Family Fun is a Sure Thing at Seven Springs Resort

It’s funny how family traditions emerge and evolve over time, isn’t it? I’ve been visiting Seven Springs Resort for outside of Pittsburgh for skiing since the early 1990’s. However, these trips have become an annual event over the last five years since my sisters and I decided to start taking our kids to the place we enjoyed so much in our younger days. Now we are a big pack of about 15 people enjoying every last minute of our long weekend away each year.

A late-night Thursday evening arrival from Baltimore is practically a rite of passage for us despite promising “next year we’ll leave earlier” each time. That promise seems to evaporate by the time we wrap up work, school, and pack the car with our skis, clothes, and snacks. The drive from Baltimore through the dark Allegheny hills definitely adds a bit of anticipation, even if it can feel a little spooky at times.

At arrival, it’s hard to escape the timeless charm of the main lobby. There’s something nostalgic about all the real wood and stone and b furniture and it’s nice that the resort managed to blend the new with the old without losing that original character.

Vail Resorts takeover of the family resort has been interesting to watch. There were definitely some initial concerns about changes to costs and offerings at the mountain, but things have stayed pretty consistent over the years. The Epic app has been a real game-changer for lift tickets and trail information, and those food discounts are always appreciated, especially with a hungry crew!

The Slopeside Restaurant is definitely a favorite for out entire group. The breakfast buffet is legendary and you absolutely need it to fuel a day on the slopes! Offerings include omelets, oatmeal, yogurts, bacon, sausage, home fries, pastries to name just a few! They also feature specials on many occasions and on weekends. We could not pass up the snow crab legs for dinner on our last visit. It was a fun and unexpected treat at a ski resort. The kids love being able to pick their own food from the large assortment.

Tucked in an area similar to a “Main Street” of shops, The Bakery is amazing! They bake everything in house. The cupcakes and pastries are seriously addictive and I’ve given up even trying to say no to the ice cream, coffee drinks,, and slew of other treats..

The Bears Den arcade definitely blows through the balance on your rechargeable card and we always have to drag the kids out. It’s good that they’ve kept a mix of old favorites and some of the newer games.

Indoor mini-golf is a fun activity when not out on the slopes, especially now that the younger ones can mostly navigate it without needing constant supervision!

Bowling is also very fun for a group and the bowling alley is well furnished and has updated lanes and scoreboards. It’s great that it stays open late for some post-slopes entertainment.

The large pool area is always a must-do for the kids, sometimes multiple trips are demanded but the hot tub situation can be a bit frustrating when people don’t stick to the time limits. It’s definitely something they could manage better. I heard from an employee that they will be adding more hot tubs in the future, which can’t come soon enough.

Roller skating was always a unique and fun activity at Seven Springs, and it’s a bit of a bummer that it’s available dates and hours have been scaled back since Vail Resorts took over. It definitely added to the resort’s quirky charm.

The new hotel tower, which opened sometime in the last 10 years or so, has been a great addition to the resort. As our kids have gotten bigger, we upgraded to a larger room with two bathrooms and more beds. Spending a little extra has been a lifesaver for our big group! We always get a slopeside room which features large windows to gaze out on the bright, white mountain and tiny skiers zipping about. A large balcony in each room looks out over the mountain and is a picturesque spot to get fresh air and take photos. Its funny how the older part of the hotel still serves as both accommodation and a bit of an internal “highway” to get around the resort.

And the skiing! I’ve written all about the resort and haven’t touched on the slopes. Seven Springs is a very nostalgic place for me since I grew up skiing there and it really has not changed much since then. I’ve been skiing Wagner, North Face, and Lost Boy trails for the past thirty years. Depending on what kind of conditions you get, which usually means ice or slush, can really impact the ski experience. That said, Seven Springs really offers a lot for family skiing. There are green trails on either side of the mountain, as well as both exciting and challenging blues and blacks. While it doesn’t compare to the scenery and terrain out west, Seven Springs is a fun ski spot. You’ve definitely hit the nail on the head about early March conditions. That melting stream on the trail was a bit of an adventure, to say the least! We definitely prioritize safety, and thankfully, our most recent trip had some really good snow, especially on the North Face. For those who are brave enough, or want to pack in as much winter activity as possible, night skiing is a fun way to extend the day.

Bonus: Hidden Valley, another Vail Resort, is only 20 minutes away. It’s much smaller than Seven Springs but is definitely an option for some variety for a day or half day on the mountain.

Seven Springs really is a place where we’ve made so many wonderful memories over the years. It has its quirks, but it’s definitely a special place for our family. Thanks for taking the time to “visit” Seven Springs with my stories! Maybe one year we will make it up there in the summer.