From: beilstei@ecs.umass.edu
Newsgroups: rec.skiing
Subject: Re: Seven Springs and big snow...
Date: 17 Dec 92 11:14:55 GMT
Distribution: na

In article <4f_u0gv0BwyON5WMAP@transarc.com>, Ward_Travis@transarc.com writes:> I went to Seven Springs, in Pennsylvania, on Friday. Their 'best' runs
> 
> No assistance in the parking lot for stuck cars. Plows had cleared
> lanes in the lot during the day, and they literally buried the smaller
> cars, mine included! (Owning your own snow shovel isn't too useful
> when your trunk lid gets buried) Parking lot attendants directed us to
> a lot at one end of the resort building, away from the slopes. The
> building/hotel is a big, shallow S-shape, withlifts and rentals at
> about the center. I truly believe this was a ploy to get people to
> walk through the facility - shops food realty and all - before getting
> to the slopes. There *is* a lot right below the lifts which was
> apparently left unplowed, or perhaps reserved for hotel guests.
> 
> Cross this with the poor conditions on the road leading to the resort
> and you get a real head-scratcher. This storm had been accurately
> forecast by the local (Pittsburgh) stations by Wednesday evening. By
> Friday monring, the resort road was reduced to one lane, and was
> treacherous without front-wheel drive. [[ Now, I agree: what people
> think they are doing when they light out for the ski mountain in an
> old Buick without studded tires, chains, or even weights in the trunk
> when the snow is accumulating 3 inches every two hours, with 19" on the
> ground overnight, I don't know. ]] I didn't see a plow along the
> entire seven-mile stretch on my way in or out. I found the road tricky
> with front wheel drive and winter tires -- and as we left, it was
> worse. Two tour buses were (wisely) stopped for fear of s-turns on
> downhill slopes, and several of the above-mentioned rear-wheel drivers
> were literally all over the road. What is going on in Seven Springs'
> mind?  Those two buses alone probably contained 120 cash-paying
> skiiers. Sixty rooms.  Stranding them four miles from the hotel was
> lame!
> 
> The message I got was pretty clear: Seven Springs got ambushed by the
> storm, forecasts notwithstanding, and was waiting to clear the roads
> and prep the slopes for the big crowd$, which must not arrive before
> Saturday morning. Those who made it through on Friday got a great day
> of Pennsylvania skiing.
> 
> --
> Ward C. Travis		Pittsburgh PA	"The fact is the sweetest dream that
> travis@transarc.com	(412) 338 4388	       labor knows."  - R. Frost

	Perhaps I can offer a little insight into the problems with driving
in Somerset County after a huge snow storm:

	1.  You have to remember this isn't Pittsburgh......there just isn't
	    the man power to clear all the access roads to the ski resorts
	    and sometimes even the main roads in and about Somerset County.

	2.  Lack of money and equipment to remove the snow.....all snow
	    removal in the areas of Seven Springs and Hidden Valley is the
	    responsibility of the state of PA....need I say more.

 	3.  I would bet....although I am not sure.....that Seven Springs is
            only allowed to plow the roads within the resort, not the road
   	    leading to the resort....this is the case with Hidden Valley....
	    this has something to do with that favorite ski resort term:
            liability.

	You are certainly justified in blaming Seven Springs for not plowing
their parking lots and roads within the resort....that is their fault and
of course their $$$$ which may explain why it wasn't done.  But the roads
leading to 7 Springs and all roads in that area are the responsibility of
good old PADoT, which we all know means slow response with fewer than 
resonable people.....besides in that area #1 priorty is Rte 30 to Somerset
and all the roads in and around Somerset.  Just remember in the future, that
most places outside of Pittsburgh don't have the man power or the $ to
clean their roads quickly....especially during a 100 year storm!!

Boy I wish I could have skied that day though......lucky you!!!


-Jim
Newsgroups: rec.skiing