They say strong skiers are made in the summer. As it turns out, the same is true for great snow.
This month, I traded my skis for hiking shoes and joined a small group of journalists for a behind-the-scenes tour of Okemo Mountain in Ludlow, Vermont. Instead of carving groomers, we spent the day riding around the mountain in SUVs, visiting pump houses, reservoirs, construction sites, and meeting the people responsible for making winter happen long before temperatures dip below freezing.
I get plenty of press releases and invitations to media events, but I’m selective about which ones I accept. I RSVP’d “yes” to this one because I was genuinely surprised that Vail Resorts was making such a significant investment at Okemo.
Don’t get me wrong—I love Okemo. It’s one of my favorite Vermont mountains to recommend to families. Between the wide groomers, bubble lifts, and easygoing atmosphere, it’s an ideal destination for beginner skiers, multi-generational trips, and girls’ weekends.
But let’s be honest. When you think of Vail Resorts’ marquee resorts, names like Vail Mountain, Park City, Breckenridge, and Beaver Creek usually come to mind. So I was pleasantly surprised to learn that Okemo received a multi-million-dollar investment–one of the company’s largest snowmaking infrastructure upgrades.
It’s especially notable considering Vail Resorts reported a 19.3% decline in third-quarter net income year over year. Even in a tighter financial environment, the company is making a significant investment in one of Vermont’s favorite family mountains while taking a meaningful step toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
As Courtney DiFiore, Senior Communications Manager for Vail Resorts’ Northeast region, explained, replacing the mountain’s diesel-powered compressors with electric ones represents the company’s single largest emissions reduction opportunity this year.
Between the size of the investment and its environmental impact, this was a story worth investigating.
So where is all that money going—and will it actually make a difference for skiers next winter? I spent a day behind the scenes at Okemo to find out.
Charlie Hibbard, Okemo’s head of snowmaking with more than 25 years of experience, described snowmaking as “a crazy mix of science and art.”
After spending a day with his team, I couldn’t agree more. Much of what happens behind the scenes is driven by technology—computer systems, pumps, compressors, and increasingly sophisticated snow guns. But the decisions that most impact your ski day are made by Okemo’s trusted professionals.
Knowing when to make snow, where to place it, how the wind will carry it across a trail, and even how long to let it sit before grooming all rely on decades of institutional knowledge.
As someone new to the science of snowmaking, I had plenty to learn. One of the biggest surprises? According to Charlie, manmade snow actually lasts longer than natural snow because it contains more water. It’s one reason ski resorts depend so heavily on snowmaking to build a durable base that can withstand warm spells throughout the season.
Our trusty Subaru made its way down the access road to Okemo’s 150-million-gallon reservoir, fed by Vermont’s Black River. That already sounded like an enormous amount of water. I found myself staring across the reservoir as we walked through the wildflowers along its edge, trying to wrap my head around the scale of it. Then came the statistic that stopped me in my tracks.
Okemo uses roughly 300,000,000 gallons of water during a single snowmaking season.
I added all those zeroes on purpose.
It’s a staggering amount of water (and if you’re wondering, the reservoir gets replenished from the nearby Black River). While Vermont hasn’t faced the same water pressures as ski areas in some western states, the number serves as a reminder that every improvement in efficiency matters.
That’s one reason these upgrades are so important. Better technology means making snow with less wasted energy, less diesel fuel, and lower emissions.
Did that number surprise you? Leave a comment below. I'd love to know what behind-the-scenes part of skiing you'd like me to investigate next.
The biggest investment is replacing roughly a dozen rented diesel compressors with two large electric compressors. Last season, Okemo estimated it burned more than 250,000 gallons of diesel fuel to make snow. The new electric compressors will dramatically reduce that need while delivering more efficient performance.
The upgrades don’t stop there. The mountain is also installing 400 new HKD snow guns and upgrading hundreds of nozzles throughout the system.
The headline for Okemo skiers? Expect more consistent conditions, even during those increasingly unpredictable winter thaws.
The older snow guns generally couldn’t operate in temperatures above 18 degrees. The new guns can make snow in temperatures approaching 28 degrees. In today’s increasingly erratic winters, that’s a game changer.
Okemo is also rolling out a new digital monitoring system that allows operators to track every snow gun and water source across the resort in real time. Better information means fewer wasted resources and more reliable snow coverage.
As someone who’s spent plenty of chairlift rides getting blasted in the face by a misplaced snow gun, I jokingly asked whether they could now shut one off with a single keystroke. Not quite—but we’re getting closer.
My favorite part of the day wasn’t the technology. It was the people.
At Okemo, the full-time staff is getting up to speed on the new equipment and preparing for the upcoming snowmaking season. Right now, the team is small, consisting of Charlie and three crew members. But in the fall, they’ll add dozens of seasonal workers. These men (and it is mostly men) work 12-hour shifts to help our ski dreams come true. There’s the noon-to-midnight crew, the midnight-to-noon crew, along with mechanics, electricians, and operators making thousands of decisions that most skiers never see.
Then there was “Base Pump Dave.” His official title may be something else, but that’s how everyone knows him. He’s responsible for rolling miles of heavy hose by hand and keeping an enormous system running throughout the season.
Before we wrapped up, Okemo General Manager Bruce Schmidt shared a story that perfectly captured why this mountain feels different. His very first job at Okemo was as a busboy in the base lodge. On December 26, 1988, he made his first 401(k) contribution thanks to his job at Okemo. Today, he’s leading the resort through one of its biggest infrastructure investments.
He praised his team for the work they’re putting into the upcoming season and emphasized how grateful the entire organization is for the skiers and riders who bring the mountain to life each winter.
In an era of automation, it was refreshing to see how much still depends on experienced people who know every inch of the mountain.
Most families will never visit the reservoir. Nor will they ever tour the pump station. Like me, most will probably ski right past the new snow guns and updated equipment without a pause in our turns. But we might just notice the results:
Earlier season openings.
More reliable holiday conditions.
Faster recovery after rain events.
Better coverage on favorite trails.
As a mom planning ski trips months in advance, that kind of consistency matters.
This feel-good story stands out to me for a few reasons. First, the hardworking people I met with are rarely in those in the spotlight. These guys quietly put in the long hours that make our ski seasons possible. Second, it was encouraging to see a Vermont mountain receive such a significant investment. Maybe Okemo’s terrific season last winter, when the snow gods truly delivered for the East, helped make the case. Or maybe General Manager Bruce Schmidt’s steady leadership and deep roots at the mountain finally convinced the bean counters at Vail Resorts that it was time to invest. Either way, as a Vermont skier, I’m thrilled these upgrades are happening.
Every ski season starts long before the first snowfall. I’ll continue bringing you behind the scenes at the mountains we love—from infrastructure investments and resort news to family-friendly destinations and gear reviews.
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Want to learn more about Okemo? Check out our podcast interview here
And a little bonus news below just for subscribers about more Okemo upgrades.
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