Poconos Ski Area Resorts
- 02.23.2009
- Article Number: 9
| Poconos Mountains Of Fun
Snow Skiing or Boarding in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania means access to over 146 slopes and trails for all types, shapes and age of skiers and skills. There are five major resorts in the Poconos and each has its own specific flavor.
Alpine Mountain Ski and Snowboard Resort is in Analomink. The vertical drop is 500 feet. This is a small area with three chair lifts and two surface lifts, opening up to about 60 acres.
Blue Mountain in Palmerton is a good-sized ski area – the highest skiable mountain in Pennsylvania – a vertical drop of 1,072 feet with 100 acres. There are 34 big runs catered for by five lifts including two doubles, two triples, and one surface lift. Blue area means 42 acres of night skiing, too.
Camelback Ski Area is located in the heart of the Pocono Mountains in the town of Tannersville. There are 33 trails and 13 lifts including two high-speed quads, snowboard halfpipe, two terrain parks, and a wide selection of trails for all ability levels. There's a halfpipe on Oak Grove.
Night skiing is available on all trails. Laurel Glade Park is a learning park and Rhododendron Glen is set aside for advanced skiers and riders.
Jack Frost and Big Boulder are "sister sites" and close to one another. Jack Frost has its base in Blakeslee, while Big Boulder is at Lake Harmony. Jack Frost has 30 slopes and trails, beginner through expert, Snow tubing also is available with eight chutes and four lifts. For Skiing it has nine lifts and one magic carpet.
Big Boulder has 15 slopes and trails, beginner through expert, and seven lifts. Snow tubing is available with 12 single chutes, a double chute, family area, and five lifts.There's a good terrain park and half pipe for snowboarders.
Shawnee in Shawnee-on-Delaware has earned a reputation for aggressive snow making and quality grooming. They offer day and night skiing, snowboarding, and a tubing park.
There's plenty of lodging options, including rooms with those infamous heart-shaped Pocono tubs, spread across the region. |
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Poconos Ski Areas Report Last Week Of February
- 02.23.2009
- Article Number: 8
| Poconos Ski Vacation Snow Report
Last Week Of February
Resort Name
Recent Snow
Snow Base Depth
Alpine Mountain
Past 24: 0in.
Past 72: 0in.
28 - 60in.
Big Bear
Past 24: 2in.
Past 72: 5in.
12 - 36in.
Big Boulder
Past 24: 0in.
Past 72: 1in. 50 - 50in.
Blue Mountain
Past 24: 0in.
Past 72: 0in.
30 - 60in.
Camelback
Past 24: 1in.
Past 72: 3in. 30 - 60in.
Jack Frost
Past 24: 1in.
Past 72: 3in.
30 - 50in.
Shawnee Mountain
Past 24: 0in.
Past 72: 0in.
30 - 65in.
Tanglwood
Past 24: 0in.
Past 72: 0in.
11 - 60in.
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Poconos Ski Resorts Vacations
- 01.29.2009
- Article Number: 6
| Poconos Ski Resorts Vacations
Updates to Know about Snow Ski Areas in the Pennsylvania Snow and Ski Vacation Zones
Winter Recreation.
If you're looking for fantastic cross country skiing in Pennsylvania, the Poconos are the ideal winter holiday wonderland. You will also discover snowboarding, ice skating, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, snow tubing and other winter activities to fill out your Poconos winter holiday. Poconos skiing offers over 146 slopes and trails, if you are an expert meeting the moguls, or a beginner gently discovering the hills. Poconos lakes also offer plenty of room for showing off your ice fishing skills. Lake Wallenpaupack, the third largest man-made lake found entirely in Pennsylvania, offers no less than 50 miles of great lakeshore. Explore our calendar of events from time to time and plan a holiday full of winter fun.
