LUDLOW, Vt. – Franklin D. Roosevelt said, “Happiness lies in the joy of achievement and the thrill of creative effort.” Although he most certainly was not talking about skiing and snowboarding, Roosevelt’s words ring true for snowsports enthusiasts who recognize the pleasure that comes from having learned how to ski or snowboard. Okemo Mountain Resort invites visitors to experience the on-snow version of the 32nd president’s definition of happiness with some new deals and some tried-and-true offers designed to fit every ski trip budget.

RETURNING THIS YEAR! Learn to Ski or Snowboard FREE!

First-time or beginner skiers and snowboarders visiting Okemo Mountain Resort early in the season are welcome to take part in a complimentary learn-to-ski or learn-to-snowboard program at no cost. This unique offer is designed to generate excitement for snow sports and encourage trial at the start of the winter season. Okemo’s beginner package includes a free combination lower-mountain lift ticket, a free level 1 or 2 beginner group lesson at 10 a.m. or 1 p.m., and free special introductory-level rental equipment (skis, boots, poles, or boots and snowboard). The Learn to Ski or Snowboard for FREE program is available for ages 7 and up, at no charge every day, Monday, December 1 through Friday, December 19, 2008.

Reservations are encouraged and may be made by calling (802) 228-1600. Those without reservations may participate on a space-available basis. Program attendees should plan to arrive at the Okemo Express Rental Shop, located in the Okemo Clock Tower base area, about an hour before lesson time. This allows time for program registration and equipment fitting. Although free of charge, a beginner-package ticket is required to participate and a credit card deposit is required for rental equipment. Upon completion of the program, participants qualify for a free First Tracks Plus card, entitling them to a $10 savings on group lessons and rental equipment on weekends and holidays, and $20 savings on group lessons and rentals on non-holiday weekdays, all season long.

MOBIL SKI-3

Ease the pain at the pump with Mobil Ski-3. With three eight-gallon fill-ups at participating Mobile retailers, skiers and riders receive a coupon for $10 off the price of a Sunday-through-Friday, non-holiday, lift ticket at Okemo Mountain Resort or one of seven other participating resorts. Not a skier? No problem. The same voucher can be redeemed, instead, for a Learn-to-Ski or Learn-to-Snowboard package (for ages 13 and older) for a discounted rate of just $25. In addition to Okemo, participating resorts are: Mount Sunapee, N.H., Wachusett Mountain, Mass., Mad River Glen, Vt., Waterville Valley, N.H., Windham Mountain, N.Y., Jay Peak, Vt., Saddleback, Maine. Ski-3 signage will be displayed at participating Mobile retailers.

Okemo.com Website Banner Specials

Skiers and riders can get the inside scoop on specials at okemo.com all winter long. Value-packed coupon specials and otherwise-unadvertised deals are just a click away. Website banner specials are available only for a limited time or may rotate throughout the season. Restrictions may apply. Users must "accept coupon rules" prior to registering for the coupon and an ID must be presented at the ticket window at the time of coupon redemption.

"Try Before You Buy"

Okemo's snowmakers and groomers have got the mountain covered and every morning the first hour (60 minutes) of lift service is FREE so Okemo skiers and riders can sample the conditions before they purchase a lift ticket. “Try Before You Buy” (first hour free) is valid midweek, non-holiday from 9 until 10 a.m., and on weekends and holiday periods from 8 until 9 a.m. Convenient base area ticketing locations are located at the Okemo Clock Tower base and Jackson Gore base areas.

Okemo’s Frequent Skier Flex Card

Flexible savings all season long for frequent skiers. When skiers and snowboarders purchase an Okemo Flex Card, they save: 50 percent on weekday, non-holiday (Monday through Friday), single-day lift ticket rates; 25 percent on weekend and holiday single-day lift ticket rates; 50 percent on single-day lift ticket rates every day in November, and from March 16 through closing day in April. Fifty percent savings will also apply on: January 4, 10, 11, 24, 25, 2009. Discounts apply to single-day, full day, afternoon half-day and Sunday Solution morning lift tickets. Flex Card holders receive e-mail notification of special deals throughout the season. As an added BONUS, Okemo Flex card benefits are available at Mount Sunapee Resort, and Flex Card holders can present their card at the Crested Butte, Colo., lift ticket office to receive 20 percent off multi-day lift tickets all season long. The Flex Card is $99 for adults, $89 for young adults and seniors, and $79 for juniors and super seniors. When purchased before Oct. 13, Flex Card holders receive a midweek, non-holiday, Bring-a-Friend-at-50-Percent-Savings day.

Okemo 8-Pack

Eight days of skiing and riding for the price of seven! Adults $539; Young Adults/Seniors $455; Juniors/Super Seniors $350. The Okemo 8-Pack is a pre-purchase of eight unrestricted, single, full-day lift tickets for the price of seven. The 8-Pack is valid every day of the 2008/2009 season with no restrictions and it is transferable between family and friends. It may be applied toward the purchase of one or two tickets per day.

Okemo 12-Pack

Twelve days of skiing and riding for the price of ten! Adults $770; Adults/Seniors $650; Juniors/Super Seniors $500. The Okemo 12-Pack is a pre-purchase of 12 unrestricted, single, full-day lift tickets for the price of ten. The 12-Pack is valid every day of the 2008/2009 season, with no restrictions and it is transferable between family and friends. It may be applied toward the purchase of up to three tickets per day.

The College Card

Full-time and part-time college students can save 50 percent on the price of a full-day adult lift ticket during weekdays and $15 on weekends and holidays. By presenting a valid college I.D. from an accredited College, Community College, or University, at the Okemo Mountain Services Center, students can save all season long. Best of all, the College Card is valid at both Okemo and Mount Sunapee. The College Card is the same price as an adult, one-day lift ticket and includes FREE skiing or riding on the day of purchase. That means that, since the price is based on a given day’s lift ticket price, and therefore variable, the best time to purchase a college card is early in the season when tickets are offered at a rate according to available terrain.

