The Pocono Mountains transform into a winter wonderland as soon as the snow starts to fall, making it a premier destination for cold-weather fun. Whether you’re an adrenaline seeker looking to carve down the slopes, a family searching for memorable activities, or simply someone who enjoys the serene beauty of a snow-covered landscape, the Poconos has something for everyone. From thrilling ski runs to unique winter festivals, here’s your guide to unforgettable winter fun in the Poconos Mountains!
Hit the Slopes: Skiing & Snowboarding
The Poconos is home to some of the best ski resorts on the East Coast, offering terrain for all skill levels. Whether you’re planning a long weekend ski trip or an extended getaway, you’ll find plenty of winter fun in the Poconos.
Jack Frost & Big Boulder
Jack Frost and Big Boulder are two of the most popular ski resorts in the region, offering a combined lift ticket that allows access to both locations. Jack Frost is known for its wide, beginner-friendly slopes, while Big Boulder is a terrain park paradise, ideal for snowboarders and freestylers looking to catch some air. Both resorts feature snowmaking capabilities, ensuring great conditions all season long.
Blue Mountain Resort
Blue Mountain boasts the highest vertical drop in Pennsylvania, making it a must-visit for more advanced skiers and snowboarders. With 40 trails and a variety of terrain, it’s perfect for everyone from beginners to seasoned pros. Plus, Blue Mountains’s state-of-the-art snow tubing park is the largest in the country, making it an excellent choice for families.
Snow Tubing: Family-Friendly Thrills
For those looking for a fun-filled winter activity that doesn’t require ski experience, snow tubing is the perfect option. Jack Frost/Big Boulder and Blue Mountain both feature extensive tubing parks with multiple lanes, allowing groups to race each other down slopes. Snow tubing requires no special skills – just hop on a tube and enjoy the ride!
Preston & Steve’s Cardboard Classic at Montage Mountain
One of the Poconos’ most unique and entertaining winter events is Preston & Steve’s Cardboard Classic at Montage Mountain. This annual event, hosted by Philadelphia’s WMMR radio station, invites participants to construct sleds made entirely out of cardboard and race them down the slopes. Creativity is key, and the results are often hilarious. Whether you’re participating or just watching, this event is a highlight of the season and a fantastic way to enjoy winter fun in the Poconos.
Weekday vs Weekend Skiing: The Best Time to Hit the Slopes
If you’re looking to avoid the weekend crowds, consider planning a weekday ski getaway. Not only will you experience shorter lift lines and less crowded slopes, but you may also find better vacation rental rates and cheaper lift tickets. Weekends tend to be busier, especially around holiday periods, so if flexibility allows, a midweek stay can be a great way to maximize your time on the mountain.
Finding Winter Fun in the Poconos
Beyond skiing and tubing, the Poconos offers a variety of winter activities for those looking to explore the great outdoors.
Snowshoeing & Cross-Country Skiing
For a more relaxed way to enjoy the winter scenery, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are fantastic options. Promised Land State Park and Hickory Run State Park offer miles of trails that wind through picturesque forests and along frozen lakes, providing a peaceful alternative to downhill skiing.
Ice Skating
Several resorts and parks in the Poconos offer outdoor ice skating, including Skytop Lodge and Lake Wallenpaupack. Skating under the open sky, surrounded by snow-covered trees, is a magical experience for visitors of all ages!
Plan Your Perfect Winter Getaway
A trip to the Poconos isn’t just about a single day on the slopes—it’s about building big memories. Whether you’re staying for a long weekend or indulging in a week-long retreat, booking the perfect vacation property is the best way to experience all that the Poconos has to offer.
With Pocono Mountain Rentals’ spacious vacation homes designed for large groups, you’ll enjoy multiple living areas, cozy fireplaces, and amenities like private game rooms and outdoor firepits—perfect for gathering with family or friends after a day in the snow. Prepare hearty meals in fully equipped kitchens, relax in hot tubs under the stars, or unwind in a warm, inviting great room with floor-to-ceiling views of the winter landscape. Our purpose-built homes are made for making memories, offering the comfort, space, and convenience you won’t find anywhere else.
Book Your Winter Escape Today
Winter in the Poconos is an experience like no other. From exhilarating ski runs and thrilling tubing parks to unique events like the Cardboard Classic, there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re planning a romantic getaway, a family vacation, or a group ski trip, now is the perfect time to start planning your stay. Browse our selection of amazing vacation properties and book your winter escape today!
The Pocono Mountains are a year-round destination, but winter is when the region truly comes alive for skiing enthusiasts. Whether you’re an avid skier, snowboarder, or simply someone looking for a cozy winter retreat, the Poconos offers some of the best skiing in the Northeast. This guide will walk you through the top ski resorts, help you understand the ski pass options, and give you all the insider tips you need for skiing the Poconos.
The Best Ski Resorts
The Poconos Mountains are home to several ski resorts that cater to all levels of experience, from beginner slopes to advanced terrain. Here are the top three resorts you’ll want to check out:
Jack Frost – Big Boulder
Jack Frost and Big Boulder are sister resorts located less than 20 minutes apart, making them the ultimate dual-destination for winter sports lovers. These two resorts offer unique skiing experiences that are accessible with one lift ticket, and they are both part of the Epic Pass, a pass that provides access to there and to many other ski resorts across America.
Jack Frost is known for its wide-open trails and family-friendly atmosphere, and is ideal for beginners and intermediates. The resort boasts over 20 trails and 9 lifts, with the longest trail, “Jane’s Lane,” running over a mile. For those new to skiing or snowboarding, Jack Frost’s Ski & Snowboard School offers lessons for all ages.