More Ski & Snow Tips:
Cross-Country Skiing
All over the Poconos there are a multitude of spots to enjoy the snow hushed serenity and exhilaration of cross-country skiing. Trails are all over in our parks and national recreation zones as well as on the beautiful properties of some of our lodging facilities. Whether you are a beginner or expert, there is no easier way to enjoy the spectacular surroundings than from the many trails in the Poconos while cross-country skiing.
Snow Tubing
Snow tubing is the simplest way to have fun sliding down the snowy slopes of the Poconos. The young at heart have taken to this growing winter activity that needs no training or special accessories. At a Poconos ski resort, jump on a specially built inner tube for an exciting ride, grab the lift back to the beginning and do it again and again! Snow tubing in Pennsylvania can be an exciting winter fun for you and the whole family.
Snowboarding
The sun is shining, the snow is fresh, so grab your board and match the slopes. Ski facilities in the Poconos welcome beginner to seasoned snowboarders, offering a wide array of Half-Pipes, fun boxes and rail slides. There are plenty of terrain parks in the Poconos to keep you snowboarding all winter long.
Downhill Skiing
The Poconos ski areas provide an assortment of trails which are among the finest in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Enjoy the rush of winter by skiing down scenic cultured hills by day; or for a special thrill, discover the magic of skiing under brightly lit slopes by night. From green circles to double black diamonds, the Poconos have the perfect winter adventure waiting for you.
What's New at Poconos Ski Areas
Alpine Mountain Ski & Ride Center, Analomink.
- The terrain park and half-pipe have been re-creafted and will offer new and thrilling rails and boxes.
- Alpine's ski shop will once again be re-stocked and upgraded with equipment from Elan, Salomon and Vans, with an emphasis on the 'Lids on Kids' program.
- Alpine's snow making machines has been improved to ensure the production of snow all through the season.
- The base of the snow tubing area has been re-made with many additions to Penguin Play Park, keeping young kids as busy as the big kids.
- Increased party rooms and set-ups permit more freedom and entertainment.
Blue Mountain Ski Area, Palmerton.
- The new trail 'Dreamweaver' is set to open. This ½ mile long intermediate level slope will not only be 100 foot wide in its full course, but also have automated snow machines and lights installed throughout.
- The snow tubing area will have a improved conveyor lift increasing uphill capacity, allowing for extra tubes and tubing lanes.
- Snow tubing will provide a new venue with seating for up to 250 people, a cafeteria with top cuisine and live entertainment every Friday evening.
- Blue Mountain also adds more lockers, an extended fleet of ski equipment and a new guests services department to make sure holidaymakers are fully taken care of.
Camelback Ski Area, Tannersville.
- Camelback will build 110 low energy snow blowers. The addition of these blowers will reduce the ski area's power consumption and eliminate the use of 60,000 gallons of diesel fuel.
- By building on its partnership with Burton and Salomon, Camelback becomes the only facility in Pennsylvania to be rated as a Burton women's, youth and Freestyle Learn-to-Ride Center.
- They have also extended to over 150 women specific Burton LTR boards and 2,000 pairs of front entry Salomon ski boots that include women, men and toddler custom sizes.
- Camelback has added a new Prinoth Bison X Terrain Park Groomer, new lights and 500 ft. of vertical to terrain parks and pipes.
Jack Frost Mountain, Blakeslee and Big Boulder Ski Area, Lake Harmony.
- JFBB continues to grow and upgrade snowmaking capabilities by putting in new snow blowers that reduce energy costs and ensure the production of plenty of snow early and late in the season.
- Big Boulder's Tannenbaum slope has been altered converted to a new terrain park snow lovers will enjoy.
- All buildings and guest areas have been improved to reflect the color scheme of their brand.
- JFBB has also improved their fleet of rental items including Burton snowboard boots, new boards, skis and ski boots.
Shawnee Mountain, Shawnee on Delaware.
- Ten brand new electric fan snow blowers have been installed on the Little Chief Beginners' Area and in the Learning Center.
- Shawnee Mountain has officially applied with the Saint Francis University Renewable Energy Center to do a study as to the feasibility of building wind turbines to eventually generate renewable electric energy.
