Skiing in the Poconos
Photo credit: Blue Mountain | Snowboarders bouncing through the gates at Blue Mountain ski resort in Danielsville, Pa.
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Skiing in the Poconos
While Long Island skiers appreciate saving money as much as anybody, many just can't afford to spend the time driving all the way to upper New England to hit the slopes for less.
But there's always the Poconos, only two to three hours away by car. And while some opt to make a (very) long day trip of it to eliminate lodging expenses, cost-conscious downhillers often can increase their return on investment by spending the night. Not only will overnighters be able to ski or tube well into the winter darkness, they can beat the daytrippers onto the slopes early the next morning.
SKI POCONOS
With vertical drops in the 500- to 1,000-foot range and only 50 inches of average annual snow, resorts in the Poconos have learned to make the most of what nature has given them. Intensive snowmaking is standard operating procedure. All but one of the seven largest resorts offer both night skiing and tubing.
Weekend patrons should expect to deal with crowds - not only from New York, but Philadelphia as well. To minimize lift lines, most resorts have dramatically improved capacity. (Blue Mountain's lifts are now so efficient they made Ski Magazine's list of top 10 in the East.) And while there aren't any true ski-in/ski-out accommodations, there are some close enough (and many others near enough) to keep prices reasonable.
SHAWNEE MOUNTAIN: Shawnee-on-Delaware, Pa., 570-421-7231, shawneemt.com
Nestled in a picturesque, secluded valley along the Delaware River north of Stroudsburg, Shawnee Mountain is the closest of all the Pocono resorts to New York. While appreciably smaller than its two primary competitors, Shawnee Mountain undoubtedly offers the best overall resort ambience and experience.
VERTICAL DROP 700 feet
SKIABLE ACRES 125
TRAILS 23 (25 percent novice, 50 percent intermediate, 25 percent advanced)
FEATURES Two terrain parks, half-pipe, tubing (five chutes)
LIFT TICKETS $50 adults; $36 ages 18 and younger; $40 college students and seniors; free for kids less than 46 inches tall.
STAY Shawnee Village Resort condos range from $248 to $498 for two-night weekends (800-347-9092). Weekend Stay & Ski packages at the historic Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort begin at $149 a night per person and include shuttle service to the slopes (800-SHAWNEE, shawneeinn.com).
CAMELBACK: Tannersville, Pa., 570-629-1661, skicamelback.com
The largest and most established of the Pocono resorts, Camelback features a well spread-out ski area and stunning views over the Pocono plateau. While its predominantly novice terrain appeals to younger skiers, its heart-of-the-Poconos location makes it a good choice for older skiers looking for more than just the usual après-ski lounging about.
VERTICAL DROP 800 feet
SKIABLE ACRES 160
TRAILS 34 (61 percent novice, 24 percent intermediate, 15 percent advanced)
FEATURES Three terrain parks, two half-pipes, tubing (14 chutes)
LIFT TICKETS $55; $40 ages 7-18 and over age 65; ages 6 and younger free with paid adult.
STAY The 152-room Chateau Resort and Conference Center overlooks the slopes and has Stay & Ski packages from $117 a person on non-holiday weekends (570-629-5900, chateauresort.com). Camelback Resort condos offer a range of two- to four-bedroom condos (sleeps 6 to 10) for $580-$1,050 for two weekend nights (888-345-1187, camelbackrentals.info).
BLUE MOUNTAIN: Danielsville, Pa., 610-826-7700, skibluemt.com
Countering its location in former strip mining country well south of the cultural and commercial center of the Poconos, Blue Mountain boasts the highest vertical in the state - nearly 300 feet higher than its nearest local rival. As such, Blue Mountain is clearly the wisest choice for better-than-average skiers, despite the scarcity of nearby accommodations.
VERTICAL DROP 1,082 feet
SKIABLE ACRES 158
TRAILS 34 (30 percent novice, 35percent intermediate, 35 percent advanced)
FEATURES Five terrain parks, half-pipe, tubing (19 chutes)
LIFT TICKETS $54; $38 ages 7-18; age 6 and younger are free with paid adult. Tickets include night skiing.
STAY Four three- to five-room B&Bs are within 8 miles; otherwise, you'll have to go 15 to 20 miles to Lehighton, Jim Thorpe or Allentown.
GETTING THERE
BY CAR The Poconos begin just across the Delaware River, roughly 75 miles west of New York City on Interstate 80. To get to Shawnee Mountain, take U.S. Route 209 (Exit 309) north. For Camelback, take State Route 715 (Exit 299) south and follow the signs to Camelback Road. And for Blue Mountain, take U.S. Route 209 south (Exit 304) to Kresgeville and then south on Kunkletown Road.
INFORMATION For detailed information on Poconos skiing and attractions, contact the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau, 800-762-6667, 800poconos.com.
