Okemo...Not worth your time
Written: Feb 28 '02
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Product Rating:
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Pros: grooming, low-intermediate terrain
Cons: crowds, no challenge, small, southern exposure, snow quality
The Bottom Line: While Okemo has some decent intermediate terrain it lacks too much to make it worthwhile for most skiers.
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| jclark2's Full Review: Okemo |
My recent trip to Okemo was the first time i had ever visited the central Vermont resort. I also expect it to be my last. This mountain disappointed me in just about every aspect.
We did hit some bad luck with the weather, something completely out of the resort management's control. It has rained a day or two before. It then proceeded to warm up to about 45 degrees during the day for the next several days but hit the teens at night. This led to all of the expert terrain to be iced over and closed. The slopes that were groomed deteriorated rapidly in the intense sun. Because Okemo faces south it gets more sun than most Vermont resorts. Because of this by 10:30 am every trail was all slush and by 4 pm was completely unpleasant to ski. Not only that but bare spots were also quite prevalant on the mountain, usually not on the trails but still unpleasant to look at.
If that was all I had to complain about I could rate Okemo highly, unfortunately the terrain itself was quite lacking. I'll get to that in a second. First I'll cover Okemo's beginner terrain. of what i saw Okemo definitely would be an excellent beginner's mountain. There is a large beginner area at the bottom of the mountain with its own quad lift. Also at the bottom of the mountain there is a beginner terrain park, an interesting idea that few resorts have implemented. Unfortunately this area was the slushiest of any on the mountain.
I would rate Okemo as an excellent intermediate mountain. In fact, I would say that almost any intermediate could ski every single trail on this very limited mountain. The blues are essentially flat, yet impeccably groomed. The blacks are groomed just as well and are not at all steep. most would rate only a blue at even a mountain like Stratton, not exactly an expert's haven in its own right. I would go so far as to say that some would rate a green in the west. This all provides for excellent low-intermediate skiing. The south face side definitely has good cruising terrain for this skier, as well as long blacks that would be no challenge. The only true problem with the terrain for this skier is that most people fit this category and Okemo's being a small mountain forces huge crowds onto these trails.
For the intermediate and advanced skier Okemo has very little to offer. This skier will be bored from the outset. i honestly did not see one trail that would truly challenge this level of skier. I cannot comment on the double-diamond trails because they were closed. based on the rest of the mountain i suspect they may be good for an advanced skier, however, there are only 4 or 5 of them.
For the true expert Okemo is a complete waste of time. The only thing to do at Okemo is the terrain park. None of the trails would challenge an expert. I imagine almost any other mountain in the world would be steeper. Jiminy Peak in Massachusetts would be a better choice for a NYC skier or Boston skier.
We stayed at the Winterplace Condos. These were essentially ski-in/Ski-out. Excellent location right on the slopes. The condos were large 3 bedrooms and comfortably furnished. Full kitchen's VCR, some had DVD players. If you decide to go to Okemo I definitely would recommend the Winterplace condos. We ate in the condo both nights so I can't comment on the area restaraunts but I didn't get the impression there was much in Ludlow.
Recommended:
No
Level of Experience Needed: Intermediate
Best Time to Visit: Never
Best Suited For: Families
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Epinions.com ID:
jclark2
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Location: New Rochelle, NY
Reviews written: 8
Trusted by: 3 members
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