Newsgroups: rec.skiing
Date: Sun, 13 Dec 1992 15:42:20 -0500 
From: Ward_Travis@transarc.com
Subject: Re: Big snow dump MD,WV,PA
	<1992Dec12.235138.6586@leland.Stanford.EDU>
Distribution: na

I went to Seven Springs, in Pennsylvania, on Friday. Their 'best' runs
(in terms of sheer length and vertical drop) are concentrated on a
face called the "North Face". The entire North Face (with the
exception of a trail named 'North Face' (there's a pattern forming
here) under Lift 9, was closed!! There was a good 14-18" of loose,
medium-dry powder just sort of lying around on the open slopes. Rumor
had it that they were saving the snow for the bigger, weekend crowds;
or that they simply got caught without enough grooming capacity to go
groom (and hence stretch out, pack down, make something that wouldn't
disappear as quickly) the North Face; or that there was avalanche
danger :-) Anyway that claimed perhaps 80% of the black runs there.

On the open runs, this storm produced exceptional conditions for
skiing in Pennsylvania. Loose powder on all slopes. Snow quality:
pretty dry, no cement. Some exposed base in spots by midday on the
ultra-popular Wagner and Stowe runs. No holes in the cover, anywhere.
Bump runs in great shape: solid pack under fresh snow. Those lifts
which were running were carrying the turnout with ease. Very windy,
however, with some really chilly gusts. Goggles a must, no sun, very
few people, no lines, restaurants just about empty at 1:30pm.
Continuous snow and snow showers all day.  Saturday was probably
excellent, with predicted lower winds and brighter sun.

Info for those unfamiliar with the resort: the standard day lift pass
sells for $30 (no plastic accepted, have cash or check ready at the
entrance to the parking lot) and was good until 7pm. Seven Springs has
good lighting (lots of mercury (blue) light) for night skiing. A
twilight pass is available for skiing from 4:30? 1? until 11pm for $?.
Food at the resort ranges from burgers 'n' beer to reasonably fine
dining (Emo's Pit vs. The Oak Rooms).

Now, some ranking on the resort's preparations for their best
snowstorm in many years (those weary of flames can skip this, no snow
details remain to be told):

Those familiar with the Springs know that the short rope tow above
lift 9 is important. It wasn't running! And skiiers willing to hike
past the rope tow would have been off-limits. Anyone who did sneak
over there had a pretty annoying hike to get back to a running lift...

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