By Angelo Lynn & Harriette Brainard
Not only is Vermont home to some of the biggest (Killington), most luxurious (Stowe), most convenient and popular (Okemo, Stratton and Mount Snow) and challenging (Sugarbush, Mad River, Smuggler’s Notch and Jay Peak) ski areas in the East, it’s also home to several smaller ski areas that reflect on the natural charm that is Vermont. These areas boast an extremely loyal core group of fans (both local and out-of-state) and offer an experience quite unique to the larger ski areas in Vermont, and certainly far different than the overdeveloped, crowded slopes of the Rocky Mountains, Utah or many of the areas on the West Coast.
Their smallness is not a limitation, but their calling card, and the casual visitor might well be surprised how enjoyable a day or two on the slopes of these lesser-known resorts can be.
Here’s a brief look at five of the ‘smaller’ resorts in the state.
Vermont welcomes MLK Weekenders with convenient travel, ample snow and more seasonable temperatures!
Despite mentions of one Vermont ski area closing - - count on 100% open operations across the 20 alpine and 29 Nordic ski areas this weekend.
Blue-bird skies and temperatures returning to more comfortable seasonable levels will greet skiers and riders this weekend as resorts are warming up their slopes for that extra day to enjoy the snow.
Above average natural snowfall combined with some of the world's best snowmaking have Vermont resorts in superb shape for skiing and snowboarding as travelers make their way to the mountains for this year’s Martin Luther King Jr. ski weekend.
To blatantly steal and twist a line from Mark Twain … The rumor of Okemo’s closing due to cold temperatures has been greatly exaggerated.
It seems that the news of Bolton Valley’s cancellation of night skiing due to cold temperatures has triggered an avalanche of false media reports about all of Vermont’s ski resorts closing.
Okemo is open – in fact we’re 100 percent open! All 119 trails (including the new trails at Jackson Gore: Rolling Thunder and White Lightning) are covered with snow and ready for skiers and snowboarders to rip it up.
Cold? Yes, it’s going to be a chilly one this weekend. Intrepid wintersports enthusiasts know that you can still enjoy a day on the slopes by dressing appropriately and taking regular breaks to warm up. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Thursday and Friday will be the coldest
Saturday's temps will begin to moderate (10-15 degrees at the base)
Sunday temps should range from 15-20 degrees
LUDLOW, Vt. – When skiers and snowboarders purchase a three-day or more, multi-day lift ticket at Okemo Mountain Resort, not only do they save on the daily lift ticket rate, they also get two mountains’ worth of skiing and riding for their hard-earned money.
“What a great deal and added benefit for Okemo and Stratton skiers and riders,� says Okemo VP of Marketing Scott Clarkson. “Buying a three-day lift ticket gives you access to more than 1,000 acres of open terrain and 200-plus trails.�
Three-day lift tickets at Okemo start at $180 for adults, and may be purchased alone or as part of a lift ticket and lodging package. Skiers and riders presenting a valid Okemo three-day lift ticket at Stratton’s Guest Services desk will receive one complimentary lift ticket for that day. This offer is not valid for group-rate lift tickets during holiday periods.
