Comments on: The Rebuilding of a Historic PA Ski Resort

By: Michael Hammerberg

Michael Hammerberg — Tue, 06 Dec 2016 21:31:27 +0000

So glad to know the “day” is here that Laurel Mountain will reopen for sure. Being a past Ski Patroler , from 1982- closing day I would be very tempted to come back from my home in Montana to ski a few days this coming ski season!! There where many great days of skiing Lower Wildcat along with some non discript runs in the woods. Will miss the old chairlift with midstation too. Good luck with the weather and “new snowmaking” equipment! Also, will the patrol room be below the old ski rental shop?

By: Bill Blair

Bill Blair — Sun, 23 Oct 2016 15:56:30 +0000

This is fantastic news ! Let’s hope the snow gods cooperate. I learned to ski at Laurel, as did many of my friends, where I also enjoyed the responsibility of being on the Junior Ski Patrol. Many of us thoroughly enjoyed the comaderie of many families being together experiencing the fresh air while laughingly having a lot of fun. Also, a number of us went on to race in high or prep school and are still skiing today, though not with the same abandon. The whole atmosphere was very family like and Doc Des Roche was a wonderful person to oversee the mountain as he made skiing fun. His daughter runs/ran the Sugarloaf Mtn. Resort in Maine’s racing program ! GOOD LUCK LAUREL.

Good luck Laurel.

By: Jill Clement

Jill Clement — Sat, 22 Oct 2016 01:40:21 +0000

I am so happy to learn that Laurel Mountain will open once again offering some wonderful slopes from Upper and Lower Wildcat to Broadway,etc. Mr. Mellon asked my father Lennie Bughman to go with him to survey the land that he ended up buying from the state. Doc Des Roche headed up the ski school, my father was head of the ski club, and many of us became Jr. Ski Patrol members. PA. State ski championships were held there and fun was HAd by all. I remember a ski ticket cost $3 … was that for a child”s ticket? That I don”t remember! I hope to ski again at Laurel with some old dear friends.

By: George Purnell

George Purnell — Fri, 21 Oct 2016 17:46:05 +0000

I am so excited to hear that Laurel Mountain has been resurrected to allow an entire new generation to enjoy. Having learned to ski ther in the 50’s and 60’s, skiing was all we did on the weekends. Everyone knew everybody else. As a young teenager, I remember being on the Junior Ski Patrol and thought was a big honor. I had so many school friends from thr Valley School that skied. I remember wearing our ski clothes to school on Fridays because we were off at 12:00 and immediately carpooled to Laurel. The days I spent there were some of my greatest memories growing up in Ligonier. The best of luck to everyone for making a go at Laurel after so many years.

By: Rus Davies

Rus Davies — Sat, 17 Sep 2016 22:05:20 +0000

In reply to Butch Bellas.

Ditto on what Butch says from a Ski Instructor and briefly Mountain Manager at Laurel Mountain in the early 1980’s. If that old Herron Poma Lift could talk there would be lots of tall and short tales. Sy Stracka wrote a song or two about it,”Hey Bob, the moon was out today!” was just one gem. There was a song about the rope tow too, “Flossin in the mornin…..”

I am glad rhat Sky Trac got the job. Jan Leonard’s spirit lives on!

By: Butch Bellas

Butch Bellas — Thu, 15 Sep 2016 21:42:57 +0000

As a Pattoller at Laurel Mountain, I can tell you some stories about that Old Poma. Glad to see it retired, finally !!!!!

By: Wally

Wally — Thu, 08 Sep 2016 23:59:42 +0000

Great article nice pics too!

By: Bob adams

Bob adams — Thu, 08 Sep 2016 18:24:41 +0000

this is a cool story