The announcement everyone has been waiting for; it SNOWED for the first time at the Summit of Okemo on Saturday, October 13th! While you couldn’t see it from the village of Ludlow, the live cams on the mountain caught it on video!

    Now that it snowed, it finally feels like winter is just around the corner. If you haven’t gotten your 2018/19 season pass to Okemo yet, now is the time to do it! Okemo has SO many options, that you can be sure to find one that works for everyone.

    While Okemo has always been an EPIC mountain, with the sale of Okemo to Vail Resorts, we are now a part of the Epic pass! There are two Epic options; the Epic Local and the Epic Pass, but both of which give you unlimited and unrestricted access to Okemo! Other unlimited and unrestricted mountains are Crested Butte, Mount Sunapee, Breckenridge, Wilmot, Mt. Brighton, Keystone, Afton Alps, Arapahoe Basin, and Stevens Pass. That means 10 mountains full of adventures waiting to happen! Not to mention, there are 17 other mountains to access on a more limited basis, including Stowe right here in Vermont!

The other option is the Epic Pass, which gives you access to 65 resorts all around the world! With this pass, you get access to all of the unlimited mountains as the locals pass, but also has the additions of Vail, Whistler Blackcomb, Northstar, Stowe, Perisher, Beaver Creek, Park City, Heavenly, and Kirkwood!  That leaves 46 other mountains that also give you on-snow options throughout the season. Get your Epic Local or Epic Pass today before rates go up!

If the Epic pass isn’t for you, Okemo still has the Ultimate, Classic, and Midweek passes available. The Ultimate Pass truly is ultimate and gives you great benefits when skiing at Okemo such as retail, culinary, and preferred parking discounts! If you are looking for a basic pass, but still allows you to enjoy Okemo whenever you want, check out the Classic Pass! New this year, as well, all Ultimate and Classic Pass Holders will receive 50% off the then-current window lift ticket price at all Vail Resorts-owned resorts! Finally, if you don’t like the weekend crowds, Okemo still has the Midweek pass, which will give you access to the lifts Monday-Friday during non-holidays.

We hope you are just as excited as we are to hit the slopes this season! Let it snow!!

 

    If you have never experienced fall in Vermont, then you are seriously missing out! It is such a magical time and truly is the essence of what Vermont is all about. The Okemo Valley is one of the best places to spend during this time and Columbus Day weekend is the peak! Here is a sneak peak of our favorite things Vermont things to do this weekend!

Take a Hike:

    There are so many amazing hikes to experience within a 30 minute drive of Ludlow and all of them are the best during foliage season. Of course, one of the most popular hikes in the Okemo Valley is the Healdville Trail that leads you up the backside of Okemo. Pack a picnic lunch and take a break at the top with a climb up the firetower at 3,340 feet!
    Another great hike is Deer Leap in Killington. This hike is 1.9 miles of a beautiful wooded trail that leads to a peak and opens up to grand views of Killington, Pico, and beyond! Better yet, you can bring your dogs! After your hike, head to Longtrail Brewery for some lunch.
    For a hike with different scenery, check out Cascade Falls in Weathersfield. The hike is about 2.9 miles from the trailhead to the summit. Along the way, you will find 84ft and 60ft waterfalls that are absolutely breathtaking. If you are looking for a day hike, continue on your way to the various peaks of Mount Ascutney!

The Sights:

    One of the most well known sites in Ludlow is Buttermilk Falls in the Okemo State Forest. There are 3 waterfalls to check out on a short nature hike along the river. The river is surrounded by exquisite fall colors and provides a peaceful place to enjoy the great outdoors.

    Another popular local spot is The Pinnacle of Ludlow off of Commonwealth Avenue. There is a short secondary road that you can drive up if the gate is open, or you can choose to park at the bottom for a nice walk to the top. The Pinnacle has giant rocks to climb that overlook the entirety of Okemo Mountain. While this view is amazing all year long, it is exceptionally magical during the fall foliage.

Shopping:

    You can’t come to Vermont for a weekend getaway without going to the Vermont Country Store, either in Weston or Rockingham. This store holds all of the best items this Green Mountain state has to offer. You can fill up on samples of Vermont cheeses, meats, and dips and leave with a brown bag full of old fashioned candy. The store also carries many Vermont products, such as soaps and clothing. We promise you won’t leave disappointed. 
    If you are in Ludlow, you must stop by the Green Mountain Sugar House, located on Lake Pauline. You can stock up on maple candy and maple syrup, but the best item is their Maple ice cream. If Vermont had a taste, it would taste like a Maple Creeme!