- Shawnee Mountain has purchased 500 pairs of new Elan Shaped Skis, 150 new Rossignol Snowboards and 200 pairs of new Dalbello Ski Boots.
- Shawnee added snow features, more innovative rails and upgraded jump lines in both the novice Incubator Park and the advanced Bushkill Park.
Ski Big Bear at Masthope Mountain, Lackawaxen.
- Ski Big Bear will be adding another Magic Carpet ride on the newbie slope, helping new skiers to learn at a quicker pace.
- Increased and improved snowmaking capabilities, an updated and expanded terrain park, and snow blowers that reduce energy costs highlight other key improvements to the mountain.
For More Helpful Snow and Ski Vacation Information visit www.snow-skiing-blog.info
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Guide to Pocono Mountain Area Skiing
- 01.08.2009
- Article Number: 4
| I found tis most helpful guide to Pocono Mountain Skiing at www.familyskitrips.com/newengland. All credit to them.
Pocono is the Lenape Indian term for stream between mountains. Perhaps the Lenape people had a penchant for understatement because the stream is the sizeable Delaware River and the Pocono mountains in winter offer decent-sized ski areas.
The snow slopes in Eastern Pennsylvania just might be better than the honeymoon heart-shaped tubs that have made this region so renowned, at least among brides and grooms.
With the increasing popularity of snowboarding and terrain parks in the last twenty years, Pocono facilities have really extended the volume with the latest terrain features. If your kids are anything like mine, they like their slopes sprinkled with hits, spines, rails and rolls (ask your kids for terrain lingo translation) – they will find generous portions of halfpipes and parks here.
Moms and Dads may not share the same thrill for launching off ski jumps, but tubing is one amusing, silly sliding activity that the entire family can get into, and all these Pocono playgrounds have designated tubing parks, most with multiple chutes to spin, glide and giggle your way down.
Here is a guide to skiing in the Poconos:
Big Boulder was the first commercial ski area to open in Pennsylvania in 1946. Downhill skiing has evolved dramatically in the 60 years since, and while the Pocono slopes haven’t become any steeper, the facilities now include high-speed lifts, grooming and snowmaking, and terrain parks to keep up with the latest slope styles.
Big Boulder is great for little children. Its trails are well-manicured, the ski schools have experienced instructors and the mascots (Snowball the Snowtiger, Blizzard Babies, etc.) are frequently spotted on the slopes pressing their furry flesh to make kids smile.
In the heart of the Pocono ski region is Shawnee Mountain Ski Area, which has a handful of lifts (a quad, a triple and 6 double chairs) to get you up the 700-foot hill for skiing and riding on 23 trails. A 3,000-foot-long terrain park with music gives teens and tweens plenty of room to slide on their boards. Shawnee also offers a six lane tubing hill.
Nearby is Alpine Mountain, which has a very family-friendly Penguin Play Park for the toddlers. Alpine has 21 trails with a 550-foot vertical drop, and features a terrain park and half pipe plus a tubing hill open all day and night.
Camelback is the largest Pennsylvania ski zone with 33 trails and 13 lifts including two high-speed quads. All of Camelback’s 800-foot vertical slopes are lit up and open for after dark skiing too.
To the west is Jack Frost, an intermediate ski mountain. six hundred feet vertical fall with pleasant cruising. Like Big Boulder, which shares its ownership. Jack Frost provides three terrain parks filled with hits and happening events. Jack Frost also has snowboarding, snow tubing, and features the Snow Monster characters on the slopes.
The highest of the Pocono ski areas is Blue Mountain with 1,082-foot vertical fall and 30 trails served by 10 lifts, and two terrain parks. To encourage young families to get started, Blue Mountain actually provides free childcare midweek, or a nominal fee on weekends and holidays.
All these ski areas are fully geared to newbie skiers and young families; many are equipped with on-site daycare, rental equipment and ski schools for learning kids and adults. These ski areas all make their own snow, like churning out ice cream, to provide consistent conditions – since Mother Nature is so darned mercurial these days.
