Mountain Review: Okemo, Vermont

[@ejr5480]

Tell us about when they hired Tonoto as their marketing guy. He would say, Okemosabe! You know, like on the Lone Ranger! 😂😂😂😂😂

[@easternyellowjacket276]

Excellent review, as always. Years ago, Okemo was right up there in snowmaking and was an intermediate cruisers dream. I hit it several times when I was in college during the week on powder days and it was fun, though not very steep. It always was a busy mountain during the weekends and I would avoid it. In fact, almost all eastern resorts are a zoo during weekends and holidays. If you have the ability, being a mid week skier is the best approach both economically and for enjoyment. Okemo seems to hit the sweet spot for its intermediate terrain, location, and mountain size. Plus it has always had tons of lodging. At least as far back as I can remember. It seems somewhat suicidal for management to reduce snowmaking, as the resort is skied out after busy weekends.

[@StarHawk_]

Love these videos. Keep it up!

[@PeakRankings]

Thank you so much!

[@wilsonloureiro4289]

if you go up the magic carpet next to the slow lifts at the bottom you can get to the lift that takes you to the south face very fast and skip all lines

[@briankennedy9040]

Seems like a honest review. Nicely done.

[@PeakRankings]

Thank you!

[@skipglobal1305]

This is a very fair and honest review. A few things to note: 1) That rocky "cliff" shown at 8:50 of the video is on White Lighting. While visiting last week, we took the trail and they had blown a prodigious amount of snow and groomed it. We found it to be a really fun trail, (albeit lacking boasting rights as they've downgraded the rating from double-black to single-black. LOL) 2) We find that the trails going through the housing to be fun, if only just to dream about owning one of those chalets. 3) Yes, the mountain isn't very challenging, but we find it perfect now that we are old fogies.

[@gilbertdubay6297]

Okemo is a fun day!!

[@nacho-man1063]

Thank you for visiting east-coast, You always do a great job describing every resort. I hope you keeps adding more east-coast mountains. How about Mont Sainte Anne Quebec.

[@PeakRankings]

Thank you Adolfo! We're adding more Vermont and Maine resorts in the coming weeks, and we'll try to make it to Quebec next season!

[@nacho-man1063]

@@PeakRankings thank you!!

[@TheMohawkTrucker]

I would love to see you guys to do reviews in Quebec that’s my ski area some recommendations of hills to do would be Mont Rigaud Mont saint Bruno Mont habitant mont Olympia saint sauveur Bromont and treblant

[@bruschi8148]

Haven't been to okemo since 2019 but always enjoyed it mid week

[@tylernadeau2831]

Cannot wait for your jay review

[@-gg8342]

This is where I grew up. Every Wednesday we went skiing for gym class. Some of the best grooming and consistency.

[@IgobylotsOfnamesorsomething]

Skiing for gym class?!?

[@aaronmcinnes2431]

Love the vids‼️ You should review Jay Peak, it’s my favorite mountain in Vermont

[@PeakRankings]

Thank you! Jay Peak written review is coming in the next few months, and the video will follow shortly after!

[@razorbear4222]

I’m excited, I’d say I’m upper intermediate, skied most blacks at breck and probably half when I went to park city but really struggled on moguls so to me most trails not having them is a plus

[@lucianagranstrand7803]

I love Okemo!!

[@carterfan80]

More east coast reviews. Wildcat, Attitash, Cranmore, Black Mountain and other mountains are all close to each other. You can cover 3 or 4 mountains in one long weekend... NY and Mass are numbers two and five respectively in total skiers per state! Ski the East!

[@PeakRankings]

More Vermont, Maine, and New York reviews will be up soon!

[@bobl6139]

Only one you listed worth reviewing is cannon

[@alexioshjkl6170]

will we ever get some reviews for new hampshire resorts

[@PeakRankings]

Sadly, we were not able to fit any NH resorts into our schedule last season. Written reviews will hopefully come for summer 2023, with videos following shortly after!

