What's New On Pennsylvania Slopes - West
Not all roads to Pennsylvania's winter playgrounds lead north. There are impressive mountains including the Catoctins and Alleghenies to our west. And you'll also find a rare and unique cross-country skiing center. Philadelphia area skiers and riders often find themselves near Liberty Mountain when visiting Harrisburg or Gettysburg, and near Tussey Mountain when checking on the offspring at State College. Others check into Seven Springs Resort when attending conferences or visiting the flight 93 memorial. So, what's new and different for the upcoming winter sports season. Here's a preview that I put together for the Pennsylvania Ski Areas Association. -- Jay Lloyd
LIBERTY MOUNTAIN RESORT
78 Country Club Trail
Fairfield, PA 17320
libertymountainresort.com
Stunning panoramic vistas of LIBERTY MOUNTAIN and the neighboring Carroll Valley Golf Course are part of the dramatically designed 83,000 square foot Highland Lodge. Surrounded by the beauty of a central Pennsylvania wooded setting, the brand new lodge which will open for the start of the season is an oasis of terraces, new hotel rooms and suites, a pair of tempting restaurants, pool, hot tubs, saunas, spa and a warming central fireplace. On the mountain, futuristic Techno Alpine snow guns have been added to a vast snowmaking system that is now connected to a nearby lake. That major summer project created an inexhaustible water supply to bury the mountain under a crisp blanket of white. In the rental shop look for more high performance equipment to become available along with a new Montana waxing system to keep the fleet of skis and boards in pristine condition. More parking, new signage and a facelift at the popular Alpine Lodge Hotel mark the starting gun for a promising winter on Liberty Mountain.
TUSSEY MOUNTAIN
341 Bear Meadows Rd.
Boalsburg, PA 16827
tusseymountain.com
If you're heading for State College this winter to visit or study, TUSSEY MOUNTAIN is an added attraction for skiers and riders. The rental shop has expanded its inventory of boards, boots and skis, making it more tempting to rent rather than tote. Look for a bigger blast of snow with the addition of new guns to the recent snowmaking system expansion. At the Snow Sports School, the popular children's program has been extended to both Saturday and Sunday mornings. Lunch breaks will be getting more creative with the addition of a new chef, and a brighter look in the lodge after a paint-up facelift.
SEVEN SPRINGS MOUNTAIN RESORT
777 Water Wheel Drive
Seven Springs, PA 15622
http://www.7springs.com
Western Pennsylvania is going western with a snow sports form that's already sweeping the mountains of Colorado and Utah. SEVEN SPRINGS MOUNTAIN RESORT will begin allowing "Uphill Access". "What's that?" you ask. It's simply the invigorating sports of skin and cross-country trekking that allows uphill and lateral movement. "Skins" are fur strips, fixed to the bottom of alpine touring skis that allow easier uphill movement. It's a first for the Pennsylvania slopes. And there'll be more snow for Seven Springs skiers, riders and trekkers. Five new impulse tower guns will be firing out a snow storm on the North Face and 4 brand new Piston Bully snowcats will go into action for pristine grooming. For sipping and supping off the mountain, Seven Springs newest eatery, Foggy Brews will now have its doors open seven days a week.
HIDDEN VALLEY RESORT
One Craighead Drive
Hidden Valley, PA 15502
hiddenvalleyresort.com/
Some of the most scenic glade skiing in the picturesque Laurel Highlands of western Pennsylvania gets even better this season at HIDDEN VALLEY RESORT which is now operated by Seven Springs. Over the summer, crews were busy clearing the glades for a more exhilarating and challenging experience in a pristine wooded setting. To boost the rich Alleghany Mountain natural snowfall, Hidden Valley has bumped up its arsenal of portable snow guns backed up by a pair of new Prinoth grooming snow cats. And there's a new look at the Hidden Valley lodge after a remodeling and paint-up overhaul.
CRYSTAL LAKE SKI CENTER
1716 Crystal Lake Rd.
Hughsville, PA 17737
crystallakeskicenter.com/
Nordic skiers get a new outlook on life at the CRYSTAL LAKE SKI CENTER this winter. That lake-view wrap-around dining hall has been fitted with new windows to open a spectacular panorama on this central Pennsylvania winter wonderland. The "Longhouse Ski Center" is getting a revitalizing facelift and the trails have been brushed. Crystal Lake will be hosting some new and upgraded programs this season including monthly "Full Moon Skis", "Wild Wednesdays" and combination guided trail tours and catered lunch. Cross-Country skiers will be able to pre-order sandwiches on weekends. Look for hot soup to be another weekend addition - just to take the chill off an invigorating day on the trail.
Think Snow!
