Does Pennsylvania have great ski and snowboarding options?
You bet it does! Pennsylvania has a variety of ski resorts that offer all sorts of terrain for skiing and snowboarding, making it a good destination for winter sports enthusiasts. Whether you are a beginner or an expert, you can find resorts and runs that suit your abilities. The resorts have a variety of amenities, including equipment rental, ski schools, and on-mountain dining. While it might not be as well-known as some other ski destinations in the US, Pennsylvania can be a fantastic option for skiing and snowboarding.
Quick Links:
- Ski Resort Map and Listings
- Largest Ski Resort
- Oldest Ski Resort
- Ski Season
- Ski Season Temperatures
- History of Skiing
- Annual Ski and Snowboarding Events
Map and Listings of Pennsylvania Ski Resorts:
Map of Pennsylvania Ski Resorts:
Pennsylvania Ski Resort Summary Listing:
| Resort Name | City/Town | Base Elevation | Summit Elevation | Vertical Drop | Trails | Lifts | Lodges |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Mountain Ski Resort | Palmerton | 460' | 1600' | 1082' | 34 | 16 | 2 |
| Blue Knob Ski Resort | Claysburg | 2074' | 3146' | 1072' | 33 | 5 | 1 |
| Montage Mountain Ski Resort | Scranton | 960' | 1960' | 1000' | 27 | 7 | 1 |
| Whitetail Resort | Mercersburg | 865' | 1800' | 935' | 23 | 8 | 2 |
| Camelback Ski Resort | Tannersville | 1252' | 2079' | 827' | 37 | 14 | 1 |
| Seven Springs Mountain Resort | Champion | 2240' | 2994' | 750' | 33 | 14 | 2 |
| Shawnee Mountain Ski Area | East Stroudsburg | 650' | 1350' | 700' | 23 | 10 | 2 |
| Ski Big Bear | Lackawaxen | 600' | 1250' | 650' | 18 | 7 | 1 |
| Liberty Mountain Resort | Fairfield | 570' | 1190' | 620' | 16 | 8 | 3 |
| Jack Frost Ski Area | White Haven | 1400' | 2000' | 600' | 18 | 10 | 2 |
| Roundtop Mountain Resort | Lewisberry | 735' | 1335 | 600' | 18 | 7 | 1 |
| Eagle Rock Ski Resort | Hazle Township | 1260' | 1810' | 550' | 6 | 3 | 2 |
| Ski Sawmill Family Resort | Morris | 1700' | 2215' | 515' | 12 | 4 | 1 |
| Bear Creek Ski and Recreation Area | Macungie | 590' | 1100' | 510' | 21 | 6 | 1 |
| Tussey Mountain | Boalsburg | 1230' | 1730' | 500' | 14 | 3 | 1 |
| Big Boulder Ski Area | Lake Harmony | 1700' | 2175' | 475' | 10 | 8 | 2 |
| Hidden Valley Resort | Hidden Valley | 2405' | 2875' | 470' | 26 | 8 | 2 |
| Spring Mountain | Spring Mount | 78' | 506' | 428' | 9 | 5 | 1 |
| Mount Pleasant of Edinboro | Cambridge Springs | 1210' | 1550' | 340' | 10 | 2 | 2 |
| Elk Mountain Ski Resort | Union Dale | 1260' | 1500' | 260' | 27 | 7 | 1 |
| Resort Name | Vertical Drop | Trails | Lifts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Mountain Ski Resort | 1082' | 34 | 16 |
| Blue Knob Ski Resort | 1072' | 33 | 5 |
| Montage Mountain Ski Resort | 1000' | 27 | 7 |
| Whitetail Resort | 935' | 23 | 8 |
| Camelback Ski Resort | 827' | 37 | 14 |
| Seven Springs Mountain Resort | 750' | 33 | 14 |
| Shawnee Mountain Ski Area | 700' | 23 | 10 |
| Ski Big Bear | 650' | 18 | 7 |
| Liberty Mountain Resort | 620' | 16 | 8 |
| Jack Frost Ski Area | 600' | 18 | 10 |
| Roundtop Mountain Resort | 600' | 18 | 7 |
| Eagle Rock Ski Resort | 550' | 6 | 3 |
| Ski Sawmill Family Resort | 515' | 12 | 4 |