Activities and Events:

    A personal favorite fall activity of mine is apple picking and the best local place to go is Wellwood Orchards in Springfield. Take a walk into the orchard to pick your own apples or catch a ride on the hay wagon for the real Vermont experience. Wellwood also has a petting zoo that is great for all ages!

    Another great activity is to play a round of golf at the Okemo Valley Golf Club. The course has an 18-hole layout that has a par 70 and measures 6,400 years in length. It is playable for all abilities and provides a challenge for everyone! While this is a beautiful course all year long, nothing beats the views during the fall foliage.

    If you are looking for a true Vermont experience, head to Mount Holly for Cider Days on the Belmont Green! This event runs Saturday, October 6th from 10-4pm and Sunday, October 7th from 12-4pm. You can watch how apple cider is made and even try some for yourself! There are other sweet treats, along with many local craft vendors.

    We saved our favorite event for last; Fall into Winter at The Jackson Gore Inn and Resort! This is an awesome event to celebrate the transition of seasons from fall to winter. William Raveis Vermont Properties is sponsoring the live music and there will also be hayrides, games put on by Okemo Mountain School, pumpkin painting, craft vendors, food, and a beer/wine tasting tent! You can also check out Okemo’s Adventure Zone! Come see us from 11am-4pm!

 

    As promised, here is part two of our favorite dining experiences in Ludlow! September 22nd is officially the first day of fall, which means all of our local favorites will be working with the best ingredients a Vermont autumn has to offer!

In the midst of this small Vermont town, you can still find food to meet your every need, including Mojo Cafe, a modern Tex-Mex dining experience! Mojo always offers the freshest local ingredients and is a partner of the Vermont Fresh Network. A big hit at Mojo’s are their Po Boys, and let me tell you, the Shrimp Creole is to die for, and make sure you get a side of Poblano Rings! Not to mention, Mojo is all about good local craft beer on tap, which is always rotating, even with the seasons because who doesn’t love a good fall beer, right? The owners, John and Jodi, are fun and quirky and will make you feel right at home!

If you have been to Ludlow, you have probably been to DJ’s Restaurant in the center of town. DJ’s has been a local favorite for over 37 years and continues to be a constant staple in the community. Their menu offers a wide variety of steak, seafood, and pasta. However, they always have great specials, as well! Whether you are looking for just the bar menu with an amazing chicken sandwich, or a nice family dinner with a Filet Mignon, you can’t go wrong!

Another staple in Ludlow has been Sam’s Steakhouse, however, it was recently bought by Mr. Darcy’s owner, Mark Williams. Mark has ran and done an impeccable job with many local restaurants, so you can bet, that Sam’s will continue to be a local favorite! The menu has changed, but still boasts a great variety of steak and seafood, along with some local selections, such as Homestyle Meatloaf. They also still have their amazing salad bar, which can be a meal all in itself! If you are looking for a great mid-week option, head to Sam’s for “Early Bear” specials on Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays!

If you are staying on Okemo, a wonderful option after a long day of skiing is always the Coleman Brook Tavern at The Jackson Gore Inn. The tavern has a wonderful menu that changes with the seasons to ensure the freshest ingredients. A personal favorite of mine is the Maple Pepper Roast Chicken. However, nothing says Vermont like eating s’mores for dessert, which you literally cook over a tabletop campfire. The icing on the cake is always the hospitable and knowledgeable waitstaff that makes you feel right at home.

    

We hope you have the chance to try some of our local restaurants and make sure you let us know your favorite!

 

    Ludlow has some of the best dining in all of Vermont and now is the perfect time to try out the various restaurant options! Most of our restaurants feature local ingredients and as the season is changing from summer to fall, the menus will also be changing to offer some delicious seasonal items. Read on to learn about some of our favorite spots!

    One of the most sought after restaurants in Ludlow is The Downtown Grocery, or as locals refer to it, TDG. The restaurant is owned by Vermont native, Chef Rogan Lechthaler, and his Southern wife, Abby Lechthaler. Together they have created a casual fine dining experience where the servers wear plaid, but the menu depicts food that makes you feel like you are eating the best that any big city has to offer, while using local ingredients. The menu has great staples, but the best items come from a specials board that is constantly changing. Whether you are looking for a Pimento Cheese Burger, House Made Gnocchi, or a frequent special of Shrimp and Grits, you will not be disappointed. Tip- MAKE RESERVATIONS!

