Choosing the best Poconos ski resort depends on what you’re looking for, as each mountain has a unique character and caters to a different type of skier or snowboarder. From Pennsylvania’s highest vertical drop to family-friendly learning areas, here’s a comparison of the top options.
Best for: Experienced skiers seeking a challenge and modern amenities.
- The draw: As the highest vertical in Pennsylvania, Blue Mountain offers a wide variety of runs that cater to intermediate and expert skiers. Its impressive, high-capacity lifts move skiers up the mountain quickly, helping to minimize wait times, though crowds can still be significant on weekends. The resort is also praised for its top-tier snowmaking and grooming, ensuring excellent conditions even when natural snowfall is low.
- The trade-off: The resort’s layout can be confusing, as the main lodge and parking are at the bottom of the mountain. Some runs can become icy, particularly in warmer conditions or with heavy traffic.
Best for: Family getaways with diverse activities.
- The draw: Camelback is the largest and most popular resort in the Poconos, offering a bustling, lively atmosphere. It provides an excellent all-around experience with a huge snow tubing park, an indoor waterpark, and a renowned ski academy. With 39 trails, there’s a good mix of terrain for all skill levels.
- The trade-off: Its popularity often leads to large crowds and long lift lines, especially on weekends. Some skiers have reported inconsistent grooming and operational issues with lifts. You may also have to pay for parking.
Best for: Serious skiers who prioritize terrain over amenities.
- The draw: Known for its “old-school” vibe, Elk Mountain is a favorite among the Poconos ski crowd, attracting dedicated skiers with its genuinely challenging terrain. The vertical drop is considerable for the region, and the runs are long, well-maintained, and less crowded than at other Poconos ski resorts. It also tends to receive better natural snowfall due to its location.
- The trade-off: The lifts are notoriously slow, which can be a turn-off for some. Elk is located farther north than other Poconos ski options, making it a longer drive for many visitors from Philadelphia or New York. The amenities are also more limited compared to larger, more commercial resorts.
Jack Frost Ski Resort and Big Boulder
Best for: Beginners, terrain park enthusiasts, and night owls.
- The draw: Jack Frost and its sister mountain, Big Boulder, operate under the same management and offer a dual-mountain experience. Jack Frost is particularly welcoming to beginners, with easy, wide-open green runs and a good ski school. Big Boulder is a terrain park-focused mountain, open for night skiing.
- The trade-off: The trails at Jack Frost are relatively short. The two mountains are not interconnected by lifts, so you will need to drive between them. Because it is very beginner-friendly, Jack Frost can get crowded on weekends.
Best for: Finding genuinely steep and challenging runs.
- The draw: Montage Mountain is a standout among Poconos ski resorts, known for having some of the steepest terrain in the region. The “Lower Face” area and the double-diamond “White Lightning” headwall offer a real challenge for advanced skiers. With consistent snowmaking and grooming, it’s a solid choice for those focused on the sport. Its proximity to Scranton also provides more après-ski options compared to other Poconos ski areas.
- The trade-off: The upper mountain is flatter, and some visitors have complained about icy patches. While the steep runs are a highlight, the overall variety may not be as extensive as at larger Poconos ski resorts like Blue or Camelback.
Best for: Beginners, families, and avoiding crowds.
- The draw: Shawnee is a great, unpretentious Poconos ski mountain ideal for families and new skiers. Its 23 trails are well-marked and offer plenty of options for all skill levels. The resort also offers a snow tubing park and a robust ski school. It generally draws fewer crowds than Camelback and Blue Mountain, making for a more relaxed day on the slopes.
- The trade-off: With a lower vertical drop than other Poconos ski areas, advanced skiers may not find the runs challenging enough. Conditions on the lower slopes can be inconsistent depending on the weather.
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