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Your Guide to Skiing at Pennsylvania’s Laurel Highlands

When it comes to winter fun, Laurel Highlands, PA has you covered with three great options for winter adventure on the slopes.

Located about an hour from Pittsburgh, under 4 hours from Cleveland and Washington DC., and 5 hours from Cincinnati, makes Laurel Highlands an easy drive for a great winter getaway.

Thanks again to Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau for hosting our visit. This article contains affiliate links.

skier at Hidden Valley Resort in Pennsylvania

Things to Do at Hidden Valley Resort

 1 Craighead Rd, Hidden Valley, PA

This resort is known for being a great place for families and those who are new to skiing or snowboarding.  With 26 slopes and trails and two terrain parks on 110 skiable acres, there is something for everyone.

Hidden Valley Resort in Pennsylvania

If you are new to skiing or snowboarding, take the lesson. Friends don’t let friends give each other lessons!

Trust me on this one, it is so much less stressful if you are learning from an instructor.

Fun Based Learning Techniques at ski school Hidden Valley Resort

Take a Ski Lesson Using Fun Based Learning Techniques

Hidden Valley Resort offers a different technique for their newbies called Fun Based Learning that allows participants to focus on “going” rather than “stopping.”

The instructional course is designed in such a way, that it makes it easier to control your speed, stop, and turn.

ski instructors at Hidden Valley Resort

A few of us took the lesson as a refresher, (it was my first time skiing this season after breaking my ankle a few months earlier).

There is always something to learn and improve on no matter how long you have been skiing.

Our instructors, Dan and Johnny, did a great job showing us what to do and encouraging us to push ourselves to do more. This is a great place to start if it’s been a while since you’ve been on skis or a snowboard.

skier at Hidden Valley Resort in Pennsylvania

If you are a family with younger children, I would recommend checking out the Lil Rippers program (ages 3-12).

It’s designed to teach them how to ski or improve on advanced skills. You have a half-day or full-day option that includes lunch. That option allows you to either take a lesson or enjoy some time on the slopes on the tougher Black Diamond or Blue runs.

Snow Tubing at Hidden Valley Resort

Hidden Valley Resort offers snow tubing as another fun option for your visit.

Dining at Hidden Valley Resort

You have three options when it comes to dining onsite, the Sunrise Sunset Cafe, Glaciers Pub and the Clock Tower Restaurant  where you can grab a quick bite to eat or linger after a day on the slopes.

Make sure that you try the broccoli cheddar soup if it’s the soup of the day. It’s wonderful!

Lodging Near Hidden Valley

Lodging options are the nearby Inn at Hidden Valley or vacation rentals.

lodge for Laurel Mountain Ski Resort

Things to Do at Laurel Mountain Ski Resort

 770 Ligonier Road, Rector, PA 

I would describe Laurel Mountain Ski Resort as a hidden gem. The lodge is located at the top of the mountain which offers a unique perspective of the slopes. The vibe inside of the lodge is more intimate with a large fireplace and tables.

inside the lodge at Laurel Mountain Ski Resort

Dining at Laurel Mountain Ski Resort

Upstairs there is the Laurel House Cafe and downstairs there is a restaurant/bar “The Wildcat Lounge” with another fireplace and plenty of seating and TVs to catch the big game.

During our visit, they were playing Crooner music upstairs, which put me in a happy mood and in another time period.

I would highly recommend visiting this lodge even if you are not a skier because of its cozy atmosphere that feels like an escape from the world.

restaurant inside Laurel Mountain Ski Resort

Laurel Mountain Ski Resort resides in Laurel Mountain State Park and has a unique history.

The original design of Laurel Mountain was created by the Austrian ski guide who invented the modern alpine ski technique, Johann “Hannes” Schneider.

Laurel Mountain was also among the first ski resorts to install large scale commercial snowmaking machines in 1956.

old photograph at Laurel Mountain Ski Resort

Over the years it faced ups and downs, along with ownership changes.

It reopened for the 1st time in over a decade during the 2016/2017 season which means that guests will enjoy newer equipment rentals.

skiers at Laurel Mountain Ski Resort

Laurel Mountain has 20 slopes and trails. I would say that this resort is best for moderate to advanced skiers.

The views from the trails are absolutely breathtaking and peaceful!

Newer skiers can take advantage of the private and group lessons available for all ski or snowboard levels of ability.

skiers at Laurel Mountain Ski Resort

Laurel Mountain has bragging rights with the highest vertical drop on the Laurel Ridge in Pennsylvania at 761 feet.

The steepest slope in the state is a double black diamond Lower Wildcat Slope, which averages near 60% slope!

double black diamond at Laurel Mountain Ski Resort

No, I did not try it, but I do know someone who did!..and no they did not need medical attention.

vintage medical snowcat at Laurel Mountain Ski Resort

I just thought that the vintage medical snowcat was really cool.

