Articles
On the Slopes
January 18, 2024
On the Slopes
Ski Resorts in Pennsylvania
Compiled by Sarah Einhorn of BeenThereDoneThatTrips.com
Ski resorts are a great choice for a midwinter trip that’s relatively local. Even if you don’t ski, many ski resorts have snow tubing or other activities on site as well.
As a rule, I write only about places I’ve visited. This time, I agreed to write about ski resort options in Pennsylvania even though I didn’t visit them as a means of helping families find places to spend mid-winter without having to fly or travel very far. I can’t personally vouch for these places, but I hope it will be helpful.
Bear Creek
Bear Creek Resort offers skiing for all levels and ages. They have certified instructors who can be booked for lessons. Bear Creek also has a 10-lane snow tubing park and a full service spa on site.
There are a variety of room and suite options, including suites with multiple rooms that can accommodate up to 12 people.
Address:
101 Doe Mountain Lane
Macungie, PA, 18062
Phone number:
866-754-2822
Website:
Approximate distance from Lakewood:
1 hour, 55 minutes
Blue Mountain Resort
Blue Mountain boasts 40 ski trails tailored to all levels of skill, with the most varied terrain and longest runs in the state. They also offer lessons with certified instructors.
The snow tubing park has 55 lanes for snow tubing and offers single or double seat tubes.
Blue Mountain offers the unique experience of Sonic Snow Tubing—tubing down hills in the dark with colorful laser lights and music.
Address:
1660 Blue Mountain Drive
Palmerton, PA, 18071
Phone number:
610-826-7700
Website:
Approximate distance from Lakewood:
2 hours, 10 minutes
There are no sleeping accommodations in Blue Mountain Resort. There are some hotel options about a 20-minute drive away, such as:
Country Inn and Suites by Radisson, Lehighton-Jim Thorpe, PA
1619 Interchange Road
Lehighton, PA 18235
610-826-4344
Hampton Inn Lehighton-Jim Thorpe
877 Interchange Road
Lehighton, PA 18235
610-377-3400
Camelback Ski Resort
Camelback Mountain is the only ski resort that I’ve actually tried. We didn’t stay at the resort but went skiing there for the day. We had an awesome time. There are so many choices of trails to choose from, spanning all levels from beginners to double black diamond (not that we tried that, but maybe one day!).
After getting our gear, we headed to one of the smaller hills for the beginners to practice on and warm up. The bunny slope was on a hill near the outdoor water park. It was funny to have a view of an outdoor water park while skiing in the snow. The many mountains framed in the distance added a beautiful scenic touch.
The next hill we headed to was different from what we’d seen before. On that hill, we didn’t go up a first with a lift, rather we started at the top of the beginner’s slope and skied down. At the bottom, we got onto the lift back up to the beginning.
After that, we headed up to the top of the mountain. We stuck to the easier level trails and had an amazing time. The mountain was nice and tall. It took about 15 minutes just to get up with the lift.
We enjoyed the trails immensely. They weren’t too difficult for us but also not too short or easy.
Camelback has approximately 10 different trails to choose from besides the bunny slopes.
For those who don’t ski, there is a 40-lane snowtubing park a couple of minutes away on the resort property. Snow tubing is open both day and night with lanes aglow at Galactic snow tubing.
There is an indoor waterpark on site and many other indoor activities to choose from, such as an arcades area with laser tag, ropes course, rock wall, virtual reality, and more.
There are a variety of lodging options at Camelback, including standard rooms, suites, and even condos with multiple rooms.
Address:
604 Camelback Road
Tannersville, PA, 18372
Phone number:
570-517-7022
Website:
Approximate distance from Lakewood:
2 hours, 15 minutes
Jack Frost and Big Boulder Ski Resort
Jack Frost and Big Boulder Ski Resorts are under the ownership of Vail Resorts.
Jack Frost has 20 ski trails for all skill levels. There are another 19 trails at Big Boulder with many lifts. Big Boulder has a snow tubing park with two conveyor carpets. Riders must be four years old and 42 inches tall to participate. There is no doubling up—everyone must ride on their own tube. Big Boulder has nighttime skiing and nighttime tubing.
There is no lodging on site at Jack Frost and Big Boulder. Split Rock Resort is near both of the mountains. Many people stay there and ski at Jack Frost or Big Boulder.
Address:
434 Jack Frost Mountain Road
White Haven, PA, 18661
Phone number:
570-443-8425
Website:
Approximate distance from Lakewood:
2 hours, 30 minutes
Split Rock Resort
428 Moseywood Road
Lake Harmony, PA, 18624
570-722-9111
splitrockhotel.com
Montage Mountain Resort
With 26 ski trails and an excellent location near the Jewish Community of Scranton, Montage Mountain Resort is an excellent winter destination for all ages and levels. There are also options of skiing at night. Montage has excellent ski specials Mondays through Wednesdays.
The main snow tubing park is for riders 42 inches or taller. There’s a kiddie section for children 32 to 41 inches tall.
Address:
1000 Montage Mountain Road
Scranton, PA, 18507
Phone number:
570-969-7669
Website:
Approximate distance from Lakewood:
2 hours, 50 minutes
There is no hotel on site. Many people stay at the nearby Hilton Conference Center.
Hilton Scranton and Conference Center
100 Adams Avenue
Scranton, PA, 18503
570-343-3000
hilton.com