Laurel Mountain Ski Resort

Infobox ski area
name= Laurel Mountain
logo =
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location= Pennsylvania, USA
nearest_city= Ligonier, Pennsylvania
lat_degrees=
lat_minutes=
lat_seconds=
lat_direction=
long_degrees=
long_minutes=
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vertical= convert|900|ft|m
top_elevation=
base_elevation=
skiable_area= 70 acres
number_trails= 20 total
longest_run=
liftsystem= 5 total
terrainparks= 1 total
snowfall=
external_link= http://www.skilaurelmountain.com/|

Laurel Mountain Ski Resort is a ski resort located in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, United States. The resort is adjacent to the Laurel Mountain Village, Pennsylvania] and is the primary attraction of Laurel Mountain State Park.

History

The resort was originally founded as a getaway for members of the Rolling Rock Club, an organization made up of the richest and most prominent citizens in Pennsylvania. The original runs were designed during the winter of 1939-1940 and the resort was first opened for skiing during the 1940-1941 ski season.

Over the years many more runs and ammentities were added to the resort. Sometime in the early 1940s the resort was opened to the public. Sometime in the 1980s the resort closed down. Finally in the late 90's a push was made to reopen the resort. A new lodge was built at the top of the mountain and the resort was opened for business. Due to questionable business practices the resort was forced to shut down around the 2002-2003 season.

In early 2008, there were some rumors of Laurel reopening. [ [http://www.hotel-online.com/News/2008_Apr_26/k.GPR.1209399511.html Laurel Mountain Ski Resort may be on upslope (Tribune-Review, Greensburg, Pa.) - 26 Apr 03:00 ] ]

Due to an agreement with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, which still owns the land the resort is on, no lodging can be built in the immediate vicinity of the resort.

Midway Cabin

The original lodge at Laurel Mountain was located approximately halfway down the Broadway slope. Starting in 1954 the Pittsburgh Ski Club used the cabin as their mountain headquarters. The lodge had a dormitory that was available to members for an affordable $1.65/night. The PSC used the lodge until approximately 1954 when the region's focus on skiing shifted towards Seven Springs and Hidden Valley.

The lodge is still standing today and was utilized during the most recent operation of the mountain as a warming hut with bathrooms and food service.

Lower Wildcat

Lower Wildcat is the resort's double diamond slope. It is the steepest ski slope in Southwestern Pennsylvania and considered by many to be comparable to runs found at New England resorts.

ky lifts

The resort has five ski lifts. Two chairlifts (one quad and a double) service the main skiing area of the mountain. A ropetow provides skiers and boarders the ability to learn on a soft and gentle bunny slope. A second rope tow services the terrain park and halfpipe. A third ropetow is utilized in the snowtubing area.

ources

* [http://www.teachski.com/Areas/laurelpa/Email0005.jpgThe Beginning Years of Laurel Mountain Ski Area]
* [http://www.teachski.com/Areas/laurelpa/Email0006.jpgMidway Cabin]

References

External links

* [http://www.laurelmountainskipatrol.com Laurel Mountain Ski Patrol]
* [http://www.liftlines.wordpress.com Laurel Liftlines] A blog featuring commentary and news about the past and future of Laurel Mountain Ski Area.