Your guide to southwestern Pennsylvania ski areas
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The snow flurries that brightened the upper elevations of the Laurel Highlands in late October reminded snowsports enthusiasts to get themselves and their equipment in shape for the winter.
It also reminded resort personnel that they didn’t have much time left to finish on- and off-mountain upgrades and improvements.
When the season does start, possibly the day after Thanksgiving or in early December, skiers and snowboarders will find that Blue Knob, Hidden Valley, Laurel Mountain and Seven Springs raised prices for lift tickets, rental equipment and lessons. Boyce Park did not increase its rates.
An adult weekend lift ticket at Seven Springs will cost $85 and $89 on holidays. It’s an incentive to buy a season pass for those who plan to ski/snowboard at least eight times. The resort also offers a save-some-bucks “Super 7” package.
Buying lift tickets, rental equipment and lessons online can save money. Look for complete packages, including midweek specials, that include a lift ticket, rental equipment and a group lesson.
Want a ski or snowboard lesson? Ask for an instructor certified by the Professional Ski Instructors of America or the American Association of SnowboardInstructors.
College students, law enforcement, first responders, active members of the military and their dependents are eligible for discounts at some resorts.
Snowsports enthusiasts also can save money on everything from lift tickets to ski trips by joining one of the 17 member ski clubs of the Western Pennsylvania Ski Council (www.wpsc.net). The council is a federation of ski clubs serving western and central Pennsylvania and northeastern Ohio.
If you need rental equipment, save time by getting it the afternoon or evening before you need it and insure it for about $2 a day. It also pays to safeguard rental or personal equipment by checking it or locking it every time you go inside the lodge. It costs about $2 for unlimited access all day.
Drone aircraft? The resorts want you to leave them at home.
Here’s some basic information for comparison shopping.
Note: The number of slopes and trails claimed by some resorts include upper, middle and lower sections of some runs and crossovers that are nomore than catwalks.
Blue Knob
Prices: Adult weekends $65; weekdays $40. Junior (12 and under), seniors (65 and over), active members of the military and their dependents with ID, first responders: weekends $60; weekdays $35.
Five-hours (weekdays only) adults $33; juniors, active members of the military and their dependents with ID and first responders $28. Beginner group lesson: weekends $35; weekdays $30. Ski rental: $25 for five hours; day session $35. Snowboard rental: $35 for five hours; $45 day session. Cross-country skis and snowshoe rental for adults and children: $14. Lessons available on request. Trail fee: adult $10; junior $5.
Lifts: Two triple chairlifts, two doubles. Slopes and trails: 34. Info: Box 247, Claysburg, PA 16625; 1-800-458-3403; 1814-239-5111; www.blueknob.com.
Boyce Park
Prices: Adult weekend lift ticket (Friday daytimes through Sunday night): $22; Monday afternoons through Thursday nights: $ 16. Junior/Youth (6-17) Friday daytimes through Sunday nights: $16; Monday afternoons through Thursday nights: $12. Seniors (60 and older) Friday daytimes through Sunday nights: $16; Monday afternoons through Thursday nights: $12. Children (5 and younger): Friday daytimes through Sunday nights: $8; Monday afternoons through Thursday nights: $6. Active volunteer firefighters and emergency medical technicians: free. Group lesson: $13. Ski rental: $15. Snowboard rental: $20.
(NOTE: Nonresidents pay a few dollars more).
Lifts: One chairlift, one Poma lift, one handle tow. Slopes and trails: 9. Info: 675 Old Frankstown Road, Pittsburgh (Plum), PA 15239; 724-733-4656; 724-7334665 (recorded snow conditions); www.alleghenycounty.us/parks/fees/ ski.aspx.
Hidden Valley
Prices: Adult Friday through Sunday lift ticket: $67; junior (6-11): $54. Adult Monday and Tuesday: $42; Junior $33. Adult Wednesday and Thursday: $48; junior: $43. Children 5 and under ski/snowboard free with a paying adult. Seniors 70-79 pay half-price; seniors 80 and older free.
Group lesson (age 8 and older): weekend $47, weekday $34. Advanced reservations required. Ski/snowboard rental: adult and child $39.
Lifts: Two quad chairlifts, two triples, one double, three surface lifts. Slopes and trails: 26. Info: 1 Craighead Drive, Hidden Valley, PA 15502; 1814-443-8000, www.hiddenvalleyresort.com.
Laurel Mountain
Prices: Adult Friday through Sunday lift ticket: $55; junior (6-11): $45. Adult Monday and Tuesday: $39; Junior $35. Adult Wednesday and Thursday: $44; Junior $39. Children 5 and under ski/snowboard free with a paying adult. Seniors 70-79 pay half-price; seniors 80 and older free.
Group lesson: Monday through Thursday $34; Friday through Sunday $47. Advance reservations required.
Ski/snowboard rental: adult and child Friday through Sunday $39, Monday through Thursday $33
Lifts: One quad chairlift, one handle tow. Slopes and trails: 20. Info: 374 Summit Ski Road, Boswell, PA 15531; 724238-2801 (in-season) 1-888-5473388 (off-season). www.laurelmountainski.com
Seven Springs
Prices: Adult lift ticket Fridays through Sundays: $85; Mondays through Thursdays, $65. Child (6-11): Fridays through Sundays, $67; Mondays through Thursdays, $53. Children 5 and under ski free when accompanied by an adult with a lift ticket. Seniors (70-79) pay half price; seniors 80 and older ski free but need a lift ticket. Beginner group lesson: weekend $52; weekday $41. Advanced reservations strongly recommended. Ski/ snowboard rental: adult/ child $50. High performance skis, twin tip skis and telemark rental equipment also are available.
Lifts: Two six-person chairlifts; three quad chairs, five triples, three conveyor lifts and one rope tow. Slopes and trails: 33. Info: 777 Water Wheel Drive, Champion, PA 15622; 1-800-452-2223, 1-800-523-7777 (recorded snow conditions), 1- 814- 352- 7777; www.7springs.com.