Right across the street from TDG, is Stemwinder, an apres ski favorite. Stemwinder began with a vision from two local women, Wendy Neal and Leslie Stuart, both of which are major supporters of our Ludlow community. The idea behind the restaurant is to have good wine and craft beer with a diverse selection of small plates. They always use local ingredients and you can bet that their menu is constantly changing with the seasons. If you are new to the area, you need to try the Cheese & Meat Board that has some of the BEST local offerings you can find in Ludlow.

    A Vermont Properties favorite that we frequent quite often is Homestyle Hostel. This cute and quaint hostel, located in the heart of Ludlow is now well-known all over Vermont thanks to the creative Chef, Alyssa Prouty. Just like Stemwinder, they have a wide variety of small plates that are perfect to share with your family and friends. We highly recommend ordering many options and trying as much as possible because it is all delicious! The menu is always new and always has the best ingredients that you can find in Vermont. If you are looking for a place to stay, Homestyle Hostel is also a great option, or head across the street to their sister property, Main + Mountain, for a more traditional stay and the best cocktails in all of Ludlow.

    Moving into its second year of being open is Mama’s, also owned by the Lechthaler’s. Mama’s features all hand made Italian food that makes you feel like you are sitting in a piazza in Italy. Mama’s is open for lunch and dinner, both of which we highly recommend. For an afternoon pick me up, try the Arancini or a classic Italian Sandwich. For dinner, start with the Caprese Not Really. I have had a lot of caprese, but nothing compared to this delicious dish. You can’t leave Mama’s without a glass (or two) of wine. Abby Lechthaler is passionate about serving only the best wine and is always willing to help you find your new favorite. So, as autumn moves in, try out Mama’s for some incredible comfort food.

    We could go on and on for days about all of the restaurant options in Ludlow, but we will stop here...for now! Stay tuned next week for PART TWO of our favorite dining experiences! Let us know your favorite local hot spot!

 

Top 10 Things to do Before Summer Ends

Some of you may be counting down the days until the slopes are filled with snow and others are never wanting summer to end. Either way, take advantage of these summer days and knock some things off of the summer bucket list before it ends!

1. Go for a hike up the backside of Okemo on the Healdville Trail to the summit and firetower! My favorite way to do this is to start around 9am, pack a picnic lunch, and head to the top for an awesome view.

2. After you go hiking, you must go to Buttermilk Falls for a swim. Within a 10 minute walk you can see three beautiful waterfalls, but don’t miss the big rock to jump off into the water at the middle falls!

3. Hit up the Evolution Park at Okemo for an epic day of mountain biking!

4. Go to the Green Mountain Sugar House for a maple creeme (or 3)! In my opinion, they are the best in the state and there is awesome water-side seating to enjoy them on.

5. Take a drive to the local breweries with outdoor seating! Let’s be honest, the breweries are great all year, however, the outdoor seating makes them even better. You don’t want to miss out on Long Trail, Harpoon, and Trout River!

6. Rent a kayak or paddleboard from Tygart Mountain Sports in Ludlow and head to Lake Rescue for a day on the water. Don’t forget to hop in for a swim at Red Bridge!

7. Go to the Okemo Adventure Zone for a fun day of zip lining, mini golf, mountain coaster riding, the challenge course, disc golf, and so much more!

8. Spend a day at Plymouth State Park relaxing on the sandy beach, playing volleyball, and grilling up some hamburgers!

9. Attend a summer concert at the Jackson Gore Summer Concert Series! There are only two left; August 24th and 31st!

10. Check out a Million Dollar Quartet playing at the Weston Playhouse through September 2nd!  

We are proud to once again be sponsoring the Hops in the Hills Beer and Wine Festival at Okemo Mountain Resort! This year’s festival marks the 10th anniversary and will take place August 3rd-5th in the Jackson Gore Courtyard. They are anticipating having over 100 regional beers on tap, along with a selection of wine, food trucks, and craft vendors!

Festival Hours:
Friday, August 3- 5 to 9pm
Saturday, August 4- 12 to 8pm
Sunday, August 5- 11am to 5pm

Some of the breweries that will be represented are Frost Beer Works, Lost Nation Brewing, Sea Dog Brewing, and Fiddlehead Brewing. Of course, if you read our blog last week, you know we love some of the local favorites that will be represented, as well; Long Trail Brewery, Harpoon, Trout River Brewing Company, and Rutland Beer Works.

Don’t miss out on the selection of food trucks! If you are familiar with American Pie, a local favorite pizza joint, you will have to check out their pizza truck with a built in wood fired pizza oven. Another favorite is Squeels on Wheels with delicious barbeque. On Saturday, August 4th, Okemo will also hold their annual chicken wing championship during the festival. The Killarney will be returning to defend their Peoples’ Choice Championship and Willie Dunn’s Grille will be returning to defend their Best Wing Title.

