Laurel Mnt. news story

[Ski]

***FYI: it's north of Seven Springs, on the other side of the PA Trnpk.

 

 

SOMERSET, Pa. (AP) _ Laurel Mountain's slopes will not open for skiers or snowboarders this winter.

 

But one official said Tuesday that talks are ongoing with the owners of Seven Springs ski resort to reopen Laurel Mountain for the 2006-07 ski season.

 

"More than anything, I'm sorry for the skiers," said Jeff Cook, vice president of Somerset Trust Co., the bank that now owns Laurel Mountain. "We believe Laurel Mountain should and someday again will be a really positive asset for this area."

 

"It requires the right framework. What nobody wants to see is it done halfhearted, halfway. It has to be done right."

 

Last year, Somerset Trust took over the resort after foreclosing on a $1 million loan by then-Laurel Mountain owner George Mowl, and reached a temporary deal with Seven Springs to run it for the 2004-05 winter season.

 

But a relatively snowless winter caused Laurel Mountain to close down after it reopened last year, and the bank and Seven Springs couldn't reach a deal this year in time to open it again.