As the holiday season approaches, most of us start pulling together those lengthy to-do lists that accompany this time of year. It’s time to decorate. Time to pull out those treasured family recipes and bake all the decadent goodies we give ourselves permission to indulge in for the season. Then, of course, there’s shopping, shopping and more shopping to be certain our loved ones receive the perfect gifts. If we’re lucky, we weave in some time for taking in the brilliant holiday lights, seasonal shows and maybe even a little time to read the kids a nostalgic bedtime story.
While holiday traditions vary by family, almost everyone gets swept up into the seasonal frenzy, limiting the time we have to simply enjoy our family and friends. The solution? Book a stay at a nearby resort and elevate your holiday season without all the work.
In the nearby Laurel Highlands, Seven Springs Mountain Resort and Nemacolin showcase the very best of the yuletide season. With impeccably decorated interiors, delicious dining options and a wide variety of special events, the holidays are taken care of, leaving guests with only one thing on that to-do list…book a stay.
Holidays at Seven Springs Mountain Resort
At Seven Springs Mountain Resort, holiday events blend with active outdoor adventures to deliver a delightfully well-rounded experience.
“Our resorts enhance the opportunities for families and friends to reconnect, make new memories and celebrate the holidays,” said Anna Weltz, senior communications manager for Vail Resorts’ Mid-Atlantic Region. “We provide artfully decorated common spaces and, with Mother Nature’s support, we have a lot of skiable terrain available and open along with a snow tubing park to keep everyone entertained.”
With a 400-plus room hotel boasting various lodging configurations, chalets for families, cozy cabins and cottages, and a number of condominiums, suitable accommodations are available for larger groups, families, and couples.
“Our culinary team at Seven Springs puts on a great show for the holidays,” said Weltz, adding that guests will find everything from expansive buffets serving heaping homestyle portions to upscale dining experiences.
Unique to Seven Springs, Helen’s Restaurant is housed in the original resort founders’ home—a historic log cabin tucked into the woods. In this rustic atmosphere, guests can experience locally sourced homestyle western Pennsylvania themed meals and toast the experience with wine chosen from a Wine Spectator Award-winning wine list. Book in advance to arrange a private dinner for your group.
The celebration continues for New Year’s Eve with festive events including a family-friendly snow tubing party. One of the largest snow tubing parks in the region, Seven Springs has 11 snow tubing lanes and a magic carpet to whisk riders back up to the top of the mountain for another round of fun.
Holidays at Nemacolin
Spread across almost 2,000 acres in the beautiful Laurel Highlands region of the Allegheny Mountains, Nemacolin consistently receives accolades from the hospitality and travel industry. With an extensive year-round array of experiences, it comes as no surprise that Nemacolin delivers an abundance of holiday happenings, too. It begins with Light Up Nemacolin, an annual tradition kicking off the season with spectacular holiday lights.
Throughout the holiday season, ample opportunities exist to snap a photo with Santa, sip hot cocoa and indulge in seasonal treats. For some old-fashioned fun, you can sing holiday favorites with carolers or gather the family for a gingerbread house workshop. Or, for a very special treat, schedule an elf visit. For this magical experience, an elf will travel from the North Pole to the door of your room or residence at Nemacolin, bringing each of your kids a stocking, their own book, and plenty of Christmas cheer. The elf can either drop these off at your door or come inside and read the kids a bedtime story.
Breakfast with Santa happens every Saturday during the holiday season. Hosted by the big fella himself, the breakfast includes a scrumptious buffet featuring sweet and savory breakfast treats, fresh-baked desserts, and a shamelessly indulgent waffle bar, and photo ops and family-friendly activities abound.
Adults can delight in many of Nemacolin’s holiday events as well. In the Unwrapped at Nemacolin series, fun offerings on select Saturdays during December include Unwrapped on Ice, Unwrapped on Pointe, and Unwrapped with Magic.
As part of Unwrapped on Ice, which will be held Dec. 3, two-time Olympian and World Championship medalist figure skater Johnny Weir will entertain resort guest with a stunning performance. Opening for Weir will be Ice Theatre, who will perform an ice dance showcasing the balance, flow and flight of skating.
Unwrapped On Pointe, with shows at 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Dec. 10, will feature ballerinas who have performed with the New York City Ballet showcasing selections from The Nutcracker. Unwrapped with Magic is headlined by mentalist and entertainer Matt Cooper, who will perform at 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Dec. 17.
Bottom line, resorts deliver an abundance of spectacular displays, adventures, decadent dining, and shopping to help you make the most of the holiday season. So why beef up your to-do list? They’ve got it covered!