Local Ski Resorts Reveling In Colder Winter Temperatures
All Predict Big Year After Several Warmer Winters
By Marissa N. Scarvel

The blustery temperatures and early snowfall in parts of southwestern Pennsylvania helped area ski resorts get off to a quick start this season.

Seven Springs in Champion, Pa., opened Nov. 22, thanks to a 17-inch snowfall the previous night. All of the resort's 31 slopes and trails were open by Dec. 7, more than one week before last year's semi-operational opening day of Dec. 18.

Seven Springs, which has three quad chair lifts, seven triple lifts and six surface lifts, targets Dec. 1 as an ideal opening day but temperatures the last three years have hindered snowmaking ability.

Although the resort makes snow, the natural stuff is still preferable, said Bob Duppstadt, Seven Springs' manager of public relations and advertising.

"Natural snowfall is still our number one marketing feature," he said. "People see snow in their backyards and they think skiing and Seven Springs. We have the ability to make an incredible amount of snow but the natural stuff really enhances our business. The last three years was less than average in terms of natural snowfall."

By mid-December, Duppstadt said the resort had 35 inches of natural snowfall.

"We average 105 inches so we are off to a good start," he said. "All signs are pointing toward an outstanding winter season."

That should come with some new benefits for local skiers. Seven Springs, anticipating more snowfall this year than in the recent past, has put plans in motion to improve and expand the offerings it has for the ski crowd.

The resort has upgraded some service areas and facilities and added a new trail. The vertical drop is 360 feet front and 750 feet back. Partially as a result, Seven Springs by mid-December already had doubled the amount of season passes sold compared to last year.

Nearby Hidden Valley opened 19 of its 25 slopes and trails Dec. 2. Last year, skiing at Hidden Valley did not get under way until Christmas.

"Last year I remember 70 degree temperatures in December," said Daniel Jackson, Hidden Valley's marketing manager. "You can't have snowmaking with those types of temperatures. When we did get the natural snowfall, it melted as quickly as it came."

So for every non-skier who enjoyed the recent warm winters, there have been at least several ski enthusiasts who have hated such warm temperatures in December, January, February and March.

Jackson boasts of Hidden Valley's snowmaking ability, noting that it is a valuable tool to help the resort through a winter warm spell, but agrees with Duppstadt's belief that it is best to have a heavier natural snowfall.

"It gives a better atmosphere when everything is covered rather than just the slopes," Jackson said. "We've already had significant snowfall and the cold weather is getting people excited. Once Pittsburgh and the surrounding areas get some snow, we'll have more people that think skiing."

Hidden Valley has one quad chair lift, two triples, three doubles and two handle tows. It has a vertical drop of 340 feet front and 430 feet in the North Summit area. By mid-December, it had between 12 and 36 inches of snow, including natural and man-made.

Mystic Mountain, located near Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in Farmington, Fayette County opened on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 23. Now in its sixth year, the ski area has 10 slopes and trails for skiers and snowboarders.

Tom Smith, director of activities for the resort, said Mystic Mountain is off to its best start ever. Unlike Duppstadt and Jackson, Smith doesn't mind a lighter snowfall as long as the temperatures are cold enough to allow the resort to manufacture the white stuff.

"A lack of snowfall on the roads allows the public to get here," Smith said. "We prefer to make our own. The die-hards know that as long as it's cold, there will be skiing at Mystic Mountain."

More than 2,000 people visited Mystic Mountain on opening day, a significant number, Smith said, considering the size of the ski area.

"It was awesome," he said. "This season will definitely be better than last and may very well be our best season ever."

Smith noted that Mystic Mountain has continued to add business as Nemacolin Woodlands features one regular quad chair lift and one handle tow. The vertical drop is 300 feet. The ski area has grown significantly even though the last few winters have been mild.

Hidden Valley and Seven Springs also have found ways to combat the rise in temperatures.

"You are able to attract people somewhere else to fill in the voids," Duppstadt said. "We added a snow-tubing park and last year about 60,000 people visited, so that was a big boost."

Jackson said Hidden Valley emphasizes that it is a four-season resort, a designation which helps it maintain a steady balance between seasonal activities.

Laurel Mountain in Ligonier, which reopened last year after being closed for several years, opened for the weekend Dec. 9 and resumed regular day and night skiing hours Dec. 15. It has snowmaking ability, 19 slopes and trails and one quad chair lift, one double and three handle tows. The vertical drop is 900 feet.