Guide to Skiing in the Poconos
The Pocono Mountains average 50” of snowfall annually, making a perfect environment for skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing, and other outdoor adventures! The area’s location—within 2 hours of Philadelphia and New York City—also makes it a prime destination for millions of skiers who want to hit the slopes without spending too much time on travel.
The Poconos are home to six ski resorts, with options for everyone from the little kiddo just learning the slopes or the most experienced thrill seeker out there. Here’s some information that might help you choose the best resort for you.
What to Consider When Choosing a Ski Resort in the Poconos
Location
When choosing your ski resort in the Poconos, you’ll what to consider the resort’s proximity to other attractions you want to visit during your trip to the area. The Pocono Mountains are an expansive area, and you don’t want to find the ski resort you’ve booked tickets for is over an hour away from a state park you were dying to visit.
Activities
Besides skiing, many of the ski resorts in the Poconos have plenty of other activities to keep you and your family busy. Scope out what each resort offers before making your selection. For example, if you have kids who were eager to go to a water park as well as hit the slopes, you might want to consider Camelback, which has an indoor water park called Aquatopia that’s open year-round.
Experience Level
While all of the ski resorts in the Poconos are happy to accommodate skiers of all experience levels, there is some variety in slope difficulty that you might want to consider. Ski Big Bear, for example, is a slightly smaller resort that’s perfect for beginners and families. If you’re a thrill-seeker, on the other hand, you might want to consider Blue Mountain, which is home to the state’s highest vertical drop.
Snow Conditions
All of the ski resorts in the Poconos post current snow conditions on their websites, and it’s a good idea to check that information before booking your trip. Conditions vary between resorts, and you’ll want to make sure it’s a good time to visit the mountain.
Poconos Ski Resorts
Camelback Ski Resort
193 Resort Drive, Tannersville, PA 18372
Camelback Resort Website
Camelback is the largest ski resort in the Poconos, with 39 trails—something perfectly suited for every skier from newbies to the most seasoned. If you’re looking for a more laid back or family-friendly experience, definitely make a trip to Camelback’s 42-lane snow tube park.
The resort also has a large year-round indoor waterpark called Aquatopia—a perfect escape when you’re looking for a change from the snow!
Photo courtesy Camelback Resort
Blue Mountain Resort
1660 Blue Mountain Drive, Palmerton, PA 18071
Blue Mountain Website
While Blue Mountain is undoubtedly great for skiers at all levels, the resort is especially well-known as a draw for the most adrenaline-seeking among us. The resort has the highest vertical in the state (1,082 feet!) and 15 black diamond and double black diamond trails.
Blue Mountain is also home to the country’s largest snow tubing parks, with 55 lanes! After dark, it’s an extra special experience with color changing lights and music highlighting the trails.
Photo courtesy poconomountains.com
Jack Frost Big Boulder is one resort with with two separate ski areas that are located a few miles apart. Big Boulder is a great place to start for new skiers, as more than one third of the mountain’s trails are beginner level. JFBB also has an excellent ski school for new skiers and offers lots of helpful tips for those who have never been to a ski resort before.
There’s certainly lots of experienced skiers, too—at least 40% of each mountain is advanced terrain, and the resort has wonderful nighttime skiing!
Photo courtesy Jack Frost Big Boulder
Shawnee Mountain Ski Area
401 Hollow Road, East Stroudsburg, PA 18301
Shawnee Mountain Website
Shawnee Mountain is a slightly smaller ski area with 23 trails and 6 snow tube paths. It’s a wonderful choice for families and beginners who want to avoid some of the hustle and bustle of the bigger resorts. They also offer more reasonable pricing than some other ski areas.
Shawnee is located in East Stroudsburg, which has a lovely quaint downtown area with cute shops and restaurants—a great place to hang out after a day on the slopes!
Photo courtesy of Shawnee Mountain Ski Area
Ski Big Bear at Masthope Mountain
192 Karl Hope Boulevard, Lackawaxen, PA
Ski Big Bear Website
Ski Big Bear is another smaller mountain, perfect for beginners and families. With 18 ski trails, snow tubing, and a terrain park, Ski Big Bear still offers plenty to do with fewer crowds and lines than larger ski resorts.
When you’re ready to warm up and relax after skiing, Ski Big Bear has a lovely lodge with a popular game room for everyone to enjoy.
Photo courtesy Ski Big Bear