On top of Hops in the Hills, the Adventure Zone will also be open with fun for the whole family! Take your pick of riding the Timber Ripper Mountain Coaster, playing Lumberin' Cal's Miniature Golf, swinging through the trees on a Sawyer Sweep Zipline Tours, competing with friends on the Haulback Challenge Course, or taking a Segway PT Tour.

The festival wouldn’t be complete without music! See below for the full lineup:
Friday, August 3rd:
5-9pm  East Coast Soul

Saturday, August 4th:
12-2pm North and South Dakota’s
2:30-5pm Rek’Lis
5:30-8pm Nine Deeez Nite

Sunday, August 5th
11:30am-1:30pm Los Elk
2-5pm Josh Panda
 

Click here to purchase your tickets!

Click here to purchase a lodging packing for the Jackson Gore Inn that includes festival tickets!

William Raveis Real Estate Vermont Properties is pleased to announce the addition of Joe Karl to our exceptional team.

Many of you may already know Joe. He has been selling real estate in the Okemo area since 1998, initially as part of the team brought together to sell Jackson Gore. Joe has been helping people find their perfect home for over 20 years and continues to enjoy the challenge. When he decided to build his own dream home, he cleared the land and oversaw all aspects of the building process. This provides him a unique perspective which he uses to guide his customers through the sometimes complex process of real estate.

As an active member of the Crown Point Board of Realtors, Joe served as president and was named Realtor of the Year in 2015. In his “spare” time Joe tends a 36-acre mini farm with his wife and three grown daughters. The entire family enjoys skiing, hiking, biking and all the great activities this year round area offers.

Joe knows this area well and is a great addition to the William Raveis Vermont Properties team. Please join us in welcoming Joe to the team! If you are in the area, stop by the office and say hi.

You may reach him at 802-228-8877 or Joe@vtprop.com.

 

Vermont has a delicious little secret; we LOVE beer! Did you know that Vermont is home of some of the best beer in the nation? Better yet, did you know that Ludlow is surrounded by several breweries within a 30 mile radius?

Long Trail Brewing Company is located in Bridgewater, VT, about 20 miles from Ludlow. Take the scenic drive on Route 100 North, where you can stop along the way to take in the beauty of many Vermont lakes. You also don’t want to miss a visit to the Green Mountain Sugar House for a Maple Creeme or even take a short detour to the Calvin Coolidge Homestead where our 30th president grew up. Once arriving to Long Trail Brewery you can choose to sit in the the German inspired pub inside or along the banks of the Ottauquechee River in their lovely outdoor seating area. Long Trail always offers a great variety of seasonal beers, including a personal favorite, Blackberry Wheat. Don’t forget to try the Loaded Nachos and the Jonas Wings; you won’t be disappointed!

Harpoon Brewery is located in Windsor, VT, about 30 miles from Ludlow. Once again, take a scenic drive along Route 131 that follows the Black River. In the river, you will find a variety of native Vermont trout, perfect for fly fishing. So, if you have the time, breath in the fresh air and catch some fish. After spending some time in the sun, you might be thirsty, so continue on your way to Harpoon. Harpoon has a wonderful outdoor Beer Garden, along with a lively Tap Room. Choose from several Harpoon beers on tap and purchase a growler to take home with you. The kitchen is always serving several great specials, however, The Vermonter sandwich is always a great go-to! Don’t forget to also visit Blake Hill Preserves, Vermont Farmstead Cheese Co. Market, SILO Distillery, and Great River Outfitters!

Trout River Brewing Company is located a short 15 miles from Ludlow in Springfield, VT. This hidden gem was purchased by three local boys who had been dreaming up this idea since being in high school together. From the outside, the brewery looks like a factory, but the inside is a Vermont haven, filled with fishing paraphernalia and homemade tables made from Vermont trees. On the tables you will find games to play with friends, along with music playing or a sporting event being projected for all to see. On the weekends you will often find a band playing outside and a food truck serving some delicious grub in the outdoor seating area. You can try several selections of beer by the pint or a sampler tray made out of old tap handles. If they are serving Trout of Solace, be sure to give it a try!

Last but not least, the Rutland Beer Works was a great new addition to Vermont in 2017. The owners of Hop ‘N Moose in downtown Rutland began this new venture to expand their love of beer and we couldn’t be more excited. Rutland Beer Works is currently a brewery and canning facility, but their beer can be tasted at Hop ‘N Moose, among other locations in the surrounding areas. There are also many places to buy cans, including Brewfest Beverage right here in Ludlow! However, if you are heading to Rutland, we highly recommend checking out Hop ‘N Moose, both for their food and beer. They are known for their pizzas, including a personal favorite of mine, the Hawaiian. Hop ‘N Moose is usually serving Rutland Beer Works’ Rutland Red on tap, but if you are feeling adventurous, try the Hide and Seek, an Extra Pale Ale.

SaveSave

Our little town of Ludlow, Vermont has some big things happening this summer! Okemo Mountain Resort is hosting its first All Come Come Home Music Festival named after Okemo’s Native American name. The festival is taking place at the Jackson Gore Inn Thursday, July 12 through Saturday, July 14th.

The festival has two parts that will keep you busy all weekend long! In the afternoons, the Labatt Blue Stage, located across from the Adventure Zone, will feature free live music on Friday and Saturday. There will be craft vendors, a BBQ lunch on the outdoor patio of Coleman Brook Tavern, along with all of the fun the Adventure Zone has to offer.

The main attraction of the festival will take place in the Paleo-Field, with headliner shows on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday! There are tickets available for single-night shows or for the full 3-day festival.

Event Pricing:

Festival Pass – access to all 3 headliner shows

• $75 advance purchase, when purchased online through July 8

• $85 after July 8

• FREE for children 10 & under

Single Headline Show – Thursday, Friday or Saturday (show-specific ticket)

• $30 advance purchase, when purchased online through July 8

• $34 after July 8

• FREE for children 10 & under

Thursday:
Start the weekend off with headliner, Super Diamond- The Neil Diamond Tribute band, from 8-9:30pm on the Main Stage. The band is coming all the way from San Francisco, California. The band members are lead vocalist Randy Cordeiro (Surreal Neil), guitarist Chris Collins, bass guitarist Matt Tidmarsh, keyboardist James Terris and Rama Kolesnikow and drummer Vince Littleton.

The opening act for Super Diamond is Studio Two- The Beatles before America tribute band, who will play on the Main Stage from 6-7:30pm.

 

Friday:
Friday’s headliner is certainly one not to be missed! The David Bowie tribute band, Space Oddity, will be featured on the Main Stage from 8-9:30pm, to transport the audience back in time through some of the most exciting moments in the history of Rock music. Lead singer, David Brighton and his band put on an electrifying show that will bring you all the way back to the 1970s.

Opening for Space Oddity is the Talking Heads Tribute band, Start Making Sense, playing on the Main Stage from 6-7:30pm. If you are able to join us in the afternoon at the Labatt Blue Stage, check out Get Up Jack, playing 12-1:30pm, and The Tricksters, from 2-3:30pm.

 

Saturday:
The festival will end with Almost Queen, a Queen tribute band, that recaptures the live energy and precision that is the ultimate Queen. The band consists of a 4 part harmony and genuine costumes. They will play on the Main State from 8-9:30pm.

Opening for Almost Queen is Josh Panda Misty Mountain Hop, a Led Zeppelin tribute band, playing on the Main Stage from 6-7:30pm. We hope you can join us in the afternoon at the Labatt Blue Stage for shows from Summers the Sammy, 12-1:30pm, and Fox on the Run, 2-3:30pm!

 

36 years ago, Tim and Diane Mueller purchased Okemo Mountain Resort and began their journey in the ski industry. Over the years they have made many improvements to Okemo, along with acquiring Mount Sunapee in New Hampshire and Crested Butte in Colorado. They have truly made a great impact on not only Ludlow, but the ski industry in New England.

With the ski industry at its peak, Vail Resorts has approached the Mueller’s to buy Okemo, Mount Sunapee, and Crested Butte. Vail Resorts is based in Colorado, but owns several mountains around the country, along with the recent purchase of Stowe Mountain in 2017. It has been reported that the sale of Mueller’s Triple Peaks LLC will be final this summer. Tim and Diane have said, “we want you to know that this was the hardest decision we have ever made, especially as we begin to transition through this deal and say goodbye to each of you”.

While we are sad to lose the Mueller’s, we are very excited about what this purchase could mean for all three mountains, Okemo in particular. We are sure that improvements and changes to the mountain will continue for years to come, making Ludlow a prime destination, not only in New England, but in the country. If you are thinking about purchasing your own home in the Okemo Valley, now is the time to do it!

We would like to thank the Mueller’s for being such an integral part of our community, as well as wonderful friends of our Vermont Properties team. We wish you luck on your next chapter!