Okemo Green Ridge Triple Replacement to Be Called Evergreen Summit Express

Okemo has released the official name for its Green Ridge Triple replacement currently under construction for the 2021-22 season. The new chair, essentially a relocated Quantum Four, will be called the Evergreen Summit Express. The high-speed bubble quad will essentially follow the same alignment as the outgoing lift, but the resort will create a new cutoff from the Mountain Road trail to allow access to the loading area.

Okemo has also confirmed that the replacement for the Quantum Four lift, a high-speed six-pack, will be called the Quantum Six, retaining the outgoing naming structure. This installment will provide higher capacity for the popular Jackson Gore area—however, the new chair will not have bubbles.

The Vermont resort forewent spring skiing operations this season to facilitate the quick installation of these new chairlifts.

Our Take

With these upgrades, Okemo is effectively killing two birds with one stone: annoyances with the Jackson Gore bubble lift, and crowding problems on the main face. The relatively recent Quantum Four upgrade has received criticism due to a slower running speed than the bubble-less Jackson Gore Express it replaced in 2015. In a sign that the old lift left a sour taste in many mouths, the Quantum Six replacement will not have bubbles. We do imagine some returning visitors will be disappointed with the lack of cover on the new lift, but the faster speed and higher capacity should help.

While we imagine the relocated and renamed Evergreen Summit lift will still have the same speed constraints as the outgoing Quantum Four setup, it will be replacing an old, very slow triple chair and will certainly be considered an upgrade. But more importantly, the new chair will receive a direct connection from Mountain Road, allowing those coming from Jackson Gore to easily ride straight to Okemo’s main summit without taking a second lift or going all the way down to Sunburst Six. This upgrade means that Sunburst will no longer be the only high-speed route to the summit, which should provide much needed crowd relief in the area.

We expect the net benefits from these upgrades to bring considerable lift and crowd flow improvements. We’ll know for sure next season, when we stop by Okemo to re-evaluate the overall experience.

Considering a trip to Okemo next season? Check out our comprehensive mountain review.