Outdoor enthusiasts can try all kinds of thrilling activities at the well-equipped Okemo Mountain Resort. Come in winter for alpine skiing and snowboarding across a vast network of trails that spans five mountain areas. Bring your clubs in summer and play a few rounds at the two 18-hole championship golf courses. Expect incredible mountain scenery no matter when you visit.
Strap on your skis and explore the 121 trails. Take your pick from the 20 lifts in the resort area, which include three high-speed quads, a four-person high-speed bubble chair and a six-person bubble chair with heated seats. The resort caters to all levels of skiers and snowboarders, with around 30 percent of its trails suited to intermediates, and the rest almost evenly split between novices and advanced.
Glide down a gentle gradient on a beginner slope. If you’re feeling brave, hurtle down the highest vertical drop in Southern Vermont. Practice tricks at the AMP Energy Superpipe and at some of the resort’s terrain parks. If you don't ski or snowboard, try snowshoeing, ice skating, snowtubing or guided snowmobile tours instead.
In summer, ride a mountain roller coaster and overcome obstacle courses in the resort’s Adventure Zone. Ziplining, mountain biking and Segway tours are also available. During sunny weather, the resort’s two 18-hole championship golf courses are a good way to spend an afternoon, as is the miniature golf course. For something more high energy, go climbing or bungee trampolining.
After a tough day of hard physical exercise, soothe aching muscles in Spring House Pool and Fitness Centre. Sweat it out in the sauna and relax in the hot tub, and let the kids splash around in the children’s pool. Arrange to have a massage or spa treatment, or drive up your heart rate with fitness classes.
At dinner time, choose from several on- and off-mountain dining options. For a sweet treat, order some waffles drizzled with syrup from the cabin near the Jackson Gore base area.
The Okemo Mountain Resort is located in Ludlow, Vermont, a 2-hour drive from Burlington and Albany airports. Buy a wristband to enter the Adventure Zone in summer or a lift pass to access trails in winter.