HV will open their bunny slope on Saturday for a day only session. They plan on opening the main intermediate and beginner trails on Sunday (continental and rambler) 'weather permitting' which translates to, how ever much snow they can muster to make in this short period of time!

I'm actually shocked as 7 Springs stated recently they hope to open NEXT weekend under a limited basis.

HV has some mean snowmaking equipment operating at high capacity.

So if you are desperate for some runs, there you go..

Strangely enough though, 7S guns were SILENT. The mountain was dark as their soul, ha. Tonight however they look to be in full swing. I'm only hoping that HV continues to push forward with snowmaking because imo this is going to be a bleak season for persistent precip which usually makes for continuous icy conditions from scrapers.
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Hidden Valley, Pa. - Hidden Valley Resort will open its slopes 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. with limited skiing on the Valley-side slopes Saturday, Dec. 10 and Sunday, Dec. 11, 2011, weather permitting. The Bobcat slope and Bobcat conveyor will be open on Saturday and with snowmaking in progress, the resort plans to add Continental and Rambler slopes and to operate the Sunrise/Sunset chairlift Sunday. Ski/board tickets will be $20 for adults and children. Group lessons will be offered at a pre-season rate of $15 per person and the Ski Lodge Express cafeteria and Glaciers Pub will be open.

The resort will close from Monday, Dec. 12 through Thursday, Dec. 15, and plans to reopen for the season on Friday, Dec. 16.

"With snowmaking in progress, we are ready to begin another successful season," Scott Bender, Hidden Valley's vice president of operations, said. "We are introducing several new programs with savings incentives that will help skiers, snowboarders and their families take full advantage of the snow sports and instruction available here at Hidden Valley."

Ski rental - $15 Board rental - $20
Either day.

I believe 7S is making the right decision NOT do open the slopes since weather is in their favor for this weekend to make snow. If you look at the weather for next week you will see why 7S is doing what they do as well as Wisp. I guess you can slide on the beginner hill at HV for $20 on 1/2 acre...wow.
Think Snow

I am sorry you need a ticket as well $20...

We will see who will be open on xmass...I will be riding at 7s on over 285 acres. I am happy for HV to be open FIRST - even if its only 1/2 acres.

Bottom line: if you are close enough and ITCHING to ride, HV is your option this weekend.

Neither resort is going to be able to make snow during the day over the weekend, might as well generate some $ and some hype. HV is doing the right thing no doubt. This weather coming in next week does suck but it could be worse. Looking like a few of those warmer days will yield a few hours of potential snowmaking at night.

Glad HV will be 'more open' on Sunday, I plan on being up there then. I have a season pass and if I go up and have to turn around due to crowds or limited terrain, no biggy, I'm only 50 mins away.

Same for 7S, I have passes plus I get 1 free ticket and 1/2 off with my HV pass. Whoever has the snow, is where I go

Now just hoping my knees and my right shoulder holds up for the season!

Just drove in over Gardner Rd - I'd be surprised if top to bottom not available tomorrow.

you still the ski school director at the springs??

Just got this email from HV, kudos to the snow makers and their decision to put in the new efficient system and use it as much as possible. We have been really spoiled the last couple of years.

North Summit Ski Area Opening Dec. 27!

Hidden Valley is planning to open the North Summit ski area and Skier Services Building tomorrow, Dec. 27! Comet, Voyager, Tracker and Wrangler slopes will be serviced by the Avalanche lift and Tracker cross-over tow from 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. The North Summit will remain open, weather permitting, for the duration of the 2011-2012 season. Visit our website to see live views of the slopes and to check out our daily Snow Report!

Just a first hand report.....

Ski'ed HV this weekend, Sat, Sun & today, and the slope conditions were remarkably excellent. Almost the entire front face was opened with full coverage top to bottom, groomed granular, no ice, no bare spots. Nice bumps on TBird. And, they did say North Face to open tomorrow with more lifts operating!

Ran into several folks on the lift lines over from 7S (actually, a couple were wearing 7S jackets which started the conversation) and they reported that 7S had just Wagner and Stowe open with ice and bare spots.....this being a second-hand rpt so take it for what it's worth.

In any case, if you are just hoping for some good snow it's at HV, at least for the time being.

Thanks for the live report. I plan on making it for the weekend either Tuesday or Wednesday. I have great hopes for the small storm tomorrow night followed by maybe 24-36 solid hours of snow making. setting up a nice weekend.

I also read in the Somerset Daily American that they are now partnering with a group called Skyline for their food and beverage service at all HV locations, including the Outback area. They also are putting in a Subway at the main lodge.

They may have made some mistakes along the way, but given the economy and that they are new at this, effort sure can't be questioned.

Quite remarkable they are going to have a great deal of the hill opened today. Hopefully, the initial rain today goes quickly to snow.

We went up yesterday at 3 PM. By 5 PM the place was pretty empty. 20 bucks for night skiing was just fine with us. ZERO lift lines.

I see they opened the other side of the mountain today. Hope we get the snow they are calling for tonight.

Hidden Valley is one of the bright spots in the region right now. They apparently took tremendous advantage of the few pre-Christmas opportunities for snowmaking and it paid off giving them probably the highest percentage of open terrain in the mid-Atlantic during this holiday season of below average ski conditions.

Now if only Hidden Valley had a hill with more than 500 vertical feet to work with we'd be set. Seems like Snowshoe (haven't been there yet) has done a good job getting a bunch of blues and greens open, but they have yet to open a single black run. I probably would have been tempted into a trip over there already if they had a few steeper runs to go with those 29 Blues and Greens. It definitely appears though that Snowshoe has vastly better snow making, and maybe a better weather pattern than anywhere else in the region, they just don't cater to good skiers with their priority of opening terrain.

2PT - in all fairness to Snowshoe, there is a logical priority of trails that need to be opened first.

Certain trails must be opened first to funnel skiers from main village area starting with Skidder down to the Ballhooter lift.

Unfortunately, those are all blues and greens and I too, feel your frustration.

I can buy that, but 29 blue and green trails before a single black... seems like it could be more like 25 blue and green trails and 4 blacks. I understand they want it to be good for family's for the Christmas vacationing crowd, but there are probably at least a few Dad's and Mom's there who would enjoy a few steeper runs. Oh well with the cold weather coming I'm sure they'll get some blacks open soon. As soon as I get back from NY and VT I'll have to start planning a weekend there.

It seems SwissMiss was about 280 acres short of his dream on Christmas.....

zing!

Glad to see HV make changes in their food service operations. Time will tell if it is an improvement. Here is the recent article in the Somerset Daily American Newspaper:
http://articles.dailyamerican.com/2011-12-24/news/30555783_1_local-ski-resorts-anna-weltz-slopes


>>"Hidden Valley's operational changes includes partnering with Skyline Ventures, a company with extensive experience in the food and beverage industry, Argenbright said.

Skyline is taking control of all dining operations with an eye toward bringing high quality and affordable pricing to the cafeteria, Clock Tower Restaurant, Glacier's Pub and the Falling Leaf and Black Diamond Pub facilities, she said.

"They have a lot of experience in that area," Argenbright said. "Our guests will see some new ideas and things like live entertainment every weekend."

Subway will also open a new franchise in the cafeteria in the coming weeks. "We're working on that right now. Subway has a great relationship with the skiing and snowboarding community."

Conditions at HV remain excellent for those searching for good snow in WPA this weekend. Lift lines were a bit longer than usual (for HV, that is) but I expect they'll have more running for the weekend.