Skiers can expect to hit the slopes at Seven Springs Mountain Resort beginning Friday.
The opening day of the ski season at the Somerset County resort was announced as crews began making snow the day after Thanksgiving.
“Last week, we had over a foot of snow at Seven Springs,” said Anna Weltz, regional senior communications manager for Vail Resorts, which acquired Seven Springs near the end of 2021. “It was so exciting to see the snow falling, but it was a little too humid to make snow. We would have just been blowing water in the air.”
After Thanksgiving, changing weather patterns brought colder, drier air to the ridges just east of Westmoreland County, making conditions ideal for adding to the naturally occurring snow cover.
“We like the temperature to be about 27 degrees or lower” to make snow, Weltz said.
On Friday, Weltz was unable to say what slopes and trails will be open when the first skiers arrive at Seven Springs. Opening dates for Vail’s two other area ski resorts — Hidden Valley and Laurel Mountain — also were undetermined.
“Think cold thoughts,” Weltz said.
During the first weekend at Seven Springs, slopes will be open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Opening Day festivities will include a disc jockey spinning musical selections, complimentary granola bars, hot cocoa, cookies and prizes for the first 12 guests to board the Polar Bear Express chairlift.
New offerings
Seven Springs
The resort is introducing new full- and half-day children’s group lessons with professional instructors who are trained to work with children. There also are two new seasonal development programs: Her Turns Academy for women and Mountain Adventure Team for ages 8-17.
New Thursday night snow tubing parties are planned.
In partnership with the Pennsylvania Snowsports Museum, the resort has on display a new exhibit to showcase items from the resort’s history. Located in the Main Lodge’s center lobby, it includes parts from the original rope tow, memorabilia and vintage photographs and skis.
Laurel Mountain
A new seasonal steep terrain program is designed to help fine-tune advanced riding skills for local skiing and to prepare for trips to other Vail resorts.
Hidden Valley
Two new seasonal programs are slated: Valley Adventure Team for ages 8-17 and a Snow Angels women’s program.
Pass sales to end
Monday is the last day to purchase Vail’s season or day passes, which offer a reduced rate compared with lift tickets purchased during the season.
Visit 7springs.com, hiddenvalleyresort.com or laurelmountainski.com for details.