Okemo Trip Report – Vermont’s Perfect Vacation Spot For All Seasons
Okemo Mountain – Vermont’s perfect vacation spot For ALL SEASONS
Snow covered mountains, roaring fireplaces, soothing hot tubs all come to mind when you think VERMONT. And you would be 100% correct, but Vermont is also the perfect for all of the New England seasons. We were recently guests at Okemo Mountain and discovered beautiful scenery, magnificent lakes, spacious accommodations and had lots of fun.
Okemo Mountain Resort is located in Ludlow, VT, which is about a 3 hour drive from Boston and about 2 hours from Bradley, Albany or Manchester airports. Amtrak also services the area with trains to Rutland, VT. Okemo Valley offers many lodging options with hotels, condominiums, B&Bs, Country Inns and lodges. Okemo Mountain Resort offers a variety of lodging options http://www.okemo.com/lodging, we stayed at the Jackson Gore Village. As you turn into Jackson Gore Village, the picturesque landscape immediately captures your attention with all its majestic beauty. Welcoming and informative staff greeted us, explaining the resort and making sure we met Bill, the concierge who was wonderful in helping us plan our weekend activities. We had so much to do and so little time, but the staff helped us accomplish all of our plans.
Summer and Fall at Okemo Mountain Resort offers outdoor fun for everyone. The Adventure Zone is a hub for family fun with the Mountain Coaster, Sawyer’s Sweep Zipline Tours, Haulback Challenge Course, Disc Golf Courses, Lumberin’ Cal Miniature Golf, Stump Jumper Bungee Trampoline, Climbing Wall, AMP Energy Big Air Bag and my personal favorite Segway Personal Transport Tours.
We signed up for the Segway Tour and Chris, our instructor was the best.
He made sure we were all properly trained and reinforced that our safety the top priority. I must admit I was a bit hesitant about this activity, but felt much easier after the training session. Here are a few tips to consider when you are considering this Segway adventure:
- The tour takes you through wooded areas, so make sure you are comfortable with maneuvering the Segway over varied terrain
- The tour takes you up and down hills, keep your knees and arms slightly bent
- To move the Segway forward, “belly to the bar” ( quote from Chris that really works)
- Take the time to make sure you are comfortable on the Segway during the training
- Listen to the Instructor- they are there for your safety and the safety of your group
Golf is also a major attraction at the Okemo Mountain Resort with two golf course; Okemo Valley Golf Course, and Tatter Hill Golf Club. Both courses offer challenging holes as well as scenic views. My husband played Okemo Valley and thoroughly enjoyed the course.
On Friday evenings, Okemo’s Jackson Gore Inn offers a summer concert series on the lawn and great food. During our visit we heard a wonderful country group, Kenny Mehler, and they put on quite a show. Concerts begin at 6:30pm and for those who would like to dine outside at Coleman’s Brook Tavern, you can enjoy the music while dining on wonderfully fresh cuisine. Coleman’s Brook Tavern is a farm to table restaurant serving foods from all the local Vermont farms.
There are many entertaining things to do at Okemo Mountain Resort, but the surrounding area is also rich in offerings. The President Calvin Coolidge Historical Site is just minutes from Ludlow. Everything in the home is displayed exactly as if President Coolidge was still there. The property also houses the Plymouth Artisan Cheese Shop, where sampling is encouraged. The Weston Country Store is minutes from Ludlow as well, and guarantees to take you back in time and bring a nostalgic smile to your face. Ludlow, Weston, Chester, and many more surrounding towns offer wonderful Arts and Crafts. The Chester Hills Annual Crafts Festival is September 19-21st. October brings popular fall events such as Cider Days, The Honey Festival and so much more.
Woodstock, VT is one of my favorite local towns, it’s a place you can easily get lost in and find yourself spending hours wondering in and out of the stores or stopping at one of the many restaurants for lunch, dinner or just a cappuccino.
The Queeche Gorge has often been described as Vermont’s Grand Canyon on the Ottauquechee River is one of the country’s natural wonders. Personally, I think one of the best natural wonders is the famous Simon Pierce Mill and Restaurant. The magnificent glass collection offers visitors the opportunity to view all of Simon Pierce’s stock as well as view the actually glass blowing. The magnificent Mill setting is a wonderful place to stop and have a bite to eat in restaurant. This is a stop you will not want to miss as you travel around the area.
It does not matter what season you choose to visit the Okemo Resort Mountain area, there is so much to do and anchoring yourself at the resort provides you with easy access to most locations.
If rest and relaxation are part of your plan, Okemo Mountain Resort offers plenty of that as well. Their spa and massage services offer skilled therapists and treatments such as Vermont Maple and Sugar scrub (which left my skin as soft as silk). The reflexology therapist’s utilize Chinese techniques that guarantee to relax your entire body; we had massages and felt like new when we left the treatment rooms.
Vermont is a very special place no matter what season you visit, and Okemo Mountain Resort offers so much for everyone. As the summer has ended, think Fall Foliage trips, the vistas will take your breath away. It is not too soon to plan for your winter vacation as well, but make those plans early since the snow will be here before you know it. It is also not too early to think about next summer and check out the Okemo Valley website for all the calendar events. Okemo Mountain is a great place to bring the whole family for reunions, ski vacations and outdoor getaways.
