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Friday, March 29, 2024

Pocono Ski Season Opening: Here’s What You Need to Know

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By: Katie McKee

Time to hit the slopes; Pocono Mountains ski season is here! All six ski areas are currently open, and each one is offering new enhancements this winter season.

Poconos skiing and snowboarding has begun, and you don’t want to miss park upgrades, equipment expansions and ski specials this year. Each resort offers world class learning programs for those that are new to the sport and for those that want a refresher, too! So, get your gear tuned and head for the mountain. See below for details about skiing and snowboarding in the Poconos.

This year, ski areas are following CDC guidelines for physical distancing, disinfecting and operational planning to keep guests, employees, and the community safe. Visit your ski destinations’ website for policy changes. Masks are mandatory in all PA public spaces. Watch our video below to learn more.

 

Big Boulder

Lake Harmony, PA

Status: Now open

Trails: Up to 15

Lifts: Up to 10

This season: New this year, Big Boulder is requiring cashless transactions and reservations for pass holders to manage the number of guests on the mountain. Epic Pass holders get priority access to reservation days. Ski and ride school classes have a maximum of six. The quad chairlift is back in action and all nine lifts will be in operation.

 

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Nothing excites us more than welcoming skiers and riders back to our mountains this winter for an Experience of a Lifetime. Safety is the cornerstone of that experience and, this season, our unrivaled commitment to the safety of our guests, employees and our communities takes on more importance than ever. We’re working tirelessly–all season long–to provide peace of mind and predictability for a successful season from start to finish.

We’ve designed an approach that can remain in place all winter so that you know what to expect and you’re not caught off guard. We are requiring face coverings to access our mountains and in all parts of our operations. To allow for physical distancing, we are managing access to our mountains through a reservation system that prioritizes pass holders and by limiting lift ticket sales. We have re-imagined the on-mountain dining and ski and ride school experience to help keep guests safe.

While we will always prioritize safety, rest assured that we’re committed to our historical practice of working to open as many lifts and as much terrain as soon as possible, and keeping that terrain open – all to allow for the amazing experience our guests have come to expect.

 

Blue Mountain Resort

Palmerton, PA

Status: Now open

Trails: Up to 40

Lifts: Up to 16

Blue Mountain Resort

This season: Blue Mountain will be doing rental/ticket sales exclusively online with outdoor redemption kiosks. 50 new fan guns were added and snowmaking is 100% automated on the Burma Road Trail. Food trucks will be available along with software for guests to order food online and take it to-go

Masks must be worn when entering any of our facilities, when in lift lines, while riding the lift and any other time you are within 6ft of another guest. There are NO exemptions that a guest may legally claim under the ADA that due to a medical condition or disability, they can be exempt from the ski industry’s general face covering and mask mandates. Please review additional mask information and requirements from the Pennsylvania Department of Health prior to your visit.

 

Camelback Mountain

Tannersville, PA

Status: Now open

Trails: Up to 39

Lifts: Up to 16

This season: Camelback has a new chair lift, Sunbowl Quad, connecting Camelback Mountain Adventures with main base at Sullivan lift. A new Camelback Ski & Ride Academy – with dedicated locations for each of its three instructional programs (SnowClub for kids, SnowPro Group for group lessons and SnowPro Private for private lessons), rentals, ticketing area and drop off to minimize contact. Redesigned and expanded ski school for kids (SnowClub) at Mountain Adventures basecamp with dedicated lodge and lift allowing for families to connect after lessons. The Sunbowl Trail is redesigned and widened with an upgraded snowmaking system. They are adding food trucks, beer garden, and heated tented areas for outdoor dining, and developing QR Code and adding outdoor kiosks for contactless ticket sales (online still preferred).

Camelback Mountain is one of many Pennsylvania ski areas that teach safety first. In accordance with The National Ski Areas Association, all skiers and snowboarders should respect the responsibility code described below. Wearing a helmet is essential to personal safety, and kids should be properly taught the rules of both the mountain and the lifts. Camelback encourages all skiers and snowboarders to enjoy our Pennsylvania ski area but to do so in a manner that prevents injury to yourself and others.

Keep an eye out for our helpful staff if you need assistance anywhere and anytime while at our ski area.

 

Jack Frost Mountain

Blakeslee, PA

Status: Now open

Trails: Up to 20

Lifts: Up to 12

This season: New this year, Jack Frost is requiring cashless transactions and reservations for pass holders to manage the number of guests on the mountain. Epic Pass holders get priority access to reservation days. Ski and ride school classes have a maximum of six. The quad chairlift is back in action and all nine lifts will be in operation.

 

Shawnee Mountain Ski Area

East Stroudsburg, PA

Status: Now open

Trails: Up to 23

Lifts: Up to 11

Shawnee Mountain Ski Area

This season: Shawnee has new rental equipment with 500 new sets of skis and 700 new pairs of boots and upgrades to the snowmaking system. Shawnee is adding private, family group lessons and an outdoor heated tent for guests who bring their own food. Online preferred for rental/ticket sales, mandatory for tubing and guests are encouraged to get dressed at their vehicles. Shawnee will introduce a unique snowshoe race and weekly Uphill Ski Club (Wednesday mornings beginning 1/6/2021)

 

Ski Big Bear at Masthope Mountain

Lackawaxen, PA

Status: Now open

Trails: Up to 18

Lifts: Up to 7

Ski Big Bear at Masthope Mountain

This season: This year’s lift tickets will be purchased online and RFID picked up at an on-site kiosk for direct-to-lift access. Rental equipment will be purchased online with required rental information provided to shorten equipment fitting times. The mountain accessory shop is now available at the ticket window. Tubing reservations will be online and pickup at the kiosk with limited quantities available for each session. Lesson reservations are required

Ready to shred? We’ve got tons of trip planning tools to help you make the most of your mountain experience. You can keep an eye on trail stats with our snow conditions report, watch snowmaking in real time through our live ski cameras and browse happenings on our ski season event calendar. For deals on places to stay in the Pocono Mountains, view the ski and stay packages. We’ll see you on the slopes!

Not a skier? Pocono Mountains winter fun doesn’t stop at the slopes! Check out our winter adventure bucket list, day trips and blogs for exciting ways to explore the region. You can experience additional snow activities, enjoy an abundance of both indoor and outdoor happenings or step out for some holiday shopping.

             (www.Poconomountains.com)

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