LUDLOW, Vermont ??” The dream of a Vermont country holiday conjures images of a snowy landscape, outdoor winter fun, and family and friends gathered round the hearth making memories that will last a lifetime. Okemo Mountain Resort welcomes revelers to enjoy a home away from home for the holidays in Vermont this season with a very special ski and stay slopeside lodging package.

The Okemo ski and stay holiday package includes slopeside lodging at Okemo Mountain Resort from Friday, December 23 through Monday, December 26, 2005, from just $143.50 per person/per day, based on three-night’s weekend lodging for two adults and two juniors in a one-bedroom Okemo Mountain Lodge condominium. A variety of other options is available.

The magic of winter and the traditions of celebration culminate in a family holiday at Okemo. Outdoor enthusiasts will delight in comfortable slopeside lodging with access to five mountain areas offering up to117 trails and 624 acres of skiable terrain. Nordic skiing and snowshoeing along expertly groomed and well-marked trails invite outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy winter at a more leisurely pace. Open, snowy hillsides beckon to families with the forethought to pack sleds and toboggans for the holiday excursion. At the Jackson Gore Inn, an indoor/outdoor heated swimming pool offers a unique way to enjoy winter in the great outdoors.

After a day of activity, or for a break in the action, visitors can peruse the shops of Ludlow and relax over a languid lunch in one of the village’s many fine eateries. For those who venture a little farther afield, nearby Chester offers a classic Vermont shopping experience in eclectic shops lining the village green. The Vermont Country Store in Weston makes a great stop for unique and hard-to-find last-minute gifts, and Manchester’s factory stores offer tremendous savings on famous labels and popular brand names.

What is holiday fun without the feast? Okemo’s Willie Dunn’s Grille at Okemo’s Nordic Center and Coleman Brook Tavern at the Jackson Gore Inn offer a memorable dining experience with fine holiday fare.

Willie Dunn’s Christmas Dinner menu includes Slow Roasted Prime Rib, Maple Glazed Ham, Roast Turkey with Apple Stuffing and Seafood Newburg. All the trimmings, including Chef’s Choice of Christmas desserts, will be available for $24.99 per person (plus tax and gratuity) and half-price for children 12 and under. Christmas Dinner at Willie Dunn’s Grille will be served from 5 to 9 p.m. on Sunday, December 25. Reservations are recommended and may be secured by calling (802) 228-1388.

Great food, fantastic drinks and a casual atmosphere combine to offer a unique mountain experience at the Coleman Brook Tavern. The impressive menu combines a mix of traditional and unique, with imagination and style — flavor is everything. The Coleman Brook Tavern will offer its standard menu on Christmas Day, from 5 to 9 p.m. For more information, or to make a reservation, please call (802) 228-1435.

When it comes to holiday gifts, Okemo gift certificates make a perfect stocking stuffer or optimal present. Gift certificates may be redeemed for anything on the mountain including food, lift tickets, lodging, lessons … even the Okemo Valley Nordic Center. And, with no expiration date, a gift certificate offers flexibility and convenience. Best of all, certificates may be purchased with the stirring of a mouse at www.okemo.com.

For more information about a Vermont country holiday at Okemo Mountain Resort, please call (800) 78-OKEMO (786-5366) or visit www.okemo.com.