DCSki Lost Ski Areas Archive

Kings Mountain

Kings Mountain, Pennsylvania

Historical profile · Updated December 5, 2004 · 4 reader comments

DCSki Editorial Overview

The story in brief

Kings Mountain, in Pennsylvania’s Laurel Ridge area near the present Laurel Ridge State Park Nordic center, is remembered as a recreational development where downhill skiing was reportedly offered at some point. The profile provides few firm details, and later observations found no visible evidence of a conventional downhill ski area. Accounts differ on the scale of that operation: some readers recall alpine skiing, while another says there was never an official ski area and that any downhill runs may have been informal descents through ungroomed snow.

The mountain nevertheless supported a broad winter experience. A family connected with the property recalls visiting during the 1980s for cross-country skiing, tobogganing, snowmobiling, and time in a distinctive lodge surrounded by A-frame, geodesic dome, and other unusual homes. A lake below the development may have been intended for snowmaking, though that purpose is unconfirmed. The site’s nine-hole golf course remains, according to readers, while the former ski identity survives mainly in memories of a lightly documented mountain resort and its surrounding community.

Generated from DCSki's historical profile and reader-contributed memories.

Now the site of cross country ski trails, downhill skiing was reportedly offered at some point in the past at Kings Mountain, Pennsylvania. At this time we have no additional details about the area.

Living history

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Community archive

Reader Comments

Bill Kircher

October 17, 2009

Your comments now the site of cross country ski trails indicate Kings Mt was located where Laurel Ridge State Park off RT653 exists. Kings Mt. Village is just down the "hill" from this state park. There is a huge man made lake at the bottom of the hill that could have been meant for snow making. I have yet to come across any photos of a downhill ski area at this location.

Richard Edward McCormick

February 10, 2010

King's Mountain was operated in-part at one time in the 1980s by my uncle's family. The immediate area boasts geodesic dome, A-frame, and other unique frame style homes which complemented the surrounding mountain forest-scape.
I fondly remember visits to the mountain to visit my cousins, aunt, and uncle. The lodge was superb and we spent countless hours enjoying the snow activities ranging from cross-country nordic and alpine skiing, tobogganning, to snowmobiling.
I am told that the township in which it is located is/was a dry township and as such, no alcohol could be sold on-site lending to a host of financial problems for any resort.
There may still be a nice executive 9-hole golf course in operation which was at one point hit and disected by a tornado.

Richard Edward McCormick
formerly of Greensburg, Pennsylvania;
currently of Fletcher, Vermont.

Bill Kircher

March 29, 2010

Kings Mountain sits between the Laurel Ridge State Park Nordic Ski center (Rt653) and the older Camp Soles Ski center which was located off Barton Church Rd. Camp Soles is no more than 3 miles away from Kings Mt and is operated by the YMCA of McKeesport. Kings Moutain still has the 9 hour golf course, small A-frame houses but very little media attention. There remains no visible evidence of downhill skiing at this location.

Bob Beals

November 10, 2010

The 9 hole golf course still exists and is in fine shape...pretty much the same for the past 45 - 50 years. Other than buildng a new clubhouse (20 years ago), reconfiguring the holes, and putting in poorly constructed white and red tee boxes it is pretty much the same from day one. There has never been an official "ski area" at Kings Mountain. The only "downhill" skiing that may have occured would have been someone trying to ski through ungroomed snow down the hill on 3, 4, or 5 (most likely). I tried it once...not worth the effort. Snowmobile rides back up the hill were fun though.

Snowcat got your tongue?

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