We didn't choose the ski life, the ski life chose us.
In recent years, we've been hitting the slopes at our area ski resorts more and more. Along with it, comes jumping into all things ski culture with the fun events and festivities scheduled throughout each season.
But there is one that should be toward the top of your list, and that is the end of season Pond Skim. At Seven Springs, this one is quite a blast!
Now that I have been skiing for a few years now, I am starting to feel comfortable on most of the trails at our area ski resorts.
But if you are new, you may have apprehension about determining what trails are right for your skill level. Is that green easier or harder than the green I am used to? Am I ready for a blue? These are all things that went through my own mind in recent years as I learned to ski.
So in this one, I thought it'd be fun to take a look at the runs at Hidden Valley and share what order I'd personally recommend trying them in as you get better skiing!
Note: I have received media passes from Vail resorts for visits to Seven Springs and associated properties in the region.
Ever since I started seriously learning to ski around 2021 or 2022, I wanted to work towards being comfortable on all of the greens and blues at Seven Springs.
In the first year, I got comfortable with the greens. In my second year, I tackled my first blue. In my third year, I got really comfortable riding blues regularly. In my fourth year, I moved up to hitting my first ever black diamond and really felt like I was starting to unlock the entire mountain.
So, in this one, I wanted to take a look at the trails at Seven Springs overall, and share a progression of trails beginners should try, from the easiest slopes to more challenging runs that progress into the intermediate level. So if you're looking for a guide of where to head as you grow as a skier, this one is for you!
Note: I have received media passes from Vail resorts for visits to Seven Springs and associated properties in the region.
Oh dry January, you are always fun.
This annual celebration has become something of a global phenomenon, as many of us look to use the somewhat slow month as a chance to detox and get a break from indulgences (especially after the holidays).
Whatever your reason for participating in dry January is your own. But if you are looking to enjoy the flavors of your favorite beverages without alcohol, a number of restaurants, bars, breweries, and distilleries are starting to offer great options for dry January in Pittsburgh!
In this one, we thought we'd share some of the spots with the finest assortment of products. While this one is not comprehensive, we wanted to include places that have larger menus, share a variety of products, and more to give you a great cross-section of alcohol-free beverages in the city to consider if you are abstaining.
Please note: This article focuses on offerings for Dry January specifically and may not necessarily be accurate year-round. While many of the bars, restaurants, and breweries featured have great non-alcoholic products at all times, some increase their offerings for January. Likewise, cocktails, beers on draft, and other beverages are always liable to change. Please reconfirm directly with any business prior to visiting. Finally, some drink photos in this article may be alcoholic and are for illustration only.
Winter is in full gear in January in Pittsburgh, which means it is time to either embrace the season or rush to a museum or favorite libation spot to stay warm inside.
No matter which you pick, there are many great things to do in Pittsburgh in January- so check out the following options to get a few ideas on where to start!
There are many reasons to love the holiday season in Pittsburgh, and perhaps one of the most amazing ones is your ability to see many beautiful Christmas lights all over the region.
From the holiday displays downtown, to the many drive-thru light shows, and more, there really is no shortage of impressive Christmas lights in Pittsburgh. So in this one, we wanted to curate all the best places where you can see holiday lights and decorations in the region!
Note: Many of the experiences below are drive-thru light displays such that you can enjoy the holiday lights and decorations from the comfort of your own car. However, we felt we would be doing you a disservice if we didn't mention a few other light viewing opportunities that take place outside of your car as well!
In Pittsburgh, the start of the holiday season is not ambiguous.
It is not after Halloween when department stores put out Christmas decorations (or do they do it before now?). It is not the day after Thanksgiving that many traditionally observe. It is also not the first snow sighting, December 1st, the fall time change, or any other arbitrary benchmark.
This one particular instance should not be up for debate, as the start of the Christmas season in Pittsburgh is Light Up Night- the Saturday before Thanksgiving.
In this guide, we want to share some of our favorite tips on how to get the most out of what is perhaps our favorite annual event in Pittsburgh!
Note: In 2025, Light Up Night will have some slightly modified event locations due to the on-going construction in Market Square. While this article is meant to be somewhat static year-to-year, we've noted some variations for 2025's festivities in this one.
November in Pittsburgh is truly a month of change. If we are lucky the start of the month still has mild temperatures and peak fall colors, and by the end of the month winter is starting to descend upon the region.
As such, while there may still be a number of outdoor activities to enjoy this month, depending on the weather forecast you may also want to start moving inside for some experiences!
So if you are looking for things to do in Pittsburgh in November, check out the following options.
Every year, we always expect the Pittsburgh Zoo to put on some spectacular shows around the holidays.
In 2025, they get into the Halloween spirit by filling the zoo up with thousands of jack o'lanterns in the aptly named Jack O'Lantern Extravaganza.
So what all can you see in this one? We went to the zoo on a chilly fall evening to find out!
Phipps Conservatory is known for being one of the largest botanical gardens in the region, and also for its seasonal flower shows that are truly events not to be missed.
For 2025's Fall Flower Show, Phipps is heading to Asia with the theme Visions of Japan. With some elegant and intentional designs, this one will delight with imagery of the fall and harvest in East Asia.
As with all of our show reviews, we're not going to share every room in the Conservatory (you'll have to visit yourself to see them all!). Instead, we're going to feature a few of our favorite rooms from the show to highlight a cross-section of the displays!