6 Best Ski Resorts in the Poconos

We were deciding where to spend skiing season when we chanced upon the gorgeous Pocono Mountains in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Home to more than just rolling, undulating hills and beautiful scenery, these mountains also make for a spectacular skiing vacation destination. The Pocono Mountains have it all – excellent gear rentals, lack of huge crowds, and the perfect powder for a weekend getaway. What’s more, some fantastic ski resorts in the Poconos range across sizes and skill levels, thus offering the ultimate snow day adventure. Whether you’re an adrenaline-seeking family or a cautious skier, Poconos has something for everyone.

While the elevations aren’t the highest here, these ski resorts are a hassle-free and easygoing way to hit the powder, especially for those living in Washington, Baltimore, Philly, and NYC. What cements its position as one of the Pennsylvanian gems is that the region also has mountain rivers, heavily forested snowy peaks, and an endless roster of outdoor recreation opportunities. If a picturesque setting with local flavor and without glamour is what you’re look

Ski Big Bear at Masthope Mountain, Lackawaxen

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Ski Big Bear at Masthope Mountain in Lackawaxen lies just above the Delaware River, not far from the Pennsylvania-New York border. This community-owned region is the Poconos’ northernmost skiing area and is something of a hidden gem in northern Poconos. Ski Big Bear is open for snowtubing, snowboarding, and skiing and actually specializes in private beginner lessons, notwithstanding their age. So, it was a fantastic destination for us and families and first-timers, as they offer private and group lessons. We found the instructors to be very knowledgeable and friendly, helping us with the equipment and even with the chair lift for those who were using it for the first time.

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Since there’s a terrain park here, it was also a fantastic place for our kids to begin trying snowboarding under the guidance of instructors. All in all, a cheerful atmosphere, family-oriented fun, and affordable prices make Ski Big Bear a great choice for skiing in the Poconos while saving on passes and avoiding the crowds.

The Terrain. We loved that 18 trails are spread across different levels (42% beginner, 30% intermediate, and 28% expert) and 26 skiable acres. Thus, Ski Big Bear has something for everyone. What’s more, Ski Big Bear offers night skiing and a valley run as well.

The Town. Ski Big Bear is slightly unique compared to other popular ski resorts. That’s because the base lodge itself sits at the top of the mountain. So, we didn’t need a chairlift to begin our descent. Once we reached the bottom of the slope, we could even take the sliding sidewalk back to the top. So we could begin cruising down the slopes as soon as we arrived. 

At a glance

• Known for: Calm, relaxed skiing without any queues or hassles.
• Opening: Mid-December
• Closing: Mid-March
• Elevation: 550 ft (167 m)
• Summit: 1,200 ft (366 m)
• Lifts: 7 (4 double chairlifts, 3 magic carpets)
• Airport: Wilkes-Barre Scranton International Airport, 60 mi (96 km)

Where to Stay: Since there’s no base town as such, the nearest place for lodging is Hawley (15 minutes away), where we stayed at the utterly gorgeous The Lodge at Woodloch. The serene resort is set amidst 500 acres of wooded loveliness and boasts a private lake too. All rooms here boast private verandahs with stunning views of the Poconos Mountains. After a long day of skiing, a river-stone massage at the 40,000 sq- ft. huge spa sounded just what the doctor ordered. In fact, the spa is what makes the Lodge at Woodloch also one of the best spa hotels in Pennsylvania.

If you aren’t tired, the place even has other outdoor excursions such as trail biking trips and fly-fishing. We loved the restaurant with a farm-to-table garden and the welcoming plant-filled Garden Hall, which featured a 14-foot glass cupola and a balcony overlooking the lake. Sigh. It’s no wonder that it’s one of the most romantic hotels in the Poconos.

Shawnee Mountain Ski Area, East Stroudsburg

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Best for families. We were looking for a place for the kids to begin their skiing and snowboarding journey, and Shawnee Mountain Ski Area is the best place in Poconos to do that. This skiing area is the easternmost ski region of Poconos and is devoted to families, boasting some of the region’s best learning programs. The SKIwee, Mountain Cruisers, and Young Riders are for the kids, while the adults have private and group learning program options. We loved the vibe of this family-owned boutique resort, which has fewer crowds and offers easy and smooth access to all activities.

