Okemo Ski Resort In Ludlow, Vermont And Surrounding Lodging And Restaurants

Okemo Ski Resort is a four season award-winning destination located in the Green Mountains of South Central Vermont. Tim and Diane Mueller purchased the small community run establishment in 1982 and have turned this ski destination into a popular, world class resort. Okemo consistently wins top awards for snow quality, grooming, family programs, slopeside lodging, resort dining, and guest services.

The resort is located directly above the town of Ludlow, 25 miles from Rutland, Vermont, and an easy 2 hour drive from Albany International Airport.

Okemo Mountain has a summit elevation of 3,344' and a vertical drop of 2,200' - the highest in southern Vermont, with 32% novice terrain, 36% more difficult terrain, 32% most difficult terrain. Okemo's 119 trails are serviced by 19 lifts and a world class grooming fleet.

Stratton, Bromley, Magic Mountain, Killington, Pico, and Suicide Six are also located within a one hour radius of Okemo. Each has their own unique attributes, from Killington's expansive and challenging terrain to Stratton's Austrian-themed ski village.

Getting to the main ski slopes from both base areas is a bit cumbersome though, as you have to first ride a beginner lift then ski over to one of their main lifts for the ride to the summit. The main base area has a good assorment of slopes but for the really good stuff, head over to the South Face and ski the slopes around the South Face Express Quad. Solitude Village and the slopes around the Solitude Express Quad feature nice intermediates in upscale surroundings. Jackson Gore's slopes are equally nice, with cruisers and challenging expert slopes around the main Jackson Gore Express Quad and novice runs around the Jackson Gore base area. My personal favorites are the South Face, with Solutude a close second, then the Jackson Gore slopes.

With the 2010-2011 ski season, Okemo introduced The Okemo Mountain Coaster, a four-season attraction that offers a scenic and exhilarating ride through alpine forests and along the contours of the mountain at Okemo's Jackson Gore.

There is a vast array of lodging options at Okemo and within the town of Ludlow, from basic country style accomodations like the Best Western Hotel to the more luxurious offerings at Okemo's Jackson Gore or the stately Castle Hill Resort & Spa, a member of the prestigious �Small Luxury Hotels of the World� and listed on National Register of Historic Places.

Onsite dining options are most plentiful at the Jackson Gore area, with basic food court offerings at The Roundhouse to the more exquisite Coleman Brook Tavern or the Eclectic Epic Restaurant. During January and February, Okemo offers snowcat dining tours as well on Saturday evenings. The surrounding town of Ludlow has a large number of eating establishments. Check out Outback Pizza & Nightclub for the best wood fires pizza in southern Vermont, or the Pot Belly Pub & Restaurant on Main Street for apres ski. Tom's Loft Tavern & BBQ Smokehouse on the main access road, home of warn beer, lousy food, and a grumpy owner, is a fun establishment named one of 10 best apres-ski bars in New England by teh Boston Globe.

Panarello's is a quant Italian restaurant a couple miles outside of town that features a very romanic ambiance, exceptional service, an excellent authentic Italian menu, and complimentary cheeses and antipasta dish prior to dinner. Another noteworth restaurant, Sam's Steakhouse, is located conviently next door to Panarello's and equally good, with a larger assortment of seafood, pasta, and steak selections. For a four star dinner, the Caste Hill Restaurant at the Castle Hill Resort & Spa features French-influenced American cuisine by Executive Chef Alphonsus Harris.

Several spas within the area offer an assorment of treatments, including Jackson Gore, Castle Hill's Aveda Concept Spa, or The Spa at Hawk.

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