Pennsylvania has quite a lot of good ski resorts that supply individuals on the East Coast the chance to get turns in through the winter. These resorts aren’t at all times massive, however they do have sufficient snow to run lifts all season lengthy.
I’m a lifelong skier with a robust ardour for the game. I’ve had the chance to ski everywhere in the world and have hung out at a number of of the perfect resorts in Pennsylvania. I’ve researched the others and know what makes snowboarding location.
On this put up, I’ll spotlight the highest ski resorts in Pennsylvania. I’ll clarify some key options that make every resort stand out and inform you what providers and facilities you possibly can anticipate finding if you happen to go to.
Let’s soar in.
1. Elk Mountain
Resort WebsiteOpening Day: December 15 (Common) Closing Day: March 30 (Common)Finest Recognized For: A number of pure snow, lengthy vertical drop, night time snowboarding
Elk Mountain is likely one of the greatest ski resorts in Pennsylvania and claims to get essentially the most pure snow of any resort within the state. This implies you possibly can anticipate first rate circumstances practically all 12 months spherical, which interprets into a whole lot of enjoyable.
The resort additionally has a reasonably good vertical drop of practically 1,000 toes, so that you’ll be capable of cruise down the runs any method you want. You get entry to 180 acres of skiable terrain from Elk Mountain’s seven chair lifts.
The Elk Mountain ski college provides classes for all sorts of skiers, and you could find an teacher that will help you enhance your abilities within the snow. There may be additionally a rental store on the base, and it’s straightforward to get outfitted with no matter gear you want.
There aren’t a whole lot of lodging and eating choices proper on the resort, so that you’ll have to drive to close by cities to entry full facilities. However this helps to maintain the crowds down, leaving you with wide-open slopes to ski.
2. Blue Mountain
Resort WebsiteOpening Day: November 25 (Common) Closing Day: March 25 (Common)Finest Recognized For: Longest vertical drop in PA, meals vans, night time snowboarding
Blue Mountain is one other among the finest resorts in Pennsylvania, and this location is house to the longest vertical drop within the state. You’ll have practically 1,100 toes to descend when you make it to the highest, providing you with lengthy runs to cruise and carve.
The resort will get first rate snow protection, particularly after a storm, however they do a wonderful job of supplementing the bottom with synthetic snow to maintain all trails open so long as potential. You’ll have entry to the paths everytime you go to.
One other nice facet of Blue Mountain is its night time snowboarding. Nearly each path stays open after the solar goes down, so you possibly can ski as a lot as you need throughout a go to right here. It may possibly get chilly at night time, however there sometimes gained’t be a lot of a crowd.
Blue Mountain can be well-known for its terrain parks, and there are 5 totally different parks to discover right here. Ski classes and gear leases are straightforward to arrange on the base of the mountain. There are additionally loads of home leases and resorts within the close by neighborhood.
The resort can get icy when there hasn’t been a lot recent snow. That is typical for the area, however you need to nonetheless be ready for snowboarding in less-than-ideal circumstances.
3. Blue Knob
Resort WebsiteOpening Day: December 20 (Common)Closing Day: March 20 (Common)Finest Recognized For: Technical terrain, the very best resort in PA
Blue Knob earns the title for being the very best resort in Pennsylvania. This results in fairly stable snow circumstances when the storms roll in and lengthy runs that skiers of all varieties can take pleasure in. It’s a enjoyable resort with technical terrain skilled skiers will admire.
This resort is likely one of the solely places within the state that has bowl snowboarding. These runs may be wonderful after a recent snow, and though they aren’t as huge as bowls within the west, you possibly can nonetheless have a blast snowboarding by means of them.
Regardless that there are a whole lot of intermediate and superior runs right here, you’ll nonetheless be capable of discover straightforward greens and groomers close to the highest. The ski college at Blue Knob is great, and you’ll work on new abilities if you happen to join a lesson.
There aren’t a ton of facilities or lodging at Blue Knob, which is considerably of a bummer. There’s a good BBQ restaurant halfway down the mountain and a handful of ski-in/ski-out chalets within the village.
4. Camelback
Resort WebsiteOpening Day: December 15 (Common)Closing Day: April 1 (Common) Finest Recognized For: Massive acreage, nighttime tubing, massive lodge
Camelback is likely one of the bigger ski resorts in Pennsylvania, permitting for loads of room to unfold out and benefit from the slopes throughout your keep right here. The resort has 166 acres of skiable terrain and an 800-foot vertical drop.
It is a fairly family-friendly location, so it makes for prolonged ski journey or getaway with the complete clan. You possibly can take classes or get everybody arrange with rental gear within the full-service store on the backside of the hill.
Camelback can be well-known for having a large lodge on the mountain base. It has virtually 500 rooms and makes for an incredible place to remain the night time and get in as a lot snowboarding as potential whilst you’re right here.
There are additionally a number of ski-in/ski-out eating places scattered across the mountain. They’ve varied meals choices to maintain everybody completely satisfied and able to discover the snow. Night time-time tubing is one other enjoyable exercise for the complete household.
Camelback can get fairly crowded, particularly on the weekends. You’ll need to be sure to make reservations for lodging, classes, and leases forward of time to make sure availability.
5. Montage Mountain
Resort WebsiteOpening Day: December 10 (Common) Closing Day: April 1 (Common) Finest Recognized For: Near Scranton, massive vertical drop, terrain parks, inexpensive
Montage Mountain can be an incredible choice, and it’s some of the accessible ski resorts within the space. Scranton is the closest metropolis, and it’s solely about 10 miles away from the bottom of the resort. This makes it a neighborhood favourite but additionally choice for guests.
Montage has a reasonably first rate vertical drop of 1,000 toes, which is akin to the opposite good resorts within the area. There may be quite a lot of terrain right here, together with loads of beginner-friendly runs and difficult steeps.
That is additionally some of the inexpensive resorts within the state, so it’s appropriate for any skiers on a funds. The ski college is great, and the teachings are additionally inexpensive. There isn’t a lot lodging proper on the mountain, however Scranton is only some miles away and has loads of resorts.
As a result of Montage Mountain is so accessible, it may possibly get busy. And through the winter, skiers can flock right here from cities like Philadelphia and New York, making site visitors a headache. However when you get out of the automobile and onto the slopes, all that stress will slip away.
Further Ideas for Snowboarding in Pennsylvania
Many of the resorts listed right here supply night time snowboarding. It is a enjoyable exercise to strive in case you have by no means achieved it earlier than, however you additionally should be ready. Having night time snowboarding goggles or clear lenses will assist you to take advantage of these lit-up slopes.
The video beneath provides some good causes to present night time snowboarding a strive if you’re on the fence about it.
Pennsylvania ski resorts may get fairly icy if there isn’t a lot recent snow. You need to make sure you have your edges sharpened to present you elevated management, and sporting a helmet is a should for everybody!
Closing Phrases
Snowboarding in Pennsylvania may be a whole lot of enjoyable, particularly if you happen to go to one of many prime resorts within the state listed right here. Many of those resorts are inside a number of hours of the main East Coast cities, so they’re actually accessible if you happen to stay close by or need to go to.
These resorts could be on the smaller aspect, however you possibly can nonetheless discover nearly any sort of terrain to ski. So whether or not you’re a newbie or seasoned skier, you’ll be capable of benefit from the winters in Pennsylvania.
