Ski and Snowboard this Winter with Vail Resorts

Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., and Baltimore area skiers and snowboarders seeking a close-to-home winter wonderland getaway, look no further than Western Pennsylvania’s Laurel Highlands. The beautiful mountainous region is home to three ski resorts within a short drive of one another that together offer a dynamic array of slopes and trails and unique resort experiences - all accessible on the Epic Pass!

Pennsylvania’s largest ski resort and the region’s premier ski and snowboard destination, Seven Springs Mountain Resort is home to 33 slopes and trails on 285 skiable acres, an expansive slopeside hotel, numerous dining options, a full-service spa, snow tubing, and an array of family fun like bowling, mini golf, an arcade, and indoor pool. No visit to Seven Springs would be complete without a stop at the Foggy Goggle, one of the East Coast’s top après ski bars!

Just a few miles north of Seven Springs, Hidden Valley Resort welcomes guests with a comfortable, laid-back atmosphere and some of Pennsylvania’s very best terrain for beginner and never-ever skiers and snowboarders. If you have never donned a pair of skis or struggled to learn to snowboard, the passionate, professional, and patient ski and snowboard instructors at Hidden Valley are ready and eager to guide you and help you grow into winter sports.

Small in size but big in charm and history, Laurel Mountain provides an intimate skiing experience in a natural setting in the heart of Forbes State Forest. Challenging slopes and breathtaking views make this a favorite destination of ski enthusiasts and nature lovers. Lower Wildcat, Laurel’s signature slope and some of the steepest skiable terrain in the state, beckons thrill-seeking skiers and snowboarders from near and far.

Unlock Winter Adventure with the Epic Pass
Mid-Atlantic skiers and snowboarders can unlock the ultimate winter adventure with our Epic Pass. Our Epic Pass products continue to reshape the ski industry by making skiing more accessible and by allowing guests to build a pass that fits their needs. Looking for an East Coast adventure? Visit 21 resorts with the Northeast Value Pass. Looking to ski for just a few days or up to a week? The Epic Day Pass is a great fit for occasional skiers, allowing them to choose 1-7 days from three tiers of resort access. No matter which Epic Pass you pick you can skip the ticket window and head straight to the lifts! With the new My Epic App, your pass is right on your phone and can be scanned through your pocket using Bluetooth low-energy technology.

Learn to Ski and Snowboard
The East Coast is a great place to learn how to ski and snowboard! Our Western Pennsylvania resorts are within driving distance of Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington D.C., making them an excellent destination for first-timers. Dedicated beginner slopes, ski schools with experienced instructors, and a variety of terrain help those new to the slopes build confidence and skills for their next skiing journey.

Epic for Everyone – Youth Access and Growing the Sport

The future of winter sports is inclusion. Through investments and partnerships, Vail Resorts is committed to ensuring that all feel welcome, invited, and included. Our Epic for Everyone youth access programs serve more than 11,000 youth annually who may not have had access to the sport. Our programs provide free on-snow sessions including lessons, meals, rentals, mentorship, an introduction to careers in snowsports, and more. This winter, several of our Mid-Atlantic region resorts will be hosting non-profit organizations for a series of visits. More details to come!

Your Pass, now on your phone with the new My Epic app

New this season, the My Epic app with Mobile Pass and Mobile Lift Tickets is now available to download, allowing guests to use their phone as their ticket to the slopes.

Mobile Pass and Mobile Lift Tickets is a hands-free option for skiers and riders to use at all 36 of Vail Resorts’ owned and operated U.S. resorts for the 2023/24 season, with availability at Whistler Blackcomb to follow in future seasons. It allows guests to buy their pass or lift ticket online, activate it in the new My Epic app, put their phone in their pocket, and get scanned, hands free in the lift line using Bluetooth® technology designed for low energy usage to minimize the impact on a phone’s battery life. This season, to ensure a smooth transition, the company will continue to provide physical cards for passes and lift tickets to all guests. For guests choosing to use Mobile Pass this season, watch this video for some tips.

The My Epic app also offers a range of guest-favorite features, including interactive trail maps with GPS location tracking, and mountain and resort alerts, including operational information like grooming updates, terrain status, snow reports and conditions.

New Snowmaking and Safety Enhancements At Seven Springs, investments were made in energy-efficient snowmaking to help open more terrain earlier in the season. Projects included new snowmaking pipe, seven new snowmaking stations, and 15 new HKD Viper snowmaking guns on Village Trail to help enable earlier opening of this terrain, 12 new energy-efficient HKD Impulse R5 snow gun towers on Tyrol Slope, two new Pisten Bully 400 snowcats to enhance the resort’s grooming fleet, and new lighting between Gunnar and North Face Slopes.

Hidden Valley also received new energy-efficient and strategic snowmaking improvements with the installation of four new Techno Alpin TR8 fan guns and new snowmaking valves. These enhancements will help the snowmaking team quickly and easily shift their snowmaking strategies based on weather patterns and needs.

In addition, all three Western Pennsylvania resorts have upgraded their safety equipment including new state-of-the-art AEDs that feature versatile pads suitable for both adults and children, user-friendly bilingual instructions through audio and visual cues, as well as integrated cellular, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS capabilities to provide comprehensive support to first responders.

Après Ski Scene and Dining Experiences

A full day on the slopes at Seven Springs can work up an appetite – for food and fun! Helen’s Restaurant- Authentic culinary creations and a rustic atmosphere will take guests back to a simpler time in the heart of the resort’s original homestead. With its amazing views, Slopeside Restaurant- features a casual family-friendly atmosphere and robust menus that feature a fantastic variety for all palates.

The hottest spot for après ski fun is without a doubt the Foggy Goggle! The legendary ski lounge boasts a variety of vintage arcade games, an outdoor deck with views of the slopes, several stages for multiple entertainment, and a vibe that can’t be beat. No wonder it’s a nominee for Best Apres Ski Bar in USA Today’s 10Best Reader’s Choice Awards!

Upcoming Special Events at Seven Springs