Dreaming of the perfect ski trip? Pennsylvania offers a variety of ski resorts to suit every skill level. From beginner slopes to challenging black diamonds and terrain parks, you'll find adventure and fun for the whole family.
Top Ski Resorts in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania has a plethora of ski areas from which to choose, with skiing and riding here having been going on for a long, long time. You'll find more then 19 ski resorts in Pennsylvania. Here's a look at some of the best ski resorts the state has to offer:
1. Seven Springs Mountain Resort
Seven Springs Mountain Resort is now part of Vail Resorts. Seven Springs is the biggest (and considered the best by many) and is located 100 miles southwest of Pittsburgh. The resort boasts 33 slopes and trails, seven terrain parks, and 14 lifts. For those into freestyle, their seven terrain parks offer a progressive range of difficulty. The terrain parks are usually heralded as the best in the East.
2. Camelback Mountain Resort
Camelback (Tannersville) is the queen of the Pocono ski areas and is also among the very best in the state. Celebrating more than 60 years of world-class skiing, Camelback Mountain Resort is the largest ski resort in the Pocono Mountains, boasting 166 skiable acres with 39 trails for a variety of skill levels from beginner to expert, 16 lifts, two high-speed quads, a snowboard half-pipe, three terrain parks, and one of the largest snow tubing parks in the nation with 42 lanes and aglow at night with their Galactic tubing experience. Its learning programs are award-winners.
The tubing park, when the kids need a break from the slopes, is the largest in the county. More diversions? There’s an LED light show and a wow of a water park, also among the largest anywhere. Pack the swim suit.
Read also: Guide to Skiing in Scotland
3. Blue Mountain Resort
Blue Mountain (Palmerton) resort in the Poconos is considered by many skiers to be the best because of its 1,100 vertical, 171 acres, and 40 runs. Blue Mountain Resort boasts five terrain parks, 16 lifts, 40 trails, and the highest vertical (1,082 feet) in Pennsylvania! You’ll get in more skiing here because 16 lifts divert the long lift lines. Besides, you can ski or snowboard until you drop as most of the mountain is lit for night skiing. Come early and stay late. There are five terrain parks and a ton of tubing lanes.
4. Elk Mountain
Elk Mountain (Union Dale) has a reputation for getting more of the stuff that falls from the skies might be the decision-maker. Since Elk Mountain first welcomed skiers to its slopes in 1959 as one of Pennsylvania’s first commercial ski areas, the mountain continues to dazzle winter sports lovers. It’s beyond the Poconos in the Endless Mountains. The high 1,000-foot vertical drop, seven lifts, 180 acres of ski terrain, 27 trails and two terrain parks make the resort popular despite the extra miles. If you want to develop your skills or help your kids learn to ski, Elk Mountain offers personalized adult and kid skiing lessons taught by skilled instructors.
5. Blue Knob All Seasons Resort
Blue Knob (Altoona) is not to be confused with Blue Mountain, this resort is in the Allegheny Mountains plunked in the center of the state. Often considered Pennsylvania’s best-kept secret, the Blue Knob All Seasons Resort features one of the highest ski mountains in PA with the most challenging slopes in the state. The higher elevation makes for generally good snow conditions all season long and the vertical of 1,100 feet means nice long runs, without as much yo-yoing. You can compete in NASTAR racing here. Tubing is only available on weekends.
6. Montage Mountain
Montage (Scranton) is located just eight miles from the center of the city. Montage Mountain‘s 27 trails encompassing 140 acres of skiable terrain offers some of the best trail diversity in the entire region, ranging from trails ideal for those hitting the slopes for the first time to expert skiers conquering the White Lightning trail, the second steepest in the East that is adjacent to a variety of Single and Double Black Diamond terrain. There’s an 1,000-foot vertical, 27 named trails, and a terrain park. Everything is bright at night. Green and blue are the key colors, but there are black runs in the Northface area.
7. Whitetail Resort
Whitetail (Mercersburg) opened in 1991 and quickly became a fave. Opening in 1991, Pennsylvania’s newest ski resort and the newest east of the Mississippi, Whitetail Resort has been in business for more than three decades and continues to delight skiers, snowboarders, and snow tubers for a fun-filled day on the slopes. There’s a high-speed quad chair that really speeds things up. Terrain parks and restaurants have been recently added and the ski area is part of the Vail Resorts family these days.
Read also: Skiing the Smoky Mountains
8. Jack Frost/Big Boulder
Jack Frost/Big Boulder (White Haven) offers skiing an hour away from Philly at sister ski areas five miles apart. Nestled in the Pocono Mountains just an hour from Philadelphia and two hours from New York City are Jack Frost and Big Boulder offering “Two Mountains, One Epic Trip" of skiing and snowboarding on two storied mountains, each with its own awesome history. Jack Frost is the bigger of the two hills. It tops out at 2,000 feet with a vertical drop of 600 feet. It’s more of a traditional ski area with trails for all skill levels. Big Boulder is geared more to snowboarders with more than 50 percent of the mountain dedicated to terrain parks.
