What's New at Okemo in 08/09 Ski Season

09/24/2008 - When it comes to “what’s new” at Okemo Mountain Resort for the winter of 2008/2009, art and innovation combine to address the challenges of creating a better resort experience – all with an eye toward efficiency and sustainability. Laser-guided superpipe cutting, first-in-the-East lift loading and grooming technologies, plus energy efficiencies in snowmaking and other operations … these are just some of the innovations that comprise the art of Okemo. New Terrain – Two New Trails Okemo has saved the best for last. The final two trails of the original Jackson Gore layout are slated for completion in time for this winter’s ski season. One of the new double-black-diamond trails will measure about 1,000-feet long and the other will be about 2,600-feet long. The latter will have a vertical drop of 850 feet. Together, the new trails will add about eight acres to Okemo’s skiable acreage total – now 632 acres. More Snowmaking Ninety-six percent of Okemo’s trails are equipped with snowmaking capabilities and 80 new snowmaking guns will be added to the arsenal this year. Okemo’s operational focus this winter will be on energy-efficient, early-season snowmaking. With the help of HKD’s economic solutions and innovative technology, Okemo will continue to offer an outstanding snow surface at reduced energy consumption. Grooming – Okemo introduces the first Beast in the East Okemo’s grooming fleet is the first in the East to include the new Prinoth BR500 grooming machine, affectionately referred to as “The Beast” by Resort operations staff. The 500-horsepower dual turbocharged behemoth is about eight feet wider and ten feet longer than the next largest model, the BR350. The Beast sports a 24-foot-wide tiller and a 20-foot-wide blade. With engineered efficiencies, additional width and an ability to travel at the same speed uphill and downhill, the newest machine in Okemo’s grooming fleet will bring the art of grooming to a new level. Laser-guided Pipe Monster Okemo VP of Operations Barry Tucker looks nothing like Buzz Lightyear of Star Command, but one thing the two have in common is laser technology. By affixing adjustable laser units with a vertical orientation to a stationary base at the bottom of the superpipe, and attaching a receptor device to the arm of the Zaug Pipe Monster, Okemo’s groomer operators can monitor superpipe shaping for better construction, upkeep and optimal vert. To infinity and beyond! Okemo’s “Red Carpet Treatment” Lift Loading and Unloading Carpets Okemo is installing mechanized loading and unloading carpets on one of its base area South Ridge fixed-grip quad chairs. Although familiar to European skiers, the loading carpet is a rarity in North America. Okemo’s loading carpet will be the first one in the East and the unloading carpet will be the first of its kind in the U.S. A conveyor belt, marked with lanes and moving in synch with the chairlift, will make loading and unloading easier and safer. It will reduce lift-line lengths, minimize starts and stops, reduce ride time and improve overall lift capacity.