Edited by: JV Staff
Two resorts opening this weekend, more in the near future
Thanks to frigid cold weather in early November, two ski resorts in the Pocono Mountains are scheduled to open for the season earlier than ever before.
Crews have been putting snowmaking into overdrive to get the trails ready for the 2019-2020 season across the Pocono Mountains. While Camelback Mountain, Ski Big Bear and Shawnee Mountain fired up their snow guns this week, Big Boulder and Blue Mountain Resort are set to open Friday and Saturday respectively.
Big Boulder announced it will have $30 lift tickets for opening weekend. Blue Mountain will feature $40 lift tickets, $25 night tickets and touts this as its earliest opening in the resort’s 42 years! Meanwhile, this weekend Camelback will be holding “Ullr Fest” complete with a ceremonial bonfire and burning wooden skis as a sacrifice for a snowy winter. Camelback and Shawnee are projected to open Thanksgiving weekend on November 29. Ski Big Bear also started making snow this week and plans to open for the season December 14 weather permitting. Jack Frost Mountain is also planning to open December 14.
B-roll of snow making at Blue Mountain Resort is available at your request. Please email [email protected] for access to content.
With a history dating back to 1946 when the Pocono Mountains welcomed the first commercial ski area in Pennsylvania and perfected the art of snowmaking, the Poconos have become a bonafide ski destination. Today, the Poconos have it all… whether it be the corduroy groomed beginner slopes or the double black diamonds and terrain parks to test your skills. Get out and experience the exhilaration when your skis start sliding down a Pocono slope.
Big Boulder resort is an ideal destination for your next vacation. You’ll find supreme skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing right here! Just a few hours from New York City and only an hour or so from Philly, the mountains of Jack Frost and Big Boulder compliment one another and offer guests two discount experiences on the same lift ticket. With 16 slopes, Big Boulder devotes nearly 70% of its overall terrain to park features. Lessons and rentals available. Check out the full calendar of ski season events!
Blue Mountain Resort is home to 40 ski trails, five terrain parks, 16 lifts and up to 34 snow tubing lanes. The mountain boasts the state’s highest vertical drop, 1,082 feet, for a thrilling downhill experience. Blue Mountain maintains Slopeside Pub & Grill, a full-service mountaintop restaurant. The resort is conveniently located 90 minutes from Philadelphia and New York City and 30 minutes from the Lehigh Valley. Plan your fun at Blue Mountain Resort; check out the website for full details.
Featuring 39 trails, 16 lifts, 100% snowmaking and 38 trails illuminated for night skiing and riding, Camelback stands out among the competition. The mountain features 15 acres of new beginner terrain and award-winning instructional programs. Last season brought a brand new terrain park and two restaurants with ski-in/out access. Camelback is also home to the biggest snow tubing park in the USA with up to 42 lightning-fast lanes, two magic carpets, and Galactic Snowtubing after dark. The adventures never stop at Camelback Resort!
A family-friendly ski area, Shawnee Mountain offers excellent children’s programs, complete beginners’ packages and some great terrain for the advanced skier and rider. Services and hospitality are top priorities, making Shawnee Mountain a favorite family and beginner-friendly ski resort. Visit the website for full details, snow reports, discounts and more.
Specializing in private beginner lessons, Ski Big Bear offers something for all abilities. The mountain is open for skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing with 100% snowmaking. Eighteen trails, seven lifts and a terrain park provide great family winter recreation. Rental equipment is available in the on-site shop.
For the most up-to-date information on opening dates and snow conditions, visit the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau’s Snow Conditions page.
Big Boulder – November 15, 2019
Blue Mountain Resort – November 16, 2019
Camelback Mountain – November 29, 2019 (projected)
Shawnee Mountain Ski Area – November 29, 2019 (projected)
Ski Big Bear at Masthope Mountain – December 14, 2019 (projected)
Jack Frost Mountain – December 14, 2019 (projected)
Pocono Mountains visitor information is available online at PoconoMountains.com or by phone at (570) 421-5791. Follow @PoconoTourismPR on Twitter to stay current with up-to-date information. Established in 1934, the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau is a private, non-profit membership organization. The PMVB is the official destination marketing organization for the four counties of Wayne, Pike, Monroe, and Carbon in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