Three Great Mountains & One Great Ticket

When skiers and riders purchase a minimum three-day lift ticket or lodging/ticket package, they can ski one day during the life of the lift ticket at either Mount Sunapee or Stratton Mountain. By presenting a valid three-day (or longer) Okemo lift ticket to Guest Services at either Mount Sunapee, N.H., or Stratton, Vt., they receive one complimentary lift ticket for that day.

They don’t call it “Ultra” for Nothing!

When it comes to season passes, Okemo’s Ultra Pass covers it all – including this winter’s Colorado ski trip. Skiers and snowboarders can enjoy the slopes every day at Okemo, Mount Sunapee, Stratton and even Crested Butte, in Colorado, with no restrictions for only $1,369 for adults ($1469 after Oct. 13). It’s like getting four season passes for the price of one – with added benefits at Okemo. Additional Ultra Pass privileges include $15 off group lessons, morning specialty clinics, and full-day high-performance rentals and ski/snowboard demo packages. First-track fanatics will especially enjoy early access benefits that include 7:45 a.m. lift access on weekends and holidays at Okemo and Stratton.

Food Drive Day – December 7

Okemo “Cares & Shares” in time for the holidays. When skiers and riders donate a minimum of three non-perishable food items, a new child's toy, or a new clothing item, on Dec. 7, they will receive a coupon to present at the ticket window that will entitle them to purchase a lift ticket for $25 that day. All donated items will benefit the Black River Good Neighbor Services Christmas Basket program and needy families in the Okemo Valley region.

Okemo Skier and Rider Appreciation Days Are Back - Just $39!

Skiers and riders of all ages can enjoy an entire day on the slopes at a special discounted lift ticket rate on select Thursdays in Nov., Dec. and March for just $39; and in April for just $29! Okemo Skier/Rider Appreciation Days are Dec. 4, 11 and 18, 2008; March 12, 19 and 26, 2009; April 2, 9 and 16, 2009.

Active Duty Military Discount

Okemo offers a military discount for United States military personnel who are on active duty. When active members of the armed services show their active duty ID at the Mountain Services Center they, and their immediate family members, receive: 50 percent off full-day lift tickets, Monday through Friday, non-holiday; and $15 off full-day lift tickets, weekends and holidays.

January Tribute - U.S. Military Veterans, Fire, Police and Ambulance Personnel

Okemo pays tribute to the United States Military Veterans, Police Officers, Firefighters and Ambulance personnel every Tuesday and Thursday during the month of January 2009, with a special half-price discount on lift tickets. When they show their ID card/badge and a photo ID at the Mountain Services Center at the Okemo Clock Tower base area or the Jackson Gore base area, qualified personnel will receive 50 percent off the price of an adult, full-day, full price lift ticket on Tuesdays, January 6, 13, 20, 27, and Thursdays, January 8, 15, 22, 29. It is Okemo's way of saying "thank you" for all that our civil servants do!

Ladies’ Days - Calling all OKEMOMMAS!

Tuesdays are officially Ladies’ Days at Okemo. All ladies can ski and ride all day on select Tuesdays for just $39. And the savings continue with a group lesson for just $25. Girlfriends, sisters, mothers and grandmothers will enjoy a ladies’ day out on the slopes December 2, 9, 16; January 6, 13, 20, 27; March 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31.

Get-Nordic Skiing

A great cross-country ski start-up package for beginners at the Okemo Valley Nordic Center, Get-Nordic Skiing is offered every Sunday afternoon (non-holiday) and includes trail fee, XC-ski rental package and a one-hour group lesson for just $50. Available every Sunday afternoon starting at 12:30 pm (excluding holidays) all winter!

Sunday Solution Morning Half-Day Lift Ticket – Vermont’s Original Morning Ticket

Okemo's popular Sunday Solution (valid from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.) is for weekend warriors who want to head for home early, but still want to ski without paying for a full-day lift ticket. Adults (ages 19-64), $68; Young Adults/Seniors (ages 13-18 & 65-69), $58; Juniors/Super Seniors (ages 7-12 & 70+), $45; Children 6 and under ski/ride for FREE every day. Bonus! Monday Solution Lift Tickets will be offered on select Mondays: Jan. 19, 2009 and Feb. 16, 2009.

VT/NH Resident Sunday Morning Special

Vermont and New Hampshire full-time residents can enjoy skiing and riding from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Sundays and experience the best conditions of the day at a discount! The Sunday Solution for Vermont and New Hampshire residents is just $35 for all ages (non-holiday) and offers five-and-a-half hours of skiing and riding for a little more than $6 per hour. Proof of full-time residency in the form of a valid VT/NH driver's license, hunting/fishing license, or voter registration card must be presented at the time of purchase. Children 6 and under ski/ride FREE. VT/NH Sunday Morning Special will be offered every Sunday morning except: Dec. 28, 2008, Jan. 18, 2009 and Feb. 15, 2009. VT/NH Wonderful Wednesdays - $39. Another great value for North Country folks, Vermont and New Hampshire full-time residents can ski and ride all day long for just $39 on select Wednesdays in December, January and March, and for just $29 in April. Proof of residency in the form of a valid VT/NH driver's license, hunting/fishing license, or voter registration card must be presented at the time of purchase. Available Dec 3, 10, 17, Jan. 7, 14, 21, 28, Mar 11, 18, 25, April 1, 8, 15, 2009.

For more information, please call (802) 228-1600 or visit okemo.com.