Okemo, Vermont - New England Ski Area Expansions

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Okemo
Ludlow, Vermont

Overview

Okemo: Glades Peak | Solitude | South Face | Morning Star | Jackson Gore

Glades Peak - 1968 - Open

The Glades Peak area on a 1982 trail map

Working to modernize a once-large surface lift ski area, Okemo decided to build a new trail complex in the late 1960s.

Known for awhile as the Snow Bowl, the present day Glades Peak area was slated to open with a new chairlift during the 1968-69 season. In addition, a new $400,000 base lodge was to open that season. Due to early season snowfall, however, the double chairlift construction was halted.

The new Riblet double, 4,086 feet long by 1032 feet vertical, opened for the following season, extending the ski area's overall vertical drop. The new area was expected to prolong the operating season.

In 1991, the Riblet double was replaced with a new Poma fixed grip quad, measuring 3,926 feet long by 1,023 feet vertical.

The Glades Peak area on the 2009 trail map

The Northwest Double on Glades Peak

Solitude - 1987 - Open

The Solitude area in the 1989 trail map

With record skier visits and upcoming real estate plans, Okemo decided to expand northward with a new trail complex. A new Poma fixed grip quad chairlift, climbing 1,115 feet over a length of 4,605 feet was installed, serving 8 trails - some partially existing from the 1960s, others new. While the liftline was rated a black diamond, the majority of the trails in the complex were intermediate.

As the mountain and real estate developments grew, the fixed grip quad was moved to the new South Face area and replaced a new Poma high speed detachable quad chairlift in 1994.

Though now technically in the middle of the massive Okemo ski area, the area still retains its "Solitude" name.

The Solitude area in the 2009 trail map

The Solitude Express Quad (2005)

South Face - 1994 - Open

The South Face area (2002)

To help distribute growing skier traffic, as well as to help push more real estate development, the $4,500,000 South Face project was started in 1994.

The 1987 Poma fixed grip quad was moved from the Solitude area (and replaced with a new Poma high speed detachable quad) and installed in the new South Face complex, serving 7 new trails. The vertical drop of the new complex was just under 1,100 vertical feet.

In 1997, the South Face Quad was replaced with a new 4,662 foot long Poma high speed detachable quad chairlift ("South Face Express Quad"), climbing 1,070 vertical feet. Two new trails were added in conjunction with the new lift. The former South Face Quad would later be moved to Mt. Sunapee's Sun Bowl.

The Dream Weaver Trail in the South Face area (2005)

The top terminal of the South Face Express Quad (2005)

Morning Star - 1995 - Open

The Morning Star area in the 2009 trail map

A real estate based development, the Morning Star area was built near Solitude Village for the 1995-1996 season. Using part of the former 1983 Poma Northeast Triple chairlift (in storage for 3 years), the small complex featured generally novice terrain, including trail bridges over and under roads.

For 2003-2004, the Southern Crossing trail was opened, connecting the Morning Star complex to the new Jackson Gore base area.

The upper portion of the Morning Star complex (2005)

The Morning Star Triple (2005)

The Morning Star Triple (2002)

Jackson Gore - 2002 - Open

2003 rendering of Okemo and Jackson Gore

The undeveloped Jackson Gore area in March of 2002

With a fairly cramped main base area, Okemo looked to build a second access point. As such, plans were made to expand northward into an area to be known as Jackson Gore. The proposal included a new base lodge, parking lots, lodging, housing, a gondola lift, one high speed quad, and two fixed grip quads.

After nearly half a decade of planning, permit, and appeals processes, Okemo broke ground on Jackson Gore in 2001, and opened the first portion of the area for the 2002-2003 season. 7 new trails over 1,260 vertical feet were opened, serviced by a new 4,381 foot long Leitner-Poma high speed detachable quad. While the new base area was visible from the new terrain, it was not yet connected.

The new base area would open for the 2003-2004 season with some new beginner trails, two surface lifts, and a 2,530 foot long by 390 vertical foot Leitner-Poma high speed quad. Additional trails would continue to be rolled out on the new peak throughout the balance of the decade. It is not known if the gondola is still planned.

2002 Jackson Gore base area plans

Jackson Gore in November of 2002

The Coleman Brook Quad (2004)

The Jackson Gore Quad (2005)

The Tuckered Out trail (2005)

Resources

Okemo - NewEnglandSkiHistory.com

Okemo Mountain Resort Official Site

Ludlow Mountain - FranklinSites.com Hiking Guide

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