Trails: Wilderness Lodge grooms 35 km (21 miles) of trails for cross-country skiing, including lots of single track, some double track, and many with skating lanes. There are trails for skiers of all abilitites, including some for backcountry skiing. The center is closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Trail fees: Adults $15, teens $10, children (6-12) $5 (winter 2009-10) Cash only Tel: 814-739-2946
Snow report: Conditions are posted on the lodge's website Nearest town: Wattsburg, PA Web site:Wilderness Lodge Trail map: Available at the office and on their website Equipment rentals: Ski equipment and snowshoe rentals (call ahead to confirm) Ski lessons: Yes Other winter activities: Snowshoeing on 20 miles of trails Facilities: Day lodge, restaurant and bar Lodging on site: Inn rooms accommodate 40 guests but are usually booked solid for winter weekends. Lodging nearby: Erie region has hotels and other accommodations. Weather forecast:Wattsburg Tourism info:Erie Area CVB Location of trails: Wilderness Lodge is located about 20 miles southeast of Erie, PA. From the north, take PA 89 south to Kimball Road, go 2 miles east on Kimball, then south on Weeks Valley Road. From Wattsburg go east on Route 474 (Jamestown Rd) for 2.8 miles, then turn left onto Weeks Valley Road and continue 2.5 miles north to the lodge. Trails are on both sides of the road but park at the lodge on the west side then buy trail passes. Check the PA Road Report before driving. Map of local region:Wilderness Lodge Update submitted by: RJ from: Date submitted: May 30, 2002
Name of XC Area: Wilderness Lodge Times that I have skied there: Weekly I last skied there in: Apr, 2002 Trails that I skied: All My favorite trails: Peek Trail, Ryan's Run, Docs Trail marking: Very good Trail grooming: Very good Rating: 5 stars What I liked: Scenery here is amazing deciduous forrests of North-West Pennsylvania mixed with towering pine stands and rolling hills. The trails are well marked and groomed in a series on interlocking loops that always seem to lead you back to where you want to be. Throughout the woods there are signs at all intersections for which is the fastest way back to "The Lodge". This is one of the only cross-country ski resorts that actually have a snow-cat as well as snowmobile grooming equipment.
The trails range from cozy and twisting to wide skating lanes and nearly all of the trail network is in the woods. The trails are set for both skating and traditional with groomed track set. No golf-course skiing here!
The lodge itself is all stone and open beams with a large round fireplace to warm youself by over a bowl of honest to God Homemade soup and a cup of hot cocoa. This is one of the only places on earth where you can show up a stranger and end up having lunch with the 79 year old owner named Nansi who came here from Wales in 1946 as a G.I. Bride. This place is DEFINITELY one of a kind! What I disliked: There is nothing to dislike here aside from the fact that the Lodge (with rooms for 35 people) books over a year in advance! There is plenty of rooms available at nearby hotels and at Peek N' Peak. Comments: Season passes and rentals are available as well as lessons (contrary to the write-up). Submitted by: from: Meadville PA Date submitted: May 30, 2002
2
Name of XC Area: Wilderness Lodge Times that I have skied there: Once Date that I skied there: Feb, 2001 Trails that I skied: My favorite trails: Trail marking: Fair Trail grooming: Very good Rating: 3 stars Likes and dislikes: trails needed to be marked better--but it is difficult to be "lost" for long. The scenery is beautiful. This was my first time there and I quite enjoyed skiing there. Comments: The lodge is very nice and the appointments all over the walls are great. The food was good and tasty. This is a family run business so it seems to be very laid back and sometimes the service was a little slow but the servers were really pleasant and helpful and I think they also did some of the cooking--they were really busy. It was a great place to ski and I will be going back there soon. It is too bad that it takes a while to drive there---the drive on the back roads is like riding the roller coaster---but they were cleared and plowed and even thought the hills were steep they were no problem for the car. This is a really nice place with nice people. I hope the snow keeps up! Submitted by: sg from: Erie, Pa. Date submitted: Feb 12, 2001
Name of XC Area: Wilderness Lodge I have skied there: A few times I last skied there in: Jan, 2001 Trails that I skied: All west and east side My favourite trails: west side Trail marking: Fair Trail grooming: Very good Stars: 4 Likes and dislikes: Interesting layout, scenery, size Comments: Some country road driving to get there. Roads might be difficult for a small car under high snow conditions. Near Peak 'n Peak resort. Submitted by: M.D. from: Cleveland, Ohio Date submitted: Jan 23, 2001
Rate this XC Area
PA1
PA3