Maybe this will get RobertW. back for a comment. In the golden era of neighborhood rope tows a driving range near New Kensington PA, The Golf Oasis, operated a rope tow for a few years in the 1960s. The driving range/ski area was along PA Route 366 and may actually be located within the Lower Burrell city limits. I believe they had rudimentary snow making and grooming. I skied there once. The area operated around the same time Allegheny County built a ski area at Boyce Park. I worked with a man whose brothers worked there. Both brothers went from there to work at the now lost Buckaloons ski area in northern PA off of Route 6. Anybody have any other info about the operation at the Golf Oasis?

Sorry I didn't respond sooner LHC as I didn't even know this sub-forum existed till today.

I don't have much more info than what you have listed. Golf Oasis has been closed for several years now and I don't think they have offered skiing there since maybe 79-80, but the remnants of the rope tow are still to be found if you look closely. I am not an AK Valley native but I started driving through there (PA 366) in 1978 and do remember the ski operation. I never skied there myself, having opted to head to Boyce Park and their double chairlifts and pomas when introducing a member of my wife's family to skiing. I have spoken to a few people who remember some details...a single rope tow, rudimentary snowmaking (possibly using water from the adjacent pool (Crystal Springs??) ), outdoor bonfire and rental equipment. I'll see if I can turn something up in the local VND archives when I get the chance.