Best Conditions in Recent Years at Laurel Highlands Ski Resorts  

WHAT: Thanks to consistently cold temperatures, a commitment to strategic snowmaking, recent natural snowfall, and a team of dedicated snowmaking and grooming professionals, Seven Springs, Hidden Valley, and Laurel Mountain have officially opened nearly 100% of slopes and trails at each resort. 

The resorts’ team has maximized every opportunity to make snow since efforts kicked off in mid-November. Recently, daytime and nighttime temperatures have allowed the resorts to make snow around the clock. To make snow, six key elements are needed: cold temperatures, low humidity, compressed air, water, snow guns, and the resorts’ dedicated snowmaking and grooming teams.  

Recent natural snowfall added to the machine-made snow and has also allowed the resorts to open glade areas and trails where snowmaking systems are not in place. For instance, Dream Highway at Laurel Mountain east of Ligonier, is a coveted natural skiing area that has not been opened to skiers and snowboarders in recent years. Dream Highway opened Tuesday, Jan. 16, and is expected to remain for a few more additional days.  

Thus far, the resorts have received 68 inches of snow this season, an increase from the 46 inches received throughout last winter.  

"We are stoked to be able to provide this experience for our guests,” said Brett Cook, Vice President and General Manager of Seven Springs, Hidden Valley, and Laurel Mountain. “Our Mountain Operations team has worked strategically and tirelessly to provide this experience for our Epic Pass holders and resort guests. I had a chance to get on the slopes this week and this morning and I can attest – these are the best conditions we have seen in recent years. To have all three resorts open with nearly 100% of slopes and trails is a testament to Vail Resorts’ commitment to our pass holders, our guests, our team, and our communities.” 

View current conditions with resort webcams:

Your Pass, Now on Your Phone with the New My Epic App 

New this season, the My Epic app with Mobile Pass and Mobile Lift Tickets is now available to download, allowing guests to use their phone as their ticket to the slopes.  

Mobile Pass and Mobile Lift Tickets is a hands-free option for skiers and riders to use at all 36 of Vail Resorts’ owned and operated U.S. resorts for the 2023/24 season, with availability at Whistler Blackcomb to follow in future seasons. It allows guests to buy their pass or lift ticket online, activate it in the new My Epic app, put their phone in their pocket, and get scanned hands-free in the lift line using Bluetooth® technology designed for low energy usage to minimize the impact on a phone’s battery life. This season, to ensure a smooth transition, the company will continue to provide physical cards for passes and lift tickets to all guests. For guests choosing to use Mobile Pass this season, watch this video for some tips. 

The My Epic app also offers a range of guest-favorite features, including interactive trail maps with GPS location tracking, and mountain and resort alerts, including operational information like grooming updates, terrain status, snow reports and conditions.

Pass & Lift Ticket Information  

Lift tickets will be limited every day, across every resort, during the 2023/24 season in order to preserve the guest experience at each resort. Lift ticket availability will be visible on the lift tickets page of www.7springs.com, www.hiddenvalleyresort.com, and www.laurelmountainski.com. If tickets are sold out online, guests will not be able to purchase them at ticket windows. Passes, including Epic Day Passes, and Pass Holder benefit tickets will not be limited. There is also no impact to guests who enroll in ski and ride school lessons that include lift access, or to employee and dependent pass access.  

MORE INFORMATION: Guests are encouraged to download the new My Epic app to utilize Mobile Pass. Mobile Lift Tickets, as well as interactive trail maps with GPS location tracking, and mountain and resort alerts, including information like grooming updates, terrain status, snow reports, and conditions.