REVIEW: Jackson Gore at OKEMO

We traveled to OKEMO from the Hudson Valley the last weekend of March 2018.  We ended our 17/18 snowboard season on a high note for sure.  This was our 2nd time at OKEMO, first visiting in 2015 at the beginning of OKEMO’s season, the season that started my children’s love of riding.  We took part of an Influencer Weekend with MomTrends for their #MTOkemoEvent which included tristate family influencers.  OKEMO provided fun for the parents and the children alike.

Heading north to Vermont, Okemo is under 4 hours from Putnam County (84/684 line).  The kids occupied in the back seat, snowboards on the bike rack.  We met our friends upon check in, they have free Valet Parking which includes unpacking your car, checking your snowboards/skis and delivering your suitcases to your room, all while you check in.   Greeted by a delicious bag of CABOT Cheese, which led Tim and our friend John to the grocery store for some meat to go with it. The moms and kids hung out in the room after swimming and outdoor hot tub relaxing with the kids.

Ski & Ride School

Saturday our morning kicked off with dropping the kids off at Ski & Ride School.  Kids herein two different groups SNOWSTARS was for ages 4-6 and MOUNTAIN EXPLORERS ages 7-14.  Jack and Charlotte both continued with snowboarding.  Full day lessons includes lunch for the kids too, we did stop in and visit them while they had lunch.  Due to Charlotte’s level, she ended up with a private lesson and learned 360 spins on the snow while coming down.  Her confidence on the snow was even higher after that lesson.  I firmly believe in “continuing ed” on the snow, plus while the kids are in lessons the parents can play.

Tim and I spent hours on the slopes alone.  We explored the mountain and went from Jackson Gore base to Mountain Lodge at OKEMO. Taking numerous lifts and trains from one side to the other, lots of fun exploring with Tim.  We did go shopping for new gear for the kids and us.  They had a tent sale happening while we were visiting.   We ended up with new snowboards and socks for the kids, their sale could not be passed up.

Jackson Gore

Saturday at Jackson Gore Base Area was also the location for Hops on the Snow BREWFEST.  Tim and I tried many local brews, my favorite was the cider.  OKEMO has events and activities year round.  Checking out their calendar is best when planning a trip.   Then the kids checked out the Timber Ripper Mountain Coaster. The Kids ended up checking it out twice, for 2 drivers and a rider it was $42, if it weren’t for the cost we would have gone on over and over.   We also did snow tubing, it was closing day and empty, otherwise there is a normal line, and you book/pay for 1 hour time slots,  went up and down twice, the kids went another time.  You travel up the magic carpet and then walk, in heavy snow this can be harder for littler kids and even adults.  They sure did have fun racing down, typically up to 6 lanes run at the same time.

Lodging

We stayed at the Jackson Gore Village Lodging option, inside there are many different room options. Staying in their One Bedroom Suite option that sleeps up to 8, one with 2 queen beds, and second with murphy bed, full kitchen (stove, refrigerator, dishwasher and microwave).   The full kitchen it huge for great for a family, making breakfast in the morning, dinners at night and stopping in for lunch even.  Jackson Gore had two pools to choose from, one indoors and one outdoors which the kids enjoyed, ice skating house, restaurants, cafeteria eating, game room, indoor parking and daycare options for families with younger kids.

We loved OKEMO, as this was our second trip here and now added to our list of favorite places to ride.

Have you been to OKEMO? Comment below.