Cooler weather has found its way to the Pennsylvania mountains. The start of the 2023/2024 ski and snowboard season is here. Snowmaking is already underway at many of the 21 area ski resorts and tentative opening dates are set. The Pennsylvania Ski Area Resorts (SkiPA) have been busy improving their resort offerings to ensure another exciting season for families this winter. Skiers, riders and tubers can look forward to enhancements both on and off the slopes. New restaurants, park enhancements and facilities have been added. And, more snowmaking power and coverage along with energy efficient lighting enhancements will accent the slopes. Additionally, visitors can also look forward to more ski pass perks and convenient mobile apps. Whether you frequent the PA slopes or are interested in checking out a new resort this season, you’re sure to find the perfect fit right here in the Keystone State. Read on to learn more about some of the exciting highlights and key points of interest this season at your favorite SkiPA resort.
IN THE EAST
Bear Creek Mountain Resort, Lehigh Valley
Nestled on over 330 wooded acres in scenic Berks County, Bear Creek Mountain Resort offers a four-season mountain retreat including a full-service spa. The resort beckons ski and board lovers at every skill level with a beginner area served by a carpet lift and triple chair to Sasquatch, the most challenging black diamond trail. Skiers can expect pristine slope conditions this season. The resort has added a new Prinoth BisonX Winch Cat groomer to keep its trails smooth and has updated its slope lighting for enhanced nighttime ski conditions. Bear Creek has also made improvements to its snowmaking efficiency with the addition of nine new snow guns to ensure maximum slope coverage and a longer season.
Blue Mountain Resort, Palmerton
Located in the Pocono Mountains just 90 minutes from Philadelphia and New York, Blue Mountain Resort offers families a convenient winter recreational escape. Home to the state's highest vertical drop and encompassing 171 acres of varied terrain, Blue Mountain has something for every skill level. This season skiers will find more ski and snowtubing trails open at the start of the season thanks to Blue Mountain's new state-ofthe art snowmaking technology. The resort has added 79 TechnoAlpin TL8 stick guns and 26 TechnoAlpin fan guns (all fully automated) and has replaced airline and waterline piping used in snowmaking to provide more efficient and improved quality snow coverage. Blue Mountain has also expanded its LED lighting for efficient and convenient night-time skiing. And, after a long day on the slopes, skiers can now refuel at one of the resort's new food and beverage outlets including the Beer & Bratz Food Truck, La Colombe Coffee and the Wood Fired Pizza & Pub. Blue Mountain is officially a partner destination with IKON Pass, allowing seven visits for IKon Pass Holders, and five visits for Ikon Base Pass Holders. And, snowtubers can look forward to a brandnew tubing experience with expanded night-time "Sonic" snow tubing including dazzling colored lights and music.
Camelback Resort, Tannersville
Home to the biggest snowtubing park in the U.S. and just 90 minutes from NYC, Camelback Resort is ushering in the season by celebrating its 60th Anniversary of world-class skiing in the Poconos. Camelback Resort debuted its ski programs in 1963 and throughout the decades has made considerable investments and upgrades, including the new high-speed, six-person enclosed Black Bear 6 lift, which debuted last season. The resort’s current focus is sustainability, as evidenced by new, cutting-edge snow depth technology, which allows staff to easily determine if and where they need to make snow, reducing the amount of water and hours of snowmaking. Camelback has also installed low-energy snowmaking equipment to reduce its energy usage by 25% and incorporated a snowmaking system that returns melted snow to its source, the Pocono Creek. Additionally, over the last five years, Camelback has upgraded all its grooming machines to Tier 4 emission engines, further limiting its carbon footprint.
Elk Mountain Ski Resort, Union Dale
Skiers looking for a more tranquil vibe with less crowds, will feel right at home at Elk Mountain. Located in the picturesque Endless Mountains, Elk features 180 skiable acres and has been named Best Overall Mountain in the Mid-Atlantic Region. The resort is committed to maintaining the natural aesthetic of the landscape and continues to transplant trees as part of its tree planting program dating back to the late 70s. This year Elk planted 700 Norway and White Spruce trees. The resort has also invested in its snowmaking system with updated piping and snowmaking hydrants to ensure maximum efficiency and coverage all season long. Guests will also notice improved parking lots and new rental shop equipment and enhancements including convenient boot drying racks.