Besides skiing, there are even two terrain parks and multiple snowtubing lanes for the entire family to enjoy. Take a break at the lounge bar at the summit lodge, as we did. It has everything from bars, lounges, and restaurants to locker facilities, repair shops, and rentals. Don’t forget – Shawnee has night skiing too!

The Terrain. Shawnee has a skiable area of 125 acres, with 23 slopes and trails of 11 mi (18 km). What’s more, the terrain is split well, with 22% beginner runs, 50% intermediate runs, and 28% expert ones. The longest run is 5,100 ft long (1,600 m)

The Town. The lovely little settlement village of Shawnee sits at the foothills of the Pocono Mountains right on the Delaware River. It’s a peaceful outdoor recreation base town and has lots of lodging options, especially along the river. The town is lovely to explore, with its winding lanes, grocery stores, and cute little drinking and dining options.

At a glance

• Known for: Excellent skiing region for families with skiing programs for everyone. 
• Opening: Early December
• Closing: Late March
• Elevation: 650 ft (198 m)
• Summit: 1,350 ft (410 m)
• Lifts: 9 (4 surface lifts, 4 doubles, 1 fixed-grip quad chair, 1 high-speed detachable quad chair)
• Airport: Lehigh Valley International Airport, 45 mi (72 km)

Where to Stay: Hardly 5 minutes from the skiing area, right on the Delaware River, sits The Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort. The environmentally-conscious resort offers superb digs with mesmerizing views, but that’s not the best bit about the resort. It boasts an indoor pool and a 27-hole island golf course. Of course, there are many other things to do, such as campfires, brewery tours, private guided hikes, kayaking, rafting, and canoeing on the Delaware River. Finally, we’d indulge in our hunger pangs at the onsite restaurant and brewpub after a day of skiing at Shawnee.

You could also decide to stay at Pocono Palace Resort in East Stroudsburg, which happens to be one of the best in-room jacuzzi hotels in the Poconos.

Jack Frost–Big Boulder Ski Resort, White Haven

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Most versatile. Just a few peaks away from its sister resort, Big Boulder, is Jack Frost Ski Resort in White Haven. It’s been the premier ski resort in the entire region since it opened in 1972 for skiers and snowboarders of all levels. The beginners in our group improved and perfected their skills at their amazing adult skier multi-week programs. In fact, the ski school even has skiing programs for the young ‘uns. Meanwhile, we tested our skills at the black diamond hills. We especially loved the terrain park, which consistently appears in the top five on the United States and Canada’s East Coast.

Aside from skiing and snowboarding, there are many other activities like snowmobiling, snowtubing, and even dog sledding. If you want to plan your day properly, use the Epic Mix app, which makes it all the easier. Moreover, it even allowed us to get updated resort notifications and consult interactive trail maps.

The Terrain. 7.5 mi (12 km) of powdery slopes are spread across 50% beginner and 46% intermediate runs. So, the terrain is perfect for first-time skiers or those who want to up their skill levels. That’s why the well-maintained terrain park here is famous, as it allowed us to practice well before heading to the slopes.

The Town. The quaint hidden gem of Blakeslee, which lies a 10-minute drive down the mountain, is the base town for Jack Frost. It’s also the base for the Austin T. Blakeslee Natural Area, the Thomas Darling Preserve, and other natural areas around, and thus caters to outdoor enthusiasts. It has everything from lodging, restaurants, and bars to activities like hiking, watersports, and even a racing school!

At a glance

• Known for: Versatile skiing opportunities for beginners and intermediate skiers. 
• Opening: November last week
• Closing: March end-April beginning
• Elevation: 1,400 ft (430 m)
• Summit: 2,000 ft (610 m)
• Lifts: 10 (6 double chairlifts, 2 rope tows, 1 magic carpet)
• Airport: Lehigh Valley International Airport, 50 mi (80 km)

Where to Stay: Since there are no ski-to-door stays near Jack Frost, we decided to stay at the superb value-for-money-offering Best Western Inn at Blakeslee-Pocono. The chain hotel offers all modern comforts, such as contemporary room options, including suites, free Wi-Fi, and a superb breakfast to begin our day on a high note. The highlight was the indoor pool with glass walls, which allowed us excellent views of the region while we enjoyed a leisurely swim.

