Ligonier, PA – The lifts will be turning and the slopes buzzing again this winter at Laurel Mountain ski area located on the Westmoreland and Somerset County border in Pennsylvania’s Laurel Highlands, thanks to an agreement between Seven Springs Resort and Somerset Trust Company.

The Laurel Mountain base lodge will be bustling again after an agreement was reached with Seven Springs Mountain Resort to operate the now-dormant Pennsylvania ski area. (photo courtesy: Seven Springs)

During the 2004-05 winter Seven Springs operated the 64-acre ski area, one of the state’s first when opened in 1939 as a private resort for the Mellon family, for one year but reportedly lost money in the arrangement. The lifts and trails have been dormant ever since. The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) owns the land on which the ski area operates, and Somerset Trust owns the lifts, lodge, snowmaking system and other ski area assets.

While details of the arrangement have not yet been released, Seven Springs’ bid to operate Laurel Mountain reportedly hinged on Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell’s willingness to provide funding that reportedly may top $6 million for renovation and improvements, including the cost necessary to replace or renovate the resort’s 40 year-old double chairlift, snowmaking and grooming equipment. A long-term lease to operate the ski area also needed to be negotiated with the DCNR.

“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 Seven Springs Chairman Bob 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.”

“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,” said Jeff Cook, Executive Vice President of Somerset Trust Company. “Laurel Mountain has the potential to be an outstanding ski resort.”