SAM Magazine--August 20, 2008--Seven Springs Mountain Resort, Pa., has entered into an agreement with the Somerset Trust Company that, when finalized, will revive the currently dormant Laurel Mountain Ski Resort located on the Westmoreland and Somerset County border.

The Seven Springs management team will work closely with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and the State of Pennsylvania in reviving operations of the resort located on state owned property.

"So many people have been actively involved in trying to reopen the resort to local skiers and visitors to the region, from the board members of Somerset Trust and the local community leaders to Governor Rendell's office and State legislators. We are pleased to have an opportunity to participate in this project," says Bob Nutting, chairman of Seven Springs.

Laurel Mountain is one of hundreds of state owned facilities currently being considered by Governor Rendell's office to receive funds for renovation and improvements. If granted, the money will be used to restore the mechanics on the mountain. However, even with these improvements, the community push to reopen the resort could not have moved forward until an entity stepped in and agreed to operate the resort, which Seven Springs Mountain Resort has now done.

Seven Springs Mountain Resort has had experience operating the resort when, after Laurel Mountain closed for the second time in its history in 2003, Seven Springs stepped in to manage the operations in 2004. The resort has not been in operation since.

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