The reasons why the owners of Blue Knob (who are actually from Northern VA) have been able to get away with running a "shananagans" ski area in PA, complete with poor management and extensive environmental damage are as follows: 1) Blue Knob is located within an area of PA that has some of the worst environmental practices in the US; so, any environmental damage or mismanagement (at BK) is hardly noticed by the local officials or local population. 2) The political climate in the area is staunchly conservative and anti-environment. 3) Once the activiities at BK caught the attention of the media and some environmental groups, the local politicians (fearing that BK might close) pressured the local media not to run any stories critical of BK. Also, the local politicians pressured the local PA Soil Conservation District not to do anything about possible illegal and/or poor logging/bulldozing practices at BK. 4) The local politicians also pressured BK State Park to continue leasing the lodge and land to the operators of BK "at all costs" (to insure that BK remains open). Unfortunately, this meant turning a blind-eye to how the current owners of BK are managing the ski area and treating the environment.

Although there's plenty of blame to go around (concerning the current mess at BK), PA Dept. of State Parks is where the "buck stops". At any point in time, PA Parks could have required the owners of BK to clean-up their act and start managing things properly. To date, the Commonwealth of PA has decided to take a hands-off approach and allow the owners of BK to do whatever they want. Hopefully, Laurel Mountain will never be subject to the kind of horrible things that have happened at BK.

Any new developments or rumors concering the re-opening of Laurel Mountain

Several different people who I have talked to who are in contact with folks at Somerset Trust really think LM will reopen, however, the one person in a very high management position @ 7S that I talked to says 7S is not interested in operating LM. But if Somerset Trust & DCNR "sweeten" the deal for 7S, anything is possible.

I'm afraid that 7-S is currently devoting most its time, money and energy to bringing in gambling to the Resort and putting the finishing touches on the high-end condo/house community located at the top of the mountain near Lake Tahoe. The possibility of 7-S operating LM for the 2006-2007 season isn't a high priority with 7-S management right now. Perhaps Somerset Trust can find someone other than 7-S to buy or (at the very least) operate LM. LM has excellent potential. In my opinion, Wildcat is superior to Extrovert at BK and there's an abundance of GENUINE glades at LM (unlike the raw logged mess at BK). And, to top it off, LM receives considerably more natural snow than BK.

I think the operating model with LM being opened Thursday - Monday would work, assuming a decent snow season; probably a decent profit could be made too. If it were up to me, I would make Thursday hours 3PM - 10PM and Monday hours 9AM - 5PM to further lessen operating expenses.

LM has a world of potential, it just needs someone or group with a passion for that mountain & some relatively deep pockets for additional snowmaking investments and to ride out the occasional and inevitable bad snow season or two. It really is a turn key operation, just waiting for someone to step up to the plate. If only I could hit the lottery.

I understand other parties besides 7S have "viewed" LM, but so far, no takers. Fingers still crossed hoping '06-'07 skiing happens @ LM.

Dave I agree with you entirely.

The operating model you present would not only satisfy the locals, but also make it viable as a place to do a long weekend's worth of skiing at.

I mean honestly, there are skiers during the week, and certainly LM would have it's share, but it would be more cost efficient to only run it the 4-5 days a week, plus more for weekends.

I still have my fingers crossed for next season. I'm almost undoubtedly not returning to Hidden Valley, and I'd be hesitant about 7S without slots, but the thought of them having a casino makes me even more reluctant to want to patronize them.

Maybe I'll have to settle for some out of state turns for next year.

I was wondering if anybody has heard anything new wrt the reopening of LM for 06-07.

I'm holding off buying a 7S season pass until May 31, at which time if nothing is announced by Somerset Trust & the DCNR, I'll end buying a season pass @ 7S. (Their rates go up for season passes after June 1.)

It is in LM's best interest to make an announcement ASAP so that if they are going to open, some promotion of LM can take place as early as possible.

With HV's future uncertain & 7S getting into slots, now is a perfect time to promote LM as the true family oriented skiing area.

Hockeydave, I'm pretty much in the same boat as you, although I was unaware that the deadline before pass prices were jacked up was so soon.

I'm hoping and praying for Laurel.

I'm sorry I haven't gotten back here sooner with a follow up.

At the last meeting of the Friends of Linn Run and Forbes State Forest (LR/FSF) the group heard the meeting that was to happen in April between 7S and Somerset Trust did occur but there was no movement toward an agreement to run Laurel. I don't know if more talks are pending but 7S hasn't closed the door on operating Laurel. Somerset Trust is said to be seeking other possible operators.

I think the Friends LR/FSF group will see if it is possible for the State to maintain operations at Laurel until a private operator can be found.

Here is a link to an article in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review from Friday May 19 with a public introduction of our Friends group:

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

I’ll get back with more info as it becomes available.

Rob, if you could please forward to me any and all information on joining your friendly little group, I could pass it onto LMSP (if you would like)! PM me with whatever you would like to forward!

Thanks in advance
Heather