LUDLOW, Vermont — With the tardiness of winter’s arrival this year, it’s hard to believe that spring is already just around the corner ??“ and now is the time to start planning that sun-soaked spring ski holiday. Okemo Mountain Resort’s commitment to snowmaking means there will be plenty of coverage for the longer days and warmer temperatures ahead.

“We’ve pumped more than 350 million gallons of water through our snowmaking system so far this winter,” says Okemo’s VP of Mountain Operations Barry Tucker. “We’re continuing to build snow base depths and the hill is in great shape. We expect great skiing and riding through spring.”

The longer hours of daylight bring some great lift ticket savings, ski-and-stay packages and whacky events too.

Okemo’s Skier and Rider Appreciation Days continue in March and get better in April. Skiers and snowboarders can enjoy a day on the slopes on select Thursdays in March (3/15, 3/22, 3/29) for just $39 (half-day from 12:30-4 pm for just $23) and in April (4/5 and 4/12) for just $29.

Vermont and New Hampshire residents can ski or snowboard an entire day on select Wednesdays in March (3/14, 3/21, 3/28) for just $39 (half-day from 12:30-4 pm for just $23) and in April (4/4, 4/11, 4/18) for just $29. 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. In addition, Okemo offers online-only lift ticket deals, that come and go as the season progresses, at okemo.com.

A great way to save on a spring skiing trip to Okemo is to purchase a ski-and-stay package. The “Lo-o-ong Weekender” is a three-day/three-night package that includes accommodations in mountainside lodging and daily lift tickets for each guest. Long weekends may consist of either a Thursday-through-Sunday stay or Friday-through-Monday stay, March 1 through 11. Rates start at $113.95 per person, per day. A mid-March, “Midweek Madness Getaway” offers even more savings. This five-day/five-night weekday getaway includes mountainside accommodations, daily lift tickets for each guest and the Okemo Freedom Pack of resort discount coupons. Package availability runs Sunday night through Friday, March 11 through 23. Rates start at $88.50 per person, per day. Okemo’s vacation specialists are available to customize a package to suit the specific needs of every party.

When it comes to super, spring skiing and riding events, Okemo has it all dialed-in. The Chevrolet REvolution Tour kicks off March 2 through 4 with a halfpipe and slopestyle event open to all snowboarders 13 and older, and snowboardcross for ages 15 and older. Then on March 4, VerMONTE CARLO casino night features gaming, food and excitement to benefit Okemo Mountain School and OMARA. The IZSTYLE Winter Tour is a two day event, March 10 and 11, with elements such as the Reverb Eco Village, natural and organic food sampling, ski and snowboard demos, and a special apr??s ski party on Saturday that is part of the Budweiser True Music Concert Series. On March 16, Okemo hosts the Fischer Super Slopestyle, the East’s first “Super” slopestyle competition. Everything is slated to be BIG: big rails, big jumps and a big wall ride, all followed up by a big party featuring Swollen Members. $10,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded. St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, will find families on a mountain-wide shamrock scavenger hunt and a St. Patrick’s Day Party sponsored by Guinness with musical guests Gypsy Reel from 3 to 6 p.m. in the Sitting Bull Bar and Restaurant. Things go from whacky to wild starting April 7 as Okemo celebrates spring with its annual Slush/Huck Weekend. This celebration of sun and snow for all ages includes the Slush Cup, Dummy Huck ???n Chuck Big Air Competition and Snowriders Gone Wild Rail Jam. Finally, on April 8, Okemo celebrates Easter with an Easter bonnet contest and an on-mountain Easter Egg Hunt. One golden egg contains a certificate for a new pair of skis or a snowboard from Atomic.

More information about what Okemo has planned for this spring may be obtained by visiting www.okemo.com or by calling (802) 228-1600.