LUDLOW, Vermont -??“ Okemo Mountain Resort opened for its fifty-first season on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 23. Long before any marching band took a single synchronized step and prior to the first forkful of turkey and cranberry sauce, skiers and snowboarders celebrated Thanksgiving by loading the Northstar Express high-speed quad chairlift at Okemo Mountain Resort for their first runs of the 2006-2007 season.

With snowmaking teams working diligently in preparation for the season opening, Okemo welcomed skiers and snowboarders on advanced terrain with machine groomed conditions on four trails: Buckhorn, Count Down, Upper World Cup and Drop Off. Lifts operating were Northstar Express and Glades Peak Quad. Opening day lift tickets were $30 for adults, $26 for young adults and seniors, and $20 for juniors and super seniors. Special early-season lift ticket rates, determined daily by availability of terrain, will be offered through the weekend.

Currently, skiing and riding is limited to the upper part of the mountain. A shuttle bus is operating from Okemo’s Clock Tower base area to the base of the Northstar Express Quad. Guests are downloading the Northstar Quad to return to the base area. There is currently no top-to-bottom skiing available, but snowmaking operations are continuing at every opportunity for additional terrain and to provide top-to-bottom skiing and riding as soon a possible.

The Base Caf?В©, Sitting Bull Lounge and Summit Lodge are open for the season. The Okemo Express Rental/Repair Shop, Penguin Playground Day Care Center, Okemo Snowsports Shop and Mountain Services Office are also open.

Sunday, Nov. 26 is Okemo’s Cares and Shares Day. When skiers and riders present at least three non-perishable food items, a new child’s toy or a new clothing item, their generosity will be rewarded with an entire day of skiing and riding at Okemo for just $25. Okemo ambassadors will accept donations in the base area throughout the day. Black River Good Neighbor Services will help distribute the donated items to families in need in time for Christmas.

Skiers and riders can check up-to-date lift ticket rates, weather and surface conditions by visiting www.okemo.com or by calling Okemo’s 24-hour snowphone at (802) 228-5222. For more information, please call 1-800-78-OKEMO (786-5366).