TR Seven Springs 3/1

[vinnyv11]

So my friend was running a trip out to Seven Springs so I decided to take the day off to check out a new resort and ski with my friend. Weather during the week had me questioning my decision with the recent warmups and such but a day off on the slopes with hopefully minimal crowds made the decision for me. As the day came closer some of the models looked like there was potential for snow rather than rain so I kept my fingers crossed. As we started the drive and got closer to Pittsburgh we could tell that it had definitely snowed and looked to be continuing as we went. Arriving at the base lodge we were invited to see at least 5 inches of fresh powder to be found with a steady stream coming down. After getting our lift tickets and changing in the lodge (crap part of a bus trip is the time it takes to get ready when you get there) we hit the slopes. My friend was familiar with the mountain so he took me across the mountain to skier's left to check out the terrain. As we worked our way around we could tell that it was going to turn into a special day.

 

After working our way over to the lift we were heading too I decided to check out what the tree's looked like with the fresh snow. Coverage was amazing with the fresh stuff really sprucing up the terrain. After hitting the lift back up you could see that the mountain had done a great job of grooming portions of the trails and leaving some parts completely undone so that the fresh snow would pile up nicely. We took a couple runs down avalanche and goosebumps which were soft with some nice bumps which really got the legs going. After dropping off my friends wife we shot over to North face to to check out the rest of the mountain. After finding our way over I ducked off of the trail to skier's right which was ungroomed gold as fresh snow everywhere was creating amazing little bump lines all over the place. After hitting the high speed quad we worked our way across the mountain hitting all of the terrain and jumping off the groomed portions at every opportunity we had to hit the fresh snow. We headed into the lodge to meet my buddies wife for lunch and had a good meal while seeing the great setup for night life at the mountain.

 

We headed out after lunch and hit some more of the north face hitting the various glades and some tree shots off map. More hits of trails under the lift which bumped up nicely and other trails to be had. Skiing was great we were getting every piece of terrain we could get our eyes on. My buddy decided to turn it in around 4 so I went solo and just hit more terrain all over the mountain again sticking to the sides of trails which were just skiing amazingly all day as the snow continued to fall. THe bus left at 7 so I called it a day around 6:15 to change and grab a drink the great bar the foggy goggle. Bus trip home was uneventful and as we left it was still snowing estimates I saw were around 8 inches over the two days and the lack of crowds and quick lift lines really made it one of the best days of the year.

 

To sum up the experience I couldn't really had asked for much better conditions. The only way conditions could have been much better would have been if we did not have the warm up because it added a little bit of slickness under the fresh snow but minimal and not noticeable most of the time. I have little experience in freshies and not much bump experience so this day really was a great working day for me where I really got to work on my technique and my legs were really feeling the burn of some more technical skiing but loving it. The mountain while not having the best vertical does have a lot of good terrain and the mountain feels very big with a lot of acreage for a PA mountain. The only points I felt were lacking were sustained pitches and the glades while fun were a little too cut out. Groomers did a great job and the mountain really has a good setup as far as lodge, staff and lift system.

 

Bus view as we got closer

 

 

View from the lodge

 

Amazing view of the snow coming down

 

Great fresh snow off the groomed trail under the lift

 

 

View from the top of north face area

 

Nice lodge at the top of the mountain with a lake outside

 

View down avalanche

 

Me coming down one of the glades

 

 

 

Horrible posture coming off a bump lol backseat much.... God I suck...

[RidgeRacer]

Nice TR Vinny. Those trees are huge, Looks fun.

[toast21602]

that place is a whole different world. it doesn't even feel like skiing in PA. the amount of snow that they get is unreal and the question of skiing glades out there doesn't even apply. they are always open. every time i drive out to pittsburgh there is some precipitation coming down outside of sommerset. they get nuked on all the time, and when they don't its still something fun. i'm pretty sure a few years ago when i was out there they had a 250"+ year.

[vinnyv11]

How is the steepness compared to Blue?

 

Nice report!!

 

There are some steeps to be had but more Main street than Razor back and not as sustained. However, the varied terrain and the acreage give you plenty to do and when you can hit the side of runs that are fresh snow and bumpy it can make the runs feel longer.

[Johnny Law]

Nice dude and don't be so hard on yourself on the form front you look alot better than just two years ago.

[vinnyv11]

Nice dude and don't be so hard on yourself on the form front you look alot better than just two years ago.

 

Nice dude and don't be so hard on yourself on the form front you look alot better than just two years ago.

 

Just a little self deprecation lol. Might be heading to stratton this weekend. Not sure yet.

[toast21602]

rough life.

[sibhusky]

The one time I was there for a race with the Siblet, I was impressed. The place does feel like a destination ski area in spite of the lack of vert.

[Ride Delaware ?]

I know a bunch of people from DE that would travel the extra 2-2.5 hours to go to Springs over the Pokes.

 

I always wanted to go on a WV/Seven Springs road trip, but it didn't present itself. When I'm not in New England full time next year maybe I'll try to get there.

 

Glad you got out there and had some primo conditions Vinny. Your odometer must be taking a beating this season.

[toast21602]

I'd re-post my report from there by the pics aren't showing up. no point.

[NMSKI]

Nice TR! Thanks for taking the time to give the details and pics. I'll have to check that place out, looks fun.

[mbike-ski]

nice report, we keep saying were gonna check it out on one of our pittsburgh trips but it hasn;t happend - one of these days.

[vinnyv11]

nice report, we keep saying were gonna check it out on one of our pittsburgh trips but it hasn;t happend - one of these days.

 

Now might be a great time considering they probably got clipped by WS Saturn.

[RidgeRacer]

I'm living the Vinny life next season...sampling different mountains like he's sampling fine wines. Stay thirsty my friends.

[vinnyv11]

I'm living the Vinny life next season...sampling different mountains like he's sampling fine wines. Stay thirsty my friends.

Always looking for someone to split the drives with.

[Ride Delaware ?]

With Vinny's motivation and a travel buddy, you guys could rack up some mountains!!!

[RidgeRacer]

Always looking for someone to split the drives with.

 

Actually - looks like you're at 9 mountains. I'm at 7. Throw in Blue possibly, Camelback definitely and we're even. And since I can see Plattelkill from my house (not really) maybe 10.

[Ride Delaware ?]

I'm surprised you haven't thought of a Stowe trip. That used to be a goto annual trip...

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Here you go salty