Get a lift this winter: A complete guide to the region's ski slopes
Share with others:
Storms that dumped up to a foot of snow in the Laurel Highlands, West Virginia, western Maryland and western New York in recent weeks have snow-sports enthusiasts looking forward to a white winter.
Of course, the slushy snow melted within a week. But it reminded staff at regional resorts that they don't have much time to make last-minute preparations for the coming season.
PG MAPIt's also time for snow lovers to get their bodies, clothing and equipment ready for winter sports.
Lift tickets, rental equipment and/or lessons at most resorts will cost a few dollars more this season, especially during the Christmas and New Year's holidays.
Still, there are bargains out there, especially on weekdays, at Boyce Park, Hidden Valley, Mount Pleasant of Edinboro, Mystic Mountain at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort & Spa, Oglebay, Snowshoe and Wisp.
Some resorts offer discounts to college students, law enforcement and emergency responders, and active members of the military. Check websites for midweek specials.
You also can save money by going online to buy lift tickets, lessons and snowtubing tickets and to rent equipment, including snowshoes and snowblades. If you're staying at or near a resort, you can save time by getting fitted for rental equipment the night before you plan to hit the slopes.
It pays to wear a helmet -- offered for rent at most resorts -- and to purchase insurance for rental equipment. The latter costs about $2 a day. Yes, any rocks poking up through the snow belong to the resort, but you're the one who ran over them with their skis or snowboard.
Because resorts in the Laurel Highlands were the target of some equipment thefts last year, safeguard your equipment by checking it or locking it every time you go inside the lodge -- even if it's "only for a minute."
And treat yourself to at least one day of skiing or snowboarding midweek when lift tickets and rental equipment cost less, a "group" lesson may consist of you and the instructor, and the slopes are less crowded.
Hidden Valley has a great deal on Mondays and Tuesdays -- a lift ticket, rental equipment and a beginner lesson for $28.
Although resorts in the region hope to open just before or after Thanksgiving, they'll need a week or more of below-freezing temperatures before they can make enough snow to get the season under way. Of course, a few inches of natural snow wouldn't hurt, either.
Here's a description of 17 local and regional resorts with prices for lift tickets, and a complete set of rental equipment and group lessons. Each area has learn-to-ski/snowboard packages but may restrict them to weekdays.
Ask for an instructor certified by the Professional Ski Instructors of America or the American Association of Snowboard Instructors.
Ask about packages that include lift tickets, rental equipment and lessons. Many areas offer night skiing/snowboarding with lower-priced lift tickets and rental equipment.
Missing from this year's list is Cockaigne, the western New York ski area that lost its landmark lodge to a fire last winter and hopes to reopen next year with a new owner.
Prices: Adult five-hour flex lift ticket: weekends, $50; weekdays $30. Junior (12 and under), active members of the military and seniors (65-69): weekends $40; weekdays $28.
First Published November 13, 2011 12:00 am
