Last chance for skiers as Seven Springs plans to open for final run of season

Area skiers whose appetite for one last ski run were whetted by Thursday’s snowfall will get their chance this weekend at Seven Springs Mountain Resort, the area’s only area slope still open for the season.

The Somerset County resort, which is closed weekdays, plans to reopen Saturday. Briefly.

“Saturday is the final day of a fantastic season for us,” said resort spokesperson Katie Buchan.

The slopes will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for ticket buyers and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for season pass holders.

“The snow and the spirit are what really set this season apart. Seven Springs always has been the place to have some fun, get some exercise and spend time outdoors,” Buchan said, noting that many area residents were looking for an outdoor winter activity because of the pandemic.

“This season, having this outlet and being welcomed by the amazing conditions we had… I think that really meant a lot to a lot of people,” Buchan said.

Mother Nature certainly helped, with natural snowfall of 82 inches recorded at Seven Springs. That snowfall, in combination with snow making, allowed the resort’s slopes and trails to remain open 98 days since its Dec. 12 opening. Saturday will make day 99.

Laurel Mountain closed its slopes on March 14, and Hidden Valley closed March 21. Both resorts are operated by Seven Springs.

Buchan noted that season passes at those mountains were honored at Seven Springs.

According to David Shallenberger, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, the region’s natural seasonal snowfall since Dec. 1, with Thursday’s snow included, increased to 55 inches.

“The normal season is 39.8 inches in the region,” he said.

Buchan said about one inch of snow fell at Seven Springs before noon Thursday.

Hello April ❄️ pic.twitter.com/MvqC75jW4E

— Seven Springs (@7SpringsPA) April 1, 2021

Shallenberger noted that no more snowfall is expected in the region after Friday or Saturday, as temperatures begin a gradual increase to highs reaching up to 50 degrees Saturday at Seven Springs.

“But it will be pretty chilly there Saturday morning with a low temperature of about 22 degrees,” he said.

Lift tickets must be purchased in advance. Information: 7springs.com.