'White Friday' target for skiers to hit slopes at Seven Springs

Jeff Himler, Tribune-Review, Greensburg, Pa.
·2 min read

Nov. 21—Frigid temperatures brought scattered snow showers and squalls to the region late last week and provided ideal conditions for crews at Seven Springs Mountain Resort to make some snow of their own.

That bodes well for the plan to open the Somerset County resort for skiing Friday, the day after Thanksgiving.

Instead of Black Friday, "we're looking forward to a White Friday," said Anna Weltz, Mid-Atlantic Region senior communications manager for Vail Resorts. Vail operates Seven Springs as well as the nearby Hidden Valley Resort and Laurel Mountain Ski Area in Ligonier Township.

At Seven Springs, where snowmaking was underway Friday, Weltz said: "We're getting a nice blanket of white. Typically, 27 degrees is where we can start making good accumulating snow. We're taking advantage of every opportunity."

Through Wednesday, highs are expected to increase into the 40s with nighttime lows in the 20s.

Myranda Fullerton, a meteorologist with the Pittsburgh National Weather Service office, said the next chance for precipitation in the area will be Friday, with a possible mix of rain and snow. Saturday's forecast shows a high near 35 degrees with a chance of snow showers.

Seven Springs has an array of ground-level snow guns and loftier towers to produce man-made snow. The equipment applies compressed air to water drawn from lakes and ponds at the site.

Seven Springs recently installed 28 new snowmaking towers on its Giant Steps and has replaced a snowmaking pipe on Phillip's Run.

Seven new portable snow guns have been added at Hidden Valley, where snow-making also took place Friday.

Vail has set Dec. 23 as the target for opening skiing at Hidden Valley and Laurel Mountain for the season.

That date could be moved up for either site if weather patterns provide for good snowmaking conditions and allow for continuous operations, "rather than be forced to open and close," Weltz said. "We need a good cold, consistent weather pattern. Here in the Mid-Atlantic, the weather patterns aren't as consistent as they can be in other parts of the country. No one wants to open more than we do, and our goal is to do so safely."

On average, at least 1 foot of snow is needed to safely open a slope or trail, she said.

Seven Springs slopes are slated to operate 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Snow tubing will be available 1 to 8 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

Visit 7springs.com, hiddenvalleyresort.com and laurelmountainski.com for more information.

Jeff Himler is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Jeff by email at jhimler@triblive.com or via Twitter .