Trip Report
There are all kinds of different ski resorts spread out across the country that offer different terrain, snow conditions, and amenities. Those are some skiers looking for the huge verticals, expansive terrain, and great snowpack, but others are looking for a mountain to call their home. When searching for a ski resort that you could refer to as home, family comes to mind. Not all ski resorts need to have the steepest, most difficult, and gnarliest terrain to be considered a desirable option. There are resorts that people go to in hopes of taking their children to learn to ski, or maybe they are a beginner or intermediate level skier, or simply someone who likes a nice relaxing day on the mountain.
If those are characteristics you are looking for in a ski resort, then Hidden Valley Ski Resort in Pennsylvania is the mountain that you need to check out. Hidden Valley is a resort that is geared towards families with children for its lazy greens, great ski school, and amenities that keep families in mind. For parents who want to enjoy watching their children learn to ski, Hidden Valley has you covered. Parents can easily watch their children learn to ski from the second floor of the main lodge from observation windows. The beginner area and ski school can be seen from the inside of the main lodge and also on the outside deck.
Quick Facts and History:
- First Opened: 1982
- Elevation: 2,875 ft
- Base Elevation: 2,405 ft
- Skiable Terrain: 110 Acres
- Lifts: 8
- Terrain Parks: 2
- Trails: 26
- Beginner Terrain: 26%
- Intermediate Terrain: 41%
- Advanced Terrain: 31%
The atmosphere at Hidden Valley is very relaxed and comfortable which is well suited for beginners who may shy away from mountains that are more geared for experts. However, that does not mean that Hidden Valley does not offer terrain the whole family will enjoy. Although it does consist of more beginner and intermediate terrain, there is also enough expert and glade skiing that would make any skier smile.
On the day of my visit, the air temperature was one degree, fresh snow had fallen over the weekend, and the trails were groomed to perfection. The mountain looked like something out of a movie with the freshly groomed hard packed snow just sitting there waiting for someone to hit. The whole mountain was covered in fresh snow, every trail was extremely fun to hit, and the glades were calling our name that day.
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It was some of the best snowpack that most PA ski resorts have seen in years and the glades were covered in that light and fluffy magic! Over the past 5 years, skiing the glades at Mid-Atlantic ski resorts has been very hard to come by with minimal snowfall, warm conditions, and rainfall not helping at all. Most resorts in those conditions focus on snowmaking on the main trails and therefore the glades are usually not open. So, when you have the perfect conditions and opportunity to hit the glades in PA, you take it!
Hidden Valley offers night skiing which is great for kids who can still have the opportunity to hit some runs after school. The ski instructors at the school are known for their patience when teaching students as well. This is a bonus for adults who may want to learn or improve their skills as well. The ski school offers lessons for first-time skiers, children, and adults, private, seasonal programs, and after-school ski school as well. “My kids had such a great first lesson! they loved their instructor,” said an anonymous guest.
The main lodge which is located at the base of the mountain has several large rooms that are set up cafeteria-style for families to relax and grab some food. Hidden Valley also has two dining options at the main lodge; Glacier’s Pub, Sunrise Sunset Cafe, and the Clocktower Restaurant. Glacier’s Pub and Sunrise Sunset Cafe offer guests the options of sandwiches, burgers, pizza, hot soups, hot beverages, grab-and-go items, and much more. It is a quick and easy way to get in and out when you need to fuel up and warm up before heading back onto the mountain. The Clocktower Restaurant is only open on the weekend and offers a full menu ranging from appetizers to entrees.
Hidden Valley has made some upgrades and investments into the mountain over the summer to ensure that guests have the best experience possible when visiting the resort. Hidden Valley has invested in upgrading its snowmaking systems by adding new snow guns and fans to keep the slopes open when Mother Nature does not cooperate. The mountain also brought in a new snow cat which will only keep some of the best groomed slopes in PA looking even better. If you need to rent some equipment while visiting, Hidden Valley has also upgraded its fleet of rentals with new skis, snowboards, and boots this off-season.
There are several activities to do besides skiing that are located close to the mountain to choose from as well. There are numerous condos, houses, and hotels surrounding the ski resort that make it simple and easy for guests to stay at while visiting. Hidden Valley has plenty of other activities to offer once winter ends and we pack our ski gear away until next season. During the summer, guests can hit the links on an 18-hole golf course, play tennis, go hiking or biking on 30 miles of trails, and go fishing on the lake that is stocked with trout and bass. There is also an outdoor swimming pool, tennis courts, volleyball courts, and a sports club that provides enough activities which should satisfy everyone in the family.
Hidden Valley, Laurel Mountain, and Seven Springs are all sister ski areas of its parent company Vail Resorts. The three resorts combined are like the “Triple Crown” of skiing in PA. Hidden Valley offers the terrain that first-timers and beginners will feel safe and comfortable on. Laurel Mountain is the place to go to get away from the crowds and hit some pristine open trails that are great for intermediate skiers. Seven Springs is the “Crown Jewel” of the three offering a ton of terrain, slopes, amenities, and activities with trails designed for all levels of skiers and riders. It is a very unique scenario where you can stay at the main hotel at Seven Springs and hit two different mountains in less than 45 minutes over a two or three-day trip. It is also a bonus that all three resorts fall under the Epic Pass which makes it even better for guests who are trying to keep things as simple and hassle-free as possible.
If you are planning a trip that is great for families, first-timers, or beginners, then Hidden Valley should be on your list to check out. The resort offers a great ski school, perfectly groomed slopes and trails, and a family-friendly atmosphere that is great for parents with young children.
For more information visit Hidden Valley’s website.
