The zipline tour is about two hours long. Groups of eight people, with two experts, start with 30 minutes of Ground School. Groups are transported up the mountain to begin a descent along seven ziplines, the longest of which is 900 feet. The tour will operate YEAR ROUND with a different experience in every season!

Also new to Okemo’s Adventure Zone is the Amp Energy Big Air Bag, a giant inflatable pillow! It has two inflatable chambers: the bottom chamber is firm, maintaining stability, while the upper one is soft for a soothing landing. Internal air pumps ensure constant air pressure. Tickets are sold individually at $6 a jump, or three jumps for $15.

The Adventure Zone also offers The Timber Ripper Mountain Coaster, Lumberin’ Cal Mini Golf, The Stump Jumper Trampoline Bungee Jump, The Maples Disc Golf Course, Twiggy’s Snack Bar and The Ripper Arcade and Gift Shop.

So come join the fun this summer at the Okemo Adventure Zone!! Visit www.okemo.com or call 1-800-78-OKEMO for more information.

Stop by the gallery Thursday-Saturday 11am-5pm or Sunday 11am-4pm and check out the exceptional artistic style! Also, new to DaVallia is their online shop, www.theDaVallia.com.

DaVallia Arts & Accents is located on the Village Green in Chester, 802-875-1203.

Please follow this link, http://www.bestoftheroad.com/place.do?poiId=128770 and vote for the Okemo Valley!!

To view a full list of our Special Packages, visit www.yourplaceinvermont.com/special-packages.html. Be sure to check back often, as we are constantly updating our website with new packages!

See you in the Okemo Valley!

Watercolors  “The Paradise Suite”, a major thematic series developed over the past three years, by Jeanne Carbonetti will be on view.  The exhibition marks the first time that many works will be seen in public.

On hand for the opening and gala ribbon cutting will be Megan Smith, Commissioner of the Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing , Patricia Moulton Powden Deputy Secretary

Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development, and Alex Aldrich, executive director of the Vermont Council on the Arts.  As Smith said, “The arts have demonstrated their ability to be an economic driver in Vermont’s creative economy.   With the opening of VTica dedicated to the contemporary arts  we have another voice to add  to our Green Mountain landscape of talented artists and innovative organizations that have made our State a special destination.”

VTica is based in a century old home/shop just off the Chester Village green.  For the past 18 months, renovations have been underway  to update the venue into an exhibition and performance space complete with climate-controlled storage and classroom space.

In her Paradise Suite works, Carbonetti tackles the imagery of landscapes, still lifes and the figure.  For her, paradise is “beauty, truth and love and represents the three faces of unity beyond the world of duality.”   Of the nearly 65 paintings on display, many are large 40” x 40” subjects.

Carbonetti has developed a unique method for emphasizing the fluidity of transparent color. She uses this technique to reinforce her special vision: the theme of natural rhythms.  As she has writing, “art is not a luxury, it is a necessity, not for society, but for every individual as well.”  Carbonetti will explain her approach to a subject and its interpretation in a free gallery talk on Sunday, May 6 at 2 p.m. at VTica.

The show, “The Paradise Suite:  Watercolors by Jeanne Carbonnetti” will be on view through June 17.  Throughout the exhibition, special events are planned including performances by Barbara Ween/George Kay duo on May 12., the jazz of LaVoz des Res on May 25 and the Scott Mullett Jazz Trio on June 2.  All performances are at 8 p.m.  On May 18 Bruce Duncan of  THE Terasem Movement Foundation will present the final program in the three-part series with a live interview with Bina 48, the world’s most advanced social robot.

VTica is open Wednesday – Saturday 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Sunday from noon – 5 p.m.

Congratulations Okemo!!

Situated in the Okemo Valley of Vermont, Okemo Mountain Resort is a four-season destination for all ages. Just today, About.com announced that Okemo has been selected as the 2012 Readers’ Choice Award winner for Best New England Ski Resort! Now in its fifth year, the About.com Readers’ Choice Awards honor the best products, features and services across more than a dozen categories, ranging from technology to hobbies to parenting and more, as selected by its readers.