9. Liberty Mountain Resort
The mountains honed over the years by industry pioneer Irv Naylor - Liberty (Carroll Valley) are only an hour from either D.C. or Baltimore. Only about an hour’s drive from D.C. and Baltimore and just eight miles southwest of historic Gettysburg, Liberty Mountain Resort is perfect for anyone looking for a quick winter getaway loaded with skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing fun. Liberty sports nine lifts including five quad chairs, 16 trails and 100 skiable acres.
10. Roundtop Mountain Resort
Roundtop (Lewisberry) is only an hour from either D.C. or Baltimore. A short drive from both Hershey and Gettysburg, Roundtop Mountain Resort (formerly Ski Roundtop) is packed with plenty of snow sports for all ages and levels, but especially those with advanced skiing and snowboarding skills. Roundtop has 20 trails and nine lifts.
11. Shawnee Mountain
Shawnee Mountain (Stroudsburg) is a family-owned ski resort in the eastern Poconos. With 125 acres of skiable terrain, 23 trails, and two terrain parks, Shawnee Mountain is an ideal spot for winter sport enthusiasts. It boasts one of the largest rental facilities in the country.
Additional Ski Areas in Pennsylvania
- Ski Big Bear (Lackawaxen) offers 18 trails, seven lifts including three Magic Carpet lifts, and 650 vertical feet.
- Bear Creek (Macungie) in Lehigh Valley has 23 trails, 21 runs, seven lifts, and 86 acres.
- Eagle Rock (Hazelton) has 12 lit slopes ranging from beginner to most difficult, offering up views of the Blue Mountain terrain.
- Hidden Valley (Laurel Highlands) has 25 slopes, seven lifts, and half green skiing and riding. Longest run is 1.5 miles.
- Tussey Mt. (Boalsburg) has 50 acres and three lifts and is a good spot to learn.
- Spring Mt. (Spring Mount) is a little hill a half hour from Philly.
- Ski Sawmill (Morris) is a family ski area with 12 trails and four lifts with 515-foot drop.
- Mt. Pleasant of Edinboro (Cambridge Springs) is another small area in a good snowbelt.
- Boyce Park Ski Area delivers winter fun with big energy and easy city access. With 10 slopes, snowboarding terrain, cross-country trails, and snow tubing, it’s the only place in the Allegheny County Parks system offering downhill skiing and tubing.
Here's a table summarizing some of the key features of the top ski resorts in Pennsylvania:
| Resort | Location | Trails | Lifts | Vertical Drop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seven Springs | Near Pittsburgh | 33 | 14 | 750 ft |
| Camelback | Poconos | 39 | 16 | 800 ft |
| Blue Mountain | Poconos | 40 | 16 | 1,082 ft |
| Elk Mountain | Endless Mountains | 27 | 7 | 1,000 ft |
| Blue Knob | Allegheny Mountains | 34 | 6 | 1,072 ft |
If you like ski areas relatively close together so you can hit several of them on a long weekend or perhaps during the holidays or school breaks, the Poconos is your place. Pocono resorts are Camelback Mountain Resort and Blue Mt. (biggest and best), Jack Frost/Big Boulder, Montage and Big Bear.
Tips for Planning Your Ski Trip
Pennsylvania is seldom thought of as a ski destination. Because of the relatively small size of most Pennsy ski areas, combined with the large skiing population, some areas can become incredibly crowded on weekends. Because most are day-trip ski areas and not destination resorts, the smart money is to arrive early - before the place opens. To arrive at some Pennsylvania ski areas at 10:00 am on a Saturday is to experience untold levels of frustration, from parking to ticket lines to liftlines.
Consider them baby hurricanes and they can ruin your ski day and drive to and from the mountains. On the other hand, they can leave behind significant natural snow if the wind doesn’t get to it first. The biggest beneficiary of snow is usually Seven Springs.
Look for loads of improvements since Vail Resorts has taken ownership of a number of resorts here.
What is the BEST Ski Resort for Skiing & Snowboarding in Southeastern Pennsylvania?
Whether you're a newbie or a seasoned rider, ski and snowboard lessons are your secret weapon to unlocking the full magic of the slopes. Planning to visit? Build your confidence, advance your skills, and have fun on the slopes with our expert instructors.
Pennsylvania has a plethora of ski areas from which to choose and skiing and riding here has been going on for a long, long time. Meet Winter in all its glory, all season long. Here's where you have two mountains as your Poconos playground, from morning till night. Whether you're a bold beginner.
Jack Frost Big Boulder makes it easy for families to say yes to winter. Set in the heart of the Pocono Mountains, Jack Frost Big Boulder is an easy winter escape for East Coast families. Passholders receive exclusive discounts on select food, lessons and rentals. Picture this: You're standing at the base of a stunning snow-covered mountain, the crisp winter air tingling with excitement.
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