Seven Springs Mountain Resort Takes Next Step In Process To Revive Laurel Mountain State Park Ski Area

SEVEN SPRINGS, Pa., Dec. 5, 2008 – Seven Springs Mountain Resort has closed on its agreement with Somerset Trust Company to purchase their ski assets at Laurel Mountain State Park. The closing, which took place on Wed., Nov. 26, represents the next step in the local community’s push to revitalize skiing operations at the currently dormant ski area at Laurel Mountain State Park.


“This is another positive step forward in the process of reopening the ski area to local skiers and visitors to the region,” said Bob Nutting, Chairman at Seven Springs. “There is still much work to be done to fulfill the vision of many local community leaders of reestablishing Laurel Mountain Ski Area as a community asset that will bring with it new jobs and activity. We will not stop working hard toward this goal until the first skier takes the first run down Lower Wild Cat, the steepest slope in the Commonwealth.”


The management team at Seven Springs continues to work closely with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and the State of Pennsylvania to revive skiing operations at the State Park. Laurel Mountain, a state-owned facility, is currently being considered by Governor Rendell’s office to receive funds from the Commonwealth’s capital budget for renovation and improvements.  The money is needed to help restore the facilities on the mountain.


“DCNR is extremely pleased to once again have an operator at Laurel Mountain State Park Ski Area,” Bureau of State Parks Director John Norbeck said. “Seven Springs knows the mountain and runs a class operation and we are excited to work with them to craft an agreement that will meet the needs of our neighbors, the community and the recreating public to bring active winter sports back to Laurel Mountain in a sustainable way and to add to the local economy.”


“We look forward to partnering with DCNR and the State to greatly enhance the skiing infrastructure at Laurel Mountain and create a great recreation opportunity for the community,” said Eric Mauck, CEO of Seven Springs.  “While we remain increasingly optimistic, we need their continued support to move this project forward. We have a great amount of faith that all parties will come together to get it done.”


“Somerset Trust Company looks forward to the reopening of the skiing area at Laurel Mountain State Park, a valuable tourist destination in our region, and to the jobs that will be created at a time when the local area needs these new opportunities,” said Henry Cook, President of Somerset Trust Company.  “The outstanding operations of Seven Springs stand on its own merit as a tremendous asset to our local economy. The addition of Laurel Mountain to their operation will add to that impact as even more skiers will be attracted to the unique slopes at Laurel.”


“We are extremely thankful to the Jenner Township officials for their much needed leadership of and support for this community project,” added Mauck. “Our management team at Seven Springs has transformed the level of service and amenities we offer our guests.  I am confident they will have the same positive impact at Laurel Mountain.”


The ski area at Laurel Mountain State Park, which borders Westmoreland and Somerset counties, has been closed since 2004-2005, when Seven Springs operated it on a trial basis.


About Seven Springs Mountain Resort
Seven Springs Mountain Resort, located in Seven Springs, Pa., is the state’s largest ski and four-season resort and has been rated the number one resort in the mid-Atlantic region by the readers of SKI magazine for 14 consecutive years. 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.


Each year the family-friendly resort hosts more than one million overnight and day guests who visit the resort for skiing, snowboarding, fly fishing, sporting clays, downhill mountain biking, mountaintop golf and more. With more than 60,000 square feet of meeting space available, Seven Springs also hosts more than 1,000 meetings, conferences and banquet groups per year.


Scheduled to open during the ski season of 2008 – 2009, Seven Springs’ Trillium spa will be a sanctuary unlike any other. The elegantly restored mountain chalet has been completely renovated and redecorated to create the perfect place to escape the stress and commotion of everyday life.


Seven Springs also boasts numerous restaurants and eateries featuring innovative and classic meal selections. With its unique atmosphere, Timbers serves up a variety of appetizers, entrées and desserts ranging from the truly classic to the completely unexpected. The incomparable Helen’s Restaurant provides delectable intercontinental cuisine perfectly paired with a large selection of fine wines. In the Slopeside Dining Room, families can enjoy a magnificent view of the slopes while dining on a fulfilling meal in a relaxing environment.


Seven Springs Mountain Resort can accommodate more than 5,000 overnight guests in its recently renovated 418-room, 10-story high-rise hotel, nearly 1,200 condominiums and town homes, eight cabins and 15 chalets.


For more information on Seven Springs, visit www.7springs.com or call (800) 452-2223.