Jack Frost and Big Boulder (JFBB), White Haven
Skiers and snowboarders at JFBB resorts in the Pocono Mountains will continue to enjoy improved terrain accessibility, reduced wait times, and more reliable lift service thanks to last year's Epic Lift Upgrades. The replacement and consolidation of five lifts between Jack Frost and Big Boulder with fixed-grip four-person chairs, greatly increased uphill capacity and access to multiple slopes throughout the mountains. At Jack Frost, the Pocono, the Tobyhanna, and the Paradis replaced the B & C lifts, the E & F lifts, and the East 1 and 2 doubles. At Big Boulder, the Blue Heron and the Harmony replaced the Merry Windor 1 and the 2 double and the Edelweiss Triple. As part of Vail Resorts' Mid Atlantic ski resorts, guests can enjoy the convenience of the new My Epic App with Mobile Pass and Mobile Lift Tickets. The app is available to download and provides a hands-free option for skiers and riders to access pass and lift tickets. Additional improvements include a new snowmaking waterline to service Jack Frost's East Mountain and new rental equipment and trail signage at both resorts.
Shawnee Mountain Resort, East Stroudsburg
Conveniently located less than two hours away from New York, New Jersey and Philadelphia, Shawnee Mountain is one of the Poconos favorite family ski resorts. Its 125 acres of winter playland is ideally suited for families. This winter the resort will unveil a new snow play area for children eight and under. Mini Monster Mountain features a snowball wall, balancers and gliders, puzzle blocks and climbers. It's perfect for the youngest members of the family who are not tubing or skiing, but still want to enjoy some playtime in the snow. Shawnee has also expanded its camp offerings with a new Mini Snowboard Camp. The four-week camp is available for children ages 7-16 interested in honing their boarding skills. It is ideally suited for both first timers and intermediate level boarders. Shawnee has also invested in its snowmaking system including automating two new mountain trails and expanding its coverage in the snowtubing park. Snowtubers can look forward to additional tubing lanes for more fun on the hill and less time waiting in line.
Ski Big Bear at Masthope Mountain, Lackawaxen
Located just two hours from New York City, Ski Big Bear is a great winter ski destination situated on its own semi-private mountain. It’s a great option if you’re looking for convenience from the city without the crowds. Ski Big Bear has joined the Indy Pass for the 23-24 Season. Those interested in renting equipment will enjoy a greater selection of new ski boots, helmets, skis and snowboards at the Ski Big Bear Rental Shop. And, improvements have been made to increase snowmaking capacity with the addition of new pipes, compressors, tower fan guns and stick guns, which allow the snowmaking crew to be as efficient with snowmaking as possible.
CENTRAL
Blue Knob, Claysburg
Experienced skiers, as well as those of you looking to tackle some of the sweetest rides, will enjoy a visit to Blue Knob Ski Area. The resort is home to the highest skiable mountain with the most challenging slopes in Pennsylvania. The resort also offers snow tubing and groomed Nordic Skiing. Blue Knob continues to focus on upgrades and improvements to its snow making system. This year the team improved its drainage on Jack Rabbit, Lower Mambo and Run Out Trails. It also replaced 500 feet of snowmaking pipe on Jack Rabbit and reconfigured water flow to increase snowmaking efficiency on Deer Run, Run Out and Sternbogan. Families looking to relax after hitting the slopes will notice a refurbished Blue Knob Conference Center, perfect for hosting memorable retreats, holiday parties and special events.
Liberty Mountain, Carroll Valley
Located outside of historic Gettysburg, Liberty Mountain Resort is the ultimate winter recreational destination for all ages. Guests looking for an extended snowcation will find on-site lodging, indoor pool and hot tub, seven dining locations, and a renowned Ski and Ride School. As an added incentive, guests with an Epic Pass receive 20 percent off their lessons as part of Epic Mountain Rewards. In addition to skiing and riding, guests looking for good old-fashioned wintertime fun can enjoy snow tubing at Liberty's bubly Tube Park. As part of the Vail family of resorts, Liberty Mountain is now included in the My Epic App. With the convenient app, skiers can skip the ticket window and scan their Mobile Pass hands-free, straight from their pocket. This winter, Liberty Mountain will host a variety of fun events for guests of all ages including special snow tubing parties, live entertainment, and more.
