I think that the outlook for LM might be positive. 7-Springs is now taking-on a "carnival atmosphere", so lots of skiers might start looking for a ski area like LM, which has a more natural atmosphere, some challenging slopes, and fewer non-skiers. Also, should BK close (I'm not saying that it's likely, but it's possible), LM would probably pick-up most of the skiers who live in the Altoona area.

Laurel Hill Crazie
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Re: Camp and Hike Laurel Mountain Ski Area [Re: hockeydave]
#27098 - 07/18/06 12:09 AM


Their silence has been deafening. I doubt that there is anything to announce but, curiously, 7S is still maintaining the lifts at LM. The lifts must be run periodically to prevent flat spots on the cable.


hockeydave
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Re: Camp and Hike Laurel Mountain Ski Area [Re: Laurel Hill Crazie]
#27103 - 07/18/06 06:17 AM

Based on talking to several different people who are somewhat connected, I am very hopeful that good things will happen @ LM this Winter!!!


Laurel Hill Crazie
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Re: Camp and Hike Laurel Mountain Ski Area [Re: hockeydave]
#27119 - 07/18/06 01:20 PM


I fear that even if there is an interested private developer time maybe running out to make the basic improvements needed to give Laurel a good chance to survive. We all know that Laurel needs to cover more of it's terrain to generate repeat customers. The lesson learned from Mowl's valiant effort was, you can't count on mother nature.

Back to the orignal intent of this thread, the Absorb the Forbes hiking and camping event. The Keystone Trail Association has posted more detailed information and registration forms on their web site. Use this link to access that info.

I'll be there most of the weekend doing volunteer work for the Friends of Linn Run and Forbes State Forest but if anybody wants a guided hike of the ski terrain, I'll be happy to oblige.


hockeydave
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Re: Camp and Hike Laurel Mountain Ski Area [Re: Laurel Hill Crazie]
#27659 - 08/21/06 04:21 PM

Is there any chance that this type of weekend will be repeated in early October when Laurel Mountain and Linn Run will glow with Autumn colors?

Laurel Hill Crazie
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Re: Camp and Hike Laurel Mountain Ski Area [Re: hockeydave]
#27675 - 08/22/06 11:49 PM


Yes, join our Friends Group and make it happen. Did you stop by over the weekend? I missed you. Heather and LMV were there. When are you going to make it to a meeting? Latest rumor: DCNR is going to act soon, help make it happen.

hockeydave
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Re: Camp and Hike Laurel Mountain Ski Area [Re: Laurel Hill Crazie]
#27684 - 08/23/06 12:12 PM


My wife and I did stop by Saturday... actually talked to Heather & LMV, but I missed you (must have been hiking).

I am very busy currently, having just got married, changed jobs in April and renovating the recently purchased home in Laurel Mountain Village. But your friends group is such a great idea, and if I can't join this year due to the aforementioned time constraints, then definitely next. Please keep us posted on the status of the ski resort, even the rumors.

What do you think the DCNR is going to do?


Laurel Hill Crazie
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Re: Camp and Hike Laurel Mountain Ski Area [Re: hockeydave]
#27692 - 08/23/06 09:00 PM


Quote:
What do you think the DCNR is going to do?



The right question is what do you want the DCNR to do with Laurel? You've said it here , tell it to the State Parks. E-mail DCNR at:

ra-askdcnr@state.pa.us <ra-askdcnr@state.pa.us>

Tell them why you think the PA. State Parks should operate Laurel Mountain.

Contact your local State Senator and Representative and ask them why the State is allowing a turn-key asset to sit idle.

Did you know that the DCNR owns the double chair and the snowmaking? Yep that includes the HKD towers.

I think that the DCNR is looking at their declining state budget and seeking revenue sources within its system and Laurel is sitting right there.

The DCNR is involved in fostering community and business co-operation in a project branded Pennsylvania Wild in the northern tier of the state and has invested millions there yet Linn Run Road is pot holed and patched despite the fact the funds for repaving were approved in DCNR capital budget the last couple of years. Where did the money go?

The easiest thing to do is comment at askDCNR in this link. Tell your skiing buddies who live here in PA to do the same. Ask the folks here at DCski and through-out the mid-Atlantic to contact the DCNR and tell them why you've skied Laurel and how you love to bring your family back. I'll link contacts here at DCski and other message boards.

I don't think anything will happen at Laurel unless we start to shake the trees.

Edited by Laurel Hill Crazie (08/23/06 09:06 PM)

I thought I'd copy and paste this thread with hockeydave to update where things stand with Laurel.

I really believe that a note from all interested parties to the DCNR will help bring Laurel Mountain back from mothballs. Changes in outlook at DCNR may make State operation of the resort a reality this winter. Please take the time to link through and voice your concerns.
ra-askdcnr@state.pa.us

There are some links to local politicians in this thread:

Open Laurel Mountain

All PA residents please contact the State Senators and Representatives in your district also. Laurel Mountain is a State Park and serves all residents of the State therefore opening Laurel is a state-wide issue. Also contact the DCNR and tell them to operate Laurel Mountain:

ra-askdcnr@state.pa.us

All out of State folks please contact the PA Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) at the e-mail link above. They are the State bureau that manages the PA State Parks. Tell them you've skied Laurel and ask why Laurel isn't open.

New Article on LM:
::LINK::

major disappointment.

I still have no idea why Mr. Duppstadt keeps insisting that 7S are still talking with Somerset Trust about possibly operating LM... if 7S is talking with ST, it sure ain't about operating LM now or anytime in the future (this is not rumor or conjecture, but fact). I just wish 7S would stop stringing ST along and admit they have zero interest in operating LM now or ever. My opinion is that 7S wants to keep LM closed for as long as possible because I think they know if someone with some real $$$ came in and developed the ski area and maybe threw up a nice little overnight lodging facility just outside the state park, it would definitely siphon off a lot of local traffic from 7S because the terrain @ LM (both developed and undeveloped) blows 7S off of the map. But I still hold out hope that a white knight will appear to open LM, if not this year, then very soon in the near future. But I will wager a year's salary that the white knight will never, and I mean never, be 7S, either next year or any year before I meet my Maker (which I hope & pray is still 2 score away).

I think your right all the way around. Seven Springs doesn't want it and they don't want the competition. A person can't build in the Village because of water. They refuse to give permits. An investor can't put up lodging because of water. An investor can't build slopeside because it's a State Park. I don't know the reason but you can't drill a well in the Village. It is the best skiing up to Vermont, but with no lodging and no building permits anywhere in the future, It would be hard to pay off 3 million dollars when you can't furnish lodging.

I think support from the county, the township, thr borough is what really needs to be done.

If we can subsidize Wal-Mart, why can't we subsidize a ski resort?

Since it seems painfully obvious that LM is not going to open this year, does anyone think that it might be feasible to operate the place as a co-op (a la Mad River Glen)?

If it's true (as stated elsewhere in this thread) that DCNR owns the double-chair and the snowmaking equipment at LM, doesn't it seem possible to run a bare-bones operation as a co-op? The triple (quad?) chair on the skier's left of the mountain could be removed and replaced with a poma or T-Bar.

According to the FAQ page at the MRG website (link below) a share is $1750, plus a $200 Annual Purchase Requirement than can be used for lift tickets, season passes, food, etc.

http://www.madriverglen.com/coop/?Page=.%2F3faq.htm&dir=.