2023 begins another year of watching the real estate market at Vail Resorts Seven Springs. The existing listing inventory has a high entry price. Come see how the New Years numbers start off our monthly reports!
E-BIKES Policy for State Parks and Forests
From DCNR, “they received more than 640 comments from the public on the draft policy,” Dunn said. “Based on the review of the comments, we have made some minor adjustments and will now move forward allowing e-bikes on trails already open to traditional bicycle usage on the lands managed by the department, as long as users follow some guidelines.” Read the announcement from the Pennsylvania Pressroom. Here’s the link to the policy
NEW SKIS & SNOWBOARDS FOR THE HOLIDAY?
Something very new, skis and boards that can “change physical performance characteristics on demand.” So say Verispellis Skis + Snowboards Inc. check out the article as found in Yahoo Finance. The magic happens with “digital electronics and metallurgical technology. The shape shifting skis and snowboards allow them to change in response to the temperature ups and downs.” Nitinol is the material that allows this to happen.
Vail says YOUR PHONE WILL BE YOUR TICKET TO THE SLOPES
Imagine not having to find a place on your gear to attach your pass so that it doesn’t hit you in the face, get tangled in something, or misplacing it somewhere! From Vail Daily comes, “Vail Resorts announced Wednesday its plans for a future without physical lift tickets and passes with new technology that will allow guests to store their pass or lift ticket directly on their phone.” Good to know (according to the story) that they will still issue plastic cards IF requested.
7S, HV, Laurel Mtn Resorts and Climate Change
From Pittsburgh Magazine comes an article discussing snow or the lack of it and how to keep and maintain it during the upcoming ski season. Some of the changes, opening days will not be when the weather allows, lift tickets will be limited, and extended hours of operation.
HV, 7S, Laurel Mtn Resorts Ski Schedule Announced
Straight from the Vail Resorts Press Release Days and hours are in the link. NOTE that all 3 sales systems are NOW CASHLESS OPERATIONS!
RENTING your place in Somerset County? YOU OWE A HOTEL TAX
Somerset County Treasurer Anthony DeLuca is out to collect from those who may not know they owe! Resort owners at Hidden Valley and Seven Springs who rent may fall into this category. Let’s begin with the HOTEL ROOM RENTAL TAX Rules and Regulations. Effective April 1, 2018 as explained in Part 2 under Rules and Regulations Section D3 is basically saying that anything rented for less than 30 days qualifies for the 5% tax fee. Then there’s the 2002 Ordinance Section 2 (6) that further clarifies who needs to pay up. The full story can be found here by David Hurst in the Tribune Democrat Johnstown. Here’s the link to register and the Hotel Tax and Regulations page from the Somerset County Website for even more information.
Spotted Lanterenfly (SLF)
If you see it REPORT IT! According to DCNR, the map below shows the few counties that this pest has yet to be found! Read the newsletter here. It was first found in Berks County, PA in 2014 and has a preference for grapevines, maples, black walnut, birch and willows. Read more on HOW it can impact our economy and quality of life!
Vail Resorts to Raise Wages to $20 For Winter Season
Here’s a follow up link to an editorial about the pay increase from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
According to Sierra Sun “The new base pay will apply at all the company’s U.S. resorts. Canadian resorts will also increase base pay to 20 Canadian dollars per hour. Those in skilled positions — including ski patrol, drivers and others — will start at $21 per hour. Vail Resorts CEO Kirsten Lynch said salaried employees will see wage increases beyond the current rate of inflation. The company made the announcement in a press release on Monday in advance of the company’s 2022 second quarter earnings call.”
Hmmm the employment page on 7S is currently showing $13.50 per hour for most of the open jobs. The article does say “for the 2022-23 ski season” time will tell!
Encouragement McCloskey
![]() So the other day, I was riding my mountain bike at our local park trying to get back into some semblance of shape after a tough winter on our trails. Once the snow came and the thaws and freezes, the ice on the trails was too tough for me because I don’t have studs. So with the recent spring like weather, I figured I would go out again and start riding. I was making my way up a hill when a guy who was hiking with his wife said, ” Hey!………..good job”. I kind of chuckled at that comment and said thank you and kept riding. It kind of reminded me of the old mountain bike racing days when I would be killing myself up a hill and some kind soul observing on the side of the trail would look at me and say………..” Hey- good job.” Those kind of comments kind of spurred me on to the top of the hill and then helped me make my way enthusiastically to the finish line. It is amazing how a little positive commentary can spur you on. I always returned the kindness at the World Cup Mountain Bike Finals in Snowshoe, West Virginia with my cowbell. When the pros would be making their way up a heinous climb, I would encourage them with my cowbell. Many of them were so focused that they they never wavered in their concentration. Others like American Haley Batten would smile and enthusiastically say “thank you” and keep riding spurred on by the pro-American spectators wishing her well. ![]() Affirmation is usually the result of the acclaim of a job well done. At Snowshoe, you can see the result of hard work of the world class athletes, and the support they got from their home team and trainers. We cheered them on- affirming their hard work. Affirmation comes after the support of someone trying to do something positive. Support them first- then affirm them. We all have the opportunity to support people on their way up or maybe on their way back. For instance, I have a neighbor who had a severe stroke and is making his way back. He has been through a lot along with his supportive wife. The guy is a noted, retired orthopedic surgeon who has had some tough breaks with his health. I have tried to support him as well as his wife in