Local ski resorts looking forward to successful season
For the Observer-Reporter
In this file photo, skiers enjoy a day of skiing on the slopes at Seven Springs Mountain Resort.
In this file photo, skiers ride the chair lift during a day of skiing at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in Wharton Township.
Numerous local ski resorts are preparing for the upcoming winter activities, and they’re expecting a good season on the slopes.
Madelyn Aguirre, the digital marketing manager with Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in Farmington, Fayette County, said they’re looking forward to opening Mystic Mountain for the ski season Dec. 21.
“We are staying busy making snow for our six trails and are looking forward to hosting many skiers and snowboarders this season,” she said.
Aguirre said this year, the resort’s Friends & Family night is back with $20 lift tickets and $20 equipment rentals. They’ll also be hosting group ski lessons for $30 per person every Friday night.
“Every year we host 10,000 to 15,000 skiers and 500 season pass holders,” Aguirre said.
Katie Buchan, the communications manager for Seven Springs Mountain Resort in Champion, Hidden Valley Resort in Hidden Valley and Laurel Mountain in Ligonier, said November was cold and snowy and they’re excited to start to the season.
“A lot of our winter outlooks call for above average snowfall with below-average temperatures and an early start and a late finish to the winter,” Buchan said. “And thus far, we’ve seen those predictions holding true, so we’re very optimistic we’ll see a great winter this year.”
Snow making at Seven Springs started on Nov. 10, Buchan said. The resort opened Nov. 23, and has been open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. They will announce soon when the resort will be open daily, she said.
Seven Springs includes 285 acres of skiable terrain with 33 different slopes and trails and seven terrain parks.
Buchan said skiers this season will see major enhancements to their snow-making system, improvements to lighting on the slopes and new seat pads have been installed to the chairlifts for the North Face and Polar Bear lifts.
“Those are the most heavily-trafficked lifts,” she said.
Buchan said any skier will be able to find terrain that fits their individual skill level at Seven Springs.
Hidden Valley opened Nov. 24, and they started making snow Nov. 10 as well, Buchan said. The resort is open Saturday and Sunday for skiers, and like Seven Springs, an announcement of daily slope schedules will be revealed soon.
Buchan said some improvements were made to Hidden Valley’s snow-making system, and new seat pads were added to the Sunrise Sunset lifts.
The resort has 110 skiable acres that include 26 slopes and trails and two terrain parks. Buchan said Hidden Valley’s skill level is best matched to those looking for gentler, mild terrain.
Laurel Mountain’s opening day has yet to be announced, but Buchan said they started making snow earlier this week. The 70-acre venue has 20 slopes and trails including one of the steepest in Pennsylvania, the Lower Wildcat Slope. Buchan said that one is a big draw for more advanced skiers.
“It’s an opportunity to take on some really challenging terrains that are difficult to find in the region,” Buchan said.
While Laurel Mountain has terrain for all ability levels, many die-hard skiers and snowboarders are attracted to it because it’s not technically a resort.
“It has a very vintage feel,” Buchan said, reminding visitors of an older-style ski resort they would see in Vermont.
At Wisp Resort in McHenry, Md., the ski season is projected to begin in mid-December.
“We are currently making snow along with natural snow falling,” said Maggie Moran, the marketing coordinator for Wisp.
Moran said it looks like they’ll have a cold, snowy winter ahead and noted the opening of Alpine Pasta House, a new restaurant at the resort.
Wisp receives an average of 130 inches of natural snowfall per year on 34 slopes containing 10.5 miles of skiable terrain.