Local and regional resorts are hoping for another “White Friday,” the day after Thanksgiving that for the past two years has allowed them to kick off their ski and snowboarding season.
It all depends on the weather. Naturally.
Overnight and/or day temperatures have to be below freezing — the lower the better — for at least a week for snowmaking equipment to generate enough machine-made crystals for their guests to slide on.
Natural snow, of course, is always welcome. The first snowflakes of the 2015-16 season arrived in the Laurel Highlands last month.
Katie Buchan, Seven Springs communications manager, said the trace of snow that fell on Oct. 17 was enhanced the following day by up to an inch that coated the resort’s grounds and buildings. It soon melted, but its arrival prompted resort employees to complete any remaining weather-sensitive outdoor work.
Snowsports enthusiasts hope it’s a harbinger for a snow-blessed season.
Most local and regional resorts have raised their prices by as much as $5 for lift tickets, rental equipment and lessons.
Those few that have held the line on prices are Boyce Park, Mount Pleasant at Edinboro and Ski Sawmill Family Resort in Tioga County.
Like in past years, the highest priced adult weekend lift tickets are at Snowshoe ($89), Seven Springs ($81) and Wisp ($79 on Saturdays). Those are at-the-ticket-window rates, and they’ll cost up to $5 more during the Christmas holidays.
In a major change for Oglebay in Wheeling, W.Va., the resort has decided to limit its operations to Friday, Saturday and Sundays only this season because that is when it’s the busiest. A triple chairlift serves one slope with a 168-foot vertical drop and a terrain park.
Save money by purchasing lift tickets in advance, online or buying a season pass. The latter provides the most flexibility and, in effect, pays for itself if it’s used at least eight times during the season.
Look online for ski packages, especially mid-week deals. Wisp, the resort that overlooks Deep Creek Lake, has one of the best money-saving packages: $49 Deal Day Mondays, which includes an all-day lift ticket, rental equipment and a one-hour clinic. It begins Jan. 4 but isn’t available on holiday weekends.
Here’s some basic information to help you do some comparison shopping at 16 resorts in the quad-state area:
WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA
Blue Knob
Prices: Adult five-hour flex lift ticket: weekends, $52, weekdays $30. Junior (12 and under), active members of the military and seniors (65-69): weekends $42; weekdays $28. Open-to-close lift tickets for adults are $62 weekends, $38 weekdays. Junior, military and seniors weekends, $50; weekdays $33. Seniors 70 and older: weekends, $25; weekdays, $16.50. Children 5 and younger ski free when accompanied by a parent with a valid lift ticket. Beginner group lesson: $20. Ski rental: $23 for five hours; $31 open-to-close. Snowboard rental: $33 for five hours; $43 open-to-close. 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.
Address: Box 247, Claysburg, PA 16625; 1-800-458-3403; 1-814-239-5111; www.blueknob.com.
(John Heller/Post-Gazette)
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 days through Sunday nights: $16; Monday afternoons through Thursday nights: $12. Children (5 and younger): $6 Monday afternoons through Thursday nights: $6; Friday daytimes through Sunday nights: $8. Active volunteer firefighters and emergency medical technicians: free. Group lesson: $13. Ski rental: $15. Snowboard rental: $20.
Lifts: One chairlift, one Poma lift, one handle tow.
Slopes and trails: Nine.
Address: 675 Old Frankstown Road, Pittsburgh (Plum), PA 15239; 724-733-4656; 724-733-4665 (recorded snow conditions); www.alleghenycounty.us/parks/fees/ski.aspx.
Hidden Valley
Prices: Adult Friday through Sunday lift ticket: $63; junior (6-11): $51. Adult Monday and Tuesday: $39; Junior $30. Adult Wednesday and Thursday: $45; junior: $40. Children 5 and under ski/snowboard free with a paying adult. Seniors 70-79 pay half-price; seniors 80 and older free.
Group lesson: To be determined. Ski/snowboard rental: adult and child $35 weekend, $31 weekdays.
Lifts: Two quad chairlifts, two triples, one double, three surface lifts.
Slopes and trails: 28.
Address: 1 Craighead Drive, Hidden Valley, PA 15502; 1-814-443-8000, www.hiddenvalleyresort.com.
Mount Pleasant of Edinboro
Prices: Adult weekend lift ticket: $33; weekdays $30. Student (6-21): weekends $30; weekdays $28. Child (5 and under): free when accompanied by a parent who skis. Seniors (70 and older): free. Last call special: $15 (last two hours of any day). Beginner group ski and snowboard lessons (includes lift ticket and rental equipment): weekend $50; weekday $40. Adult weekend ski, snowboard and snowblade rental: $25; weekdays $20. Student weekend: $20; weekdays $15.
Lifts: One triple chair, one T-bar and one Poma lift.
Slopes and trails: 10.
Address: 14510 Mt. Pleasant Road, Cambridge Springs, PA 16403; 1-814-734-1641; www.skimountpleasant.com.