There’s plenty to do if you don’t downhill ski in Pocono winters. You can ice-skate across frozen area lakes and ponds, explore the rolling countryside on snowshoe or cross-country skis, or just stay at your resort and relax during a horse-drawn sleigh ride. This winter area is a must go destination for many major metro regions, so you can pack up the SUV and drive to your moment of winter play. The scenic snow-covered hills are an positive change of pace from the usual rat race.
Think of it as a another honeymoon on snow.
Article credit to familyskitrips.com |
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Facts to "Know about Snow" in the Pocono Mountains Snow and Ski Vacation Areas
- 12.04.2008
- Article Number: 3
| Winter Recreation.
If you're hunting for fantastic downhill and cross country skiing in Pennsylvania, the Pocono Mountains are the perfect winter vacation wonderland. You can also find snowboarding, ice skating, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, snow tubing and other activities to complete your Pocono Mountains winter vacatin. Pocono Mountains skiing offers over 146 slopes and trails, whether you are an expert meeting the moguls, or a beginner gently approaching the hills. Pocono Mountains lakes also offer plenty of room for testing out your ice skating or ice fishing skills. Lake Wallenpaupack, the third largest man-made lake located entirely in Pennsylvania, offers no less than 52-miles of uninterrupted shoreline. Check out our calendar of events from time to time and plan a vacatin full of winter activity.
Additional Ski & Snow Information:
Cross-Country Skiing
Throughout the Pocono Mountains there are a multitude of places to savor the snow hushed serenity and exhilaration of cross-country skiing. Trails are all over in our state parks and national recreation areas as well as on the beautiful resorts of some of our lodging facilities. Whether you are a beginner or expert, there is no better way to appreciate the breathtaking surroundings than from the various slopes in the Poconos while cross-country skiing.
Snow Tubing
Snow tubing is the simplest way to have fun sliding down the snowy slopes of the Pocono Mountains. The young and young at heart have taken to this growing winter sport that needs no lessons or special equipment. At a Pocono Mountains ski resort, slide into a specially made inner tube for a sporting ride, grab the lift back to the top and do it again…and again and again! Snow tubing in Pennsylvania can be a sporting winter activity for you and the whole family.
Snowboarding
The sun is shining, the powder is fresh, so grab your board and match the slopes. Ski venues in the Poconos welcome beginner to experienced snowboarders, offering a wide array of Half-Pipes, fun boxes and rail slides. There are plenty of terrain parks in the Poconos to keep you snowboarding all winter long.
Downhill Skiing
The Poconos ski areas feature a variety of trails which are among the finest in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Appreciate the rush of winter by skiing down beautifully groomed hills by day; or for a special kickwow, discover the magic of skiing under fully lit slopes by night. From green circles to double black diamonds, the Poconos have the perfect winter adventure waiting for you.
What's New at Pocono Mountains Ski Areas
Alpine Mountain Ski & Ride Center, Analomink.
- The terrain park and half-pipe have been redesigned and will offer new and thrilling rails and boxes.
- Alpine's rental shop will once again be re-stocked and upgraded with equipment from Elan, Salomon and Vans, with an emphasis on the 'Lids on Kids' program.
- Alpine's snowmaking system has been improved to ensure the production of snow throughout the season.
- The base of the snow tubing park has been re-built with many editions to Penguin Play Park, keeping young kids as entertained as the big children.
- Increased party rooms and set-ups allow for more possibilities and entertainment.
Blue Mountain Ski Area, Palmerton.
- The new trail 'Dreamweaver' is set to open. This ½ mile long intermediate level trail will not only be 100 ft. wide in its full length, but also have automated snowmaking and lights installed throughout.
- The snowtubing park will have a new conveyor lift doubling uphill capacity, allowing for extra tubes and tubing lanes.
- Snowtubing will have a new venue with seating for up to 250 people, a cafeteria with great food and live entertainment every Thursday night.
