OKEMO IMPROVEMENTS BACK ON FOR 2021 AND BEYOND

Ayear and a half ago, before we could even imagine what living in a pandemic would be like, Vail Resorts unveiled an expansive plan for upgrades at Okemo Mountain Resort, which they purchase from the Mueller family in 2018.

While they’d planned on new lifts, upgrades to base buildings, new grading that would make getting in and out of base buildings more seamless, and more, the pandemic threw all that into the “on hold” basket.

Now, Vail Resorts are ready to pick back up on those projects. And while they won’t dig back into all they announced just over a year ago quite yet, the planned changes that include a new lift and moving another lift are ready to happen.

Okemo made a huge splash just a few years ago when they debuted their Sunburst Express: A six-person chair lift with heated seats (solar fed; good for nature), an orange bubble that keeps you cozy on the more challenging days, and a comfort level that quite frankly spoils you in the best of ways. I remember thinking it a bit silly when I heard of it beforehand. Then I rode it. You never want to ride another lift again. They added to that with another bubble lift; this one a quad over on the Jackson Gore Side.

Now, Vail Resorts will tweak that and add on, moving the bubble quad from the Jackson Gore area to the other side of the mountain to replace the older Green Ridge Triple, the resort’s only non-Poma brand lift left.

That bubble quad on the Jackson Gore side will be replaced with a six-pack lift to keep crowds moving well, as well as to hopefully spread guests out more on busier days.

The original plan also included a new solarium-like front jutting out of the Clock Tower base’s main lodge and some other upgrades. Those will wait a bit.

There were other upgrades that have not been able to fully function yet. Next season, look for The Summit House, upgraded a year ago, to be fully running with “The Roost,” a lovely mountaintop bar and lunch spot expected to serve low-country food (think chicken biscuits) by a crackling fire. It’s a lovely space in a special spot. The former Epic restaurant at the Solitude Base got a facelift and new French-inspired vibe and is now 43 Degree North, hopefully also able to function next winter.

Okemo General Manager Bruce Schmidt said that while the plans are under Vail’s leadership, they very much came from the visit set forth by long-time former owners Tim and Diane Mueller.

“There were visions they had that they were not able to get to for a number of reasons,” he said. “Vail is bringing those visions to life.”

Those new lifts will be up and fully functioning for the coming season.