Last Updated on October 3, 2024
If you’re looking for a fun place for a family vacation or a weekend getaway with friends, you’ll find it at the Seven Springs Mountain Resort in Laurel Highlands, just off the Pennsylvania Turnpike about 70 miles southeast of Pittsburgh. It’s a property I truly enjoyed.
Seven Springs is Pennsylvania’s largest four-season family resort. With more than 60,000-square-feet of meeting space, it’s also an ideal location for family gatherings, class reunions and business meetings. Pittsburgh, Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Cleveland, and Columbus are less than 200 miles away, and the Pittsburgh International Airport is an hour’s drive from the resort.
History of the Seven Springs Mountain Resort
In 1932, Adolph and Helen Dupre, immigrants from Bavaria, bought 2.5 acres and founded Seven Springs Farm on the site which would eventually become the Seven Springs Mountain Resort. They installed a tow rope for local skiers powered by a Packard automobile engine.
Over the years, they added new ski runs, slopes, terrain parks, and several lifts, including a high-speed express lift. Their efforts paid off because Seven Springs has developed a reputation as a mecca for winter sports enthusiasts.
In 2009, Transworld Snowboarding recognized Seven Springs as having the East Coast’s top halfpipe and third-best terrain parks. In 2010, it received an award for the East Coast’s best halfpipe once again, and its terrain parks also received top honors. In 2011, it was recognized as having the East Coast’s top terrain parks and the number four halfpipe in North America.
Adolph and Helen’s son Herman Dupre took the reins in 1955 when his father died. He also became a pioneer in snow-making technology, earned dozens of patents, and founded HKD Snowmakers, which manufactures and supplies energy-efficient snowmaking machines and equipment to ski resorts worldwide.
In 2021, Seven Springs was acquired by Vail Resorts (yes, THAT Vail!) along with neighboring Hidden Valley Resort and Laurel Mountain ski area, all in the Laurel Highlands region.
Where to Stay
The Seven Springs Mountain Resort can accommodate over 5,000 overnight guests in 414 hotel rooms and suites, nearly 1,200 condominiums and townhomes and 13 chalets. All offer on-site amenities and activities, and guests are also welcome to use the facilities at the main resort.
A shuttle service runs year-round throughout the entire resort property.
Hotel Rooms and Suites
The Slopeside Hotel offers rooms and suites with a balcony or patio, pillow-top mattresses, coffee makers and refrigerators, flat-screen TVs, Wi-Fi, work desks, USB/charging stations and quick access to amenities such as indoor and outdoor pools, a bowling alley, game room, spa and live entertainment.
Chalets
The Tyrol Chalets and Classic Chalets are perfect for families and groups of friends because they can accommodate four to 18 guests. They’re fully equipped and ideal for a quiet retreat but are close enough to the Main Lodge for guests to enjoy on-site amenities.
Townhomes, Condos and Villas
Southwind is a gated community of townhomes at the top of the mountain and features its own chairlift and trail system that connects to the slopes/trails at the Seven Springs Mountain Resort (weather permitting). The townhomes have three to five large bedrooms and offer fully equipped kitchens, gas fireplace, washer/dryer, air conditioning and expanded cable in the living room.
There is an outdoor pool and hot tub on site.
The Villages at Seven Springs includes five condo communities with one-to four-bedroom homes. All include air conditioning, a washer/dryer, expanded cable in the living room, and a fully equipped kitchen. Some units are ski-in/ski-out (weather permitting). Tennis and basketball courts and two outdoor pools are available for guests’ enjoyment.
Swiss Mountain is a condo community located outside the Seven Springs main entrance near the Highlands Golf Course. Homes have one to three bedrooms and include a fully equipped kitchen, washer/dryer, expanded cable in the living room and a cooling system in the master bedroom. The community has an outdoor pool, and resort amenities are just a short drive away.
Mountain Villas is also located outside the resort’s main entrance within walking distance to Highlands Golf Course. It features one to four-bedroom condos with fully equipped kitchens, washer/dryer, air conditioning, and expanded cable in the living room. There’s an outdoor pool in the community.
What to Do in Seven Springs
Seven Springs is best known for skiing. In the winter, 33 slopes and trails, a 750-foot maximum vertical drop and seven terrain parks keep skiers and snowboarders busy. Ten lifts–five triple, three quad, and two high-speed six-packs serve the 285-acre ski area. There are five surface lifts on the beginner slopes. Non-skiers can enjoy sledding, snowshoeing and the region’s largest snow tubing park.
Guests can enjoy rides on the alpine slide, a full line-up of festivals and events including Rib & Wing Festival, Wine Festival, Autumnfest, live music and entertainment, relax at the on-site Trillium Spa, and play a round of golf at the nearby Highlands Golf Club.
Where to Eat
When the lifts close and the sun goes down, guests head to the Foggy Goggle, which USA Today rated as the best après ski bar. The Bavarian Lodge in the Main Lodge is the perfect place to grab a quick drink and catch up on the news and sports scores.
Helen’s offers fine dining in a Bavarian chalet that was originally the Dupree’s home. Slopeside offers casual, relaxed dining and panoramic views of the mountains, and Gingerbread Dreams offers freshly baked cookies, cupcakes and ice cream treats to satisfy any sweet tooth.
Around Laurel Highlands
There’s so much to do at Seven Springs that you might never feel the need to leave. However, many guests want to explore Laurel Highlands. There are plenty of activities, attractions and restaurants for those who do.
Guests can visit Fallingwater, the world-famous Frank Lloyd Wright house. Water sports lovers can go white water rafting in nearby Ohiopyle or swimming, boating and fishing at Laurel State Park. Many also visit the Flight 93 Memorial to pay tribute to victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. It’s a touching experience that shouldn’t be missed.
For an unusual dining experience, have dinner in a tree house at the Treetops Restaurant, or visit the magnificent Nemacolin Resort and experience world-class cuisine at Lautrec, the resort’s 5-star restaurant. If you’re in the mood for something more casual, try the Out Of The Fire Café.
Visitors also come each year to attend annual events like the Pennsylvania Maple Festival, the Laurel Hill Blue Grass Festival, and Fort Ligonier Days, visit the many wineries and distilleries in the area and go leaf peeping. USA Today included Laurel Highlands on its Reader’s Choice list as one of the best places to see fall colors.
You can stay at the Seven Springs Mountain Resort year-round, and there will always be plenty of activities to enjoy. You’ll also have fun exploring all the restaurants, historical sites, wineries and distilleries that Laurel Highlands offers. When the day ends, you, your family and friends will appreciate the comfort and privacy of your vacation rental. I certainly did!
