Early Season Skiing at Seven Springs, PA
By Jim Kenney

There's never a dull moment for mid-Atlantic snowsports enthusiasts. Weather-wise we're off to another roller coaster ski season, but the folks at Seven Springs, PA are doing their utmost to get in the game. I enjoyed a full day of early season skiing at Seven Springs on Saturday, December 15th. Terrain options were somewhat limited, but for me personally it felt great to be back on snow for the first time this winter. Seven Springs was one of the few open ski areas in our region this past weekend.

Ski School in Session, photo by Jim Kenney


Seven Springs actually inaugurated their winter ski season a couple of weeks ago, but had to suspend operations due to warm weather shortly thereafter. Management made a concerted snowmaking effort in just a few days last week to reopen several top to bottom front-side trails for what was billed as "Opening Weekend Part II", December 14-16. I spent much of my time on Wagner Slope which had sprouted bumps for the occasion making it an entertaining intermediate run. Two longer green circle runs were also open from the top, Fawn Lane and Phillip's Run. The resort even placed four terrain park features along the side of Fawn Lane to serve the aerobatically inclined.

Bumps on Wagner Slope, photo by Jim Kenney


The crowd on Saturday was very manageable. Lift lines never exceeded a couple of minutes and were often practically ski-on. Seven Springs offered an early season discounted lift ticket for $39. Both the Polar Bear Express Six-Person chair and the Cortina Quad Chair were open and offered approximately 500 feet of vertical. I logged at least 25 runs, more than enough slope time to successfully break-in a new pair of ski boots that were fitted about a month ago by Tim McDonnell at Ski Center of Washington, DC.

I sensed that many folks in the crowd were season pass holders. There were also numerous instructors and patrollers doing training exercises and getting their early season act together. It won't be long before the whole mountain comes alive, although I suspect snowmaking operations will continue to focus on the regular trails and slopes before Seven Springs turns their big guns on the massive, but still grassy Spot Terrain Park.

Breaking-in New Boots, photo by Rod Smith


Mid-day temperatures hit about 45 degrees with partial sunshine. The snow conditions were soft for mogul mashing and pretty decent considering the dearth of alternatives elsewhere. Seven Springs is closed this midweek during another brief warming trend, but guests are encouraged to keep checking with the resort for updates on operations next weekend. Snowmaking temperatures will be returning soon.

Seven Springs website: http://www.7springs.com

Video of Rod Smith telemark skiing on Wagner Slope from December 15, 2012:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2z43E8r00j0&list=UUzwnoHIuEAl3IwHfQagvF9w&index=1

If only they could open Laurel Mountain and give us a little challenge.

you need to change your name to mr optimistic.
you're a glass if half full with a lemon wedge and some cheese, crackers, and pepperoni kinda guy.

I'm more of a ...GD IT it's raining, wtf is this. We NEVER get this in snow, and when it's finally cold enough it gets DAMN cold , and never snows. Wonderful transition of the seasons that we get. Go into winter with rain, exit with rain. OH storm front moving in! YAH...no...its a warm front.......rain, followed by.........rain when it leaves.

Hah! I was thinking of Sincraft when Jim posted his trip report. Snow looked good there Jim.

Remember, rocks are a good excuse to start a turn, or to initiate a hop turn. Or several.

Brush and mud won't hurt the bottom of your skis, and may actually polish them.

Surrounded by a bunch of Yinzers in Stillers jackets, now that is an empty glass...

yah what the heck. I dont have any core shots on the bottom so, might as well head on up to 7s to get some gravel turns in this weekend...or probably not. I'll bet they dont open this weekend

Enjoying the comments.

After 45 seasons around here you either stay optimistic or you stay home.

Amen, Brother Jim!

We are due to arrive at 7 Springs on Sat afternoon 12/22. They still have rain right now and the slopes look brown. They can start making snow tonight since the weather will be cold. How many inches of snow can they make a night and will they be ready for Sat/Sun? On the website they say that they will expect a foot of snow from the storm this Fri and Sat. How fast can a resort crank out their snowmaking in two days? Right now they say base is 0 inch. :-(

You "should" be OK if we get this snow. An option maybe to head over to Hidden Valley. It's only a couple / few miles away. They are open NOW and seem to have better snow making equip than 7S.

Here's their live webcams. HV Cams

Sorry noob, but most "early" season storms never pan out in this area. If it does, 7Springs will likely reopen their two trails and one main slope. I know it's pathetic in comparison to what you probably hoped for; however, history serves to the wise to review. 7S has never had a great number of slopes open consistently at this time of the year. This IS one of the worst years on top of that. (Everyone probably thought last year would be - depending on your age and history with the resort).

I would think by sat afternoon you will be ok. It shouldnt be busy because there is NOTHING on their report saying they will be open. That will probably happen mid day friday after they see what they get overnight and if they can make snow tomorrow night.

With any luck, they will let people run the powder from this storm on slopes not open too with a couple lifts. Or, groom one side and leave powder on the other. Alas, I doubt.

Your better luck is to travel to hidden valley about 20 minutes away. More open and with the snow, they will probably open even more. If they dont, you can still go down the slopes unless of course they rope them off.

I wish this was earlier in the week as, Im scrambling to get things done and to push family back from wanting to do things/spend time visiting during these two - three critical days Visit after. My xmas tree will still be up!

I'm booked with a package at 7S and can't cancel. Website says that it will "re-open 9 a.m.-10 p.m., Sat., Dec. 22, but are currently unable to say what terrain will be open and what tickets prices will be." I'm praying for lots of snow.