[@TreeGlader]

So here I go almost a year after this was posted. I’m a guy that grew up in skiing in the 2010s from westchester county, and would go skiing in Vermont typically between 10 and 14 days a year during school breaks. Basically every single one of those trips were to okemo, from like 2013-2020. Lines were fine, but I honestly don’t mind taking slow lifts to avoid long holiday lines, such as glades peak and green ridge. But, glades peak only ran like idk maybe 2 or 3 days a week, as well as green ridge. Then when vail bought it, originally it was thought that it’s vail they have money snowmaking capacity will improve, that didn’t happen, then with the epic pass it got even more crowded, and the food quality at the lodges significantly decreased. I’ve skied at killington on breaks since then, because of those reasons, and there’s also just more for me to ski there and the food is just better.

[@Bookasaurus]

I went to Sunday River in Maine a year and a half ago and really enjoyed it. It’s worth the trip if you can make it there

[@PeakRankings]

Our Sunday River written review will be out soon, and a video is also in the works!

[@ethanhcomposer]

Honestly it’d be great if you did a Whistler video review, it looks like a great mountain!

[@PeakRankings]

Hope is to get the footage this upcoming season!

[@johnsmeith3913]

Was a great mountain 10 years ago, now it has some of the most consistently long lift lines on the continent and due to warming temperatures, the bottom 30% of the bottom is largely unskiabke outside of February, where it’s just pure slush with the constant Bc rain

[@LifeProducersofNewJerseyLLC]

Its a better mountain than Killington in that Killington is not completely open all season with the popular 5-10 mile trail usually closed, yet Okemo usually has most of the mountain open even with just one or two chair lifts working. Okemo is also good for northern winds, so while Killington has to close lifts because of the wind, Okemo usually has no wind, and lifts run normal with more mountain to ski. Okemo is also just 30 minutes away from Killington.

[@mtadams2009]

I am season pass holder at Killington and have for decades. I keep hearing about all these wind delays but those are rare. As far as terrain goes it's not even close. Okemo is great for beginners and intermediates and that is about it. Killington blows snow nonstop. For beginners and intermediates Okemo is a very nice place. Killington has much more terrain and variety. We have a nickname for Okemo, we call it the parking lot because it's so flat. If its windy at Killiington ski Bear Mountain, no wind and much better terrain than Okemo.

[@Skiingforlife]

Love the reviews. I find Killington to be better. Also, it would be awesome to do a Sunday River or Sugarloaf review

[@PeakRankings]

Thank you! Sunday River and Sugarloaf written reviews are on the way in the coming weeks, and a Sunday River video review is also in the pipeline!

[@adrienguinebertiere]

best resorts in he east

[@fortyozsteak]

east coast skiing sucks so bad

[@Skiingforlife]

@@fortyozsteak we r born from ice and can ski on just about anything. East coast skiing is amazing and full of people who care about the sport of skiing not the snow quality

[@fortyozsteak]

@@Skiingforlife cool I grew up skiing in Vermont but it still sucks

[@Bgeorge430]

Don’t go here early in the season on the weekends. Not every trail is open, and what is gets skied out very quick by the Epic hoards

[@JasonTaylor-po5xc]

I'd love to get a round up of the best "beginner/learner-friendly" ski resorts in the country. I'm from Florida, so we will need to fly somewhere regardless. I have skied Winterplace (near Beckley, WV) when I lived in Charlotte, NC and I learned to ski at Ski Apache in New Mexico when I lived in west Texas. Now that I have a family that also wants to learn to ski, I am considering my options. We took one trip to Keystone last year. While the bunny slopes were great - the main green slope (Schoolmarm) is really like a WV blue - so it is a significant jump from the bunny slope to a Keystone green. This year, we are looking at Breck based on some recommendations for the base of peak 9 having nice greens, but I'm very concerned about overwhelming crowds since we have limited times to go (school aged kids) - specifically mid-March for Spring Break.

[@eightball123]

Awesome video! Is a Stowe review coming up anytime soon?

[@PeakRankings]

If we can get the footage, hopefully next season!

[@arthurmaull7542]

Went here once and it was so incredibly crowded with kids that I will never go back.

