6 minute read
A Winter Wonderland of Epic Proportions
Seven Springs and its sister mountains are ready for a winter of fun in the snow.
STORY BY Lumen Bardot
PHOTOS COURTESY Laurel Highlands Magazine archives
The autumn leaves have fallen, along with the temperatures, and now there’s just one word that reigns supreme at Seven Springs and its sister mountains, Hidden Valley and Laurel Mountain: SNOW.
The Laurel Highlands are home to Pennsylvania’s highest elevations and average annual snowfall totals. As the flakes fly from the clouds above, helped along by thousands of snowguns working together to build not one but three winter wonderlands, the excitement and anticipation heat up across the mid-Atlantic.
Once the mountaintops are covered in fluffy white snow, guests from far and wide make their way to the region to experience everything there is to offer.
“Our location in the heart of the Laurel Highlands, just a short drive from the Pennsylvania Turnpike, makes Seven Springs an ideal winter destination for guests from Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Columbus, Baltimore, Washington, D.C., and more,” says Brett Cook, vice president and general manager of Seven Springs, Hidden Valley, and Laurel Mountain. “We love seeing families making new memories together, couples visiting the resort on a getaway, and groups of friends laughing and having fun on and off the slopes.”
Three Distinct Mountains of Fun
Each mountain offers its own unique flavors of winter fun, excitement, and relaxation to guests and snow enthusiasts. Cook certainly knows a thing or two about all of the distinct experiences you can find in the mountains of the Laurel Highlands.
“Guests love to come to Seven Springs for the resort’s variety of terrain, fun laidback vibe, and to explore our nearby sister resorts— Hidden Valley and Laurel Mountain,” he says. “Having three very different ski resorts within a short drive of one another—all on the Epic Pass has been a huge draw for regional skiers and snowboarders.”
According to Cook, Seven Springs is the largest resort in the region with 33 different trails and a destination resort experience, complete with lodging, restaurants, and family activities. After a day out on the slopes, guests have an abundance of options to keep the fun going including après relaxation at the Foggy Goggle, snow tubing, indoor activities for the family, and a variety of delicious dining options.
“Seven Springs is often referred to as the ‘cruise ship in the mountains,’” says Cook. “Just about everything you could need for a winter getaway is in one location—varied terrain for skiers and snowboarders of all abilities, night skiing on a large portion of our slopes, lively nightlife at the Foggy Goggle, fine dining at Helen’s, an expansive slopeside hotel, and tons of fun for families with snow tubing, an indoor bowling alley, swimming pool, arcade—the list goes on.”
Hidden Valley is midsize with a laidback, family-friendly atmosphere, and some of the best terrain in the region for beginners. The resort offers 26 slopes and trails on 110 acres, a snowsports school, a variety of dining options, and a fully-equipped ski and apparel shop.
“Hidden Valley is a favorite for my wife and me to spend the day with our three kids,” Cook says. “The resort offers a mellow environment with ideal terrain for beginner skiers and snowboarders of all ages and a nice array of progressive terrain as those skiers and snowboarders develop their skills.” each resort’s website (listed below) for the latest info to help you plan your visit.
Laurel Mountain is the smallest of the three resorts, located in the heart of Forbes State Forest near Ligonier, Pennsylvania, and providing a charming, rustic experience. Among its 20 slopes and trails is the mountain’s infamous double black diamond slope, Lower Wildcat, the steepest in the state at an average near 60% slope. The slope is a must-ski challenge for many snow enthusiasts.
“Laurel Mountain is very much a hidden gem. It’s smaller in size, but big in charm and history,” Cook says. “It’s an upside-down mountain with the lodge at the top, and great views of the slopes and the Laurel Highlands.”
Throughout the year, the resorts offer a wide variety of events and programming for everyone in the family. The calendar is always being updated, and it’s a good idea to check upcoming events on each resort’s website (listed below) for the latest info to help you plan your visit.
“Our team is planning a full roster of events this year, from Ullr Fest and holiday celebrations to the return of the Toyota Takeover Weekend, as well as après events and entertainment at the Foggy Goggle and Main Lodge,” says Cook.
Our location in the heart of the Laurel Highlands, just a short drive from the Pennsylvania Turnpike, makes Seven Springs an ideal winter destination for guests from Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Columbus, Baltimore, Washington, D.C., and more.
–BRETT COOK
The Laurel Highlands are Now Epic
The 2022–2023 winter season was the first time the three resorts were featured on the Epic Pass since being acquired by Vail Resorts in 2022.
The full Epic Pass offers access to more than 70 mountains globally with no holiday restrictions, and Vail Resorts offers a variety of budget friendly alternatives with both season pass and day pass options.
“Skiers and snowboarders can now purchase one pass that gives them access to our three Laurel Highlands resorts and take a trip out West to Vail Mountain, Breckenridge, and more,” says Cook. “Following our first season as part of the Vail Resorts family, Seven Springs, Hidden Valley, and Laurel Mountain will now be fully integrated into the Vail Resorts’ new My Epic app.”
Epic Passholders can take advantage of a variety of perks, including Epic Mountain Rewards, which unlocks 20% off on food, lodging, lessons, rental equipment, and more.
The My Epic app offers Mobile Pass and Lift Tickets, interactive trail maps, mountain and resort alerts, including operational information like grooming updates, terrain status, snow reports, and base conditions, weather updates, snow cams, and more.
Know Before You Go
With so much to see and do across three unique mountains, we recommend doing a little research on what each has to offer before hitting the road for your winter adventure:
• To learn more about everything that exciting Seven Springs has to offer, visit www.7springs. com.
• For information about family-friendly Hidden Valley Resort, visit www.hiddenvalleyresort.com.
• To get the scoop on timeless and challenging Laurel Mountain, visit www.laurelmountainski. com.
• To learn about and purchase Epic Passes and Epic Day Passes, visit www.epicpass.com.
