By Karen D. Lorentz
“Oh, it’s so beautiful,” I heard my 8-year-old grandtwin exclaim when she discovered the view from Okemo’s summit.
Days later, when recounting her favorite activities, she included the “lift chair” and explained that she liked the view at the mountaintop and during the ride down.
The “lift chair” is Okemo’s Sunburst Six chairlift, featuring an orange bubble that can be lowered for a colorful view or protection from the elements — or left up.
Okemo’s Summit Lodge offers a great spot to picnic on the deck, play a game of corn hole, or enjoy Summit Milk Shakes featuring Vermont’s Wilcox Dairy ice cream. The Summit Cafe is open Thursday through Sunday, offering food and beverages from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
For adventurous souls or those seeking some exercise, you can hike from the Summit Lodge to the Okemo Fire Tower at 3,343 feet above sea level, where you can climb up and get 360-degree views on a clear day.
For the romantics who crave a spectacular wedding venue, there is a new Summit Wedding Garden just below the lodge with a reception option in the lodge.
The chair ride down the mountain is spectacular, offering a view of Ludlow below, the New Hampshire mountains, and sister resort Mount Sunapee in the distance. The ride is so quiet that you can hear the occasional babbling of a stream below or a rustling of the trees when mountain breezes blow, providing, of course, that you are still to enjoy nature’s sounds.
Other options include hiking up the mountain on trails or the Mountain Road, which is an easy ski trail in winter. Alternatively, you can drive up the Mountain Road (built by the CCC in 1935), park, and take a short hike to the fire tower, followed by another walk to the Summit Lodge. The drive back down is spectacular, with lookouts for amazing views and a picnic spot.
The scenic chairlift rides are offered Thursdays through Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the same hours the Adventure Zone is open.
Adventure Zone
The Jackson Gore side of Okemo is summer grand central, offering another lovely wedding venue, outdoor concerts, and fun thrills in the Adventure Zone. The Adventure Zone includes a bouncy house, mini golf, Mountain Coaster, gem mining, climbing wall, trampoline, and disc golf. The Haulback Challenge, with three treetop courses — some tunnels and zip lines incorporated — is super fun for daring souls who don’t mind harnessing up and wiggling at great heights. This attraction is now included on the All-Day Adventure Zone pass or as a separate ticket.
The bouncy house, miniature golf, bungee trampoline, and Timber Ripper (Mountain Coaster) were all great hits with my grandtwins, but what surprised me was how much they enjoyed “mining for gems” in the Sluice. The Timber Ripper was a definite highlight, with screams making for the loudest fun on the second run when I let our coaster rip.
The Adventure Zone activities, including the Haulback treetop experience and chairlift rides, can be enjoyed on an à la carte basis or with the All-Day Pass. Residents of NH and VT receive a day pass discount on Fridays and Sundays with state ID proof. Holders of 2025/26 Epic Passes (excludes the Epic Day Pass) can ride Okemo’s chairlift for free and get 20% off on food and lodgings as part of their automatic Mountain Rewards. Booking online is encouraged for the best rates.
Live music, events
Okemo Resort continues its free concerts in the summer music series every Friday evening from 5:30 to 8:30 at the Jackson Gore Courtyard from June 27 through Aug. 29.
The Krishna Guthrie Band plays July 4, followed by Sly Richard July 11, Adam McMahon Band July 18, Studio Two July 25, The What Knots Aug. 1, Cold Chocolate Aug. 8, Jester Jigs Aug. 15, Total Strangers, Aug. 22, and Jenny and the Bets Aug. 29. Bring a picnic, blankets, or chairs. Food and beverages are available, or dine at Coleman Brook Tavern, which is adjacent to the courtyard.
Among the special activities being offered, there’s Summit Yoga every Saturday morning from 9 to 10 a.m., July 5 through Sept. 6 at the summit. (I did a morning yoga class last week at the Spring House, and the instructor did a fantastic job taking us through stretching, breathing, and yoga positions — it left my old body feeling fine and my stressed-out mind peaceful!) Classes at the summit must be a real treat, with the fresh air and views enhancing the zen.
The popular Taps and Taste returns on Aug. 2 with craft beer and local bites samplings, and the Fall Into Winter festivities resume on Oct. 12 to celebrate the changing seasons with activities for all ages, early-season skiing demos, and fall-themed events to kick off winter.
Good to know
Camp Gokemo offers indoor and outdoor activities with weekly themes for children aged 5 through 12 on a daily or weekly visit basis.
Okemo does not accept cash payments.
New at the Jackson Gore Spring House (fitness center, classes, hot tub, sauna, pools, lockers), free movie nights at 6:30 p.m. Saturdays. And there’s a recreation room with a basketball hoop and a pickleball setup option (advance notice and fee required).
Oh, yes—you might want to bring sunglasses, bug spray, and sunscreen when visiting the mountain.
For more information, visit: okemo.com.
