Overnight at Seven Springs Mountain Resort: Family Bliss in One Package
The boots have come off, the mid-layers are steamy, and the snow continues to fall outside. The entire family is tuckered out in a way that comes only from the slopes, each face a rosy portrait of bliss. All the pics have been “grammed” and “snapped,” but there’s no need for Pictionary to pass the time. Sharing your heroic tales from the mountain seems like a fine way to spend the evening. No doubt, day trips to the ski hill are awesome, but tossing the keys for an unplugged family experience at Seven Springs Mountain Resort creates a little slice of heaven.
Seven Springs is designed for every level of skier and snowboarder, ideal terrain for beginners to experts and beyond excellent for family getaways. The carver and powder hound will find stashes aplenty among the 33 trails and slopes. Those looking for jumps and rails choose from the seven progressive terrain parks. Slack-country fanatics can even snag an Uphill Travel Pass to earn their turns by skinning up the Boomerang Trail. The rest of us gain easy access everywhere thanks to Seven Springs’ efficient 10-lift system.
One steadfast rule of the mountains is “never let the weather where you live predict the snow where you’re going,” and Seven Springs provides exhibit A. Though it may be raining or dry and cold in Pittsburgh or Washington D.C., the resort could be getting pounded with new snow. Plus, with over 1,100 snow guns providing 95 percent coverage of the 285 skiable acres, there’s a good chance it’ll be snowing sideways even if the clouds aren’t cooperating.
There’s never a fear of cabin fever on an overnight excursion to Seven Springs either. Exchange the board games for bowling lanes, and roll a few frames in a friendly competition. Create a family Olympics by taking the day’s time totals from the NASTAR Course, a 12- to 14-gate slalom over moderate terrain, adding in your bowling totals, then capping off the Seven Springs triathlon with a spirited round of all-season mini-golf.
The post-podium dining options help preserve your mettle for tomorrow’s runs on the slopes. Guests will find 11 diverse options across the village, beginning with Helen’s Restaurant, a rustic lodge with fine-dining tastes such as “steak tartare” and “duck two ways,” as well as a fantastic wine list. Slopeside and Timbers offer fun-filled rooms perfect for a family with varied tastes, from the seafood or farmer’s buffet to a bacon-mac-and-cheese burger. There’s also Bavarian Lounge, Seven Ten Bistro, and Foggy Brews craft beer pub—in another words, pretty much whatever you want to eat and drink in whatever style suits you. And yes, never fear, there is also the Pizza Place.
Many have argued that the reason we love the slopes is not just the fresh air and adrenaline, but what comes after. And who could blame them? A classic après ski bar invites shredders to shed a layer and spend a few well-deserved hours describing their downhill heroism. The legendary Foggy Goggle has been called the best ski bar on the East Coast not only for its après aesthetic, but also for late-night live entertainment on the weekends. DJs and live bands also pump up the bounce inside the Matterhorn Lounge, spinning and jamming until 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights.
A family ski vacation might not depend upon the accommodations, but great lodging transforms a good getaway into an awesome memory. Seven Springs Mountain Resort features ski-in/ski-out accommodations that range from spacious hotel rooms to condos and chalets. Winter Fun Packages include custom lodging to suit each family, as well as passes to snow tubing, mini-golf, bowling, and roller skating. Kids 11 and under not only receive free lodging, but their ski passes are also covered! Breakfast, resort credits, and access to the indoor swimming pool are just some of the included amenities that take the logistics out of planning a fantastic family ski escape.
Every family member heads off to a ski vacation with a unique agenda, whether it’s finally beating dad in the NASTAR slalom course, landing a 360 off the rail, or ending the afternoon with a soothing treatment at Trillium Spa. Toss in some shared ingredients—like devouring Timbers’ famous Monster Burger for Two, hitting the indoor pool, taking a few dozen ski runs, or just spending some good old-fashioned unplugged together time—and you have the makings of one awesome getaway, courtesy of Seven Springs Mountain Resort.