Pennsylvania is home to some of the best ski resorts in the country. It may not be known as a winter destination, but it’s still possible to find great skiing and snowboarding in Pennsylvania. The state boasts five major ski resorts: Blue Mountain Ski Resort, Blue Knob Ski Area, Seven Springs Mountain Resort, Jack Frost/Big Boulder Snow Resort, and Camelback Mountain Resort.
Blue Mountain Ski Resort
Blue Mountain Ski Resort is a ski resort located in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. It is located in northeastern Pennsylvania, near the town of Tannersville. The resort has 2,500 acres of skiing terrain spread out over three mountains: Blue Mountain (1,600 ft), Shawnee Peak (2,160 ft), and Camelback Mountain (1,900 ft).
Blue Mountain has an abundance of intermediate slopes and some advanced trails that will challenge even expert skiers.
Blue Knob
Blue Knob is located in the Alleghenies, a mountain range that runs through eastern Pennsylvania and western Maryland. The resort has a vertical drop of 1,000 feet and a base elevation of 3,500 feet. It averages 285 inches of snowfall each year–more than any other ski area in Pennsylvania!
Buck Hill Ski Area
Buck Hill Ski Area is located in the town of Buck Hill, Pennsylvania. It’s a family friendly ski resort that has been in operation since the 1930s. The terrain at Buck Hill offers something for everyone, whether you want to take on some challenging runs or just have fun with your kids on their first trip out onto snow!
Cabella’s/Montage Mountain Resorts
Cabella’s/Montage Mountain Resorts is a ski resort located in Lackawaxen Township, Wayne County, Pennsylvania. Cabella’s/Montage Mountain Resorts has a vertical drop of 610 feet and a top elevation of 2,180 feet.
Cabella’s/Montage Mountain Resorts is one of the largest ski areas in Pennsylvania with over 300 acres of skiable terrain including five alpine bowls and two terrain parks: The Ridge Terrain Park and The Superpipe Park (located at the top). Cabella’s also offers snowboarding lessons for beginners through advanced riders, as well as private lessons that can be customized to fit your needs!
Camelback Mountain Resort
Camelback Mountain Resort is a ski resort in Tannersville, Pennsylvania. The resort opened in 1964, and it’s owned by Boyne Resorts.
Camelback has 70 trails covering 100 acres (40 ha) on two mountains: Camelback Mountain with an elevation of 3,200 feet (980 m), and Gore Mountain with an elevation of 3,100 feet (950 m).
Glen Eden Ski and Snowboard Area, Bloomsburg University Campus.
Glen Eden Ski and Snowboard Area is a ski resort located on the campus of Bloomsburg University. The resort has a vertical drop of 600 feet (180 m) and a summit elevation of 2,000 feet (610 m).
Seven Springs Mountain Resort
Seven Springs Mountain Resort is a ski resort located in Seven Springs, Pennsylvania, United States. It is the largest ski resort in the state of Pennsylvania and was purchased by Boyne Resorts in 2016.
The mountain has an elevation gain of 2,000 feet (610 m) per run and offers 23 different slopes including two terrain parks which are open during peak season (December to March). The resort also has two freestyle half pipes that feature snowmaking capabilities so they can be used year-round if needed.
Jack Frost
Jack Frost is a small ski resort located in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. It is located in Tannersville, Monroe County, Pennsylvania. The resort has a vertical drop of 305 feet (93 m) and a base elevation of 1,710 feet (520 m).
The mountain typically receives about 30 inches (76 cm) of snowfall each year; however this can vary greatly depending on the season.
Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort *(Newly Added)
Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort is the closest ski resort to New York City, Boston and Hartford. It’s also a great option if you’re looking for an affordable ski weekend.
The resort has been around since 1972, when it was founded by Dick Koehler, who was previously associated with Charlie’s Hill Ski Area in Vermont. The mountain has three peaks: Jiminy Peak (the highest), Middle Peak and South Peak; all three offer some of the best views in the state of Massachusetts.
Laurel Mountain Ski Area
Laurel Mountain Ski Area is a ski resort located in Somerset County, Pennsylvania. It was first opened in 1960 and has been operating ever since.
The mountain has an elevation of 2,650 feet above sea level and offers 25 runs for skiers to choose from with a total of 60 acres of skiing terrain. The longest run at Laurel Mountain Ski Area is 1 mile long (1.6 km).
Knoebels Amusement Resort
Knoebels Amusement Resort is a family-oriented amusement park located in Elysburg, Pennsylvania. The park features a large selection of rides, including the Flying Turns roller coaster and the Haunted House dark ride.
Knoebels has been owned by the Knoebel family since 1926 when it was opened as “Knoebel’s Grove” by Fred Knoebel (who remains alive today!) and his wife Ida.
It was originally intended to be a picnic area for local farmers but soon grew into one of America’s oldest amusement parks!
Hidden Valley Ski Resort
Hidden Valley is a ski resort in Butler County, Pennsylvania. It is located near the village of Rothrock and was founded in 1965 as Hidden Valley Ski Area.
The resort has a total skiable area of 75 acres (30 ha), with 35 trails served by 8 lifts. The longest run is 2 miles (3 km). The base elevation is 3,200 feet (980 m) above sea level with an average vertical rise of 600 feet (180 m).
Shawnee Mountain Ski Area
Shawnee Mountain Ski Area is located in Shawnee State Park, which has been owned and operated by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania since 1931. The ski area was originally built by the Works Progress Administration during this time period, but has experienced several expansions over the years.
The vertical drop at Shawnee Mountain Ski Area is 980 feet and its summit elevation is 3,150 feet above sea level; together with 23 runs covering 55 acres of skiable terrain there are plenty of options for all levels of skiers and snowboarders alike!
Elk Mountain Ski Area
Elk Mountain Ski Area is one of the oldest ski resorts in Pennsylvania. It’s located on a mountain ridge overlooking the Allegheny National Forest, with views of four states: New York, Ohio, West Virginia and Maryland.
The resort offers skiing and snowboarding on 8 trails (3 beginner/intermediate, 4 advanced), as well as tubing hill access during the winter months. There are also cross country skiing opportunities along several miles of groomed trails on site!
In addition to their extensive trail system, Elk Mountain also features two terrain parks: The North Face Park has jumps ranging from beginner-level challenges up through big air drops for pros; while The South Face Park has rails/boxes built into natural formations for all levels of riders.
Hidden Valley Resort, Butler County
Hidden Valley Resort is a ski resort in Butler County, Pennsylvania. It is located in the town of Hidden Valley, Pennsylvania. The resort has a vertical drop of 1,200 feet and a base elevation of 2,600 feet. It offers 33 trails on 100 acres with five lifts serving them all day long throughout their season which runs from December through April.
Bottom Line
Pennsylvania is a great place to ski. You don’t have to go far from home and there are many options for everyone. Whether you want an all-day adventure or just want to spend some time on the slopes, there’s something for everyone here in Pennsylvania!