< PreviousHit the slopes Area ski resorts will be open this winter, just with some new protocols put in place to keep guests and staff safe. For the most up-to-date details on any particular resort’s protocols, visit the website listed. Some resorts are mandating face coverings both indoors and outdoors while others are implementing 50 percent capacity at indoor eating spaces. There are also some “arrive together- ride together” policies for ski lifts and lines. At least one resort is suggesting purchasing lift tickets ahead of time as limits may be placed on the number of tickets sold during busy holiday weekends. If traveling out of state, be sure to check if any restrictions have been placed on visitors. Many resorts are also implementing new cleaning and employee screening procedures to keep guests safe. With all those measures in place, resorts are hoping for a fun season and even planning on hosting some of their annual traditions. WISP Resort — A two-hour drive south of Pittsburgh, WISP is part of the Deep Creek Lake all seasons playground in the mountains of western Maryland. The ski resort has expanded from its modest slope opening in 1955 to 33 slopes and 11 miles of trails on 137 acres. While avid skiers and boarders can experience the 700-foot vertical drop, other guests can try snowtubing, cross country skiing, and snowshoeing. For the 2020-21 season, WISP is offering a “Mission: Affordable XTRA season pass” which will allow a one- time deferral of usage for a year if a passholder becomes concerned about the impacts of COVID on this ski season. WISP is located at 296 Marsh Hill Road, McHenry, Maryland, 21541. For more information, call (301) 859-3159 or visit wispresort.com. Holiday Valley - Holiday Valley is located in Ellicottville, New York, which is just a tad bit farther away than the other resorts on this list. It takes about three hours to drive there on I-79 and I-86. Ellicottville gets blanketed in about 180 inches of powder each winter and the resort’s great mix of trails and slopes provide lots of variety. Ellicottville, too, makes this resort a nice place to visit, with lots of charming bed and breakfasts, a brewery, winery and more. It’s likely, though, that many will be operating under restricted capacity due to COVID-19. There are a number of outdoorsy happenings in town, including lots of Christmas decorations and even a living nativity. Check www.holidayvalley.com for more. Holiday Valley is located at 6557 Holiday Valley Road, Ellicottville, NY 14731. 30 • Allegheny West Magazine • Winter 2020Cozy up with this performance of “The Nutcracker” After a cold day out on the slopes, you can enjoy this performance of “The Nutcracker” online. The Andrew Carnegie Free Library and Music Hall is going virtual with this annual performance, though it will still be performed at the historic Carnegie Performing Arts Center in downtown Carnegie. The show will be both streamed online and available in pre-recorded form. As in years past, the show will feature local talent, with the lead roles filled by area high school students. Dancers from many community dance schools ranging from age 5 to adult round out the cast of swirling snowflakes and candy flowers. Monica Ryan, choreographer and director of the Carnegie Performing Arts Center, will be celebrating her 45th year of producing the performance. Streaming is $30 and will be released after Dec. 15. For a streaming code and raffle tickets for the annual Chance Auction, call (412) 279-8887 or visit www. carnegieperformingartscenter.com. A full stream of the performance and DVD will be available for $60. Sydney Avant from Washington plays Clara in this year’s production of “The Nutcracker” by the Carnegie Performing Arts Center. Seven Springs Mountain Resort - Boasting 33 slopes and trails, seven terrain parks, and 10 lifts, Seven Springs also lays claim to the only 22- foot superpipe in the eastern U.S. for freestyle winter sports. In addition to skiing and snowboarding, guests can participate in snowmobile and snowshoe tours and horse- drawn sleigh rides. Seven Springs will again offer its Twelve Days of Christmas package from Dec. 11 to Dec. 23. Starting at $120.50 per adult, the package includes one night of lodging, unlimited skiing and snowboarding during the stay, breakfast, and access to the lodge’s pool and fitness center. Seven Springs is located less than two hours east of Pittsburgh, just off the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Pick up an E-ZPass and you’ll not only be able to pass through the tolls a lot quicker but you’ll also save money. See right for more. Seven Springs is located at 777 Waterwheel Drive, Champion, PA 15622. For more information, call (814) 352-7777 or visit www.7springs.com. Hidden Valley Resort - Located on the neighboring mountain and owned by the same group as Seven Springs, Hidden Valley bills itself as a comfortable environment to learn to ski or snowboard. Known for its calmer, more family-friendly environment than its sister resort, Hidden Valley has 26 slopes and trails and two terrain parks. It, too, is located less than two hours east of Pittsburgh, just off the Pennsylvania Turnpike. The resort is located at 1 Craighead Road, Somerset, PA 15501. For more information, call (814) 443-8000 or visit www.hiddenvalleyresort.com. Peek n’ Peak Resort — Two hours to the north of Pittsburgh and just over the New York state line is Peek n’ Peak Ski Resort, a winter playground that boasts an average of 180 inches of snowfall each year. The resort offers 27 lighted slopes and trails, seven snowtubing lanes, and five separate terrain parks. The 108-room “Inn at the Peak” is designed in an old English Tudor style and offers luxurious accommodations. Peek n’ Peak is located at 1405 Olde Road, Clymer, NY 14724. For more information, call (716) 355-4141 or visit www.pknpk.com.PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID PITTSBURGH PA PERMIT NO. 5605 Hughey Publications, LLC P.O. Box 220 McDonald, PA 15057 Now in Our 22 nd Year Proudly Serving the Airport Area Allegheny West MagazineNext >