Skiers and snowboarders celebrate ‘White Friday’
One of the first groups to hit the slopes at Seven Springs Mountain Resort takes the chairlift up the mountain Friday morning.
The lifts were filled on their way up the mountain on Seven Springs Mountain Resort's opening day Friday.
The first chair up the mountain Friday at Seven Springs Mountain Resort carried some excited snowboarders, and dressed as a penguin.
A young snowboarder makes her way down the mountain at Hidden Valley Resort on opening day Friday.
The first chair up the mountain at Hidden Valley Resort carried an excited Owen Witalis (at left), Chippewa and Alex Kampas, Wexford.
High above the chaos of Black Friday, a much-anticipated opening was taking place.
Area ski resorts Seven Springs Mountain Resort, Hidden Valley Resort and Boyce Park opened Friday.
“It’s a wonderful ‘White Friday,'” said Seven Springs and Hidden Valley communications manager Anna Weltz.
She said about 8,000 people came to the resorts for opening day.
“The crowds are smiling and happy, both here and at Hidden Valley, and everyone is having a good time,” she said from Seven Springs.
Skiers and snowboarders can enjoy new features at Seven Springs this year. One of the most popular slopes, Wagner, was rebuilt during the offseason. The top was regraded and cleared for easier access from Cortina lift. The Avalanche slope was also regraded to provide easier access from Stowe and Tyrol slopes. The area called the “Z,” which leads skiers and snowboarders from the Wagner slope to the Foggy Goggle and ski lodge, was regraded and expanded to improve traffic flow.
The slopes had a base depth of 12 to 30 inches. Two inches of new snow fell overnight, and a snowstorm Wednesday added several inches of fresh powder to the machine-made snow.
The resorts typically open the day after Thanksgiving, weather permitting. But Boyce Park ski slopes used an advantage to open earlier than ever.
Early freezing temperatures and snowfall enabled the slopes to get a head start on ski season.
Ski area manager Tom Mettrick said the weather was perfect for winter sports Friday. The temperatures were between 22 and 32 with sunshine and no wind.
“It’s a winter wonderland,” he said.
He said the slopes were filled with skiers, snowboarders and snow tubers.
Boyce Park is a nearly 2,000-acre park located in Plum and Monroeville. Mettrick said they live by their mantra, “Harmony.”
“Because we want to get along with everyone,” he said.