Camelback Resort, Tannersville

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Largest ski resort. With 166 acres of skiable area, Tannersville’s Camelback Resort, a.k.a. Big Pocono, is the largest skiing resort in the Poconos. Both beginners and experts feel at home at this mecca of winter fun, which offers 35 slopes of different skill levels. What makes it all the better is that the resort also offers skiing 9and snowboarding) lessons for skiers of all skill levels, making it fun for the entire group. The expanded terrain park allows one to try or hone their skills in a controlled environment. The night skiing option is a special resort perk, so try it.

Apart from skiing, there’s much more to do here, including a riding school, snowtubing with 40 lanes and a nighttime all-lit experience. Even snowboarders get to have their share of fun, as this is the only Poconos resort with half-pipe lanes. There’s even water fun in the form of Aquatopia indoor water park and Camelbeach, Pennsylvania’s largest outdoor waterpark. Three ski-in ski-out dining options offering classic American fare complete the place.

The Terrain. With 21 mi (34 km) of slopes divided into 59% beginner runs, 32% intermediate ones and 9% expert runs, Camelback is a first-time/beginner skier’s haven. The intermediate Nile Mile is the resort’s longest and most beloved run at a whopping 4,646 ft (1,416 m)!

The Town. The town of Tannersville is hardly a five-minute drive away. Albeit small, the town has many lodging and dining options, making it a great base for those who want to ski at Camelback. But what makes the stays here unique is that there are many excellent hotels even on the road from the ski resort to the town, so one could choose to stay anywhere.

At a glance

• Known for: Wonderfully large ski resort for learning and polishing skiing skills.
• Opening: Mid-December
• Closing: March end
• Elevation: 1,252 ft (381 m)
• Summit: 2,133 ft (650 m)
• Lifts: 16 (2 tubing surface lifts, 4 surface lifts, 5 double and 3 triple chairlifts, 2 high-speed detachable quad chairlifts)
• Airport: Wilkes-Barre Scranton International Airport, 42 mi (67.5 km); Lehigh Valley International Airport, 40 mi (64 km)

Where to Stay: Camelback Lodge, which lies right next to the ski resort, is one of the best places to stay while skiing at Camelback. This ski-to-door resort boasts a boatload of amenities, including a fitness center, an indoor pool, and as many as six restaurants! The highlight, though, is the presence of a water park right on the property, making it very popular with families with kids. What makes it all the better for adults is that there’s also a hot spring bath on the property. Modern digs with free Wi-Fi and all creature comforts wrap up the offerings here.

Blue Mountain Resort, Palmerton

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Best all-around. Palmerton’s Blue Mountain Resort boasts a jaw-dropping 1,082-foot vertical drop, the highest of any of Pennsylvania’s ski mountains. So, traditional downhill skiing is one of the most thrilling experiences one can do here. Plus, there are even five terrain parks for skiers of all levels to practice and hone their skills before they get out on the 11 mi (18 km) of slopes. With as many as 46 tubing lanes, Blue Mountain is also the largest snowtubing park in the country, which families and non-skiers will be especially thrilled with. With so many activities to make one hungry, it’s not a surprise that the mountaintop also has the full-service Slopeside Pub & Grill to satiate mid-skiing hunger pangs. The best bit? They offer both night skiing and tubing experiences!

“If there’s only place you could go skiing in the Poconos, Blue Mountain is where you should be going.”

WOW Travel

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The Terrain. 164 acres of skiable terrain feature 40 trails and 11 mi (18 km) of skiing terrain. Beginners will be thrilled with the 56% terrain marked “blue,” while even advanced skiers have a respectable 33% terrain assigned to them. Pro tip: Make sure you hit the blue square trail called “Sidewinder.” It’s an absolute fan favorite here.

The Town. Palmerton, which lies around 8 mi (13 km) away, is the base town for Blue Mountain. While it has limited lodging options, Lehighton-Wessport, where the airport is located, has many more options to stay, drink, and dine. That said, both establishments lie along the gushing waters of the Lehigh River.