[@mrford1636]

The Snow in Wilmington/Dover area where Mt Snow is gets more Snow then most northern mountains in Vermont. Mt Snow is in the southern Snow belt. We get a lot of Lake effect Snow as well

[@Island_Line_Rail_Productions]

4:08 Green Mountain Division on the Vermont Rail System. Ex Rutland Railroad.

[@pinkqueen.9]

Okemo is awesome!!! People who agree 👇

[@GoofyVirginian630]

I'm going here soon

[@MrMasterNorris]

I like this mountain but crowds can suck

[@WildManDanWMD]

Okemo is top rate, best jn the area. I moved to the area and built a home in 2000. I have learned a lot about the area in that time. UPDATE:. Traveling 91 N or S? Avoid Chester speed traps. 30 in a 25 zone! Where's the fire, bubba? You get to see the new cells at the megaplex police station with the garage mahal!! Courtesy of the taxpayers of Chester. Like all states where the tourism industry is a major part of the economy, there are ways the state will put a thumb on the scale, to help business. The 91 signs do not point you to the best route but rather to a tourist,speed trap called Chester on 103. Get closer off 91 at exit 8 Ascutney, Windsor. Take 131W to 103N. Why go South when Okemo is North. To go to Vermont country store? Where you turn niknaks over and they say made in China. Don't miss the Ludlow historic mansion on Castle hill. Castle resort and spa. Incredible rooms with a fireplace. A restaurant. A spa. $$ After the railroad tracks, look up on the right. A visit and tour is always welcomed. The menu is full of the best in Vermont fresh from the farm. Rack of lamb is my favorite. Service is first rate. If hungry for pub food, check out Tom's loft food and spirits. Great pub food. Locals favorite no tourist prices. At the base of Okemo mountain. Okemo mountain is not the biggest but the overall experience, conditions, amenities are better than many. I certainly can't think of what they are missing.

[@ThirdEyePerspective1111]

I can't justify going to Okemo, when Killington is basically right down the road and so much better.

[@meditation-q4n]

Could you do a review for the summit at Snoqualmie and Alpental in Washington?

[@ella_mary]

Sels choice is a great mogul run that is almost always has moguls (usually a bit later into the season)I agree that the lines and base lodge lifts are quite a problem after the resort has been bought buy vail. But I still think that okemo is a great mountain for beginners and for experts. Okemo also gets great powder days but also can get extremely icy and turn greens and blues to be hard for beginners but some days the snow can be great

[@ella_mary]

I ski race at okemo and have been skiing at okemo my whole life

[@TheMohawkTrucker]

Do a review of mount Kendall in Colorado it is a small hill and would like to see it

[@icecoaster]

They would never review a mountain that small

[@TheMohawkTrucker]

They did big snow which is even smaller

[@icecoaster]

@@TheMohawkTrucker they did it because of how special it was since it was indoors, and it was a joke article. Going to a tiny mountain like that wouldn’t be worth their time.

[@A-Shitty-Snowboarder]

Have you done White pass in Washington?

[@PeakRankings]

Not yet! Hopefully next season if we get the chance

[@jeremylongoria4628]

Slow-kemo is the only time I've regretted buying a lift ticket. No good! Go anywhere else!

[@gr8s8tn]

Okemo…..not a bad mountain, I agree. But: I’ve learned to park myself at Jackson Gore and work my way up the mountain from there. Yes….snowmaking appears to be an issue now. Late last year was the first time when bunch of trails, including few of my favorite cruisers were closed. Note to all: stay away from Mountain Road. It’s not a trail, really. It’s a glorified catwalk.

[@jamesrausse7255]

I'm with you, parking at Jackson Gore has been my strategy. I've noticed the snowmaking, but did not know about the water rights. My wife damaged her knee learning during early season in 20/21, because snowmaking was near nil, which I didn't understand.

[@NoaEnt]

Does jackson gore parking fill up quick? Would there be spots to park by 8am?

[@gr8s8tn]

@@NoaEnt I don’t think I’ve ever gotten there as early as 8 am, yet I always have found a spot within reasonable -in my opinion- walking distance.

[@NoaEnt]

@@gr8s8tn yup, that was my experience last wekeend when I went for the first time. IDK if it was because of the late season, but parking was barely half full.