different ways, but the other day- I saw Dr. Tim out on a walk using his walker encouraged by his ever supporting wife, Joyce. I looked at him and said, ” Good job, TIm.” You could see the smile on his face because I affirmed the hard work he has done to make it back. When I was at his house the other day, he showed me his strength by pulling me with his arms. The guy is a big strong guy and although he is in his 80s, he has made a remarkable come back. He deserves affirmation and we give it to him. I have another friend who has had a stroke as well and he is making his comeback. Although he is younger, he has worked hard to come back. He is an avid mountain bike rider, skier, backcountry adventurer, snowmobiler, and traveler. He has his moments of despair, but I always affirm his hard work and tell him that he will be back stronger than ever. People need support when they have difficult times and we all can give that support. And when they make their way up over the hill metaphorically, we can give them the affirmation that they deserve. ![]() There are a lot of people today that can use our help. Friends who have had a death in the family, are having health issues, maybe are going through a divorce or other personal issues, or people that just need a boost up that hill. We can make the effort to support them and when they make progress, we can affirm that progress with a kind comment like- ” Good job- keep up the good work.” You may not need to use a cowbell to affirm them, but you can certainly recognize that people go through a lot and can use a word or support, a kindness afforded to them, and affirmation that gives them that boost that they need. To have a friend is to be a friend. Thanks for reading. patmccloskey | March 21, 2022 at 6:35 pm | Tags: Haley Batten, Snowshoe Mountain Resort, UCI World Cup Finals, West Virginia | Categories: Friendship, Inspiration, Motivation, Mountain Bike Racing, Mountain Biking, outdoor activities, outdoor sports, Outdoors | URL: https://wp.me/p31Q99-1wZ
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DIXON by McCloskey
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Mountain Watershed Association: A Year In Review
Mountain Watershed Association: A Year In Review
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Dear Reader, For all the years we lived in the Laurel Highlands this organization did the most to maintain and improve the natural beauty and assets of the Laurel Highlands. We encourage you to JOIN and CONTRIBUTE. Although this past year presented challenges, our dedication to advocacy, conservation, and clean water led us to new accomplishments. A few examples include: – Fundraising efforts for the Steyer Bridge were successful; we will begin construction this year. We’ll continue to fundraise to resurface the trail leading to Steyer Bridge in 2022. – We completed installation of the pilot phase of the Rondell-Correal Pilot Mine Drainage Treatment System. It is expected to remove 262 lbs. of acid, 97 lbs. of iron, and 6 lbs. of aluminum from the Indian Creek Watershed each year.– We completed the Indian Creek River Conservation Plan: The Sequel, a document loaded with information that will guide our work in the watershed for years to come. You can read the full document here. – Eric, our Youghiogheny RIVERKEEPER, hosted multiple river cleanups in the Spring and Fall, removing hundreds of old tires along with metal and other trash. Spring cleanup dates are:
– As a direct result of MWA’s advocacy, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection altered the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for MAX Environmental, the only permitted hazardous waste landfill in Pennsylvania. This is merely a drop in the bucket when it comes to the hard work and dedication shown by the MWA team last year. Our 2021 Year In Review covers the work done in advocacy, conservation, biodiversity, trails, and more. To showcase the diligent work done by our advocacy team at MWA, we have created a video, “Year in the Yough”, to point out threats to the Youghiogheny River watershed and the actions our team is taking to make sure our beloved land and water is protected from pollution. You can view the video and the annual report on the homepage of our website: www.mtwatershed.com. If you don’t already receive our monthly emails, sign up on our website to be added to our mailing list. The monthly email blasts contain calls to action, recent blog posts, upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, and other announcements. We hope to see you around the Yough watershed this year. Together, we can fight for clean water and a healthy environment.
With deep gratitude, ![]() Ashley Funk Executive Director
![]() Meet Taylor Robbins Taylor is stepping into the new role of Conservation and Recreation Manager at Mountain Watershed Association. You’ll see Taylor throughout the watershed, monitoring water quality and managing the Indian Creek Valley Trail and Yough River Water Trail. Mountain Watershed Association PO Box 408 Email not displaying correctly? |
Hidden Valley Real Estate Market Update Jan 2022
Seven Springs Real Estate Market Update Jan 2022
NEW GENERAL MANAGER FOR SEVEN SPRINGS, HIDDEN VALLEY, LAUREL MOUNTAIN
According to Ski Area Management, beginning Feb 14th, Brett Cook is the new GM for Seven Springs, Hidden Valley, and Laurel Mountain. He’s been involved at Roundtop, Liberty Mountain, White Tail and then back to Roundtop as GM when Vail purchased the “Peak Resorts” in 2019. WELCOME Brett!
How China Made Olympic Snow
Here at Seven Springs, Hidden Valley, and Laurel Mountain we are all accustomed to man made snow. But for the Olympics’? Here are two stories that feature the how it was done process. NPR and the New York Times
XC and the Olympics
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Hidden Valley End of Year Market Update
Seven Springs End of Year Market Update
Vail Resorts Closes Purchase of 7S, HV, and Laurel Mtn
According to HospitalityNet, Vail announced on Jan 3 that they had closed the deal. Read the story here. Somerset Court house records indicate that 392 acres were purchased for $67,730,667. on the 7S side and 230 acres for $13,300,000 at HV. Watch for my next market update as I’ll link the deed transfers. Google Maps show the resorts below