- Blue Mountain also adds more lockers, an upgraded fleet of rental equipment and a new guests services department to make sure ski-ers are fully satisfied.
Camelback Ski Area, Tannersville.
- Camelback will install 110 low energy snow guns. The addition of these guns will reduce the ski area's energy consumption and avoid the use of 50,000 gallons of diesel fuel.
- By extending its partnership with Burton and Salomon, Camelback becomes the only facility in Pennsylvania to be considered a Burton women's, youth and Freestyle Learn-to-Ride Center.
- They have also added over 150 women specific Burton LTR boards and 2,000 sets of front entry Salomon ski boots that include women, men and toddler specific sizes.
- Camelback adds the addition of a new Prinoth Bison X Terrain Park Groomer, new lighting and 500 feet of vertical to terrain parks and pipes.
Jack Frost Mountain, Blakeslee and Big Boulder Ski Area, Lake Harmony.
- JFBB continues to grow and upgrade snowmaking abilities by installing new snow guns that reduce energy costs and assure the production of an abundance of snow early and late in the season.
- Big Boulder's Tannenbaum slope has been expanded converted to a new terrain park snow lovers will thrill to.
- All buildings and guest areas have been improved to reflect the color scheme of their brand.
- JFBB has also upgraded their fleet of rental equipment including Burton snowboard boots, new boards, skis and ski boots.
Shawnee Mountain, Shawnee on Delaware.
- Ten new electric fan snow guns have been installed on the Little Chief Beginners' Area and in the Learning Center.
- Shawnee Mountain has formally applied with the Saint Francis University Renewable Energy Center to do a study as to the possibility of installing wind turbines to eventually produce renewable electric energy.
- Shawnee Mountain has purchased 500 pairs of new Elan Shaped Skis, 150 new Rossignol Snowboards and 200 pairs of new Dalbello Ski Boots.
- Shawnee added snow features, more innovative rails and upgraded jump lines in both the novice Incubator Park and the advanced Bushkill Park.
Ski Big Bear at Masthope Mountain, Lackawaxen.
- Ski Big Bear will be adding an additional Magic Carpet ride on the beginner slope, helping new skiers to improve their skills at a quicker pace.
- Increased and improved snowmaking abilities, an updated and expanded terrain park, and snow blowers that reduce energy costs highlight other key improvements to the mountain.
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Top 5 weekend skiing destinations
- 10.01.2008
- Article Number: 2
| ST ANTON
This Austrian party town is closer to Zurich and Innsbruck than people realise. Possibly the best destination for a weekend of partying and hard skiing, it provides nonstop on and off slope action. You will need serious rest after a weekend here. Best for expert skiers; beginners should go elsewhere.
FLAINE
Close to Geneva. Do not be put off by the French resort’s concrete Bauhaus-style architecture. The ski area is fantastic, a number of more appealing, chalet-style four and five-star properties are springing up and you can always stay in prettier outlying villages such as Les Carroz or Samoëns.
MÉRIBEL
France’s Les Trois Vallées are almost ruled out for a quick getaway because of the lengthy transfer from Geneva. But Méribel has an altiport and a plane hop from Geneva can be cheaper than a taxi. See how many of the Trois Vallées’ 630km of runs you can manage to squeeze in. And stay in a chalet – this is chalet central.
COURMAYEUR
This gem of a resort is a little further away but still reachable. Just through the Mont Blanc tunnel in Italy, it is less than two hours from Geneva and is fab for shopping. Top for people watching, particularly the finely clad Milanese, who descend at weekends. Perfect for piste-bashing intermediates.
VAL D’ISÈRE
Close to Chambéry, this French resort has some of the best skiing in the world on its doorstep. L’Espace Killy lift passes cover Tignes too, in case there is not enough to entertain you in Val for 48 hours: Tignes is also more snowboard friendly. Val has fabulous off-piste but is also ideal for cautious intermediates. |
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Pocono Ski Resorts Vacation Trips
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