Industry News
The ski season is approaching quickly, and across Vail Resorts’ eight Mid-Atlantic Resorts, there is plenty of news for the upcoming year. Winter is in the air, with several resorts around the country already opening for the 2025-26 season, and the countdown to ski season is officially on at Vail Resorts’ Mid-Atlantic resorts.
It won’t be long until the lifts will be spinning and the mountains will be full of skiers and snowboarders, shredding into the new season. As the ski season approaches, Vail Resorts is rolling out a range of exciting updates, off-season improvements, and signature events designed to elevate the guest experience and celebrate the spirit of winter.
This includes upgrades and improvements to infrastructure and guest experience enhancements. The Vail-owned Mid-Atlantic resorts have invested in a wide range of infrastructure and guest experience upgrades to enhance snowmaking capabilities, improve lift reliability, and elevate overall comfort. Across the board, resorts also introduced accessibility improvements, including ADA parking, heated sidewalks, and upgraded ramps, reinforcing a commitment to inclusive and seamless mountain experiences.
In the Mid Atlantic, Seven Springs installed 1,600 feet of snowmaking main and upgraded multiple lifts, while Hidden Valley, Pennsylvania, added new fan guns and revamped its rental shop for smoother guest flow. Laurel Mountain enhanced its sustainability by implementing snowmaking water recovery piping and expanding its grooming fleet.
The mid-Atlantic resorts also have signature events and celebrations planned throughout the season. From high-energy rail jams to family-friendly winter festivals, the event calendar is packed with experiences that celebrate mountain culture. No matter which ski resort you choose to ski at this season, Vail Resorts has upgraded and improved every one of its mid-Atlantic resorts in some manner to upgrade guests’ experience and mountain enhancements.
Seven Springs Mountain Resort, PA
Seven Springs is located a little more than an hour East of Pittsburgh and is one of the largest ski resorts in the state. This off-season, the resort installed 1,600 feet of 20-inch snowmaking main along Lost Boy Trail and added a new suction line for the Tahoe Pumphouse to boost snow production. The mountain made upgrades to its lift infrastructure with new grips on the North Face Lift, haul rope for Gunnar Lift, a new bull wheel for the Polar Bear Express, and a gearbox for the Southwind Lift. The resort also made improvements to the accessibility at the hotel with ADA parking and heated sidewalks.
There are several events that skiers and snowboarders can look forward to this season. The Foggy Goggle New Year’s Eve Party will be held on December 31 with live music, festive food, and a midnight countdown. It’s a great way to ring in the new year at one of the top apres ski bars in the United States. The popular Toyota Take-Over Weekend Rail Jam will return and be held from January 30 to February 1, 2026. This is a high-energy event that showcases skiers and riders throwing down tricks in a celebration of mountain culture. A great event that is held at Seven Springs each winter is the Special Olympics PA Winter Games, February 10 through 12, 2026. It is a heartwarming event celebrating inclusion, courage, and community through winter sports. At the end of the season, a crowd favorite, Pond Skim Celebration, will return, where costumed skiers and snowboarders skim across a chilly pond in a hilarious spring send-off with music, prizes, and good vibes.
Hidden Valley Resort, PA
Hidden Valley Resort is only about 30 minutes away from Seven Springs in Western PA and is known for its family-friendly environment. It’s great for skiers and snowboarders looking for a nice, relaxing day on the slopes. This offseason, the resort added four new TechnoAlpin TR8 fan guns for better snow coverage on Continental, Cobra, and Angel’s Elbow. It made system upgrades on the Bobcat Conveyor and a rebuilt gearbox on the Blizzard Lift, and added enhanced accessibility with new ramps to the Sunrise/Sunset deck and key buildings. The resort also installed new day lockers and renovated the rental shop to streamline guest flow.
This season, Hidden Valley has events that are geared toward making the whole family happy. From its Family New Year’s Eve Celebration, December 31, which will feature an early countdown, festive activities, music, and sparkling cheer—perfect for families with little ones. There will also be a Kids’ Pond Skim at the end of the season, where pint-sized skiers and snowboarders take on the pond in wild costumes and big splashes.
Laurel Mountain, PA
Laurel Mountain is one of the ski resorts where everyone knows your name and you feel like a local the moment you step onto the slopes. It has that iconic Pennsylvania ski culture vibe to it, with its rustic lodge and old-school fireplace. The resort boasts one of the steepest slopes in the northeast, the double diamond Lower Wildcat, which averages near 60% slope. This smaller resort is a hidden gem that is located about an hour and a half East of Pittsburgh in PA.
Preparing for this season, the ski resort replaced piping for snowmaking water recovery to improve sustainability and system performance. It added a Winch Cat to the grooming fleet for better snow quality and terrain maintenance. Laurel Mountain also continued glade clearing and trail work to improve access and flow.
Liberty Mountain Resort, PA
Liberty Mountain is located in Central PA, close to the Maryland border, and less than two hours away from Baltimore and Washington, D.C. It nestled together with its two sister resorts, Whitetail Resort and Round Top Mountain Resort, which are all about an hour away from each other. This season, Liberty modified its snow guns in strategic locations to improve its efficiency and performance. It also upgraded its snowmaking infrastructure by adding 200 feet of new piping.
