150228 Seven Springs Resort

He Said, She Said: Seven Springs Mountain Resort

Our family was provided with Seven Springs Mountain Resort lifts tickets and kids ski lessons in order to accommodate this review. All opinions are those of the author.

One thing that has long been on my parenting bucket list was getting to teach my children the joys skiing. However, our two oldest boys just came into the age of being able to learn, as lots of resorts have a 4 year age minimum.

So we were more than excited when SkiPA and Seven Springs Mountain Resort invited our family out to come and spend a day at their resort.

Seven Springs Mountain Resort is located in Champion, Pennsylvania, about a 3.5 hour drive from the Cleveland area. I had made many trips over the years to Seven Springs throughout High School Ski Club, and prior to having kids. Seven Springs has always been one of our favorite resorts within a decent drive from Cleveland because of its beautiful setting in the Laurel Highlands and great ski slopes.

After dropping the boys off at Tiny Tots ski school, we hit the slopes for some skiing. Dropping kids off at the ski school was amazingly efficient, as you simply hand over the kids and their bag of belongings (gloves, etc.), and they handle everything from there. They feed the kids lunch, let them use the restroom, dress them, fit them with the equipment, and then teach the kids to ski for approximately two (2) hours. The whole process was painless and comforting know the kids were in great hands.

Eventually, my wife and I took separate paths at Seven Springs, and as I went off to get in some more skiing, she took in the finer offerings of the resort.

My view was drastically different than her view.

His Seven Springs View

His Seven Springs View

Her Seven Springs View

Her Seven Springs View

My experience on the mountain involved getting to finally witness my children on skis, and once they were done with their class, getting to enjoy individual time with my boys.

150228 Seven Springs Kids Lessons (1)

150228 Seven Springs Kids Lessons (2)

150228 Seven Springs Ski Graduates

150228 Seven Springs Chasing the Kids Down the Mountain

While her view clearly was set on the extraordinary food presented at the Slopeside Dining Room, where she got to enjoy an exquisite assortment of salads, breads, and desserts, paired with freshly made bloody mary’s and glasses of wine.

150228 Seven Springs Bloody Mary

150228 Seven Springs Kids Bread and Butter Buffet

150228 Seven Springs Salad Buffet

150228 Seven Springs Chocolate Mousse

150228 Seven Springs Creme Brulee

150228 Seven Springs Dessert Buffet

Lastly, while my feet were busy in ski boots enjoying the terrain, hers were getting pampered in the spa.

However, despite the differences of events throughout the day, one thing proved true for the both of us. It made us immensely proud to see our kids try out skiing for the first time, thrive, and love it! I felt an incredible sense of pride on the ride home at what our kids were able to accomplish at Seven Springs Mountain Resort, and how their incredible kids program made them clambering to return.

For discounts to Seven Springs and other area Pennsylvania ski resorts, see the article below.

SkiPA for Winter Family Fun and Discounts

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Source: InACents

2015 Kids Ski Free SkiPA

SkiPA for Winter Family Fun and Discounts

One of the incredible programs that is out there that we have written about for the past couple of years is SkiPA, a non-profit organization in place to help promote Pennsylvania ski resorts. Together, with their partner properties, they have a number of programs that family’s should consider before heading to the slopes.

The participating ski resorts for the 2015 include the following:

  • Alpine Mountain, Analomink
  • Bear Creek Mountain Resort & Conference Center, Macungie
  • Big Boulder, Blakeslee
  • Blue Knob Ski Area, Claysburg
  • Blue Mountain, Palmerton
  • Camelback Mountain Resort, Tannersville
  • Elk Mountain, Union Dale
  • Hidden Valley Resort, Hidden Valley
  • Jack Frost Mountain, Blakeslee
  • Liberty Mountain, Carroll Valley
  • Montage Mountain, Scranton
  • Mystic Mountain at Nemacolin, Farmington
  • Roundtop Mountain Resort, Lewisberry
  • Seven Springs Mountain Resort, Seven Springs
  • Shawnee Mountain Ski Area, Shawnee-on-Delaware
  • Ski Big Bear, Lackawaxen
  • Ski Sawmill Family Resort, Morris
  • Tussey Mountain, Boalsburg, PA
  • Whitetail Resort, Mercersburg

Save $5 on Lift Tickets/Learn to Ski Packages

If visiting any of the member properties, be sure to visit the SkiPA deal page for the latest promotions. This month, guests can save $5 on the cost of mid-week lift tickets or learn to ski packages.

SkiPA Beginner Ticket, Lesson and Rentals

SkiPA offers $49 Beginner Ticket, Lesson and Rentals at participating properties for those just learning to ski. This is a great opportunity to get started for an incredible value. Do note, all the properties have minimum age limitations, which might not accommodate young families.

4th & 5th Grade Snowpass Program

If you have a 4th or 5th grade student, the SkiPA Snowpass program is a no-brainer. Simply register your child, and they receive 3 free light tickets per participating resort with the purchase of a paying adult. This is a perfect bonding activity with your kids and a way to get them outside during the winter.

