Seven Springs Mountain Resort has entered into an agreement with the Somerset Trust Company that, when finalized, will revive the currently dormant Laurel Mountain Ski Area located on the Westmoreland and Somerset County border in Pennsylvania. 

The Seven Springs management team will work closely with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and the State of Pennsylvania in striving to revive operations of the resort located on state owned property. This project will fulfill the goal and vision that many local community leaders have had for Laurel Mountain, by rebuilding the ski resort into a community asset that will bring with it new jobs and activity, according to Seven Springs Chairman Bob Nutting.

“So many people have been actively involved in trying to reopen the resort to local skiers and visitors to the region, from the board members of Somerset Trust and the local community leaders to Governor Rendell’s office and State legislators. We are pleased to have an opportunity to participate in this project,” said Nutting. “We look forward to partnering with the DCNR and the State to greatly enhance the infrastructure of the resort and create a great recreation opportunity for the community. Their collective support is critical to this project.”

Laurel Mountain is one of hundreds of state owned facilities currently being considered by Governor Rendell’s office to receive funds for renovation and improvements. If granted, the money will be used to restore the mechanics on the mountain. However, even with these improvements, the community push to reopen the resort could not have moved forward until an entity stepped in and agreed to operate the resort, which Seven Springs Mountain Resort has now done. 

Seven Springs Mountain Resort has had experience operating the resort when, after Laurel Mountain closed for the second time in its history in 2003, Seven Springs stepped in to manage the operations in 2004. The resort has not been in operation since.

Jeff Cook, Executive Vice President of Somerset Trust Company commented on the announcement, “Somerset Trust Company is very pleased to have a quality ski resort operator ready to re-open Laurel Mountain. Seven Springs Mountain Resort worked with us in 2004 to manage Laurel Mountain and we feel this really shows their commitment to the ski business, tourism and employment in the region. Laurel Mountain has the potential to be an outstanding ski resort.”