

But, on that note, I will stay in too.

 

[powhunter]

It's the timing. Rookie week all over VT. Rookies coming out to eat in the restaurants....well done tenderloin with sauce on the side...undercooked, doughy baked goods, 4 tops splitting aps, entres and desserts and camping at the tables all night like they were the king of freaking england....

LOL Dig it!!! What about changing the recipe?? Ordering an entree, and omitting the most integral ingredient....Gotta love the restaurant biz!!!

steveo

 

[tjf67]

They are having fun. That's my guess. Skiing is not a video game if you don't like the risk go sit on the couch.

 

[gmcunni]

i like to ski fast @ okemo

 

[RootDKJ]

i like to ski fast @ okemo (and everywhere else)

fify

 

[Smellytele]

Nothing to do but ski fast at Okemo.

 

[Newpylong]

One of the biggest issues I have with Okemo is everytime I actually do get some speed one of those Ambassadors or a Patroller would be waiving their arms frantically for me to slow down - and believe me, I am never out of control. When I am shelling out $75 for a ticket I will be my own judge of speeding vs in control thank you. Not my bag of a mountain that is for sure.

My family is skiing for the first time here at Okemo.
My first impressions are very positive - true ski-in, ski-out lodging, friendly staff, nice layout, short distance from Boston, etc. - EXCEPT for the fact that everyone seems to be speeding over their limits!
Why is everyone going so fast here? Is it because every run is groomed? Is it the time of year?
I wouldn't be as concerned if these thrill-seekers were advanced skiers who could make an abrupt stop or make a sharp turn to prevent a major accident.
They are mostly beginners or intermediates at best.
I can't remember any other resort where you really have to be on the lookout every time you are traversing across a blue or black run.
I'd be really worried to send my kids alone to ski here.

 

[JD]

Perhaps Vemont is an economy based on frequents by human projectiles on skis.

 

[abc]

Why is everyone going so fast here? Is it because every run is groomed? Is it the time of year?

Time of year, my guess.

This is the time of year when "families" come out to ski together. That probably includes members who may ONLY ski this week for the whole season!

Aside from less-skilled skiers, even those who're better skilled are probably out on their first day of the season, still getting their ski legs back.

The "perfect grooming" may also contribute to the faster skiing.

 

[Philpug]

I just skied Okemo the past two days, I will say that the conditions were conducive to fast skiing, great snow and when the the dust on top got moved around the "pack" was very edge able. Very well, I was one of those people skiing fast, I was testing some early 10-11 skis and was trying to find the speed limit and couldn't. When I wasn't skiing at mach speed, I was playing in the seeded pumps on Sel's.

 

[snoseek]

It's the timing. Rookie week all over VT. Rookies coming out to eat in the restaurants....well done tenderloin with sauce on the side...undercooked, doughy baked goods, 4 tops splitting aps, entres and desserts and camping at the tables all night like they were the king of freaking england...ah yes, the holidays.

You are almost as bitter as I am.....8)

All the same stuff you see on almost any Saturday night, pretend foodies who want to write their own clever little menu. Private clubs this shit goes on every night. F##ckers need to get a life or learn how to cook. Don't even get me started on the complete utter b.s. that is allergies. I'm convinced 80% of these are complete lies from hypochondiacs 20% real deal.

Also when these people wait in line for an hour, they get all butthurt when their food takes a half-hour. Thursday nights are such a different experience, I never understood what's so damn hard to figure out about this.


thanks I feel sooooo much better.....

 

[Highway Star]

I hit 60+ mph multiple times on skyeburst this morning and can assure you there were no problems with people whizzing by me......

 

[SKIQUATTRO]

Bluekemo..what else is there to do but ski fast....all groomed for the folks that dont like to ski in the snow.....famous chairlift quote at okemo i was witness to as it started dumping on the way up (lady to her husband: "UHHHHHHHHH snow, i hate skiing in the snow"........