we shouldn't read to much in to the news stuff they don't get much wright anyway. the springs will have to move forward as long as hidden valley keep the pressure on. as to what will we see at laurel the top of the mountain will become a beginner area. the springs has a very limited beginner area . snow making will go by how much water they can get you can have all the snow guns you want no water no snow. the double chair will go to be replace by the old triple chair from gunner. bigger Lodge with more food options.(more money in food and bozo then lift tickets)
how far the springs will go ?that will be wait and see. we are good at that skibum

The state still owns the double. I doubt they'll buy an old used chair from Seven Springs to replace an old double. I'm guessing a quad will be installed and reconfigured with different load and unload points.

to the best of my knowledge the state doesn't own the double. it was replace in 99 when it reopen. if any one has info on this plase post skibum

Laurel Mountain ski company the company that the springs got the assets of did not own the double chair. Ownership of the double may have transfrered to 7 as part of the lease deal but
it will be replaced in any event. The money for a new chair is part of the state investment and the amount alloted was for a new quad. running it from the warming hut on the bottom to above the existing terminal would allow for better use of the Dream side.

imp

The double was still there as recently as March of 2003. In the picture that Scott has on the DCSKI Laurel Mountain page (a picture that I took in March 2003 and provided to Scott), you can see the double heading up past Lower Wildcat.

I'd love to have one of the chairs from that double to use in my cabin - doubles are getting harder and harder to find.

This later story on Laurel dated November 12 from the Pittsburgh Post Gazette: Work Needed seems to confirm that the State still owns the double and also seems to confirm what imp said about replacement. The Jack Johnson report I received from the DCNR recommends the double be replaced with a quad. Here's the quote from Chris Novak, DCNR spokeswoman.

"We'll only be spending money on the stuff we own. That includes one lift -- they own two, plus the lodge," Ms. Novak said. "The lifts are ancient and need to be brought up to code, and anything they want to do with the lodge is up to them, as is snow removal on the roads."

Is this old news ?? just came across this.....

http://www.onthesnow.com/news/11/a/9222/...LNK=Newsletter#

Seven Springs Signs Ten-Year Lease To Operate Laurel Mountain
Nov 18, 2009 Mary Jo Tarallo, Associate Editor Comments (0)


Seven Springs hopes to fill the chairs at Laurel Mountain next winter.

Seven Springs Resort, in Somerset County, Penn., has signed a ten-year lease to operate Laurel Mountain Ski Park, a state -owned area about 50 miles east of Pittsburgh. Laurel Mountain is about 25 miles from Seven Springs. The mountain will not be open for use this winter.

Seven Springs signed the lease with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and also is working with the State of Pennsylvania to revive skiing at the defunct ski facility. About a year ago it signed an agreement with Somerset Trust to secure the assets at Laurel.

"Currently, we are working closely with the DCNR and their design consultant to review the needs, such as infrastructure, to open Laurel," said Anna Weltz, communications manager for Seven Springs. "Our intention is to put a strong heart beat back into Laurel," said Weitz. "We look forward to the reopening of Laurel as a valuable regional ski destination and the jobs it will create and expect it to be a successful venture for Seven Springs, Jenners Township, and the adjoining counties."

Seven Springs has not indicated when the mountain will be open for operations but that it continues discussions with all parties.

"We are thankful for the support we have received from local communities, DCNR and skiers and boarders who are anxious to see the revival of Laurel," added Weltz.

The state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has committed $6.5 million to improvements the state and Seven Springs agree are needed.

lmmlaw 11/11 post links the first mainstream media reports followed by more post in the following week with links to major Western PA newspapers. If all goes according to plan we will be skiing Laurel 2011/2012.

Keep pressing the state to get the infrastructure in there ASAP. All it takes is one politician with an axe to grind or a change of administration (2010) and if the infrastructure update is not well under way by this time next year, there is always a chance that Lucy might lift the football up again just as Charlie Brown tries to kick it.

Also, a 2 person contingent from 7S attended the LMV homeowners meeting on Sunday at the ski lodge. They said all of the right things and their statements were in agreement with the facts as I knew them up to that point. I am now convinced they do, in fact, want to open up the ski area...

from the to day 11/26 The Tribune-Democrat

LIGONIER — Seven Springs Mountain Resort will pay $10,000 annually to operate the ski area at Laurel Mountain, state documents show.

Under a lease with the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Seven Springs also will hand over additional cash based on annual skier visits – as much as $15,000 if Laurel Mountain attracts more than 21,000 skiers.

The cash amount, though, is relatively low when compared to the potential economic benefits for the area when Seven Springs reopens the dormant Westmoreland
skibum