LUDLOW, Vermont — Okemo Valley Nordic Center opened for the season on Thursday, Dec. 18.

“The recent snow storms are a bonanza for Nordic skiers,” says Okemo Valley Nordic Director Michael Santa Maria. “We’re 100 percent open and I think it’s going to be a stellar season.”

Extending across pristine meadows and rolling hills, a hidden world of beauty and adventure invites winter enthusiasts to discover the joy of cross-country skiing and snowshoeing at Okemo Valley Nordic Center. The well-marked trail network features 22 km of tracked and skate-groomed terrain for skiers, and 13 km of trails dedicated to snowshoers. Okemo’s Nordic Center trails are ideally suited to all ability levels, from novice to expert. Nordic trails are groomed daily using state-of-the-art grooming machines. Inside the gracious clubhouse facility, visitors enjoy a fully stocked Nordic Shop with the latest in outdoor clothing and accessories. Demos, equipment rentals, repairs and waxing are available on-site. Dressing rooms with showers and lockers make a nice change from the rustic facilities typical of Nordic centers.

New this year, Okemo Valley Nordic Center has updated their entire fleet of Rossignol rental skis and Atlas snowshoes.

Trail fees are $22 per day for adults, $18 for young adults and seniors (ages 13-18 and 65-69) and $16 for juniors and super seniors (ages 7-12 and 70+). Multi-day trail passes offer savings on the daily fee and season passes are available.

Instruction is available for all ability levels. For those new to the sport, Okemo Valley Nordic Center offers the “Get Nordic Skiing” package. This cross-country ski start-up package is offered every Sunday afternoon (non-holiday), starting at 12:30 p.m., and includes trail fee, equipment rental package and one-hour group lesson ??“ all for just $50.

Okemo Valley Nordic Center is conveniently located on Fox Lane, just one mile from Okemo Mountain Resort’s Jackson Gore.

For more information, call the Okemo Valley Nordic Center at (802) 228-1396 or visit okemo.com.