Blue Knob All Season Resort has more than a dozen trails open with a base of 14 inches to 24 inches and a groomed packed powder and natural snow surface across the slopes.

It’s cold — everyone hitting the slopes is encouraged to dress for the weather, not to impress.

There’s “always a lot of fun (at Blue Knob) with a recent snowfall,” said Donna Himes, marketing director.

Thanks to last weekend’s storm, snow conditions are now “fairly normal” for the season, she said, compared to previous weeks bringing in unusually warm weather.

A snowboarder and skiers get off of a lift. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski

In honor of the upcoming Groundhog Day, the resort is hosting a “Groundhog Hunt” beginning at 9 a.m. Sunday. Participants are urged to find pictures of groundhogs — with prizes on the back — scattered around the resort. Winners can claim lift certificates, gift certificates, tubing passes or a season pass ticket.

Himes said visitors to Blue Knob should dress in layers, stay hydrated and take breaks when needed.

“There’s a lot of snow,” she said.

If zipping down Pennsylvania’s highest skiable mountain on trails named Snow Drop, Knee Bend, Jack Rabbit and High Hopes (upper and lower), among others, isn’t the type of thrill visitors are seeking, there are cross-country ski trails on the mountain as well.

Blue Knob State Park, adjacent to the resort, features public trails, said park manager Layne Nolan, who advised that beginner skiers start on Chappels Field Trail, while intermediate skiers can take service roads, closed roadways and open fields. Most trails are suitable for advanced skiers, she said.

Skiers make their way down Upper Mambo Alley slope at Blue Knob All Seasons Resort on Friday afternoon. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski

Nolan recommends visitors get a park map before hitting the trails, and everyone should “stay on designated trails, ski with a partner and inform someone of your plans, including intended route and estimated return time.”

“We finally have snow,” she said, encouraging everyone stuck inside to get outdoors and enjoy the “beautiful” landscape.

Opportunities for winter lovers

Blue Knob isn’t the only place to ski.

Newcomers to the sport of cross-country skiing can rent skis at the Ebensburg Young People’s Community Center.

Skiers can rent equipment from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. this weekend, said Rebecca Williamson, director of recreation, but she recommends that skiers exercise during daylight. The cost to rent skis is $8 for adults and $6 for children. Rates are based on a per-hour charge.

YPCC rentals are very popular because there’s nowhere else to rent skis in the area, she said.

“There aren’t a lot of options for outdoor activities” during winter, she said, so rentals give residents an alternative to traveling.

The center also offers direct access to the Ghost Town Trail, venturing past the War Memorial Field, through the underpass and onto the path.

Cross-country skiing is also safer for walkers who are uncomfortable exercising in icy and snowy conditions but still desire physical activity.

“You won’t know if you’ll like it” until you try it, Williamson said.

The same is true of ice skating, offered on the frozen lakes of area state parks, including Prince Gallitzin, where the skating area at the marina is cleared and ready to use, according to the park’s Facebook page.

Loaner equipment, including cross-country skis, snowshoes and ice skates, will be available from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday near the ice rink. The items are all free to use on a first-come-first-served basis; sizes and quantities are limited.

Those taking to the ice or trying out the other equipment that day can get warmed up by the fire and enjoy hot chocolate, too.

Check out conditions at state parks by visiting https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dcnr/recreation/where-to-go/state-parks/winter-report.

As of Friday, the report said the ice depth at Canoe Creek State Park is 6 inches, suitable for ice fishing, skating and iceboating. Prince Gallitizin reportedly has 4 inches of ice. Shawnee State Park’s lake is frozen and ice fishermen can be spotted in various locations, but the lake is not monitored, according to the DCNR website.

Whether skiing, skating or heading out to fish, anyone thinking of stepping out on the ice at any of the area’s state parks are encouraged to check the ice thickness, dress for the weather and remember that batteries in smartphones discharge faster in cold.