With weather cooperating, ski resort going full tilt

Ski Denton offers everything from beginners' slopes to some of the most challenging trails in the East. The beautiful lodge and ski area were built between 1958 and 1967. Denton was the first ski resort that was operated by the Pa. Dept. of Forest and Waters. Now, it's in private hands.

The 2006-07 winter season is winding down at Potter County's Ski Denton, but there are still opportunities for skiers and snowboarders. In fact, lateseason skiing is especially popular for those who enjoy the warmer temperatures and smaller crowds.

Best advice for anyone thinking of taking to the slopes and trails is to call Ski Denton at 435-2115. That's the hotline for updates on conditions, rates, special deals and other information.

Natural snow this year was practically non-existent in December and much of January, but the operators took advantage of lower temperatures to fire up their snow-making guns.

Then, as the powdery stuff fell, Ski Denton already had a solid snow base that allowed for some excellent skiing in February and beyond.

Co-owners Scott Carts and Shawn Schoonover, who took over last spring, are building on prior operators' efforts to provide a variety of skiing, snowboarding and tubing experiences.

Skiing opportunities range from easy, beginner slopes to some of the steepest and most challenging slopes on the east coast. There are four ski lifts, each of which stops at a different elevation on the slopes.

Going year-'round

There was a time when Ski Denton, as the crown jewel of the 700-acre Denton Hill State Park, was dormant from April to December. That has all changed.

Carts and Schoonover want to continue Ski Denton's development as a year-'round recreational facility.

They added mountain biking starting last May. A 15-milelong biking trail starts at the resort and continues through the Susquehannock State Forest, passing through Patterson State Park on its way to Cherry Springs State Park.

They've also booked musical performances in the attractive ski lodge, which will host this year's popular Songwriters Roundtable series.

Ski Denton has long been the site of the Eastern Traditional Archery Rendezvous (July 26- 29 this year) and the Potter County Bowhunters Festival (Aug. 17-19).

Ski Denton is not just for skiers any more! It now offers trail-riding for mountain bikers such as Bruce Cole.

Carts and Schoonover are also tying in Ski Denton's activities with the beefed-up advertising of attractions along U.S. Route 6 and other tourist promotion activities, including the state's Pennsylvania Wilds campaign.

Their resorts' location directly across Rt. 6 from the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum could also make for some cooperative ventures.

Denton Hill State Park was the first ski operation run by the Pa. Dept. of Forests and Waters (a predecessor to the Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources). The park was established in 1951. The lodge and ski area were built between 1958 and 1967.

The ski area was operated by the state until 1979, when it became a concession run by a private contractor. Five rental cabins were added and a hostelstyle bunkhouse established atop the main lodge.

By becoming a co-owner, Scott Carts continues a family tradition that began when his grandfather, respected forester Cliff Carts, first proposed the idea of a ski resort along Rt. 6 in central Potter County more than a half-century ago.

His initial forays took place on a steep slope a few miles west of the current Ski Denton.