Nemacolin Woodlands reopens ski slopes 5 days after lodge fire

None — FARMINGTON, Pa. (AP) – Nemacolin Woodlands Resort has reopened its ski slopes five days after a massive fire destroyed its ski lodge.

The resort has cleared the ruins of its Sundial Ski Lodge at Mystic Mountain and heated tents have been erected to serve skiers who can use their own equipment or rent some on loan to Nemacolin from Seven Springs Mountain Resort in nearby Somerset County.

Resort spokesman Jeff Nobers said Nemacolin's snow-making and grooming equipment wasn't damaged in Sunday night's fire, so the resort has been making snow since then.

Matthew Grobe, the director of recreation, said it was essential to reopen the mountain to skiers as quickly as possible.

“This is the busiest ski weekend of the year and we wanted to make sure we had skiing available to the guests,” Grobe said. “We accomplished our goal and we’re proud of it.”

Customers like Lynn Pomarico were happy the resort has reopened.

“We made these reservations Sunday before we found out what happened, so we were hoping they would open,” Pomarico said.

The ski lodge was but a small part of the sprawling 2,000-acre resort in Fayette County. The resort includes two golf courses, two five-star hotels, condos, townhouses, dining and a private airstrip.

The resort plans to rebuild the ski lodge.

WPXI