It’s a Macaroni Family Travel shout-out to Okemo Mountain Resort in Vermont's Green Mountains. One of the few major resorts that remains family-owned and operated, it is the personal touch of proprietors Tim and Diane Mueller the makes this resort is a family favorite.
Two base areas, varied terrain and a considered mountain layout offer lots of options off of virtually any lift. Okemo boasts a full ski and boarding school with plenty of choices as well as daycare for ages six months to four years. It is East Coast family skiing at its very best.
Over the past few years, Okemo has worked hard to expand its off-mountain activities as well with ice skating, snow tubing, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, indoor swimming at the Spring House, year-round indoor golf and new this year, an alpine coaster which is seriously, seriously fun.
Okemo works hard to make skiing accessible to families and invites kids 6 and under to ski free, kids 12 and under to stay free at the Jackson Gore Inn and young adults ages 13-18 to take advantage of special discount tickets.
And with a slew of special events coming up, this spring is a great time to visit Okemo. How ‘bout:- March 15: Canadian Week Scavenger Hunt. Okemo celebrates its friend to the North with a Canadian Week Scavenger Hunt. Ten red maple leafs will be hidden somewhere along Okemo's easy, green-circle trails. When skiers and riders return one to the Jackson Gore Real Estate Desk at the Clocktower Base, they win a special prize bag filled with goodies.
- March 17: The Killarney St. Patrick's Day Shamrock Scavenger Hunt and Apres Ski Party. Ten shamrocks will be hidden along Okemo's trails. When kids find one and bring it back to the Clocktower Base Lodge Ski + Ride School desk, they win a special prize bag filled with goodies. And for mom and dad, a St. Patrick's Day Party sponsored by Guinness with special musical guests.
- March 27: Joey Jam. Okemo's tongue-in-cheek celebration of all things Joey. Known as Gapers, Front Rangers or other regional monikers, in the Northeast it's the Joey who provides skiers and riders with endless hours of entertainment with his bravado and ubiquitous sense of style. Joeys will be required to ski or ride an easy jump and a box. Big points are awarded for costume and attitude. Registration is limited to the first 50 adults and 20 juniors. A $20 entry fee is all it takes to vie for the grand prize - the ultimate sweet Joey ride - last year it was an '89 Camero!
- April 1: April Fool Food Drive. It's no joke! Donate a minimum of three nonperishable food items and ski or ride on April Fools Day, Thursday, April 1, for $10. All donations go to local food banks.
- April 2 - Okemo Slush Cup. Costume-clad Slush Cup competitors schuss toward an 80-foot-long slushy pond and try to make it across without falling in. It's a chilly spring dip for those who don't make it. Open to the first 125 participants. Entry fee is $20. Participants win fabulous prizes in various categories. Registration starts at 8 a.m. and the pond skimming starts at 11 a.m.
- April 2: Splash for Cash. Skiers and riders go big and get wet! A kicker built at the edge of the Slush Cup pond will provide contestants with a launch pad to make a big splash. Best freestyle tricks and biggest splashes will win top honors. Two age category winners will split the registration fees and go home with some soggy cash in their pockets! Contestants can register for both the Splash for Cash and the Slush Cup for only $30. Splash for Cash starts at 1 p.m.
- April 3: Okemo's Annual Easter Egg Hunt. At Okemo's annual Easter Egg Hunt, the trails are littered with colored eggs stuffed with prizes, including certificates for breakfast at The Hatchery - but there's only one oversized Golden Egg hidden on one of Okemo's trails. The lucky bunny who finds the golden egg wins a pair of skis or a snowboard.