This season, Liberty will celebrate its 60th Anniversary with festive surprises, commemorative moments, and unique experiences woven throughout the season. The Ryan Grom Jam will feature the ultimate freestyle rail jam event, which is just for kids. Once a month this season, Liberty will be opening select trails early for Epic Pass holders to enjoy pristine groomed runs. The resort will offer complimentary cinnamon rolls, cocoa, and some swag to pass holders before hitting the slopes.
The Unlimited Pride event will be held on February 28 through March 1. This special 2-day event is about embracing diversity and creating a welcoming space for everyone, whether you are skiing, snowboarding, or just soaking in the mountain vibes. The Pond Skim will be held at the end of the season, where costumes, courage, and chilly water collide in a hilarious splash-fest and a special 60th Anniversary vibe.
Whitetail Resort, PA
Nestled in the Tuscarora Mountains of southern Pennsylvania lies Whitetail Resort. Despite its southeast-facing slopes, Whitetail maintains some of the most pristine trails in the Mid-Atlantic. A local tip: the resort can get quite busy on weekends, given the proximity to the D.C. and Baltimore areas. Get to the mountain early to have the best conditions, fewest lift lines, and beat the lunch rush.
The resort added a PistenBully 400 winch cat groomer to enhance slope quality and grooming precision. It installed two TechnoAlpin M12 fan guns at 101 Park for improved snowmaking efficiency. Liberty also expanded its snowmaking capabilities in snow tubing with three TechnoAlpin TR8 and two M12 fan guns and placed seven HKD air/water stick guns across the mountain to boost snow coverage.
This season, the Whitetail Winterfest will be held January 31 through February 1, 2026. It’s an event that celebrates the heart of winter with two days of mountain magic with live entertainment, Toyota Rail Jam, family-friendly activities, and snowy fun for all ages. It is the perfect mid-season celebration to embrace the chill and enjoy the thrill.
Whitetail’s Women’s Day Series is dedicated to empowerment, connection, and mountain adventure, offering tailored experiences, clinics, and camaraderie in a welcoming environment. As the season winds down, Whiteteail’s Pond Skim will feature splashes, wipeouts, and the perfect way to say goodbye to winter with a laugh.
Roundtop Mountain Resort, PA
Roundtop is located on a round peak that overlooks the Cumberland Valley and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. It is the go-to mountain for any skier or snowboarder living in the area to get their daily runs in. RoundTop is a family-oriented resort and offers trails geared toward more beginner to intermediate skiers or snowboarders. They offer expert trails that do provide steep drops but are also short in overall length, which is fairly common for Central PA skiing.
This offseason, Roundtop upgraded its water pumping system to improve snowmaking efficiency and reliability. It also enhanced its grooming fleet by adding a Prinoth Bison X and a Prinoth Bison to deliver smoother, more consistent slope conditions.
Rountop’s Ullr Fest will be held on December 6, which is a lively party honoring the Norse god of snow, featuring live music, activities, and festive mountain spirit centered around a roaring bonfire. For students, every Thursday night this season, college students can hit the slopes with $39 lift tickets and $10 rentals. It is the perfect midweek escape—grab your friends and make winter memories. Rountop’s Winter Carnival and Rail Jam will be held on February 7, 2026. This event combines family-friendly fun with freestyle action as skiers and riders display their skills on custom-built features.
JFBB (Jack Frost Big Boulder), PA
JFBB is located in the Poconos, approximately two hours from Philadelphia and New York City. It’s unique because it features two different ski resorts (Jack Frost and Big Boulder), which can both be skied in the same day. The two resorts are approximately 30 minutes apart and offer skiers and snowboarders two distinct terrains and vibes to experience.
Before this season, Jack Frost replaced the snowmaking pipe at the base of the mountain to improve snow production. Installed a new haul rope on Jack Frost’s D-Lift for a smoother ride. Big Boulder upgraded its lighting with new energy-efficient LED fixtures.
Both mountains will feature winter events this season. Big Boulder’s Winterfest will be held, which is a celebration featuring night skiing, fireworks, and live music that turns the mountain into a family winter party zone. It is the perfect mix of adrenaline and entertainment for snow lovers of all ages. A Beach Party Pond Skim at the end of the season will also be held at Big Boulder. The Beach Party Pond Skim brings tropical vibes to the slopes, complete with two ponds to test your skim skills. Whether you are going for glory or just a good laugh, this spring tradition is all about bold costumes, big splashes, and unforgettable fun.
Whether it’s new snowmaking infrastructure, expanded terrain access, or unforgettable events, Vail Resorts’ eight Mid-Atlantic ski resorts are ready to deliver an Experience of a Lifetime—from first tracks to final pond skims. Skiers and snowboarders are stoked, and these mountains are prepared for the season to start. The countdown is on, and the season is almost here. Get your skis and snowboards tuned, waxed, and ready for opening day; it won’t be much longer.
