PA Laurel Highlands: Hidden Valley vs. 7 Springs
This is one article in a series of posts that compares one ski resort with another. Most times, the two ski resorts we compare are close to one another and are within the same difficulty range as one another. There is no sense in comparing a major resort in Colorado with one on the East Coast.
Today, we are comparing Seven Springs and Hidden Valley (PA). The reasons that these resorts are often compared to one another are:
- Both are located in the Laurel Highlands area of PA, about 15 minutes from each other.
- Both are a part of the EPIC Pass.
- They are both popular resorts for those in Pittsburgh and Central PA.
Both of these ski resorts were purchased by Vail Resorts back in 2021. Vail hasn’t implemented much change beyond the use of the EPIC pass, but it looks like things are being done a little differently as of late. Both resorts are 100% reliant on snowmaking, which they are relying on more so now. Vail appears to be putting money into this effort to push their ski seasons out longer than they’ve ever been before.
| Hidden Valley | Seven Springs |
|---|---|
| Shorter Season (Jan-Mar) | Longer Season (Dec-April) |
| More Beginner Friendly | More Expert Terrain |
| Less Apres-Ski Activities | More Apres-Ski Activities |
| Tubing | Tubing and Superpipe |
| Much Smaller Resort | Much Larger Resort |
Seven Springs Ski Resort
Seven Springs is the larger of the two ski resorts in the Laurel Highlands, with quite a bit more acreage and trails. It is the preeminent ski resort for those that are coming from Pittsburgh and the surrounding region looking to ski. Seven Springs is the best resort for expert skiers in Western PA. It still has its fair share of beginner-friendly runs, like the Lost Boy and Lost Girl runs, which are long sweeping trails that are fun for just about anyone.
Seven Springs has a tubing park and multiple terrain parks at its resort. It also opened a super pipe in 2021. However, it was not around for the 2022 season due to a warm winter.
Seven Springs has more restaurants (that are spread throughout the mountain) and a bar in the Foggy Goggles that is much livelier than anything over at Hidden Valley.
Hidden Valley Ski Resort
Hidden Valley is quite a bit smaller than its neighboring resort in just about every way. It has smaller lifts, a shorter vertical, and fewer trails. Hidden Valley is better for beginners because it usually has much fewer people on the weekends, and has gentler groomed trails than Seven Springs.
Hidden Valley also has tubing, but it is located about 5 minutes down the road along Route 31. It is a smaller tubing area than what Seven Springs has, but is still fun.
Hidden Valley also has a smaller resort “town” than 7 Springs. There are a few restaurants at the bottom of the hill, but not much in the way of a nightlife scene.
Mountain Stats Comparison
| Ski Resort | Hidden Valley | Seven Springs |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Somerset, PA, 15501 | Champion, PA, 15622 |
| Pass | EPIC | EPIC |
| Summit Elevation (ft) | 2,875 | 2,994 |
| Base Elevation (ft) | 2,405 | 2,240 |
| Vertical Drop (ft) | 470 | 750 |
| Lifts | 8 | 14 |
| Trails | 32 | 49 |
| Skiable Acres | 210 | 285 |
| Green % | 27% | 36% |
| Blue % | 50% | 42% |
| Black % | 23% | 22% |
| Difficulty Score | 33.6% | 33.6% |
| Annual Snowfall (in) | 160 | 135 |
