Okemo, Vermont: Where Country Charm & Active Living Collide

Walk-to-slope properties are common here

For East Coast skiers and snowboarders alike, Vermont resorts such as Killington, Mt. Snow, and Stratton are often top of mind. But there’s another New England ski destination that’s equally accessible and is rife with terrain for all levels: Okemo Mountain Resort.

It’s a quaint community where country stores and covered bridges converge, and the rolling landscape is dotted with family farms, herds of dairy cows, mountain vistas and classic New England architecture. “It really is a bit like stepping back in time when you visit,” said Bonnie MacPherson, communications manager Okemo Mountain Resort.

“Because Okemo’s trail system is so spread out with multiple summits and base and mid-mountain lodges, we do a good job of dispersing skiers, which makes Okemo feel less crowded than some of the other resorts,” she said.

Just a few hours from both New York and Connecticut, Okemo is easily accessed by car, so getting away from the bustle of daily life to a snowy retreat is effortless, making it an ideal spot for a second home. The nearest airport is the Rutland Regional Airport (serviced by JetBlue and Cape Air), located some 30 minutes away. Rutland is also a hub for Amtrak out of Penn Station in New York City. Several other major airports (Burlington, Vermont Albany, New York; and Manchester, New Hampshire) are each two hours away.

History

The Okemo Valley was established along the river bank as a place to harness electrical power. In fact, Okemo’s Town of Ludlow was home to General Electric until 1977. The original mill is still located downtown and has been converted to condominiums. Merino sheep were introduced to the U.S. by way of nearby Weathersfield, Vermont, and woolen mills popped up in many places along the waterways.

In the 1950s, forward-thinking local businessmen recognized the growing popularity of skiing and decided to create a community-run ski area on the hillsides that rose up from the village on Okemo Mountain.

Famous historic residents include President Calvin Coolidge.

Today, state-of-the-art snowmaking covers 98% of the resort’s massive trail system. It’s also become a summer destination with two golf courses, a family adventure park and lift-served mountain biking.

What You’ll Pay

The allure here is all about laid-back living throughout all four seasons. “Okemo has more walk-to-slope property than any other resort in the Northeast; this alone makes it very popular with families,” said Teresa DiNapoli, associate broker at Four Seasons Sotheby's International Realty. “It has an easy, relaxed feel.”

“The Okemo community has four distinct areas of real estate: mountain, village, lake and country, which offer a wide variety of properties at multiple price points,” said Kathy Burns owner and broker, William Raveis Real Estate Vermont Properties Team.

The Lakes Region is located near Okemo Mountain Resort and the historic Ludlow Village, so it’s   an ideal place for a year-round vacation to enjoy fishing, swimming, boating and camping.

Ludlow Village is a quaint walking town with restaurants, shops, bars and concerts on the green. Here, prices range from small, simple homes starting at $175,000 to showstoppers at $575,000. For a countryside abode, prices start at around $200,00 for older Capes to trophy estates on large parcels for over $1 million. Coveted slope-side properties range from just under $300,000 for a two-bedroom condo to high-end estates with ski-on, ski-off access for over $3 million.  

The amenities that are typically sought after in many markets differ with Okemo’s seasonal second-home market. “Our amenities go beyond granite countertops and fancy tile. What our buyers look for are larger mud rooms, fireplaces or woodstoves and open-concept living,” said Joe Karl, of William Raveis Real Estate Vermont Properties Team.

Amenities can also include simple items, such as long-range views, game rooms and garages. “Since it’s a lifestyle purchase, the ‘feel’ of the home is top priority as buyers realize they can add granite counters or upgrades after the purchase,” Mr. Karl said.

Trends To Watch

“Turn-key, clean, furnished, easy maintenance homes or condos are the trend here,” Ms. DiNapoli said. “Prices have been very favorable to buyers here and inventory has been high; that said, with the news of Vail Resorts purchasing Okemo, inventory is declining,” she said, noting that most buyers that are here for only winter recreation are seeking updated condominiums. “We are busy throughout the late summer/fall with folks looking to purchase for the upcoming winter season, and, we are busy during the season showing properties to buyers that think they may wish to be owners vs. renters here,” Ms. DiNapoli said.

There are two very strong selling cycles, Mr. Karl said. When skiers arrive in early winter, their enthusiasm for the season drives sales, and in turn, inventory starts to shift. 

Come spring, some sellers try to catch a buyer before the skiers leave again, affecting price points, which tend to drop at the end of ski season Mr. Karl said.

The second cycle arrives in the summer months through the fall. “Our country and lake homes tend to get more attention during this period, and we also see a strong demand for ski condos as skiers prepare for the upcoming winter,” Mr. Karl said. “Unlike primary markets, our market is driven by emotion and the pursuit of a healthy lifestyle.”