| Bear Creek Ski and Recreation Area | 510' | 21 | 6 |
| Tussey Mountain | 500' | 14 | 3 |
| Big Boulder Ski Area | 475' | 10 | 8 |
| Hidden Valley Resort | 470' | 26 | 8 |
| Spring Mountain | 428' | 9 | 5 |
| Mount Pleasant of Edinboro | 340' | 10 | 2 |
| Elk Mountain Ski Resort | 260' | 27 | 7 |
Pennsylvania Ski Resort Detailed Listing:
Palmerton, Pennsylvania
Summit Elevation: 1600'
Vertical Drop: 1082'
Skiable Acres: 171
Trails: 34
Lifts: 16
Lodges: 2
Claysburg, Pennsylvania
Summit Elevation: 3146'
Vertical Drop: 1072'
Skiable Acres: 82
Trails: 33
Lifts: 5
Lodges: 1
Scranton, Pennsylvania
Summit Elevation: 1960'
Vertical Drop: 1000'
Skiable Acres: 140
Trails: 27
Lifts: 7
Lodges: 1
Mercersburg, Pennsylvania
Summit Elevation: 1800'
Vertical Drop: 935'
Skiable Acres: 109
Trails: 23
Lifts: 8
Lodges: 2
Tannersville, Pennsylvania
Summit Elevation: 2079'
Vertical Drop: 827'
Skiable Acres: 166
Trails: 37
Lifts: 14
Lodges: 1
Champion, Pennsylvania
Summit Elevation: 2994'
Vertical Drop: 750'
Skiable Acres: 285
Trails: 33
Lifts: 14
Lodges: 2
East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania
Summit Elevation: 1350'
Vertical Drop: 700'
Skiable Acres: 125
Trails: 23
Lifts: 10
Lodges: 2
Lackawaxen, Pennsylvania
Summit Elevation: 1250'
Vertical Drop: 650'
Skiable Acres: N/A
Trails: 18
Lifts: 7
Lodges: 1
Fairfield, Pennsylvania
Summit Elevation: 1190'
Vertical Drop: 620'
Skiable Acres: 100
Trails: 16
Lifts: 8
Lodges: 3
White Haven, Pennsylvania
Summit Elevation: 2000'
Vertical Drop: 600'
Skiable Acres: N/A
Trails: 18
Lifts: 10
Lodges: 2
Lewisberry, Pennsylvania
Summit Elevation: 1335
Vertical Drop: 600'
Skiable Acres: 100
Trails: 18
Lifts: 7
Lodges: 1
Hazle Township, Pennsylvania
Summit Elevation: 1810'
Vertical Drop: 550'
Skiable Acres: N/A
Trails: 6
Lifts: 3
Lodges: 2
Morris, Pennsylvania
Summit Elevation: 2215'
Vertical Drop: 515'
Skiable Acres: N/A
Trails: 12
Lifts: 4
Lodges: 1
Macungie, Pennsylvania
Summit Elevation: 1100'
Vertical Drop: 510'
Skiable Acres: 86
Trails: 21
Lifts: 6
Lodges: 1
Boalsburg, Pennsylvania
Summit Elevation: 1730'
Vertical Drop: 500'
Skiable Acres: 50
Trails: 14
Lifts: 3
Lodges: 1
Lake Harmony, Pennsylvania
Summit Elevation: 2175'
Vertical Drop: 475'
Skiable Acres: N/A
Trails: 10
Lifts: 8
Lodges: 2
Hidden Valley, Pennsylvania
Summit Elevation: 2875'
Vertical Drop: 470'
Skiable Acres: 110
Trails: 26
Lifts: 8
Lodges: 2
Spring Mount, Pennsylvania
Summit Elevation: 506'
Vertical Drop: 428'
Skiable Acres: 40
Trails: 9
Lifts: 5
Lodges: 1
Cambridge Springs, Pennsylvania
Summit Elevation: 1550'
Vertical Drop: 340'
Skiable Acres: 40
Trails: 10
Lifts: 2
Lodges: 2
Union Dale, Pennsylvania
Summit Elevation: 1500'
Vertical Drop: 260'
Skiable Acres: N/A
Trails: 27
Lifts: 7
Lodges: 1
Pennsylvania’s Largest Ski Resort
The largest ski resort in Pennsylvania is Seven Springs Mountain Resort. It covers over 285 acres of skiable terrain and has 33 slopes and trails for skiing and snowboarding, including terrain parks. Seven Springs also has a variety of other winter activities, including snow tubing, ice skating, and cross-country skiing. The on mountain Snow Sports School offers rental equipment for skiing and snowboarding. The Resort also has multiple Lodges for accommodation and dining options.