Mystic Mountain
Times and prices: Open 2 to 10 p.m. Fridays, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on holidays falling on a Monday. Also, open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 24-Jan. 2. Friends and Neighbors Night every Friday beginning Jan. 8: $40 for lift ticket and rental equipment; $20 for lift ticket only. One-hour lesson specials are available from 4 to 8 p.m. Fridays beginning Jan. 8 for $30 per person. Reservations required. Adult lift ticket (Saturday, Sunday and holiday): $43. Child (6-11): $35. Child (5 and younger): $25. Group lesson (maximum of three people): $130. Ski/snowboard rental: $35. Child (6-11): $28. Child (5 and younger) $20. Snowshoe rental: $20. Cross-country rental (includes trail fee): $20.
Lifts: One regular quad chairlift and one handle tow.
Slopes and trails: Seven.
Address: 1001 Lafayette Drive, Farmington, PA 15437; 1-800-422-2736; 724-329-8555; www.nemacolin.com.
(Matt Freed/Post-Gazette)
Seven Springs
Prices: Adult lift ticket Fridays through Sundays: $81; Mondays through Thursdays, $62. Child (6-11): Fridays through Sundays, $63; Mondays through Thursdays, $50. 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. Group lesson: weekends $55, weekdays $45. Ski/snowboard rental: adult, $45; child, $40. 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: 31.
Address: Champion, PA 15622; 1-800-452-2223, 1-800-523-7777 (recorded snow conditions), 1-814-352-7777; www.7springs.com.
Ski Sawmill Family Resort
Prices: Adult weekend lift ticket, Fridays through Sundays: $34; Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, $24. Junior (6-11): Fridays through Sundays, $27; Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, $20. Seniors (65-69): half off an all-day adult lift ticket. Seniors (70 and older): free any day. Children 5 or younger ski free when accompanied by an adult who buys a full-price lift ticket. Group lesson: $20. Rental: $20. Snowboard and snowblade rental: $29.
Lifts: One triple chairlift, one double, two T-bars.
Slopes and trails: 13.
Address: 383 Oregon Hill, Morris, PA 16938; 1-800-532-7669; www.skisawmill.com.
(Associated Press)
Whitetail
Prices: Adult weekend lift ticket: $73; weekdays, $62. Junior (6-12): weekends $60; weekdays $53. Children (5 and under) receive free lift ticket with the purchase of an adult lift ticket. Seniors (65 and older): weekends $73; weekdays $31. Group lesson: $47. Ski rental: $48. Snowboard rental: $52. Military discount: $5 off lift tickets anytime.
Lifts: One high-speed quad chairlift, three regular quads, two doubles, two Magic Carpets.
Slopes and trails: 23.
Address: 13805 Blairs Valley Road, Mercersburg, PA 17236; 1-717-328-9400; www.skiwhitetail.com.
WEST VIRGINIA
Canaan Valley
Prices: Adult any day lift ticket: $59 weekends; $42 weekdays. Child (12 and under) and seniors (60-69): $40 weekends; $25 weekdays. Note: Lift tickets are less expensive during Value Season — opening day to Dec. 25. Children 5 and under ski free when accompanied by a parent who skis. Seniors 70 and older ski free. Group lesson: same for adult and children, $30; snowboard, $40. Ski rental: adult $28; child $25. Snowboard rental: adult $37; child $30. Cross-country rental: adult and children, $20. Snowshoe rental: adult and children $20.
Lifts: One quad chairlift, two triples, one Magic Carpet.
Slopes and trails: 47.
Address: 230 Main Lodge Road, Davis, WV 26260; 1-800-622-4121; 1-304-866-4121; www.canaanresort.com.
Oglebay
Open weekends only - 4 to 10 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday and 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. holidays.
Prices: Adult lift tickets $22 Friday, $28 Saturday, Sunday and holidays; child (6-17), $16 and $21. Adult ski rental $22 and $28. Child ski rental $16 and $20. Adult snowboard rental $26 and $32. Child snowboard rental $22 and $27. Ski Clinics 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday for children (5-12) $25 per child, includes rental and 10 percent off lift ticket. Snowboard clinics 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday for children (5-12) $30 per child, includes rental and 10 percent off lift ticket. Reservations required. Call 1-304-243-4049.
Lessons (includes rental equipment and 10 percent off lift ticket): $50 per person per hour, $30 for each additional person. Reservations recommended. Child (5 and under) skis free when accompanied by an adult with a valid lift ticket.
Lifts: One triple chairlift.
Slopes: 1.
Address: 465 Lodge Drive, Wheeling, WV 26003; 1-800-624-6988; 1-304-243-4177 for snow conditions; www.ski.oglebay-resort.com.
(Snowshoe Mountain Resort)
Snowshoe
Prices: Adult weekend lift ticket: $89; weekday $79. Student (13-17): weekend $78, weekday $70. Junior (7-12): weekend $74, weekday $66. Note: During Value Season (until Dec. 17 and after March 12), adult any day lift tickets are $59; students are $52 and juniors (7-12) are $49. Children (6 and under) and seniors (75 and older) $10. Group lesson: $59 weekend, $49 weekday. Rental (ski/snowboard advance purchase online): adult, student and senior $40; junior (12 and under) $30.