Roundtop Mountain Resort, Lewisberry
Located near the state capitol, Roundtop offers 21 trails on 103 skiable acres that cater to all skill levels. The resort features night skiing seven nights a week and 100% snowmaking delivering great conditions all season, making it a popular winter ski destination. Roundtop continues to make improvements to its snowmaking capacity and has installed four new HKD snowmaking guns on Exhibition Slope, replaced snowmaking pipeline on Fife and Drum, and expanded its upper parking lot. Roundtop has planned a variety of family fun events this season from an Ullr Fest and a Winter Carnival to Friday Night Lights and other popular events to be announced via social media channels.
Whitetail Resort, Mercersburg
With diverse terrain and stunning natural beauty, Whitetail is a popular weekend destination for Baltimore and Washington D.C. skiers and boarders. This season, the resort underwent multiple upgrades, including enhanced snowmaking infrastructure, energy-efficient LED lighting, and new seasonal lease ski equipment. For those not hitting the slopes, enjoy the downhill thrill of snow tubing, a perfect winter activity for all ages located near Shippensburg and Hagerstown. Afterward, warm up by the outdoor firepits or enjoy the best views of the mountain from a table at Solstice Restaurant. Stay tuned for exciting new events including Whitetail Winterfest to be announced via social media channels.
WEST
Mount Pleasant of Edinboro, Cambridge Springs
Nestled in the snowbelt region of northwestern Pennsylvania in Erie County, Mount Pleasant of Edinboro offers family-friendly winter fun for all ages. Most of the trails are lit up at night to allow for safe night skiing and snowboarding. Families and friends looking to enjoy a winter escape can now book a short-term (week and weekend) vacation rental at the new Mount Pleasant House. Featuring six-bedrooms the house was originally constructed in the early 1900’s and was the original farmhouse to the property. When the ski area opened in 1970, the dairy barn was renovated and converted to the existing lodge, and the original farmhouse was subdivided. The home will reunite the properties and offer guests an opportunity to enjoy slope-side lodging. The Mount Pleasant House has 6 bedrooms with various furnishings and can comfortably sleep ten people. The maximum occupancy is 12 occupants.
Seven Springs Mountain Resort ,Hidden Valley Resort and Laurel Mountain
Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Washington D.C. and Baltimore area skiers and snowboarders seeking a close-to-home winter wonderland getaway can find it at Western Pennsylvania's Laurel Highlands. The region is home to three ski resorts within a short drive of one another, Seven Springs is home to 33 slopes and trails on 285 skiable acres, an expansive slopeside hotel, numerous dining option, full-service spa, snow tubing and more. Just a few miles north of Seven Springs, Hidden Valley Resort beckons guest seeking a more laid-back atmosphere. It features some of Pennsylvania's best terrain for beginner skiers and boarders. And, those looking for a more intimate skiing experience in a natural setting, will enjoy the challenging slopes and breathtaking views of Laurel Mountain in the heart of the Forbes State Forest.
My Epic App: Skiers can skip the ticket window this season and enjoy hand-free pass accessibility. Following their inaugural season as part of the Vail Resorts family of resorts, all three resorts will now be fully integrated into the new Vail Resorts My Epic App. The new app will provide a convenient option for hands-free Mobile Pass and Mobile Lift Tickets, as well as interactive trail maps with GPS location tracking, and mountain and resort alerts, including information like grooming updates, terrain status, snow reports, and conditions.
Snowmaking and Safety Enhancements: At Seven Springs, the resort invested in energy-efficient snowmaking to help open more terrain earlier in the season and maintain high quality terrain throughout the season. Projects included new snowmaking pipe, seven new snowmaking stations, and 15 new HKD Viper snowmaking guns on Village Trail to help enable earlier opening of this terrain, 12 new energy-efficient HKD Impulse R5 snow gun towers on Tyrol Slope, and two new Pisten Bully 400 snowcats to enhance the resort's grooming fleet.
Hidden Valley also invested in a new snowcat for improved grooming and new energyefficient and strategic snowmaking improvements with the installation of four new Techno Alpin TR8 fan guns and new snowmaking valves. These enhancements will help the snowmaking team quickly and easily shift their snowmaking strategies based on weather patterns and needs.
In addition, all three Western Pennsylvania resorts have upgraded their safety equipment including new state-of-the-art AEDs that feature versatile pads suitable for both adults and children, and user-friendly bilingual instructions through audio and visual cues.
Events: Seven Springs is planning a full roster of events this year, from an Ullr Party and New Year's Eve festivities to the return of the Toyota Takeover Weekend, as well as Après events and entertainment at the Main Lodge and Foggy Goggle.
Make your plans now to enjoy your favorite SkiPA resort this winter.
