Top 6 Best Poconos Ski Resorts

The Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania present stable snowboarding choices for anybody residing in or visiting the Jap US. These mountains aren’t as large as these within the West however nonetheless supply high quality snowboarding for individuals of all talents. 

I’m a lifelong skier who has been on dozens of various ski journeys over time. I’ve had the prospect to ski within the Poconos on a number of events, and I’ve researched different resorts within the space that I haven’t visited. 

This submit will spotlight the very best ski resorts within the Poconos. From family-friendly terrain to tougher runs and the whole lot in between, I’ll record the highest snowboarding locations on this area of the US. 

Let’s leap in. 

1. Blue Mountain

Resort WebsiteOpening Day: November 25 (Common) Closing Day: March 25 (Common)Finest Identified For: Longest vertical drop in PA, Meals Vans

Blue Mountain is likely one of the finest ski resorts within the Poconos and one of many largest. You’ll discover the longest vertical drop in Pennsylvania right here and might reap the benefits of over 1,000 downhill ft for some lengthy ski runs. 

The resort has 40 trails and 16 lifts to provide you entry to all the terrain. It has the whole lot from groomed runs to double-diamonds, offering skiers of all potential ranges one thing to discover. There are additionally 5 terrain parks to stoke your freestyle pursuits. 

Blue Mountain is small by western US requirements however has sufficient terrain to maintain you busy for a full ski day. The resort additionally affords ski classes and gear leases which might be organized forward of time or on the base space. 

The snow isn’t at all times recent right here, however the resort does an excellent job of snowmaking to have a stable base, and groomed runs maintain issues from getting too icy. 

2. Jack Frost/Huge Boulder

Resort WebsiteOpening Day: December 1 (Common)Closing Day: March 28 (Common)Finest Identified For: Terrain parks, a number of runs, superior terrain

Jack Frost and Huge Boulder are two separate however close by mountains beneath the identical resort banner. You possibly can count on high quality snowboarding alternatives right here, and there are many runs to discover between each peaks.

This resort is nice for freestyle and superior skiers. There are a handful of nice terrain parks to apply technical methods and maneuvers and loads of steep runs to problem your expertise on the snow. 

Raise tickets are fairly reasonably priced at Jack Frost and Huge Boulder, making it an excellent possibility for skiers on a funds or households making an attempt to get a complete ski journey collectively. There are additionally some good lodging leases out there proper close to the bottom space. 

You gained’t discover the largest vertical drop right here, and many of the runs are fairly brief. Nonetheless, numerous terrain will maintain you happy, even in the event you aren’t snowboarding for that lengthy. 

3. Camelback

Resort WebsiteOpening Day: December 15 (Common)Closing Day: April 1 (Common)Finest Identified For: Largest resort within the Poconos, night-time snow tubing

Camelback is the most important ski resort within the Poconos, and it affords 166 acres of skiable terrain. That may not sound like a lot in comparison with western resorts, however it’s massive for the area. There may be room to unfold out and benefit from the slopes right here. 

The resort additionally options three ski-in/ski-out eating places, supplying you with glorious meals choices in the course of the ski day or when you’re prepared for joyful hour and apres after hitting it arduous. There are various different eating choices within the base space as properly. 

That is additionally a family-friendly resort with numerous classes you’ll be able to arrange alongside accessible rental gear. Whether or not you’re simply studying learn how to ski or need assist attending to the subsequent stage, the instructors listed here are properly certified. 

Camelback additionally has a enjoyable night-time tubing hill that may be very widespread with friends right here. It makes for an pleasant method to keep on the snow when the solar goes down. 

Camelback Lodge is a superb place to remain in case you are visiting for a number of days, however you’ll need to ebook far forward of time to ensure lodging is out there. 

4. Huge Bear at Masthope Mountain

Resort WebsiteOpening Day: December 15 (Common)Closing Day: March 25 (Common)Finest Identified For: Newbie-friendly, intensive snowmaking

Huge Bear at Masthope Mountain is one other among the best ski resorts within the Poconos. That is the northernmost resort in PA and affords quite a lot of runs which might be all simply accessible. It’s not a big resort however remains to be very pleasant. 

This is likely one of the most beginner-friendly resorts within the area and is a superb place to study to ski in the event you reside close by. A number of magic carpets present entry to the best runs, and the ski instructors are all very expert and pleasant. 

Huge Bear additionally has a enjoyable terrain park that can assist you study or excellent your freestyle expertise. It may get a little bit crowded right here in the course of the weekends, however it is possible for you to to hit all the options even when you need to wait a bit to take action. 

The Masthope Lodge on the base of the resort is a superb place to remain if you wish to make a ski journey out of your go to, and there may be additionally a Mountaintop Village that has loads of meals and a few purchasing. 

Huge Bear doesn’t actually supply a lot superior or knowledgeable terrain. If you’re an skilled skier, you may need to contemplate one other location within the space. 

5. Shawnee Mountain

Resort WebsiteOpening Day: December 15 (Common)Closing Day: March 31 (Common)Finest Identified For: Up to date lifts, beginner-friendly

Shawnee Mountain is one other beginner-friendly ski resort within the Poconos. This location is well accessible and offers skiers with good alternatives to ski quite a lot of terrain. It’s not an enormous ski space, however there may be nonetheless room to discover. 

The resort lately up to date a lot of its ski lifts, and this offers skiers with fashionable niceties like a high-speed quad and clean rides up the mountain. These provide you with entry to over 100 acres of skiable terrain. 

Shawnee Mountain is one other location that’s supreme for inexperienced persons due to easy accessibility to inexperienced runs and an in depth lesson program. You possibly can ebook particular person or group classes to assist enhance your talents with a certified skilled. 

There aren’t any lodging choices proper on the base of the resort, however there are a number of lodges shut by that supply comfy facilities after an extended day on the slopes. You can even get a reduced room you probably have a season cross. 

6. Bear Creek

Resort WebsiteOpening Day: December 20 (Common)Closing Day: March 25 (Common)Finest Identified For: Reasonably priced costs, proximity to cities

Bear Creek Mountain Resort is likely one of the most reasonably priced ski resorts within the Poconos. This makes an excellent possibility for any budget-minded skiers who nonetheless need to reap the benefits of the winter months. 

The resort can be widespread as a result of it’s nearer to the East Coast’s main metropolis facilities than different ski areas within the area. This makes it a straightforward drive from the worldwide airports in Philadelphia, New York, or DC. 

Bear Creek is fairly small, however you continue to have entry to numerous newbie to intermediate terrain. The resort additionally does a wonderful job of retaining runs groomed to permit for respectable circumstances many of the yr. 

Whereas it’s a great place to discover ways to ski, Bear Creek doesn’t have an official ski lesson program, so that you’ll have to show your self in case you are a beginner.

Extra Suggestions for Snowboarding within the Poconos

Regardless that the Poconos don’t get as a lot snow as ski resorts within the West, the climate circumstances might be fairly variable. Gray circumstances with poor lighting are at all times potential, so that you need to be ready for this. 

I recommend bringing low-light goggle lenses, so you’ll be able to swap to a greater possibility if the solar goes away. Try the video under for some good low-light snowboarding suggestions. 

Closing Phrases

The Pocono Mountains have some improbable ski resorts to discover in the course of the winter months. These resorts are small, however they are going to offer you probably the most terrain and finest snow you could find within the area. 

The entire resorts listed here are appropriate for inexperienced persons, however you’ll want to try the path maps in case you are searching for intermediate or superior terrain.