Laurel Mountain Ski Resort
Encyclopedia
Laurel Mountain Ski Resort is a ski resort located in Westmoreland County
, Pennsylvania
, United States
. The resort is adjacent to the Laurel Mountain Village, Pennsylvania and is the primary attraction of Laurel Mountain State Park
.
Over the years many more runs and ammentities were added to the resort. The resort was opened to the public in 1958, and then turned over to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 1964, on the condition that that no summer programs or overnight lodging would be allowed. The resort was closed for a decade from 1989 to 1999. Its opening for the 1999–2000 season featured a new lodge built at the top of the mountain. Mild winters and financial troubles caused the resort to close again for the 2003–2004 season. It was opened during the 2004–2005 season under the operation of nearby Seven Springs Mountain Resort
, but closed again after a money-losing winter.
In August 2008, Seven Springs entered into an agreement to once again operate the resort, based on a promise of $6.5 million in funding from the state for infrastructure improvements. The resort plans to open for the 2012–2013 season, once chairlift, snowmaking, electrical and trail upgrades are completed.
Due to an agreement with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
, which still owns the land the resort is on, no lodging can be built in the immediate vicinity of the resort.
The lodge is still standing today and was utilized during the most recent operation of the mountain as a warming hut with bathrooms and food service.
Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 369,993 people, 149,813 households, and 104,569 families residing in the county. The population density was 361 people per square mile . There were 161,058 housing units at an average density of 157 per square mile...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The resort is adjacent to the Laurel Mountain Village, Pennsylvania and is the primary attraction of Laurel Mountain State Park
Laurel Mountain State Park
Laurel Mountain State Park is a Pennsylvania state park in Ligonier Township, Westmoreland County and Jenner Township, Somerset County, Pennsylvania in the United States. This state park is a ski resort that closed for business in 2005. The ski assests of the park were purchased by Seven Springs...
.
History
The resort was originally founded as a getaway for members of the Rolling Rock Club, an organization made up of the richest and most prominent citizens in Pennsylvania. The original runs were designed during the winter of 1939–1940 and the resort was first opened for skiing during the 1940–1941 ski season.Over the years many more runs and ammentities were added to the resort. The resort was opened to the public in 1958, and then turned over to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 1964, on the condition that that no summer programs or overnight lodging would be allowed. The resort was closed for a decade from 1989 to 1999. Its opening for the 1999–2000 season featured a new lodge built at the top of the mountain. Mild winters and financial troubles caused the resort to close again for the 2003–2004 season. It was opened during the 2004–2005 season under the operation of nearby Seven Springs Mountain Resort
Seven Springs Mountain Resort
Seven Springs Mountain Resort is an all season resort located in Seven Springs, Pennsylvania. The resort is officially listed in the borough of Seven Springs but some sources still list it as Champion, as it previously was. It has a fairly high elevation for a Pennsylvania ski area, at 3001 feet...
, but closed again after a money-losing winter.
In August 2008, Seven Springs entered into an agreement to once again operate the resort, based on a promise of $6.5 million in funding from the state for infrastructure improvements. The resort plans to open for the 2012–2013 season, once chairlift, snowmaking, electrical and trail upgrades are completed.
Due to an agreement with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources , established on July 1, 1995, is the agency in the U.S. State of Pennsylvania responsible for maintaining and preserving the state's 117 state parks and 20 state forests; providing information on the state's natural resources; and...
, which still owns the land the resort is on, no lodging can be built in the immediate vicinity of the resort.
Midway Cabin
The original lodge at Laurel Mountain was located approximately halfway down the Broadway slope. Starting in 1954 the Pittsburgh Ski Club used the cabin as their mountain headquarters. The lodge had a dormitory that was available to members for an affordable $1.65/night. The PSC used the lodge until approximately 1954 when the region's focus on skiing shifted towards Seven Springs and Hidden Valley.The lodge is still standing today and was utilized during the most recent operation of the mountain as a warming hut with bathrooms and food service.
Lower Wildcat
Lower Wildcat is the resort's double diamond slope. It is the steepest ski slope in Southwestern Pennsylvania and considered by many to be comparable to runs found at New England resorts.Ski lifts
The resort has five ski lifts. Two chairlifts (one quad and a double) service the main skiing area of the mountain. A ropetow provides skiers and boarders the ability to learn on a soft and gentle bunny slope. A second rope tow services the terrain park and halfpipe. A third ropetow is utilized in the snowtubing area.Sources
External links
- Laurel Mountain Ski Patrol
- Laurel Liftlines A blog featuring commentary and news about the past and future of Laurel Mountain Ski Area.
- Resort Profile: Laurel Mountain