Lifts: Three high-speed quad chairlifts, three triples, one surface lift at Snowshoe; one quad, four triples, two surface lifts at Silver Creek.
Slopes and trails: 42 at Snowshoe; 18 at Silver Creek.
Address: 10 Snowshoe Drive, Snowshoe, WV 26209; 1-877-441-4386; www.snowshoemtn.com.
(Steve Shaluta Jr.)
Timberline
Prices: Adult weekend lift ticket: $69; weekdays, $49. Junior (6-12): weekends $49; weekdays $37. College students: $30 every day except holiday Saturdays. Child (5 and under) skis free when accompanied by a parent who skis. Group lesson: $37. Rental: adult weekend $35, midweek $33; junior weekend $29, midweek $28. Snowboard rental: adult $39; junior $34. Snowblades: $35. Telemark skis, boots and poles: $38.
Lifts: Two triple chairlifts, one double, one surface lift.
Slopes and trails: 39.
Address: 254 Four Seasons Drive, Davis, WV 26260; 1-304-866-4801; 1-800-766-9464 (general information); 1-304-866-4828 (snow reports); www.timberlineresort.com.
WESTERN MARYLAND
(Wisp Resort)
Wisp Resort
Prices: Adult lift ticket Sunday through Friday $59, Saturday $79; Junior (6-12) Sunday through Friday $49, Saturday $59. Seniors 70 and older and children 5 and under ski/snowboard free. All tickets include night skiing and snowboarding. Deal Day Mondays Package (beginning Jan. 4) $49 (includes lift ticket, rental and one hour clinic. Group lesson: Sunday through Friday $34, Saturday $49. Rental: Sunday through Friday $34, Saturday $49. Cross-country rental $49, snowshoe rentals $39. Trail fee: Sunday through Friday $19, Saturday $24.
Lifts: Two quad chairlifts, five triples, five conveyor carpets, one surface tow.
Slopes and trails: 34.
Address: 296 Marsh Hill Road, McHenry, MD 21541; 1-844-456-3234; www.wispresort.com.
WESTERN NEW YORK
(Craig Melvin)
Holiday Valley
Prices: Adult and senior weekend lift ticket for any eight hours: $69; weekdays $57. Junior (6-11): weekend lift ticket for any eight hours, $54; weekdays $45. Adult Sunday lift ticket for any four hours: $65; weekdays $53. Junior Sunday lift ticket for any four hours: $48; weekdays $42. Seniors weekdays lift tickets: $45 for any eight hours; $42 for any four hours. Children (6 and under) free. Group lesson: $32. Ski rental: adult $31; junior $25. Snowboard rental: adult $33; junior, $28. Cross-country skis: $18. Snowshoes: $18.
Lifts: Three high-speed quad chairlifts, eight standard quads, one handle tow, one Magic Carpet.
Slopes and trails: 58.
Address: 6557 Holiday Valley Road, Ellicottville, NY 14731; 1-716-699-2345; 1-716-699-2644 (ski reports); www.holidayvalley.com.
(Don Heupel/Associated Press)
Kissing Bridge
Prices: Adult weekend lift ticket: $62 for any eight hours; $60 for any four hours. Junior (13 and under): $52 for any eight hours; $50 for any four hours. Adult weekday lift ticket: $52 for any eight hours; $50 for any four hours. Junior weekday lift ticket: $42 for any eight hours; $40 for any four hours. Senior (62 and older) half-price lift tickets Mondays through Fridays. Children (6 and younger) are free when accompanied by an adult ticket holder. Group lesson: $30. Rental: adult $30; junior $25. Snowboard: adult $30; junior $25.
Lifts: Two quad chairlifts, one triple, four doubles, two rope tows, one handle tow.
Slopes and trails: 36.
Address: 10296 State Road, Glenwood, NY 14069; 1-716-592-4963; 1-716-592-4961 (ski reports); www.kbski.com.
Peek’n Peak
Prices: Adult weekend lift ticket: $57 for all day; $53 for any four hours. Weekdays: $47 for all day; $41 for any four hours. Junior (6-11) weekends: $44 for all day; $40 for any four hours. Junior weekdays: $36 for all day; $31 for any four hours. Seniors 65 and older: $35 every day. Five and younger ski free when accompanied by an adult with a valid lift ticket. Group lesson: $25. Rental: adult $33, junior (11 and younger) $27 for all day. Adult $26; junior $21 for any four hours. Snowboard rental: adult, $33; junior $27 for all day; adult $26; junior $21 for any four hours. Snowshoes: $15. Cross-country rental: $9. Trail fee: $8.
Lifts: Six triple chairlifts, two doubles, two Magic Carpets.
Slopes and trails: 27.
Address: 1405 Old Road, Clymer, NY 14724; 1-716-355-4141; www.pknpk.com.
PG graphic: ski guide (click image for larger version)
Lawrence Walsh writes about recreational snowsports for the Post-Gazette.
First Published: November 13, 2015, 5:00 a.m.
