Not sure which Pennsylvania ski area to visit this winter? SkiPA resorts offer something for all ages, skill levels and interests, from the beginners to advanced skiers, snowboarders, snow tubers and even snowshoeing and cross-country enthusiasts. Check out the resort offerings by region here!
Eastern Pennsylvania & Poconos
Camelback Ski Area -boasts the largest skiing and riding terrain in the Poconos. With 38 trails and slopes,800 feet of vertical and some interesting twists to the trails, it is Pennsylvania’s premier resort for winter-time adventure. Camelback makes sure that every square inch of the mountain is covered with snowmaking and is one of the only ski resorts to offer 100% snowmaking on 166 acres of terrain. The resort recently built a new Terrain Park with cool features making it an ultimate place to shred in the Poconos. Camelback also is home to the biggest snow tubing park in the US with 42 lanes and a cool nighttime Galactic LED light show. The resort is home to three on-site, ski-in, ski-out restaurants offering the perfect opportunity to refuel after a full-day of hitting the slopes.
Elk Mountain- is one of Pennsylvania’s first commercial ski areas. It is set in the picturesque "Endless Mountains" about a half hour north of Scranton. Elk boasts a 1000-foot vertical drop, 140 acres, 27 trails, and a big terrain park, the Stompin' Grounds. Elk Mountain Ski Resort is a perfect retreat for groups. The resort has a "Midweek Group Special" that rewards groups with a free ski trip after booking two individual group trips.
JFBB Ski Areas ( Jack Frost and Big Boulder)- are nestled in the Pocono Mountains just an hour from Philadelphia and two hours from New York City. The two mountains of Jack Frost and Big Boulder Park complement one another nicely and offer guests two experiences with one lift ticket. Jack Frost presents an out west vibe with glade skiing and riding. Big Boulder Park features night skiing and riding, and for the more adventurous, offers a variety of terrain parks with cool features. JFBB is proud to be part of the Peak Resorts family and is primarily known for outstanding snow conditions, striving to be the first open and the last to close . Note: Did not see this on JFBB site or on Peak’s not sure if this is still offered? JFBB ski areas snow conditions are guaranteed. So, skiers not completely satisfied with their trail conditions, can simply return their ticket to Guest Services within one hour of purchase and receive a “Snow Check” good for the same lift ticket type and valid that season.
Montage Mountain - offers some of the most diverse terrain Pennsylvania has to offer with a solid 1000-foot vertical drop and 26 trails ranging from beginner to expert. Montage has a higher percentage of advanced and expert terrain than most other areas in the state. Fully 20% of the mountain is rated advanced while another 15% is rated expert. But when you first arrive this won't be obvious. What you see above the lodge is the mellower third of Sno Mountain; the blacks and double blacks occupy the lower two-thirds of the mountain. The "base" area facilities include a day lodge, a cafeteria and lounge, guest services and everything else you would expect. Just don't plan to have lunch at the actual base of the mountain. Sno Mountain is just a few miles away from downtown Scranton, a city of almost 77,000 people, so you will find plenty in the way of dining, lodging, entertainment, and cultural events .
Shawnee Mountain -is closer to metropolitan New York and New Jersey than any other major Pennsylvania ski area. And since folks from the greater metro area have been heading to the Poconos for years in the summer and fall, it's not surprising that quite a few of them find their way to Shawnee in the winter. Shawnee is perennially among the first ski areas in the Poconos to open, usually in time for the Thanksgiving weekend. It features a powerful snowmaking system, recently upgraded to include over 500 feet of new snowmaking pipe. Just about everything on the map is lit for night skiing and riding, including the pipe and park.
Ski Big Bear at Masthope Mountain -features 18 trails, seven lifts and 100% snowmaking. Located just two hours from New York City, Ski Big Bear is a great family adventure on your very own semi-private mountain, offering terrain for every member of the family. The resort overlooks the Scenic Upper Delaware River and is surrounded by beautiful mountain inns and bed and breakfasts. Bald eagles and white-tail deer are local residents. Located in a private community the crowds and chaos are slow to find this corner of Pennsylvania.