Rising above the village of Ludlow, in south-central Vermont, Okemo Mountain Resort is a four-season playground that built its reputation for quality and superior guest service as a winter retreat for skiers and snowboarders. Originally a small community-run ski hill, Okemo began to blossom in 1982 under the ownership of Tim and Diane Mueller. Creating “The Okemo Difference” consistently earns the Resort accolades and awards for snow quality, grooming, terrain parks, family programs, slopeside lodging, resort dining and the best guest service in the East. In addition to an on-snow lineup of family fun, Okemo offers a variety of activities including ice skating, a pool and fitness center, spa services, and a mountain coaster attraction that operates year round. Two 18-hole championship golf courses highlight the warm-weather offerings. The Resort’s  Adventure Zone includes minature golf, disc golf, trampoline bungee jumping and a zipline canopy tour. Okemo is the ideal hub from which to launch a New England adventure at any time of the year. Call (802) 228-1600 or visit www.okemo.com.

We invite Vermont families, home and farm owners, businesses, and anyone else that is interested to join us in learning about local products and services that will decrease energy costs, improve the surrounding community, and build regional business sustainability.

The expo will be held at Okemo’s Jackson Gore Inn in Ludlow, Vermont on May 12th, 2012. Food & beverages will be available, admission is free! If your looking for more information visit YourPlaceinVermont.com or call the Chamber at 802-228-5830.

Business Owners – Looking to showcase your products/services? Call the Chamber for more info.

The Little School, located in Weston, welcomes all families interested in enrolling their children, to come explore its early education program. Visiting days will run during the last two weeks in March and the month of April. Appointments are requested.

The Little School is a private, inclusive, early childhood program welcoming children between the ages of 2 and 5 years old. Its three classrooms, Sunshine, Rainbow and Apple are now accepting new students for enrollment for the 2012-2013 school year.

During visiting days, families are invited to tour the school, observe the classrooms and talk with teachers. Visitors will also have the chance to learn about the application process for enrollment and financial aid available.

The Little School provides high quality early childhood education programs and believes that children learn naturally through play, especially when that play is supported by qualified teachers who create a program based on the children’s differing developmental capabilities and interests.

Accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and with a five-star rating from Vermont’s Step Ahead Recognition System (STARS), The Little School’s program goals and curriculum have been developed to promote the emotional, social, cognitive and physical development of each child. Through daily activities, children are provided with extensive opportunities to explore their surroundings and to grow and develop to their maximum individual potential. The Little School maintains high educational and training requirements for staff.

Established in 1976 in a historic schoolhouse in the village of Weston, The Little School serves up to 60 children from surrounding towns.

More detailed information about our school programs, including our summer camp, is available on our website at www.littleschoolvt.org. To make an appointment to visit The Little School, during visiting days, please call the school at 802-824-3405 or email us at admin@littleschoolvt.org.

BnBFinder, one of the world’s most comprehensive B&B directories, has named the Inn Victoria (www.BnBFinder.com/InnVictoria) located in Chester, VT, a Guest Favorite for 2011. The Guest Favorite Award, based on guest preferences and independent reviews posted to the site, is the highest distinction awarded by BnBFinder.

“Guests at the Inn Victoria gave it high marks for the delicious breakfast and gracious hospitality provided by Innkeepers Penny and Dan Cote,” according to Mary White, founder of BnBFinder and author of the book, Running a Bed & Breakfast For Dummies.

“The Guest Favorite Award from BnBFinder is a very precious achievement, confirming our commitment to guests” said Dan. “We are truly blessed!”

Traditional travel guides, rating systems and inspections are being surpassed by the demand for user-generated reviews. Guests are now able to leave reviews while visiting websites like BnBFinder or on-the-go using their smartphones to access sites such as BnBFinder-Mobile. Before booking a trip, many travelers read these reviews, making guest comments one of the most valued decision-making tools for potential travelers.

The Winter Carnival has been named a TOP TEN winter event by the Vermont Chamber of Commerce. It should not be missed! For more details or for team signup, call Julie at 802-875-2693.

The schedule for the event is below: