Almanac: Ludlow, Vermont

Population 2,700 year-round; up to 25,000 in winter

Base Elevation 1,100 feet

Price Of A Median Single-Family Home $100,000-$125,000 for a modest, in-town Victorian; $250,000- $500,000 for a new slopeside or lakeside home

Property Tax On a $100,000 village home: $1,550. On a $300,000 slopeside condo: $4,990. (Note: Taxes just rose 30-40 percent, and will soon rise another 30-40 percent due to Act 60.)

Main Businesses Skiing/tourism; some textiles, manufacturing and talc mining

Public School Population Black River Elementary, 200; Black River Middle School/High School, 290

Local Ski Area/Vertical Rise Okemo Mountain Resort; 2,150 feet

Skiable Acres/Number Of Trails 500; 98

Average Annual Snowfall 200 inches

Season Pass $1,130

Lift Ticket $52 weekend/holiday, $48 weekday

Best Event The Zucchini Festival, August (a thin excuse for a four-day party)

Locals’ Favorite Restaurants Nacho Mamma’s (inexpensive Mexican); Adolph’s (continental food in a casual atmosphere); Wasatch Brew Pub (businessman’s lunch lair turned sports bar in the evening). Harry’s Cafe (modest roadhouse with a sophisticated menu); Nikki’s (casual fine dining); DJ’s (family friendly, serving huge portions); Cappucino’s (intimate, affordable gourmet)

Locals’ Favorite Hangouts Characktors (lively nightclub, live bands), State of Bean (coffee shop), The Loft (slopeside, for spirited après-ski), Archie’s (sports/cigar bar)

Best Places to Stay Slopeside: Okemo boasts hundreds of units (800-786-5366). Elegant/in-town: The Governor’s Inn (800-468-3766), $95-$300; Andrie Rose Inn (800-223-4846), $110-$500. Lakeside charm: Echo Lake Inn (800-356-6844), $120-$260; Inn at Water’s Edge (802-228-8143); Coombs Family Inn (800-822-8799), $104-$154.
Affordable: Cavendish Point Hotel (800-438-7908), $89-$179.

Information Chamber of Commerce: (802) 228-5830, (877) 668-1852; www.vacationinvermont.com