Spring Mountain Adventures – is located in Spring Mount, just minutes from the Lansdale Exit (#31) of the Pennsylvania Turnpike. With eight trails, two snow tubing runs, six lifts and two terrain parks, Spring Mountain is the ideal place for families to begin their tradition of enjoying winter sports. Newbies to the sport of skiing and snowboarding will find a diverse offering of learn to ski and snowboard lessons and packages. Families can start getting their children enrolled in ski lessons from as young as age 3. There are even special adult lessons available designed to meet specific skill needs. Lessons are available as a group or individually.
Lehigh Valley
Bear Creek Mountain Resort- is located within an hour of Philadelphia offering a resort destination without the drive. Featuring over 86 acres of slopes, trails and terrain parks, urban snow warriors will find diverse, user-friendly terrain on which to learn and improve. Bear Creek caters to every level of skier or rider, from the beginner area served by a carpet lift and triple chair, to three progressive terrain parks with a wider variety of freestyle features, to the 50% slope of Sasquatch, the most challenging black diamond trail. Nineteen trails are available overall and most are lit for night operation. Bear Creek also boasts a large tubing park and a 57,000-square foot inviting mountainside lodge.
Blue Mountain -is home to Pennsylvania’s highest vertical drop at 1,082 feet, the most varied terrain and some of the longest runs in the state. Located 75 miles northwest of Philadelphia, this ski and snowboard area makes the most of the 1600-foot mountain it sits on, offering 39 trails to challenge every skill level and 16 lifts. Blue Mountain is known for having some of the most varied terrain around from beginner to double diamond making this a great place to visit for skiers and riders of all skill levels. Additionally, Blue Mountain features a snow tubing park with up to 39 lanes that are over 1,000 feet long with three lifts to take tubers back to the top. If you are staying for more than just the day there are a number of hotels, motels and B&B's nearby.
Central Pennsylvania
Liberty Mountain Resort -Located near historic Gettysburg, Liberty Mountain offers something for all winter sports enthusiasts from skiing, snowboarding and tubing to ice skating on the DELETE new Alpine Courtyard Skating Rink. Liberty's devotion to families begins with programs for all ages and extends to a full range of diversions designed to keep everyone happy. From a baby-sitting service that takes children as young as six months and a special kiddie tubing park for two- to four-year olds, Liberty covers the youngest crowd. Private ski lessons begin at three, the group program accepts four-year-olds. Snowboard lessons are offered privately to kids as young as four; the group program accepts kids starting at six.
Roundtop Mountain Resort -Located near the state capitol just 20 miles south of Harrisburg, Roundtop is a popular resort for families and a great place for beginners. In fact, the resort’s Learn to Ski and Snowboard program has been named the “Best in the Country,” by the National Ski Areas Association. Roundtop features 19 slopes, eight lifts and two terrain parks with a halfpipe and a Superpipe. And, there is a tubing area featuring a covered Magic Carpet, nine long runs and its own lodge.
Ski Sawmill Family Resort -is a favorite ski resort for families. It features 12 slopes and three lifts. The peak elevation is 2,215 feet and base elevation is 1,770 feet - providing a vertical drop of 515 feet. There is also a terrain park adjacent to a double chairlift. Ski Sawmill offers affordable ski days and specials including FREE days for ladies, men and children, homeschool appreciation discounts and more.
Tussey Mountain Ski Area -Located in the heart of State College attractions and home to the Penn State Ski Team, Tussey Mountain is a popular winter recreation destination for students and locals alike. Tussey Mountain has skiing on 50 acres with three ski and snowboard lifts and two snow tube lifts. In addition to skiing, Tussey also offers a snow tubing park, which has over 100 snow tubes and a specially designed lift to take you to the top.
Whitetail Resort - is a popular weekend destination for Baltimore and Washington skiers and riders. The resort offers skiing and snowboarding on 23 trails. The mountain boasts a 935-foot vertical drop, nine lifts, a halfpipe and two terrain parks. Whitetail has recently completed a 31,000-square foot resort lodge expansion project. Whether it’s getting the day started with a hot cup of cocoa in the Daybreak Cafe, an Italian specialty for lunch from the Mountain Hearth Pizzeria, or a relaxing dinner after a day on the slopes in the new Solstice full service restaurant, these newest offerings are sure to add to an already fantastic experience on the mountain for all.
