WHY GO: The largest ski area in Pennsylvania, Seven Springs Mountain Resort, is in the State’s hilly southwest Laurel Highlands region. Just an hour from Pittsburgh PA, Seven Springs Resort has been a family destination for generations.
The Getaway Mavens have already covered much of the Laurel Highlands, including Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater, Kentuck Knob, Polymath Park, along with wineries, Fort Ligonier, Mr. Roger’s hometown of Latrobe, the hard to explain Nemacolin, and more in this Laurel Highlands post.
In this piece, however, we focus on the Seven Springs Mountain Resort (purchased by Vail Resorts in 2021). Although there are no kitschy heart-shaped tubs, you’ll find plenty of romantic things to do in this rustic-upscale outdoor adventure locale. Just follow our lead.
Consult this website for exhaustive list of goings on in the Laurel Highlands.
Check out this Romantic Getaways in PA Post for other great ideas in the State for Adventurous Duos.
Things to Do In And Near Seven Springs Resort Laurel Highlands
OUTDOOR ADVENTURE: Seven Springs Mountain Resort PA
(See also, below, under Where to Stay and Eat)
Ski (Winter. Obviously)
Seven Springs Mountain Ski Resort is the largest of all 21 ski resorts in the State. It’s got fantastic snow making that starts early in the season (weather cooperating), and can see upwards of 10,000 skiers per day. If you excel at snowboarding, you’re in luck. Seven Springs offers freestyle terrain areas and the only 22 ft. Superpipe in the East.
Alpine Slide (Summer)
Travel down this twisty-turny track at your own pace. Take the chair lift up to the top of the hill, grab a wheeled slide, and let gravity take its course. Watch for one stomach turning “drop,” but otherwise the path is pretty leisurely (if you’re prone to ride the brake).
Sporting Clays
Why are sporting clays the “up and coming” team activity? According to those addicted, it’s “a relatively unknown sport and easy to have some success right away,” “a lot of fun,” and “doesn’t take six hours.” I’ll add: for those adverse to hunting, you can shoot a gun without killing anything.
Every group (or single) secures a “Trapper” (like a caddie, but for shooting clay objects) who teaches novices how to hold the shotgun, aim, and fire. The trapper will also take experienced clay shooters to the most difficult stations (out of 45 available).
Sporting Clays have proven to be a fun team-building experience. There’s even a heated enclosed five-stand station, so guests can shoot clays year round.
Axe Throwing
Axe Throwing, a trendy tweak on stodgy ole darts apparently, is taking hold in bars all over the country. Here, you’ll find this sport in Foggy Goggle – the ski lodge bar with 50 beers on tap. Booze and axes. What could possibly go wrong?
OK – so I discovered that axe throwing is relatively safe, providing you listen to the training instructor, wear closed toed shoes, and keep away from the possible sharp-implement bounce-back.
Each thrower is assigned his or her own bay, so you really can’t hurt anyone else. I tried to hit the target upwards of 100 times, and connected once. But, I was in the minority. Like bowling, it gets easier once you get the hang of it.
Golf
This 18-hole hillside golf course has got to be one of the most scenic in the country. From the Pro Shop deck, you can see three states: Pennsylvania, Maryland, and West Virginia. Renowned as a very challenging course, “plan to use every club in your bag,” says the manager.
Gem Mine
More for families with little kids: purchase a bag of dirt, take it out to the water sluice, and pan for gems. You’re guaranteed some cool rocks and minerals.
Bowling
Paddleboats, Swimming, SUP’s on “Lake Tahoe”
HIKE/DRIVE: Laurel Hill State Park, Laurel Highlands PA
In the late 1800’s, this area of PA was a wasteland. “Thanks” to timber barons, loggers all but decimated the landscape. Enter FDR’s CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps), who replanted and revived this forest.
Just a 15 minute drive from 7 Springs Resort, Laurel Hill SP is not as well known as nearby Ohiopyle SP – but worth experiencing for its serene beauty and recreational activities. An auto road winds and switchbacks through the park, with ample places to pull over to enjoy some peace and quiet.