Overall, the SkiPA program is an excellent program designed to get people out and enjoying skiing with their families.

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Source: SkiPA

Gas to Ski Free

2015 BOGO Ski Free Lift Tickets via Shell Gas Stations

Gas to Ski Free

FREE LIFT TICKETS – For the past several years, the Ski Free Deals, program associated with Shell Gas Stations across the country has offered guests a buy one, get one lift ticket to various ski resorts with the purchase of gasoline. The program returns for 2015 as highlighted below.

Ski Free Shell Details

The promotion starts January 2, 2015 and runs through April 19, 2015.

You simply purchase 10 gallons of gasoline at a participating Shell gas station. Then bring the receipt inside to the cashier, and they will give you a voucher.

The Ski Free Deals website has an excellent list of Shell gas stations that will participate this year. States include California, Colorado, Michigan, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Disappointingly, Ohio was dropped from the list this year.

The 2015 participating list of resorts is limited to properties in California, Nevada, Colorado, and Michigan, as listed below. New Mexico was dropped from the list this year.

California and Nevada Buy One, Get One Ski Free Same Day Resorts

HOMEWOOD MOUNTAIN RESORT, CA
Valid: Sunday – Friday
Blackouts: January 2-3, January 17-19, February 14-21

MT. ROSE SKI TAHOE, CA
Valid: Monday – Friday
Blackouts: January 17-19, February 14-16

MT. SHASTA ski park, CA
Valid: Tuesday & Wednesday, 9am – 4pm; Thursday, 3pm – 9pm
Blackouts: None

California and Nevada Buy One, Get One Ski Free Another Day Resorts

SIERRA-AT-TAHOE®
Valid: Sunday – Friday
Blackouts: January 2-4, January 17-19, February 14-21. Offer expires at close of 2014-15 season.

Colorado and New Mexico Buy One, Get One Ski Free Resorts

COPPER MOUNTAIN
Valid: 7 Days a Week
Blackouts: None

CRESTED BUTTE
Valid: 7 Days a Week
Blackouts: February 14–15, March 9-12, March 16-19

LOVELAND SKI AREA
Valid: Sunday – Thursday
Blackouts: January 17-19, February 14–16, March 22-29

MONARCH MOUNTAIN
Valid: 7 Days a Week. Regular ticket price $69.
Blackouts: January 17-18, February 14-15

POWDERHORN MOUNTAIN RESORT
Valid: Monday – Friday
Blackouts: January 19, February 16

Michigan Buy One, Get One Ski Free Resorts

Swiss Valley Ski Area
Valid: JAN – FEB: Sunday – Friday; MAR: 7 Days a Week
Blackouts: None

Timber Ridge Ski Area
Valid: Sunday – Friday
Blackouts: None

Apple Mountain
Valid: 7 Days a Week
Blackouts: None

Cannonsburg Ski Area
Valid: Tuesday & Thursday
Blackouts: None

Snow Snake Mountain
Valid: JAN – FEB: Monday; MAR: 7 Days a Week
Blackouts: None

Boyne Highlands
Valid: Sunday – Thursday
Blackouts: January 18, February 15

Boyne Mountain
Valid: Sunday – Thursday
Blackouts: January 18, February 15

Caberfae Peaks Ski Resort
Valid: JAN – FEB: Sunday – Friday; MAR: 7 Days a Week
Blackouts: January 18, February 16

Cross Country Ski Headquarters
Valid: 7 Days a Week
Blackouts: None

Crystal Mountain
Valid: JAN – FEB: Monday – Thursday; MAR 1-15: 7 Days a Week
Blackouts: January 19, February 16, March 16 to close

Hanson Hills
Valid: During open hours—call 989-348-9266 for hours of operation
Blackouts: None

The Homestead Resort
Valid: Friday – Sunday
Blackouts: January 17-18, February 14-16

Mt. Holiday Ski Area
Valid: JAN-FEB: Sunday – Friday; MAR: 7 Days a Week
Blackouts: None

Nub’s Nob Ski Area
Valid: Tuesday
Blackouts: None

Shanty Creek Resorts – Summit Mountain
Valid: JAN – MAR: Sunday only
Blackouts: None

Treetops Resort
Valid: Sunday – Friday; Saturday after 4pm
Blackouts: January 16-19, February 13-16

Marquette Mountain Ski Area
Valid: Monday – Friday, 11am – 8pm
Blackouts: None

MONT RIPLEY
Valid: 7 Days a Week
Blackouts: None

Mt. Zion Ski Hill
Valid: 7 Days a Week
Blackouts: None

Norway Mountain
Valid: 7 Days a Week
Blackouts: January 2-3

Pine Mountain Resort
Valid: 7 Days a Week
Blackouts: None

Porcupine Mountains
Valid: 7 Days a Week
Blackouts: None

For reference, here is the 2014 ski free Shell, 2013 Ski Free and 2012 Ski Free info.

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Source: InACents