Lodging Near Laurel Mountain Ski Resort

Laurel Mountain does not have overnight accommodations onsite and guest are encouraged to take advantage of The Highlands Package.

ski slopes at Seven Springs Mountain Resort

Things to Do at Seven Springs Mountain Resort

located at 777 Waterwheel Drive, Seven Springs, PA

The largest of the Laurel Highlands trifecta, Seven Springs Mountain Resort has 285 acres of skiable terrain with 10 lifts, seven Terrain Parks and 33 slopes and trails!

snow tubing at Seven Springs Mountain Resort

Snowtubing at Seven Springs Mountain Resort

Seven Springs’ snow tubing park is the largest snow tubing park in the region (minimum age is 4.)

You have plenty of time to do as many runs down as you want thanks to the moving carpet that brings you back up the slope. Ride single or join with a few others to increase your odds for some air time on the way down.

skiing at Seven Springs Mountain Resort

Skiing/ Snowboarding

Probably the best part about skiing or snowboarding at Seven Springs is that you can choose your own adventure with so many run options available for every skill level.

I enjoyed relaxing down the mountain as I went my own pace on the longer runs.

skier at Seven Springs Mountain Resort

There are plenty of challenging runs and opportunities to try new tricks at the terrain park too. Fun Based Learning lessons are also available at Seven Springs.

sugar cookie from Seven Springs Mountain Resort

Dining Options at Seven Springs Mountain Resort

If you stay at Seven Springs, you will appreciate the breakfast options and the view at Slopeside.

breakfast at Seven Springs Mountain Resort

There is a pastry chef on-site and you can taste the difference. You will still find plenty of other options if you enjoy savory over sweet options.

Foggy Brews at Seven Springs Mountain Resort

If craft beer is your thing, you will love Foggy Brews with 50 crafts and taps from around the world. It’s located on the top floor of the Ski Lodge and it’s also THE place to be.

The photographs on the wall are from Seven Springs all the way back to the 1950s.

moonshine pie at Seven Springs Mountain Resort

Another great option is the Seven Ten Bistro located next to the bowling alley. Incredible salads, entrees, and desserts.

(Try the Moonshine pies -*pictured above)

Things to do at Seven Springs Mountain Resort

Additonal Things to Do at Seven Springs Mountain Resort

There is plenty to do if you want to take your adventures indoors. The resort offers bowling, swimming, mini-golf, and an arcade.

snowcat tour at Seven Springs Mountain Resort

Winter Adventures

If you want more winter adventure, there are sleigh rides, snowmobile, snowcat, and snowshoe tours.

We had the opportunity to experience a behind the scenes tour of the snowmaking and snowcat.

snowmaking machine at Seven Springs Mountain Resort

You seriously will want to take the snowcat tour! It gives you a whole new appreciation for the crews that work on the slopes at all hours of the day and night.

shooting clay pigeons at Seven Springs Resort

As a year-round destination, guests can also try sporting clays. In the warmer months, there is a zipline course too.

room at Seven Springs Mountain Resort

Onsite Lodging at Seven Springs Mountain Resort

Guests staying onsite will love the close proximity to the slopes.

If you stay at the hotel, it’s important to remember floor number 4 because it will take you to most of the areas that you need to be throughout the resort.

The resort is HUGE due to several additions over the years.

There are also 15 chalets, 11 cottages, nearly 1,200 condominiums and townhomes, in addition to the 414 hotel rooms which means that you have lots of options for accommodations. .

balcony view from Seven Springs Mountain Resort

I loved that our room had hooks for all of our snow gear and a balcony facing the slopes with all of the action.

room at Seven Springs Mountain Resort

If you are a really light sleeper like me, I would suggest downloading a sound machine app so that you don’t hear the crews grooming the trails overnight.

Once I heard the beach waves in the background from the app, I was good to go.

sunrise picture in Laurel Highlands

Sunrise Views

Earlybirds, I recommend taking a drive to the top of the mountain for some pretty incredible views. The views were worth it to wake up before sunrise. 

ski resorts in Laurel Highlands PA

Visit All Three Ski Resorts with The Highland Ticket

Why choose when you can ski at all three!

I really enjoyed my visit to all three resorts and I think that each offers a unique experience. If you don’t want to choose, the Highlands Ticket is a great option.

chair lift at ski resort in Laurel Highlands PA

One ticket, three great ski resorts!

The Highlands Ticket offers skiing and snowboarding at Hidden Valley, Laurel Mountain and Seven Springs Mountain Resorts in the Laurel Highlands.

With this ticket you can ski & snowboard on:

  • 79 slopes and trails
  • More than 465 acres of skiable terrain
  • 9 Terrain Parks
  • More than 100 Terrain Park features

We really enjoyed our visit and I can’t wait to come back again with my kids. Our biggest regret was having to leave because we were having so much fun!

A 5-hour drive is definitely a doable road trip for our family!

Seven Springs Mountain Resort

Thanks again to Kia for providing a Sorento for our road trip. 

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