Laurel Highlands 7S HV LM (Epic) & BK (Indy) 24 - 25
29 posts
14 users
3k+ views
Laurel Hill Crazie - DCSki Supporter 
one month ago (edited one month ago)
Member since 08/16/2004 🔗
2,048 posts

Seven Springs has new Webcam on North Face summit and North Face base.

7springs.com

As of 6 PM 11/22/24 7 Springs reporting 12 niches.

snowsmith - DCSki Supporter 
one month ago
Member since 03/15/2004 🔗
1,594 posts
Unfortunately, the wet bulb temp is not good for snow making in the Laurels. 
Blue Don 1982 - DCSki Supporter 
one month ago (edited one month ago)
Member since 01/13/2008 🔗
1,591 posts

I have a few old Duda Mobile websites that are no longer supported. As an Epic Pass holder, I wanted easy access to "my" local ski areas without having to navigate to several different websites.  Here is what I came up with.

Here's the link - Ski The Laurels 

1732330279_ftukkhcpdljr.jpg

Laurel Hill Crazie - DCSki Supporter 
one month ago
Member since 08/16/2004 🔗
2,048 posts
Nice, Blue Don. I have it bookmarked. That will come in handy. Can I share the link on LM's FB Group?
snowsmith - DCSki Supporter 
one month ago
Member since 03/15/2004 🔗
1,594 posts
Pretty cool….but are we forgetting Blue Knob?
Laurel Hill Crazie - DCSki Supporter 
one month ago
Member since 08/16/2004 🔗
2,048 posts

I changed the title to include Blue Knob.

In an interview on KDKA CBS Pittsburgh yesterday 11/22 with Brett Cook, GM of Vail Resorts said that snowmaking could start midweek at 7 Springs.  

Blue Don 1982 - DCSki Supporter 
one month ago
Member since 01/13/2008 🔗
1,591 posts


 Certainly, please do!

Laurel Hill Crazie wrote:

Nice, Blue Don. I have it bookmarked. That will come in handy. Can I share the link on LM's FB Group?
Laurel Hill Crazie - DCSki Supporter 
one month ago
Member since 08/16/2004 🔗
2,048 posts
marzNC - DCSki Supporter 
one month ago
Member since 12/10/2008 🔗
3,338 posts

This interview with Brett Cook is from early 2023, but I only recently listened to it.  Perhaps old news to those of you who pay close attention to skiing in PA.  I didn't realize how many PA resorts he worked in before his current position.

Podcast #116: Seven Springs, Laurel, & Hidden Valley VP & GM Brett Cook

snowsmith - DCSki Supporter 
26 days ago
Member since 03/15/2004 🔗
1,594 posts

Looks like "White Friday" at Laurel Mtn .....:-)

1732895520_gqtcdmzbyyiz.jpg

wfyurasko - DCSki Supporter 
26 days ago
Member since 07/27/2014 🔗
356 posts
Is Blue Knob blowing snow yet?

The forecast for snow-making in Alexandria looks pretty promising this week, so 3000 feet higher up and hundreds of mile northwest, I'd hope they get started...
HokieDave
26 days ago
Member since 01/2/2024 🔗
17 posts
Yes Blue Knob is blowing snow. 
snowsmith - DCSki Supporter 
23 days ago
Member since 03/15/2004 🔗
1,594 posts

Monday night, guns off at LM, but plenty of snow stockpiled. And it's only Dec 2.

1733195981_uckwvgewjojx.jpg

oddballstocks
21 days ago
Member since 02/11/2017 🔗
128 posts
Guns back on at Laurel Mountain.  I wonder what they're going to try to have open?

My guess is Broadway and Wildcat.  I would love to see Innsbruck get love as well.
Grumpy dad
20 days ago
Member since 11/7/2021 🔗
147 posts
We have some of the best snowmaking conditions ever, and Vail has decided to once again focus on bare minimum as if this was all they could muster.  There's little chance to make snow next week.  Which means heading toward Christmas, there will likely be one slope and two trails open at 7Springs for example. 
This is the greatest example of how it was advertised vs how it's actually going. 

I know Vail pressures their management to keep operating costs down, but geesh at some point you must realize they literally only care about selling passes, counting their money, before the season even gets started.  Then through the season they squeeze every penny they can. All so a bunch of non skiers can get fat bonuses.
oddballstocks
20 days ago
Member since 02/11/2017 🔗
128 posts


 Agreed... it's awful.  I think the market is voting with their wallet.  Vail reported in September that pass sales decreased 3% YoY along with walk up ticket's decreasing significantly (I can't remember off hand, it was 15% or 35%).  The problem is the golden goose is dead.  If no one is getting into the sport, and season pass holders are leaving then sales will eventually enter a structural decline.

I've noticed a significant increase in social media presence over the last few months as it seems like Vail is scared they won't have as much money to count.

The company also reported in September they've entered into a two year "scaled efficiency operation" where they hope to save $100m.  Not great news for us Mid-A skiers.

Over/under on whether Giant Boulder opens this year?  Maybe for a few days in March after a freak snow... so sad.

