HIGHEST HONORS FOR EAST COAST TERRAIN PARKS

Seven Springs was recently selected as home of the #1 terrain parks and pipes on the East Coast by the readers of TransWorld SNOWBoarding and SKI magazine.

“Being selected for the fourth consecutive year as the number one terrain parks and pipes on the East Coast is quite an honor,” said Joel Rerko, Director of Action Sports at Seven Springs.  “We are demonstrating our commitment to winter sports.”

NUMEROUS IMPROVEMENTS TO SNOWMAKING AND GROOMING

Joining the resort’s grooming fleet will be addition of a Prinoth Bison X, the second of its kind for the resort. The Bison X, known for its extreme maneuverability and operating range, will be a tremendous asset for improved grooming of the slopes, trails and terrain parks.

New snowmaking nozzles have been added to the snow towers located on the lower half of North Face, Giant Steps, Yodeler, Lost Girl and Gunnar slopes. The new nozzles will provide better quality snow by using water in a more efficient manner. The previous system in this location required temperatures to be at or below 20 degrees to produce snow. New water mains on the North Face of the mountain will provide greater water capacity for more efficient and productive snowmaking.

The snowmaking crew welcomed the arrival of five new SMI Pole Cat fan guns. These portable guns can be moved around the mountain and placed in strategically placed stations. Their addition to the snowmaking arsenal will take advantage of the updates to the water recovery infrastructure that included replacing water pumps, new pipes and improvements to the resort’s on-site holding ponds.

Snow towers in The Streets have been pushed back to allow for more open terrain. Meanwhile, snow towers on Fawn Lane have been relocated from the skier’s right to the skier’s left for better coverage.

Stowe slope underwent major renovations this summer including adding new HKD SV10 snowmakers, installing automated snowmaking to the snow towers located on the skier’s left side of the slopes and new pipelines. This will allow snowmaking to commence with just a flip of a switch. The new pipes will produce a better quality snow by preventing backups in the previous smaller pipelines caused by low pressure.

Known for their intense output, the new HKD Impulse snowmakers have been placed on the North Face of the mountain in conjunction with new water mains for increased efficiency. The Spot terrain park also received new HKD SV15 snowmakers for targeted output.

CREATING A SEVENTH TERRAIN PARK

The resort will continue its commitment to the growth and development of snowboarding and freestyle skiing with the creation of the new Riglet Park in partnership with Burton Snowboards. The introductory park, designed for children ages 4-7, will feature full and half-day group lessons with certified instructors.

The Riglet Park’s overall design will have the look and feel of a baseball field. Inside the park will be diverse selection of fun features like a cone zone where the kids will learn to weave in and out while being towed by their coaches, a giant-sized first base, oversized baseball bats for jibs, a dugout for an on-snow chill-out zone, a t-ball area for kids to hit snowballs off the tee, and a home plate fort.

“The addition of the Riglet Park is another example of our dedication to the growth of winter sports,” said Iwan Fuchs, Seven Springs Snowsports School Director. “By participating in this program, the kids will have a chance to test their balance and try out some new skills in a specially designed park.”

THE RETURN OF THE OLYMPIC-SIZED HALFPIPE

The Olympic-size Superpipe, located in the resort’s flagship terrain park The Spot, will make a return for a second consecutive year. The halfpipe will feature 22-foot walls and will be a prime location for snowboarding and skiing events, as well as a remarkable experience for guests to the resort.

SPRUCING UP THE MOUNTAIN

Perhaps the largest project on the mountain, the mountain beautification program will be the most noticeable. Over the course of six months, crews have made repairs to erosion-prone areas and cleared overgrowth and brush all over the mountain. In some areas, this added 20 to 30 feet of terrain to existing slopes, trails and glade area. Damaged trees were carefully removed and replaced with more than 100 spruce trees. The removal of trees and grading work between the tops of Avalanche and Stowe slopes will give easier access between the two areas when Tyrol lift is unavailable.

This project included major repairs to lift huts, pump houses, storage buildings, mountain operation buildings and more. The freshly repainted lift huts also received new board and batten siding and durable green metal roofs. The NASTAR race hut on Avalanche slope was rebuilt and a lift hut will be added to the Easy Rider beginner snowboarding area.

New trail signage including trails maps and directional signage featuring bold easy-to-read fonts are being installed throughout the mountain. New atomic clocks, thermometers and ski racks will be placed in high-traffic areas as well.

Energy-efficient LED lighting will be added to The Streets urban terrain park and select loading and unloading areas.

NEW AND IMPROVED EQUIPMENT

The rental center will receive 400 new Burton snowboards and bindings. Meanwhile, the Youth Snowsports Academy will receive new Burton boots and snowboards for use in the new Riglet Park lesson programs.

New loading corrals will be installed at all the lifts. These corrals will help ease the loading process for guests of all ability levels.

NEW SNOWSPORTS SCHOOL LESSONS

The Seven Springs Snowsports School will introduce four new lesson programs this year. Every lesson is taught by a professional instructor, many of whom are members of the Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA) or the American Association of Snowboard Instructors (AASI).

The new First-Time Experience ski or snowboard program will provide students with properly fitted rental equipment, a ski/snowboard ticket that includes access to the beginner areas valid until 7 p.m. on lesson day, a one-hour and 45-minute group lesson, and the opportunity to return to any beginner group lesson that same day. The goal of this program is to provide each student with an extended opportunity to practice their skills with the aide of a professional instructor and classmates.

The new After-Work First-Time Experience ski or snowboard program offers guests a chance to skip the gym in favor of getting on the mountain. This program includes properly fitted rental equipment, a ski/snowboard ticket that includes access to the beginner areas valid from 4 p.m. until closing on lesson day, and two one-hour group lessons that same day at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.

For the little ones, Tiny Tots’ Ski and the Riglet Park Snowboard Program introduces Seven’s Super Saver program.  Students who take three Tiny Tots’ full-day lessons will receive their fourth full-day lesson at half price and their fifth full day lesson for free! This offer is available per child during the 2012-2013 ski season and cannot be transferred. This offer is also valid for Junior Snowsports full-day programs.

For the family who wants to learn to ski or snowboard together, Seven Springs now offers the Ski With Me program. This lesson welcomes Mom and/or Dad to take a one-hour private lesson with their child, ages 2-7.

About Seven Springs Mountain Resort

Seven Springs Mountain Resort, located in Seven Springs, Pa., is the perfect place for family vacations that create lifelong memories. Each year the family-friendly resort hosts more than one million overnight and day guests. Located within 200 miles of the major metropolitan areas of Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Cleveland and Washington D.C., Seven Springs is easily accessible from either exit 91 or 110 of the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

For more information on Seven Springs and the year-round lodging, dining and activity options the resort offers visit www.7springs.com or call (800) 452-2223.