I went up to the mountain today, both HV and 7S. I was turned away with my season pass from 7Springs for the resort swap program at HV due to the Holiday. Rats! I so wanted to ride their newly opened fresh terrain.

No worries, off to 7Springs I went. 9:15, bottom lot filled, and north face lot filling up fast. I rode to the bottom and by 10:30 there were lift lines out the wazoo. By noon, I was pulling my hair out. I was almost collided with countless times while remaining on the north face the entire time. Upon visiting the front face, it was nothing but a sea of humanity strewn about the place. Lift lines to a shocking level.

Singles line was being abused heavily from people not willing to wait 20 minutes, which in turn created a 15 -20 minute wait alone. Both other front face lifts were originally so so for lines, by the time I left at 1:30 it was packed running lines BACK UP TOWARDS THE HILL!

At no time toward the end was there a time when I was not near someone within 10'. Many many people screaming down the slope at 50mph zinging between people and , many collisions occurred in my witness.

It's of my opinion that this is a dangerous situation, far beyond reasonable levels that any reasonable person wouldn't identify and therefore, puts 7Springs at a great risk. To what limit do they allow people to pile into this place? I realize it is a Holiday; and their xmas is quite good, but this level of lack of crowd control is malicious.

Worse, many many opportunities to make snow have come and gone without effort. They easily could have opened more slopes and lifts over the last week; only to let the moments pass to reduce their overall operating costs. Crazy. Maybe they didnt expect the crowds, but I find this unlikely.

The fact that people will continue to shovel money toward 7S after witnessing such blatant disregard for their customer base is beyond me. I realize they are the only game in town vs HV which is so much less; however in the absence of real competition, I pass anyone who continues to solicit 7S purely out of challenge during times when the mountain is less clown like. I personally, hope I have the fortitude to never again purchase a season pass at this place ever again. Ok with the limited drop at HV which I should think can be resolved by getting more laps in. Or , to take more trips instead.

I leave you with some of their facebook comments. The interesting parts are people discussing their garbage snowmaking, the lack of terrain and , their lip service on Laurel.

helley Blank Wain Well open up more slopes! My kids said they are not returning until you open up more. They are tired of skiing the same 10 trails. FYI Hidden Valley has all slopes open!
10 hours ago Edited 8

Zach Thompson And is like half or a quarter the size, soooo that's probably why they have all their slopes open
10 hours ago via mobile 3

Rebecca Drwal Ruff Open up the avalanche chairlift so homeowners can ski in and out!!!!!
10 hours ago via mobile 2

Shelley Blank Wain My point is you got the snow & slopes are covered open more trails! Season pass holders are getting bored with same trails.
9 hours ago Edited 1

Trent Stephens On the way! Sweet
9 hours ago via mobile

Seven Springs Shelley Blank Wain, it's coming. Trust me. Rebecca Drwal Ruff, you won't have to wait much longer. Zach Thompson, lol.
9 hours ago 1

Heyward Penn hidden valley has upgraded their snowmaking substantially over the past few years. it is important to note that they have the majority of their terrain open while springs does not. regardless of size.
9 hours ago via mobile 1

Seven Springs Heyward Penn, perhaps they have purchased new equipment, but we have done a tremendous amount of work to our system as well. When we churn it out, no one can compete.
9 hours ago 2

Heyward Penn ive been a pass holder at springs and hidden valley over the years. obviously you guys have better terrain so i currently only hold a pass with you guys. however, i certainly wish both resorts well and do sometimes go to Hidden Valley. With that said...crank those guns and get that terrain open!
9 hours ago via mobile

Heyward Penn and out of curiosity. does springs have any plans to expand terrain that doesnt include more jump parks? simply more slopes and trails?
9 hours ago via mobile 1

Seven Springs Heyward Penn, yes, we do. We have some plans, but nothing I can release at this time.
9 hours ago 1

Seven Springs Oh and because I had too much coffee this morning and therefore have jumpy fingers - Thank you for your support!
9 hours ago

