LUDLOW, VT. ??“ Skiers and snowboarders visiting Okemo Mountain Resort during the weekend of Dec. 8-9 will have an opportunity to unleash the true competitors within themselves.

On Saturday, Dec. 8, the Mountain Dew Vertical Challenge kicks off its winter schedule with the first event of the season scheduled at Okemo Mountain Resort. This fun-filled day for every member of the family starts with free race registration from 8 to 11 a.m. in Okemo’s Clock Tower Base Lodge. The racing begins at 11 a.m. on the Lower Chief trail and an awards ceremony completes the festivities at 3 p.m. in the base lodge. Just outside the Sitting Bull Lounge, visitors will enjoy an on-snow sponsor village with activities, prizes, giveaways and complimentary samples of Mountain Dew.

Then, on Sunday, Dec. 9, ROME Snowboards presents the ROME Rail Jam in the Okemo Clock Tower Base Area. Registration is complimentary with the purchase of a lift ticket and will take place from 8 to 11 a.m. in the base lodge mezzanine. The snowboard-only competition begins at noon on Bull Run. Prizes will go to the judges’ top picks and there will be giveaways for participants.

For those who would rather be spectators than competitors, Okemo is hosting the Vermont Cup Giant Slalom on Chief, Sunday, Dec. 9. The region’s top J1 and J2 athletes will be running the course during this early-season competition.

Okemo is well known by race and rail jam enthusiasts. The mountain also hosts NASTAR racing that is open to the public and is home to the young athletes attending Okemo Mountain School. The Okemo Mountain School was founded in 1982 and offers a curriculum for the serious young competitor. Students in grades 7 to 12 attend classes from November through March so they may concentrate on their competitive goals while maintaining their studies. Many OMS students have attained elite levels of competition.

For more information about events at Okemo Mountain Resort, please call (802) 228-1600 or visit www.okemo.com.