YORK COUNTY, Pa. — Friday's snowy weather was a welcome sight for snow tubers at Heritage Hills' AvalancheXpress on a long-awaited opening night.
Its 21st tubing season officially kicked off on Friday, January 19 after the perfect snowy and cold conditions persisted in the central Pennsylvania area.
“It’s perfect, you can’t ask for a better hill to slide down and take your kids to have some fun," said Stone McCreary, a resident from York checking out the opening night.
After a couple weeks of perfect winter conditions, the AvalancheXpress team went to work to get the hill open for all who were anxiously waiting to hit the slopes. Five straight days of making snow along with the week's cold conditions allowed them to get it all set up just in time.
"To come together and be able to knock this out in five days was something short of a miracle," said Jonathan Cerutti, a member of the AvalancheXpress team. "I’m really happy and proud of everyone that was part of it."
It was hard work that did not go unnoticed or unappreciated on the opening night.
"You can’t ask for anything better on a January winter storm," said McCreary.
Along with the start of the snow tubing season, one of Heritage Hills' winter classic youth hockey tournaments was also taking place. The tournament, along with ice-skating sessions, is just some of the many things taking place all winter long at the resort for everyone to enjoy.
"The unique part of Heritage Hills is the landscape. We have about 165 acres to do whatever we want on. We really want to make it a family-based business," said Cerutti. "It’s really a family-oriented time that you spend here, something that we’ve been pushing more and more of. It’s great because you come out here, you see the kids go down the hill, while you’re drinking hot chocolate or by the fire. You see the enjoyment on their face, that’s what we love."
Whether it’s watching an outdoor hockey game or racing down the slopes in a snow tube, visitors say it’s a memorable experience every time.
"Get out as much as you can," said McCreary. "You can never have too much fun in the winter and the snow. Come build some snowmen, go do the slide and come ice skate."
It's an experience workers at AvalanceXpress are relieved to finally be able to give to families this winter season.
"With the first night being open, we’re excited to see what the rest of the season brings," said Cerutti.