Big Boulder is perfect if you’re more into snowboarding or terrain parks. It has one of the best terrain parks in the Northeast, making it a hotspot for snowboarders and freestyle skiers. It features 15 trails and 8 lifts, with the focus on challenging terrain and freestyle features like jumps, rails, and halfpipes.
An insider tip about passes: Buy the Epic Pass if you plan on going to Jack Frost/Big Boulder. If you’re planning multiple ski trips or venturing to other ski destinations, the Epic Pass is a must-have. It provides unlimited access to Jack Frost and Big Boulder and more than 40 other resorts globally. The pass comes in several variations depending on how many of the resorts you want access to and how frequently you plan to ski. Some of the perks of the Epic Pass include: No blackout dates for most passes, discounts on lodging, rentals and food at partner resorts and options to ski at world-class destinations like Vail, Park City, Whistler and more. But be aware, prices do go up on October 8, 2024. And the deadline to purchase an Epic Pass is usually late November/early December, so don’t miss your window to buy!
If you’re skiing the Poconos, consider the Northeast Value Pass, which provides access to Jack Frost, Big Boulder, and other resorts in the region at a more affordable price.
Camelback Mountain Resort
Located in Tannersville, Camelback Resort is one of the largest and most popular ski resorts in the Poconos. Offering 39 trails and 16 lifts, Camelback is known for its diverse terrain, catering to beginners, intermediate, and advanced skiers alike. With night skiing available and extensive snow making capabilities, Camelback guarantees excellent conditions throughout the winter season. They also have some great ski instructors to help you get started, with Ski Classes & Lessons for all levels. Camelback’s trails vary from wide-open beginner slopes to challenging double-black diamond runs, such as The Nile Mile, which will keep seasoned skiers on their toes.
In addition to skiing, Camelback is also home to Camelback Snowtubing – the largest snow tubing park in the country, with over 40 lanes to choose from. And the indoor Aquatopia Waterpark makes it a perfect destination for families.
Camelback is part of the Ikon Pass network, which grants access to over 50 ski resorts worldwide, including top destinations like Aspen, Deer Valley, and Killington. For skiers who plan to travel or ski frequently, the Ikon Pass is a great investment. Benefits of the Ikon Pass include: unlimited skiing at participating resorts or a set number of days at premier locations, no blackout dates with the full pass, and access to global ski destinations from New Zealand to Japan. For more local slopes while skiing the Poconos, the Ikon Base Pass offers unlimited access to Camelback and a limited number of days at other nearby resorts. You can also buy lift tickets and season passes directly from Camelback, as well.
Shawnee Mountain Ski Area
For those looking for a laid-back and family-oriented ski resort, Shawnee Mountain Ski Area is a fantastic choice. Located near the Delaware Water Gap, Shawnee is known for its friendly atmosphere and top-notch learning programs. It has 23 slopes and trails spanning 125 acres, two terrain parks, and offers 100% snowmaking across all trails, ensuring great conditions even if Mother Nature doesn’t cooperate.
Shawnee is perfect for beginner and intermediate skiers, with its gentle slopes and dedicated learning areas. The resort is also great for families with younger kids, offering group lessons, a ski school, and more.
While Shawnee isn’t part of the Epic or Ikon Pass, it offers affordable lift tickets and great discounts for groups and families, making it one of the most budget-friendly options in the region.
Planning Your Poconos Ski Trip
When planning your Poconos ski getaway, there are a few things to keep in mind to make the most of your experience.
Best Time to Ski in the Poconos
The Poconos ski season typically runs from late November through early April, with the best snow conditions usually occurring between mid-January and early March. For those looking to avoid crowds, weekdays are the best time to hit the slopes, as weekends can get busy, especially during holiday periods.
Equipment Rentals and Lessons
All the resorts offer rental equipment for skiing and snowboarding, so no need to bring your own gear. They also offer lessons for beginners, making it easy for anyone to learn the sport, whether you’re a kid or an adult.
Off-Slope Activities
When you and your group stay at one of the amazing vacation rentals from Pocono Mountain Rentals, there’s plenty to do when you’re not on the slopes. Cozy up by the firepit, explore local restaurants, or unwind with apres-ski drinks at one of the many resort bars. Being the premier vacation rental brand for families and large groups in the Poconos, you’ll build big memories while you enjoy our spacious homes. Most feature game rooms that everyone can enjoy as they wind down, and many feature multiple living and kitchen areas, as well as sprawling decks that allow you to enjoy all that the Poconos has to offer.
The Poconos Mountains are the ideal winter escape, offering some of the best skiing and snowboarding in the region. And whether you’re skiing at Jack Frost – Big Boulder or exploring Camelback, you’re in for a winter adventure you won’t forget.
Clearly, Winter is not over yet in The Poconos. Fresh Poconos Snow is falling and you should be here with your Family and Friends for loads of fun on the slopes at Jack Frost and Big Boulder. Whether you like swooshing down the Ski slopes, carving up the Mountain on the Snowboard tracks or sliding down with childlike glee Tubing, you can find it all here. Then, when you’re ready to warm up, relax and enjoy some indoor fun, stay in one of our gorgeous homes in the Lake Harmony area, especially in the Split Rock area, they are just minutes from the local activities and restaurants. Check availability of our 4 bedroom and 6 bedroom Split Rock rentals, or browse our other available options and book online today.
Mother Nature is dropping fresh powder on the Pocono Mountains this weekend. Our lovely mountain homes in the Lake Harmony area are centrally located to all the snowy, winter fun at Jack Frost/Big Boulder. Work hard on the slopes all day and relax by a fireplace or take a dip in a hot tub at night. There’s also a buzzing nightlife during the Pocono Mountains winter season, with tons of local restaurants, bars and pubs. Bring your family and friends for a fantastic vacation. Check availability and book online today.