[@TheRidersChoice]

No mention of terrain parks? Not that there is, same story as everything else, just a shell since vail took over

[@PeakRankings]

When we visited in early February this year, the terrain park present at 2:49 was basically the extent of the open setup. They also had a small beginner park at Jackson Gore.

[@YoBoyBMTwiZ]

Do Stowe mountain please

[@christophercarberry]

Okemo is super crowded now. I'm just glad you didn't hit someone - or more likely someone hit you.

[@michaeltravers3095]

I’d rather drive the extra 30 minutes and go to Killington.

[@ImOriginallyGreen]

Agreed, this video should be “just go to Killington”

[@joxpify]

And deal with probably the most overcrowded ski area in Vermont? No thanks.

[@michaeltravers3095]

@@joxpify Mount Snow is the busiest mountain in Vermont.

[@semipro6600]

@@joxpify wrong

[@Skier48]

@@michaeltravers3095 I absolutely dislike mt snow

[@maddoxwray4276]

You have to review sun valley

[@PeakRankings]

Review is coming soon!

[@harrydavis2473]

Do sugarbush

[@bobl6139]

Of they have installed a high speed lift from the base to summit I’d consider it but the long term plan of running a slow ass quad to beginner area is so lame I have stopped going

[@icecoaster]

Jackson gore exists, but it can be annoying since there’s only one lift out, even though it’s high speed.

[@jameswang1965]

How would you compare Okemo and Mt Snow? Do you think one is better than the other, or they're just very similar? Thanks!

[@ericstone880]

Mount Snow is significantly better than Okemo

[@mtadams2009]

That is tough one since I don't really like either of them but have skied them both a lot over many years. Mount Snow has the North Face that actually has some descent bump runs and tree runs. Okemo is pretty much groomer paradise and boring. Oher than the North Face at Mount Snow it's also very boring and crowded. It's the first big mountain in Vermont so it gets overrun with Ct. NY and NJ tourist. I think if you ski at a blue level Okemo is better and if you like to bump Mount Snow has a small advantage.

[@Mole204]

I live in between the two and have an Epic pass so ski both. Mt. Snow has paid parking now which is a bummer. I ski Mt. Snow early season because they have really good snowmaking on the main trails. Corinthia stays open later so I ski there at the end of the season. Mt. Snow's black diamonds are served by fixed-grip triples; a major drawback. Okemo has more and better trails. Okemo has better lifts. Last season I skied 70 days (Okemo 54, Mt. Snow 10, Stowe 5, Sunapee 1).

[@michaelyim3119]

I'm on east coast, but trying to find a resort with ski town and good snowboarding mountain as well. Any resorts with these two combination?

[@PeakRankings]

Honestly Killington is the best bet! Excellent terrain parks and lively access road. If you're willing to make the trek, Tremblant has an awesome village and a snowboard-friendly setup.

[@michaelyim3119]

@@PeakRankings thank you for replying! Would love more east coast resort reviews!

[@SimirJohnson]

Most of Okemo is not very challenging. Some good cruisers, like Dream Weaver, or going into the glades can be fun. Jackson Gore has the better dining.

[@katahdincloud9803]

The girl in red at 4:15 gets off of every chair that is ever in front of me at Okemo for 25 yrs and usually falls when dismounting.

[@cjs519]

The Jackson gore-main mountain junction deserves more hate than you gave it credit for. It is a head on two way slope that regularly sees some pretty nasty collisions. Truly the worst piece of mountain design I’ve experienced

[@jameszeng2666]

The No.1 thing I HATE about Okemo (and Stratton) is: you have to walk a hell long way from you car to the first lift ... and Okemo make it even worse as you have to take another lift to even get to the top

[@jameszeng2666]

Also when I arrived at Northstar (yes, the one in CA). The first thing that come to mind is: Isn't this just another Okemo but in Tahoe?

[@PeakRankings]

@@jameszeng2666 OUR THOUGHTS EXACTLY!

[@katahdincloud9803]

Why are you shooting so much green and catwalk? Hopefully to chase people away.

[@arjunski]

Idiot proof 😂

[@timothytao898]

Idiot proof :laugh: