Summertime means it’s time to travel! We urge you to take a drive to Vermont this summer to enjoy our Green Mountain state with us. We welcome you to include Ludlow and Okemo Mountain on your itinerary, accessing our beautiful valley via Route 103. We are sharing easy ways to stay “green” white visiting us here in the mountains. Learn about some eco-friendly tips and tricks when on the road this summer.
1. Electric Car Charging Stations:
As interest in electric cars continues to climb and we see an increase of these vehicles on the road, we know you’ll need a place to charge! Located around the corner from our office, there are multiple charging stations at Okemo’s Jackson Gore Inn parking lots. You’ll find nearly a dozen chargers between the upper and lower lots at the ski mountain parking areas. The upper lot allows easy access to the Spring House recreation center if you’d like to enjoy an hour or two by the pool. The lower lot is more spacious and near the Ice House if you’re interested in passing the time on the tennis court, or perhaps playing fetch with your travel partner in the adjacent Paleo Field. While you charge, take a hike on the Jackson Gore Falls trails, grab a bit to eat at the Coleman Brook Tavern, or ride the mountain coaster at the Adventure Zone.
(Photo Credit: PlugShare - Jackson Gore)
2. Limit Your Waste & Compost:
Did you know that Vermont passed a law requiring residents to compost their food waste? Feel like a true Vermonter and jump on the compost train during your stay! While enjoying your summer vacation in the Okemo Valley, start a food scrap bin and drop off your waste at the Ludlow Transfer Station. Our local attendants would be happy to compost the waste for you. Just remember, do not include any animal products (dairy products, fats, oils, meats, etc.). Our green state thank you for minimizing your waste!
(Photo Credit: Seven Days)
3. Commitment to Zero & Waste Bins:
While visiting Vermont, you may notice that many of our local restaurants and hotels have separate waste bins to minimize waste in our state. If you visit Okemo Mountain or Jackson Gore, you’ll notice the multiple bin options to properly dispose of your recycling, food waste, or trash. Okemo has imposed a bold environmental sustainability program, known as “Commitment to Zero”. This commitment includes three pillars: (1) zero net emissions by 2030 with 50 percent progress toward this goal by 2025, (2) zero waste to landfill by 2030 and increasing waste diversion to 50 percent by the end of 2020, and (3) zero net operating impact to forests and habitat.
(Photo Credit: Vail Resorts)
4. Vermont Eco-Stores:
Our small but mighty ski town continues to take big leaps toward making eco-friendly changes. One of the newest additions to the area is Blendwell, a Vermont Eco Store + Community. This woman-owner market is located on Main Street in the Ludlow Village and offers local provisions, herbal remedies, CBD products, and more. Most notably, Blendwell offers bulk herbs, teas, and beauty products, as well as eco-conscious products! Swap out your plastic bags for reusable beeswax wraps or give up your plastic bottled water and replace it with a reusable glass jar with a yarn koozie! Are you a tea drinker? Kick your habit of purchasing tea bags and purchase a bulk order of loose tea from Blendwell! There are so many opportunities to make eco-friendly changes to your life thanks to the options at Blendwell. Learn more here.
(Photo Credit: Blendwell on Facebook)
5. Green Up Day Inspiration
Vermont’s annual Green Up Day takes place every May to clean up these beautiful towns we live in. Our team is proud to come together and pick up debris on the side of our roads and around the community. We had a blast joining forces and collecting several bags of trash this spring. Keep the Green Up Day flame alive and consider taking an hour out of your trip to safely clean up around town or near your home or rental. This type of action is contagious and you may influence other visitors or locals to take part in helping keep our community green!
(Photo Credit: Green Up Vermont)
We hope you enjoy your time in the Okemo Valley this summer! We thank you for helping keep our state green and hope you come back soon! Be sure to tag us on social at @raveisokemo if used this blog as inspiration to create a “green” vacation here in Vermont.
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