A skier makes his way down Upper Mambo Alley slope at Blue Knob All Seasons Resort in February. Mirror file photo by Patrick Waksmunski

With forecasters calling for colder weather in early December, area ski resort operators are hoping for a good season on the slopes.

“It looks like it should be a pretty good season for skiing and snowboarding. In Pennsylvania, ski resorts rely on cold temperatures for snow making, and it will be plenty cold early to make snow. Some resorts may be able to open earlier than usual, but may have to close earlier in the late winter. Overall, it looks pretty good,” said AccuWeather senior meteorologist Chad Merrill.

“Skiers should expect a snowier ski season than the past few winters. An active polar jet stream should offer ample snow chances, especially during the latter half of winter,” said Joshua Senechal, senior meteorologist at The Weather Company.

Biding their time

None of the area resorts have set opening dates but are ready to make snow.

“We’ll be ready to fire up our snowmaking systems the moment conditions allow, and our teams can mobilize quickly to take advantage of any cold window. Long-range forecasts circulating on social media can be fun to follow, but they’re often unreliable. While it’s encouraging to see favorable predictions, we stay grounded in short-term data for precision and performance,” said Brett Cook, vice president and general manager at Seven Springs, Hidden Valley and Laurel Mountain, which are owned by Vail Resorts.

Area resort operators said last winter was a good one for them.

“It was a good season — although really cold and windy. The cold weather allowed us to make snow for extended periods and we had several large natural snowfalls, which really helped the snowpack and allowed us to open areas of the mountain where there is no snow making equipment,” said Blue Knob All Seasons Resort spokeswoman Donna Himes, who said Blue Knob received 89 inches of snow from November through mid-March.

Last season was an incredible success at the three resorts owned by Vail Resorts thanks to their teams’ relentless commitment to snowmaking.

“We seized every opportunity to make snow, delivering outstanding conditions and positioning our resorts as premier destinations for skiers and snowboarders across the region,” Cook said. “January brought an old-fashioned Pennsylvania winter — cold, snowy and absolutely perfect for outdoor adventure. With plenty of fresh powder, our resorts offered 100% of skiable terrain and maximized snowmaking efforts to keep conditions incredible all month long and through February.”

Last season was also a good one for Tussey Mountain Ski and Recreation Area.

“Some really strong stretches of cold temps allowed us to open the most skiable terrain in decades. Our snowmaking team did a fantastic job keeping the mountain in good shape despite the lack of natural snowfall,” said spokesman Aaron Weyman. “We received roughly 30 inches of natural snowfall in total over last season. Like most East Coast mountains, we rely heavily on snowmaking, so our ability to produce snow during cold windows is really what determines the quality of the season.”

Updated features for season

Numerous improvements and changes have been made at Blue Knob in advance of the season.

“There have been significant upgrades to Blue Knob’s snowmaking system. Crews have replaced approximately 3,500 feet of snowmaking water pipe and 700 feet of air pipe in areas on various slopes, including the Snow Drop Beginner Area, Mambo Alley, Expressway, Deer Run, Jack Rabbit, Shortway and Run Out. Crews are currently installing 30 TechnoAlpin stick snow guns and 40 other stick snow guns on various slopes,” Himes said.

The Blue Knob Rental Shop has added 36 pairs of Head skis with Tyrolia bindings, 100 sets of poles, 24 pairs of ski boots,18 snowboards,12 pairs of snowboard boots and 40 helmets, Himes said.

Numerous improvements have been made at Seven Springs.

Some of those include: Installation of 1,600 feet of 20-inch snowmaking main along Lost Boy Trail and replacement of piping for snowmaking water recovery to Tahoe Pumphouse for improved sustainability and system performance; upgrading lift infrastructure with new grips on North Face Lift, haul rope for Gunnar Lift, a new bull wheel for the Polar Bear Express and a gearbox for the Southwind Lift; updating lighting in select areas, including Avalanche and Giant Steps slopes and Arctic Blast; and initiating an accessibility improvement project at the hotel that will provide additional ADA parking and heated sidewalks, Cook said.

Improvements at Hidden Valley Resort include: the addition of four new Techno­Alpin TR8 fan guns for better snow coverage on Continental, Cobra and Angel’s Elbow; system upgrades on the Bobcat Conveyor and a rebuilt gearbox on the Blizzard Lift; enhanced accessibility with new ramps to the Sunrise/Sunset deck and key buildings; installation of new day lockers; and renovations to the rental shop to streamline guest flow.

Improvements at Laurel Mountain include: replacement of piping for snowmaking water recovery to improve sustainability and system performance; addition of a Winch Cat to the grooming fleet for better snow quality and terrain maintenance; and continued glade clearing and trail work to improve access and flow.

At Tussey Mountain, “we have installed 14 brand new lights on our slopes, which will improve visibility and the experience of our skiers and snowboarders at night and under the lights. We have graded some slopes for enhanced experience on our beginner terrain,” Weyman said.

Ideal conditions

With promising weather conditions, operators are hopeful for a good season.

“We’re always optimistic for the upcoming ski season, but this year, with the upgrades to the snowmaking system, additional rental capacity and the forecasts for a cold, relatively snowy winter, we have high hopes for an excellent season,” Himes said.

“We’re optimistic heading into every winter season because of the dedication and passion of our resort teams. No matter the weather — day or night — they are committed to delivering the experience of a lifetime for every guest. Backed by efficient snowmaking equipment and an adept, experienced team, we’re prepared to provide outstanding conditions all season long. From snowmaking and grooming to exceptional guest service, their commitment ensures every visit is memorable. With their expertise and energy, we’re confident this season will be awesome,” Cook said.

With long-range forecasts hinting at a colder, snowier pattern compared to last year, that would give us more opportunities to make snow early and maintain strong conditions, Weyman said.

“People are eager to be outside and enjoy winter, and we’re ready to give them a great season on the mountain,” Weyman said.