At a glance

• Known for: Catering to both skiers and non-skiers.
• Opening: The day after Thanksgiving
• Closing: Mid-March
• Elevation: 458 ft (140 m)
• Summit: 1,540 ft (470 m)
• Lifts: 11 (7 surface lifts, 2 high-speed six-packs, 1 high-speed quad, 1 triple chairlift)
• Airport: Lehigh Valley International Airport, 17 mi (27 km)

Where to Stay: If you’re looking for something absolutely unique, don’t miss staying at the Inn at Jim Thorpe. It lies in the eponymous town of Jim Thorpe, just a little beyond Lehighton-Wessport. It is one of the best in-room jacuzzi hotels in Pennsylvania, so it could make for a memorable romantic vacation, as it did for us. We stayed at the suite at this 19th-century-style inn, which had a jetted spa bath right in the room. Despite being an inn, it’s luxurious with a restaurant, bicycle rentals, and even a spa!

Big Boulder Ski Area, Lake Harmony

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The Big Boulder Ski Area is one of the best ski park systems on the United States East Coast. This skiing area is an absolute joy for snowboarders, as 50% of the resort trails specifically cater to them. What’s more, they feature a diverse choice of terrain parks for them to be able to practice and hone their skills and tricks. So, snowboarders, whip out the boards to practice your tricks on rails, jibs, fun boxes, banks, hits, jumps, ramps, half and quarter pipes, and more.

That said, skiers aren’t left behind – the place is a ski area. Aside from the 15 trails across 55 acres of terrain, the resort even has a decent vertical drop of 475 ft (144 m). Are you a beginner? The onsite Ski and Ride School will come in very handy for those hitting the slopes for the first time. The best bit? Big Boulder is open until 8 p.m. all days of the week, which also makes it perfect for night skiing.

The Terrain. Big Boulder has 3.1 mi (5 km) of ski trails divided into beginner (60%), intermediate (20%), and expert runs (20%). There are also two progressive terrain parks, as mentioned earlier. In fact, the park creates a new terrain after every competition, thus returning them to their powdery glory.

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The Town. The base town for Big Boulder is Lake Harmony which, not surprisingly, sits around the stunning Lake Harmony. There are many lodging, drinking, and dining options, all with wonderful views of either Lake Harmony or Big Boulder Lake.

At a glance

• Known for: Snowboarding central, with 50% acreage dedicated to snowboarders
• Opening: Mid-December
• Closing: Late March
• Elevation: 1,700 ft (518 m)
• Summit: 2,175 ft (663 m)
• Lifts: Big Boulder: 7 (3 surface lifts, 1 double, 1 triple, 2 quads)
• Airport: Wilkes-Barre Scranton International Airport, 37 mi (59 km)

Where to Stay: Stay at the Lake Harmony Inn, which lies barely five minutes from the ski area. Its main selling point is that it offers stunning views of Lake Harmony as it sits on the waterfront. Aside from the comfy rooms and suites, the outdoors at this inn are excellent. Not only does it have two docks, but it also has a massive grassyard fronting the lake. Many outdoor seating setups include lounge chairs, a hammock, picnic areas, fire pits, grills, and even a beach area with watersports, boat rentals, and a volleyball net.

Our Verdict!

Here’s a specialized list of the skiing resorts in the Poconos, along with their bestselling features.

• Best for families: Shawnee Mountain Ski Area, East Stroudsburg
• Most versatile: Jack Frost–Big Boulder Ski Resort, White Haven
• Largest ski resort: Camelback Resort, Tannersville
• Best all-around: Blue Mountain Resort, Palmerton

Is Jack Frost or Big Boulder better?

While both mountains boast a great mix of beginner and intermediate trails, Jack Frost has only two terrain parks, whereas Big Boulder has five. So, it depends on what you’re looking for.

What is the largest ski area in Pennsylvania?

While Seven Springs in western Pennsylvania is the largest, Camelback and Blue Mountain come a close second.

Is Jack Frost beginner-friendly?

With 50% beginner runs, including a designated learning slope for the ski school, Jack Frost is definitely beginner-friendly.