Rich Dallas Is it busy up there today?
8 hours ago via mobile

Adam Midler OPEN BOOMERANG
8 hours ago via mobile 1

Richard Sherrin Do you have plans to open Laurel Mountain next year? I miss the steep slopes, deeper powder, smaller crowds, and the workout from the Lower Wildcat.
5 hours ago

Seven Springs Richard Sherrin, if all goes well with the DCNR's bidding and construction process, yes. Keep up the positive vibes!
5 hours ago 1

Codey Bohna When does north face close ?! I heard 4 but wasn't sure ?!?!?!
4 hours ago via mobile

Andreas Saviolakis is gunner open tomorrow? might make the trip from dc for the day but only if it is open. please let us know asap. looking forward to 2013
about an hour ago

parks are the future.

The 7S park rats were out in full force yesterday, sitting at the top of a featureless hill inhaling butane. It was quite the sight. While 12 year olds smoke cigarettes.

Looks like 7S finally listened and opened some more terrain. I wonder how much they saved on electricity on the two -three lifts they should be running each day at this point?

I've pretty much refused to go to Seven Springs since maybe 2003. I've never been there when the crowds and lines weren't absolutely 100% outrageous. Outrageous. Did you really expect anything less than a jaw-dropping crowding level at Seven Springs on a holiday?

I would avoid 7S like the plague on a holiday. O_O ...Even a normal weekend/Saturday, I would rather not ski at all than experience the absurdity of a 7S weekend. I'm surprised I'm in the minority for finding their crowding level intolerably miserable.

It amazes me that people allow themselves to be herded like cattle, even when there are other options.

I have 2 cottages that I rent in the are and often try to recommend that people pick a non-holiday weekend and to go to HV rather than 7S, but it is usually like talking to a wall. The rates that people are willing to pay for lift tickets and lodging, especially for New Years Eve is rediculous. All of this to stand in a lift line and get precious few runs that are an obsticle course avoiding other skiiers.

There are a few smart people, such as retiees and families who do home schooling, who are take advantage of the much lower costs of non-holiday weekday skiing, but these are the lucky few.

For me, I usually head to HV on any weekend. Even with the more limited terrain, I can get more runs in with much less hassle. Also, I noticed on the HV site this AM, that they literally have EVERYTHING open! This is perhaps the first time I can recall this especially this time of year and is likely due to the increased snowmaking they have installed. Combine this with 2 live bands last night at Glaciers and at Hops, believe they are really trying to make use of what they have as a viable alternative to 7S.

My boy likes the parks. I ski 7 Springs. Skier density has definitely increased over the last 2 seasons since they speed up most of their fixed grip lifts. When terrain is limited be extra vigilant.

Very glad to see that 7Springs is making an effort to make the main trails safer by grooming them mid day. As many people know, this is a HEAVY traffic area, which from the piles of beaten snow - usually cause accidents which can and does cause collisions and lack of fun from new riders.

I would also recommend that they patrol the trails to each ends of the resort to curb the excessive speed during the busy periods. This seems to be a prevailing issue and has resulted in some nasty collision or , cause of accidents. People , most snowboarders, zipping past people on busy trails , going many many times the speed of the downhill riders. This is just plain stupid and is becoming the norm there. It's a dangerous situation that is getting worse and worse. I snowboard mostly and like to go a bit quicker on the trails; however on these days it's dangerous to go quick on trails that usually have young , small kids on them and new riders.

Just got back from HV. It was great. I was the first person on the Avalanche lift this morning. Light snow all day.

I'll take that limited terrain and shorter runs over the obstacle course any day.

If I can load my pics I'll do a quick TR.

SKI CANAAN!!!...Picture Postcard Perfect..

Sounds nice. I was going to go south to WV or , over to Blue Knob but opted for 7S early again today. Holiday rates still in effect so, no pass swaps. Requiring me to pay through the nose. No thanks. I'll dodge people at 7S to save from having to pay holiday rates.

But yea you are right. Obstacle course it is. It was not busy on the lifts at all today at 7S and my head was still on a swivel.

and they are planning on having more lifts...

I couldn't make it down without needing to stop on a trail to let someone in front of me go a bit further with their erratic s turns. I should have skied today. Would have been easier to navigate the trails after the slopes got tracked/packed out.