Western Pennsylvania
Blue Knob Ski Area -Nestled among the highest peaks of the Allegheny Mountains is Blue Knob Mountain Resort. It offers the highest lift-served skiing in Pennsylvania on the state's second-highest peak, 3146-foot Blue Knob . Six lifts serve a wide variety of terrain, from long, easy beginner trails to some fairly steep stuff on the lower half of the mountain. Bump runs, glades, and even a small bowl will keep better skiers and riders happy while intermediates have their own pod of trails (and even a couple of glades). And, its location in a state park means visitors can also go snowmobiling on a network of marked trails, or enjoy cross-country skiing on the park's groomed trailsand service roads. Blue Knob recently opened a new snow tubing park, which is a great activity for those visitors who want the thrill of racing through the snow, but are not skiers or snowboarders.
Hidden Valley Resort – is tucked away in the southwest corner of PA, not far from the West Virginia border. It sits up high in the Laurel Highlands and shares much of the wintry weather that blankets the bigger mountains to the south with abundant snow. Hidden Valley is really two areas, each with a day lodge and parking. In between are the resort's Inn and Conference Center, along with restaurants and additional services. With 26 slopes and trails, two terrain parks on 110 skiable areas, this four-season resort is an ideal winter destination for families. And, after a long day on the slopes, there are also many charming small towns in the area complete with cultural attractions to explore.
Laurel Mountain Ski Resort – Nestled in Laurel Mountain State Park, Laurel Mountain Ski Resort is within 200 miles of the major metropolitan areas of Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Cleveland and D.C, and easily accessible from the Pennsylvania Turnpike. It is an iconic and revered skiers’ mountain. The slopes were originally designed by European skiing legend Johan “Hannes” Schneider, the renowned Austrian ski guide and inventor of the Arlberg Method, the basis of modern alpine ski technique. Laurel Mountain boasts the highest vertical drop on the Laurel Ridge in Pennsylvania at 761 feet. The Mountain features 20 slopes and trails and is famous for its double diamond Lower Wildcat slope, the steepest in the state, which averages near 60% slope. It is a breathtaking and must-do run for the avid skiers.
Mount Pleasant of Edinboro – is located in the snowbelt region of northwestern Pennsylvania in Erie County. Mount Pleasant of Edinboro offers family-friendly winter fun for all ages including over 40 skiable acres with 10 trail runs and a 600-foot snow tubing hill with eight lanes. Most of the trails are lit up at night to allow for safe night skiing and snowboarding. Mount Pleasant has recently introduced cross country skiing and snowshoeing to its recreational offerings and each trail access pass includes a chairlift ride up and down from the trails.
Mystic Mountain at Nemacolin Woodlands -Situated in the Laurel Highlands of Southwestern Pennsylvania, Mystic Mountain at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort is an ideal learning environment for first-time skiers and snowboarders. Mystic Mountain has a wide variety of slope difficulty, short lines, friendly trails, and experienced instructors. It is a fun ski area designed for families. With a 300-foot vertical drop, Mystic Mountain provides the excitement of skiing with the intimidation that steep mountain destinations present to first-timers. All trails are 100 percent illuminated, making it a great destination for those who enjoy night skiing. The resort features 25 acres for snow sports - including alpine skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snow tubing. Whatever your winter sports passion may be, you are sure to find it at Mystic Mountain.
Seven Springs Mountain Resort - Conveniently located off the Pennsylvania Turnpike, Seven Springs Resort is the state’s largest four-season resort and winter adventure headquarters. Thirty-three slopes and trails, a 750-foot maximum vertical drop, which is continuous on three trails in the North Face area, are spread across 285 acres. Seven Springs is also a freestyler’s winter playground and consistently ranks as one of the “top terrain parks in the East” with 285 rideable acres and the ability to sculpt and maintain picture perfect features of all sizes. It’s also home to the East Coast’s only Olympic-size halfpipe.