LIGONIER - After more than a decade, Laurel Mountain Ski Resort officially reopened for skiing and snowboarding at noon Wednesday.

Several attempts were made over the years to open the resort.

The ski resort plans to remain open for regular winter seasons after extensive renovations.

The resort had a complete makeover, both on the slopes and inside the lodge.

"We did take our time and complete all of that work," Communications manager Katie Buchan said. We've redone the infrastructure, the snowmaking system; We installed a brand new chairlift, and we completely renovated the lodge. This is almost a brand new resort."

Skiiers and snowboarders can hit the slopes on what was once known as the "Ski Capital of Pennsylvania."

The resort closed in the 1980's when aging infrastructure and local competition led to the decision to end operations.

Laurel Mountain joins its sister resorts, Seven Springs and Hidden Valley, to create a three-mountain snow sports destination in Pennsylvania.

Seven Springs Chairman Bob Nutting hopes all three mountains will bring people from "Washington, Baltimore, Cleveland, Columbus," he said. "It really gives a strong hook to drive tourism and drive the local economy."

The resort has 20 slopes and trails, including one of the steepest slopes in the state.

"As a kid, Lower Wildcat was really steep and really hard," John Surma said. "And now that I'm 62 years old, it's really steep and really hard. It was great fun."

The mountain is located about 30 minutes outside Johnstown.

Seven Springs Mountain Resort partnered with Pennsylvania's Department of Conservation and Natural Resources in the major renovation project, which included upgrades to the lodge, a new chair lift and improvements to the slopes.

The slopes officially opened to the public at 12 p.m. on Wednesday and will remain open until 9 p.m.

After opening day, the slopes at Laurel Mountain will be open 9 a.m. -9 p.m.

It will be open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at 12 p.m. -9 p.m.

The slopes will resume regular winter season hours after Christmas Day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Season passes for Laurel Mountain are available online and at the Laurel Lodge skier services center for $450 for an adult individual pass.

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