Spring Mountain Offers a Flurry of Activities

By Karen Appold

SPRING MOUNT—If you want to ski, snowboard or snow tube close to home or aren’t ready to tackle the steeper slopes up north, swing by Spring Mountain for an afternoon or evening of winter fun.

Cody Mullen, 15, of Harleysville, discovered the recreational gem 2 years ago. “I was looking for something fun to do during the winter,” the snow boarder said. Self taught, Mullen challenges himself by performing tricks. And, because it is close to home, Spring Mountain is easy to visit with a group of friends and visit often. Mullen snow boards there approximately three times per week.

With snow already blanketing the ground in early December, Spring Mountain owner Rick Buckman believes many skiers have been enticed to hit the slopes early this year. The recreational area is scheduled to remain open through mid-March.

Although the ski area doesn’t need Mother Nature to provide snow, temperatures at the freezing mark are required for its state-of-the-art snowmaking machines to produce a batch of the fluffy white stuff. “We make snow every chance we get,” said Buckman, who noted that 1 foot of snow is required for a smooth skiing surface.

Buckman believes Spring Mountain is an appealing recreational spot because it is the closest ski area to Philadelphia , South Jersey and Delaware residents. For Montgomery and Bucks county residents, it is easy to visit for just a few hours.

This season, Spring Mountain has added a new beginner learning area called Mole Hill. The 150-foot gentle terrain is separate from the busy main slope, which makes it an ideal place to learn. Another feature that makes the hill great for beginners is the fact that it has its own 70-foot Magic Carpet © . To reach the top of the hill, simply stand on this escalator type conveyor. Parents can watch their children from a pavilion warmed by a wood-burning stove.

Spring Mountain has nine trails and slopes for downhill skiing, snow boarding and tubing. It is equipped with four chair lifts, a handle tow for the tubing area and the Magic Carpet.

Spring Mountain is the only ski area in Pennsylvania to use the Burton Learn to Ride (LTR) Children’s program. The LTR program aims to make learning to ride fun and easy. LTR also developed boards, boots and bindings specifically for learning.

Spring Mountain, which has a highest slope of 528 feet with a vertical drop of 420 feet, provides private ski and snowboarding lessons for all ability levels.

Because everyone is looking for a bargain, Spring Mountain offers reduced rates for different individuals on different days of the week. Buckman said the two most popular nights are family night and student night. Special nights are as follows:

• Family Night ison Sunday nights, from 4pm to 9pm.
• Men’s Day is on Mondays, from 9am to 4pm . You must be at least 18 years old.
• Women’s Day is on Tuesdays, from 9am and 4pm , for women at least 18 years old.
• Business Bash is Wednesday nights from 4pm to 10pm. Present your business card and receive a discounted lift ticket.
• Student Night is on Thursday nights starting at 4pm. Come ski and ride with your friends and listen to music by a DJ.
• College Nightis on Friday nights. When you're finished skiing, students age 21 and over can have a drink at the Last Run Pub.

The Children’s After School Recreation Program is a 4-week progressive program which focuses on developing skills required to ski or board all slopes. The program is open to children between the ages of 6 and 11.

While Spring Mountain has existed since 1962, Rick and Gayle Buckman have owned it since 1990. “I learned to ski there and I didn’t want to see it become a housing development,” Buckman said. With a background in mechanical contracting and experience in the family’s ski shop business, Buckman believed he had the skills needed to adopt such an endeavor.

When the snow melts, the mountain doesn’t become deserted. Throughout the summer months, mountain bike and cross country races are held. Ride the lift to cycle on a variety of courses. Also, an outdoor lodge area is available for leasing. Additionally, a restaurant, the Tiki Bar, is open during warm months.