Grumpy dad wrote:

We have some of the best snowmaking conditions ever, and Vail has decided to once again focus on bare minimum as if this was all they could muster.  There's little chance to make snow next week.  Which means heading toward Christmas, there will likely be one slope and two trails open at 7Springs for example. 
This is the greatest example of how it was advertised vs how it's actually going. 

I know Vail pressures their management to keep operating costs down, but geesh at some point you must realize they literally only care about selling passes, counting their money, before the season even gets started.  Then through the season they squeeze every penny they can. All so a bunch of non skiers can get fat bonuses.
snowsmith - DCSki Supporter 
20 days ago
Member since 03/15/2004 🔗
1,594 posts
Looks like most of the front side of HV will be open when thy do open. How about we compare to the local competition. 
HVdad
19 days ago
Member since 01/9/2018 🔗
97 posts
It's awful. Simply awful. It's all just, well, awful.
snowsmith - DCSki Supporter 
11 days ago
Member since 03/15/2004 🔗
1,594 posts
HV opened today with most of the front side open. Beautiful ski weather and very good conditions. Light crowds. Laurel  Mtn opens 12/20 with just about all of the snow making trails including Upper and Lower Wildcat. Impressive snow making effort by Vail and LM staff!
Blue Don 1982 - DCSki Supporter 
11 days ago
Member since 01/13/2008 🔗
1,591 posts


 I was thinking about a quick trip on Sunday until I saw this on that mobile website I built.....

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 7 AM SUNDAY TO 4 AM EST
MONDAY...

* WHAT...Heavy mixed precipitation expected. Total snow
accumulations up to two inches and ice accumulations between one
tenth and three tenths of an inch.

* WHERE...Somerset County.

* WHEN...From 7 AM Sunday to 4 AM EST Monday.

* IMPACTS...Power outages and tree damage are likely due to the ice.
Travel will be difficult.



snowsmith wrote:

HV opened today with most of the front side open. Beautiful ski weather and very good conditions. Light crowds. Laurel  Mtn opens 12/20 with just about all of the snow making trails including Upper and Lower Wildcat. Impressive snow making effort by Vail and LM staff!
needawax
9 days ago
Member since 04/19/2019 🔗
56 posts
Was at HV both sat and sun.  Sunday unfortunately in the AM was light rain, but it then turned to snow in the afternoon. Conditions were great when the snow squall started, and even less of a crowd...  
Leo
9 days ago
Member since 11/15/2005 🔗
365 posts


 Conditions and coverage were good.  It's shocking they prioritize 7S so much, the snow making is miles better at HV.  Though I get it that 7S brings in more revenue via the party crowd.

Sadly we are back in the now standard western PA winter cycle of cold/dry alternating once every so many days with warm/rainy. 

needawax wrote:

Was at HV both sat and sun.  Sunday unfortunately in the AM was light rain, but it then turned to snow in the afternoon. Conditions were great when the snow squall started, and even less of a crowd...  
needawax
9 days ago
Member since 04/19/2019 🔗
56 posts

We are in that cycle.  But I got 4 days in already between 7S and HV.  Trying to make that Epic NE pass worth it!  Having been there for a long time, agreed that snow is typically better at HV in general, but 7s has more to cover in general, and the snowmaking there on average isn't as good as what hv can do if so inclined.  That said, HV's makers are getting long in the tooth too.

I'll reiterate that conditions were divine when the "squall" happened mid afternoon yesterday (Sun).  The crunchiness turned to butter.

  

Laurel Highlands
6 days ago
Member since 10/29/2013 🔗
55 posts
A few inches expected this weekend, should make for a nice top coat, buy what is really needed is more open terrain. With cold temps over next several days, this is the time to see who really has the snowmaking goods to prepare for the all important Christmas Week.  
Laurel Hill Crazie - DCSki Supporter 
6 days ago
Member since 08/16/2004 🔗
2,048 posts
Laurel opens tomorrow at 10. All of its snowmaking trails, including the best expert terrain in the region, Upper and Lower Wildcat, will be open.
oddballstocks
5 days ago
Member since 02/11/2017 🔗
128 posts


 I want to be there so bad, but have to go out of town this weekend.  Going to try to hit it over the holidays.

Hope you can enjoy!  Snowing now and the weather looks great all weekend.

Laurel Hill Crazie wrote:

Laurel opens tomorrow at 10. All of its snowmaking trails, including the best expert terrain in the region, Upper and Lower Wildcat, will be open.
imp - DCSki Supporter 
5 days ago
Member since 01/11/2007 🔗
302 posts

today was the best skiing on opening day in a long long time

needawax
2 days ago
Member since 04/19/2019 🔗
56 posts

Was at HV Fri nite and Saturday.  Wonderful burst of snow mid-day right on top of that machine snow.  Typical opening of North Summit slopes on Sunday.   Light to moderate crowds. Really enjoying these bonus days before Christmas/New Years.  Next up - get over to Laurel and perhaps Whitetail between the 2 holidays.

Ski and Tell

Speak truth to powder.

Join the conversation by logging in.

Don't have an account? Create one here.

0.15 seconds