You can walk through a grove of old-growth Hemlock trees left alone by 19th century loggers. Or wade in a shallow rocky stream. Or swim or kayak on a small lake. In winter, snowmobile, x-country ski, or snowshoe in permitted areas.
Don’t leave without hiking to the scenic Jones Mill Run Dam, about ½ mile in on the Pumphouse Trail. It’s an easy walk, and the photo-op payoff is spectacular. Open year round, daily, sunrise to sunset. Free.
Where to Eat, Drink, Provision Near Seven Springs Mountain Resort in Laurel Highlands PA
EAT: Seven Springs Mountain Resort (See Below)
COFFEE: Silver Horse Coffee, Donegal
Silver Horse Coffee is the coolest Western US themed coffee shop in the Laurel Highlands. The Brothers Frye grew up in these here parts, and at least one ventured west to work. For awhile. But he returned, and his vision to own a coffee business with his brother came to fruition. The Fryes roast their own small producer grown coffee beans, so the java is deeply flavored and fresh.
PROVISION: Pletcher’s Farm Market, Champion
Pletcher’s is a local favorite for produce, flowers and canned goods like jellies and jams. The produce is lovely to look at and just-picked fresh.
ICE CREAM: Moo Echo Dairy, Somerset
Local favorite Amish store for goodies, ice cream, snacks and cheeses.
Stay At Seven Springs Mountain Resort, Laurel Highlands
STAY: Seven Springs Mountain Resort
See above under Things to Do for Seven Springs Activities
Although now own by Vail Resorts, nothing seems “corporate” about upscale camp-like Seven Springs Mountain Resort, spa, and hotel. On over 5,000 acres, there are 1,200 private condo units, a 414-room hotel, and 25 cottages and chalets.
In 2006, newspaper scions and Pittsburgh Pirates majority owners, Ogden Nutting, and his sons Bob and Bill, purchased the legendary Seven Springs Mountain Resort and went about renovating and expanding it. Back then, having operated for decades, and resting on its laurels (literally) the resort required a refresh – which the Nuttings accomplished. Plus some.
In 2021, Vail Resorts acquired Seven Springs – and so far has kept its name and family feel intact.
Accommodations are high-end rustic, not twee-resort lavish. Book an inclusive package and you won’t have to pay astronomically high rates.
Rooms at Seven Springs Mountain Resort
With slope-side condos, mountain cottages, and hotel rooms on offer, there is literally something for everyone. I stayed in the 70’s style high-rise hotel, (curved like the Watergate Hotel in DC), with views of the ski hill.
Guest rooms have been redone in maroons and tans. I loved the artsy stone tiles in nature’s hues throughout the bathroom, and into a large shower. A bit of the outdoors brought in.
Yes, scenes of the ski hill from your room can be exciting, but just be aware that those slope-view rooms are noisy in the wee hours due to the overnight snow-making machines. You can always use earplugs!
Trillium Spa at Seven Springs Resort
This stand-alone full-service spa radiates romance. Relish a spa treatment with your honey? Trillium features a fireplace room devoted to Couples Massage, complete with its own hydrotherapy tub for two. Of course, there are dry and steam saunas, stylish locker rooms and waiting areas, and 7 other treatment rooms. Book a Mani-Pedi, Facial, Massage, or other treatments pre or après ski or golf.
Dining at Seven Springs Mountain Resort
Helen’s
Nestled alone in the woods, near the ski lodge complex, this fine-dining restaurant is a hot ticket most days. So, make sure to book in advance.
Slopeside Dining Room
Higher end dining with great views of the ski slopes.
It’s also where guests find the breakfast buffet each morning (complimentary with most packages). You’ll find a range of pastries and breads, and an array of warm dishes.
Bavarian
Beer, spirits and pub food.
Timbers
Casual sandwich place.
Mountain Cocktails – counter service in the “Retail Corridor.”
Emo’s Pitt at the Ski Lodge
Great BBQ on the deck.
Foggy Goggle
Massive eatery in the ski lodge, with “crafted” farm to table food. Most popular, Bison Burger from area farm, traditional Ramen, and 50 beers on tap.
Shopping at 7 Springs Mountain Resort
The “Retail Corridor” offers several specialty shops, among them:
Mountain Mercantile – the resort’s signature store for locally crafted products.