Pennsylvania’s Oldest Ski Resort
Blue Knob All Seasons Resort, located in Claysburg, Pennsylvania, claims to be the oldest continuously operating ski resort in the state. The ski area first opened in December of 1946. Since then, it has grown and expanded to offer a variety of winter sports and activities. The resort includes a ski area with 33 trails and 1 terrain park, a ski school, and rental equipment. In addition to skiing and snowboarding, Blue Knob also offers snow tubing, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. And in summer, they do offer golfing and mountain biking.
Pennsylvania’s Ski Season
The length of the ski season in Pennsylvania can vary depending on the weather conditions and the specific ski resort. Generally, Pennsylvania’s ski season typically starts in late November or early December and lasts through early or mid-March. However, many of the ski resorts in the state have snowmaking capabilities, which can extend the ski season if natural snowfall is low. It’s also worth noting that some ski resorts may close some of their runs or facilities due to a lack of snow or low temperatures.
Average Ski Season Temperatures
The average temperatures during the ski season in Pennsylvania can vary depending on the location and the specific ski resort. The ski resorts in the state are generally located in the western, or northern part of the state, where temperatures tend to be colder than in the southern and eastern regions of the state.
During the daytime, temperatures can range from the 20s F (-6 to -1 C) to the low 30s F (around 0 C) during the ski season. However, temperatures can drop below freezing at night and early in the morning, making it necessary to dress warmly.
Additionally, temperatures can be colder at higher elevations, such as at the top of ski runs, so it’s important to be prepared for colder temperatures at those higher elevations. Wind chill can also make it feel colder, so dressing in layers is recommended, and make sure you have good quality ski wear that will keep you warm and dry.
History of Skiing in Pennsylvania
Skiing and snowboarding have a long history in Pennsylvania. The state’s first ski areas were established in the 1930s and 1940s, and the sport has grown in popularity since then. The first ski areas in the state were small, family-run operations primarily located in the western and northern regions of the state, where there is more mountainous terrain and more consistent snowfall.
During the post-war economic boom, ski areas started to expand and improve. Some of the early ski resorts, such as Seven Springs Mountain Resort and Blue Knob All Seasons Resort, developed advanced Snowmaking and lift systems that allowed them to stay open longer and attract more visitors.
In the 1960s and 1970s, skiing and snowboarding became increasingly popular in the United States, and Pennsylvania ski resorts continued to grow and improve. Many ski areas in the state added amenities such as ski schools, rental equipment, and on-mountain dining. Pennsylvania’s ski industry has also brought many people to the area, acting as a significant economic driver for the local communities.
Today, the Pennsylvania ski industry is still growing and evolving, with new ski areas and ski-related developments being built in the state, and a large number of visitors ski during the winter season. While Pennsylvania might not be as well-known as some other ski destinations around the US, it has a rich history and culture of skiing and snowboarding.
Annual Skiing and Snowboarding Events
There are several annual skiing and snowboarding events held in Pennsylvania. Some of the most popular events include:
Winter X Games: This event features skiing and snowboarding competitions and has been held at Seven Springs Mountain Resort. It features some of the world’s top winter sports athletes competing in events such as slopestyle, superpipe, and big air.
Dew Tour: This event features skiing and snowboarding competitions and has been held at Seven Springs Mountain Resort. It features some of the world’s top winter sports athletes competing in events such as slopestyle, superpipe, and big air.
USASA Snowboarding and Freeskiing Series: USASA (United States of America Snowboard and Freeski Association) is a national series of events that includes a full schedule of competitions throughout the winter. It includes Snowboard and Ski halfpipe and slopestyle competitions, both youth and adult categories, at several ski resorts across Pennsylvania.
PA Freeski and Snowboard Series: This is a series of contests dedicated to snowboarding and freeskiing hosted by several ski areas across Pennsylvania. It features slopestyle, halfpipe, and rail jam competitions for skiers and snowboarders of all ages.
These are a few examples of the annual skiing and snowboarding events that take place in Pennsylvania. Still, there are many more local events and competitions. Many ski resorts also host their own events, such as races, rail jams, and other on-mountain competitions and activities. Many of these events draw a large crowd of competitors and spectators and can be a great way to experience the excitement of skiing and snowboarding in Pennsylvania.
Looking for a winter adventure?
Pennsylvania’s ski resorts have something for everyone, from beginners to experts. Plan your next ski or snowboarding trip in Pennsylvania and enjoy a fun-filled winter getaway close to home!
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Find your SNOW and enjoy! The Myskisearch team
