Start 2025 off on the right foot: plan a winter escape to experience January in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania! Just a short drive away from New York and Philadelphia, the region offers lots of snow activities and indoor fun. Take to the ski slopes, lace up your skates and glide across a
Start 2025 off on the right foot: plan a winter escape to experience January in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania! Just a short drive away from New York and Philadelphia, the region offers lots of snow activities and indoor fun. Take to the ski slopes, lace up your skates and glide across a frozen lake, warm up with hearty and delicious fare from unique local restaurants, and so much more: there are lots of great things to do during the month of January in the Poconos. Check out these ten activities to try during your winter trip in the new year.
It’s time to gear up and hit the ski slopes! The Poconos has been a top destination for snow sports since the 1940s. With six major ski areas and over 155 trails, this is the perfect place to enjoy a day of skiing, whether you're brand new or a downhill expert. Local mountains offer equipment rentals and first-time lessons for all ages. Ski Big Bear at Masthope Mountain is a great place to learn the ropes, from putting on your ski boots to boarding the chairlift. Shawnee Mountain Ski Area offers ski programs for kids as well as developmental classes for adults. Whether your group wants to learn skiing or snowboarding, everybody can learn together during a Family & Friends Beginner Lesson at Camelback Mountain.
Ski downhill with your family on a wide, crowd-free, gentle slope with a vertical drop of 295 feet…
Snowboarding
2. Where to Go Snowboarding in the Poconos
Snowboarders will find some of the best terrain parks on the East Coast in the Pocono Mountains. Big Boulder Ski Area and Jack Frost Mountain both boast sensational terrain parks; 50% of Boulder's mountain encompasses park features, recently reconfigured to allow for better progression, especially for beginner and intermediate guests. Riders can enjoy five terrain parks at Blue Mountain Resort, including 22 jumps and rails at the Dreamweaver Park.
Located about two hours from NYC, Ski Big Bear is a ski area for families. Specializing in private…
Snow Tubing
3. Pocono Snow Tubing Parks
Perfect for first timers and thrill seekers alike, snow tubing is an activity the entire family can enjoy together. Check out the new enhancements to the snow tubing park at Big Boulder Ski Area or visit the largest snow tubing park in the country at Blue Mountain Resort, home to three magic carpet lifts to whisk you to the top of the hill and over 50 lanes to fly down, plus after-dark sonic tubing. The 42 lanes at Camelback Mountain were recently voted the #1 snow tubing destination in the country in the USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards; they glow in neon after sunset for an out-of-this world evening snow tubing experience.
Ski Big Bear at Masthope Mountain offers snow tubing in individual tubes. Snow tubing chutes are…
Ice Skating
4. Pocono Mountains Ice Skating Locations
Whether you like to carve up the ice in hockey blades or you want a toe pick to gracefully execute turns and jumps, the natural beauty of the Poconos is an idyllic backdrop for ice skating. When the temperature drops and the lakes freeze over, state parks including Gouldsboro, Hickory Run, Promised Land, and Tobyhanna, and are open for outdoor, unmonitored ice skating. The lake ice must be at least four inches thick before skating, so be sure to use your best judgment and stay safe!
Tobyhanna State Park has a 1.2-acre ice skating area near Parking Area 3. Ice thickness is not…
Snowshoeing
5. Snowshoeing Pocono Mountains
Another way to witness the undisturbed pastoral beauty of the Pocono Mountains is by snowshoeing. Journey through pristine and serene snow-covered woodlands. The Delaware State Forest allows non-groomed snowshoeing in the Bruce Lake Natural Area. Promised Land State Park permits snowshoeing on all trails throughout the entire park. Get in touch with local outfitter Naturfi for snowshoe rentals and guided tours!
Set out on a snowshoe excursion in beautiful Promised Land State Park! Snowshoeing is permitted on…
Winter Paintball
6. Places to Play Winter Paintball in the Poconos
Suit up for paintball! With or without snow, winter is a great time to enjoy a game on the many different battlefields at Skirmish Paintball. Team up with family and friends or challenge other players in an activity that is sure to get the adrenaline running and warm you up on a chilly day. The Paintball Asylum in Tannersville is another great place for winter paintball with Woodsball, Speedball, Airlift and Gel Blasters.
Looking for the best place to play paintball? You found it! The Paintball Asylum is located just…
Ethnic Dining
7. Unique Restaurants in the Poconos
The new year is the perfect time to branch out and discover new flavors! Explore ethnic dining in the Poconos: discover Polish breads and pastries at Bella Artisan Bakery, sample traditional Mexican street taco flavors at EZ Taqueria, warm up with Ecuadorian dishes at Bluefoot Cuisine or experience a Hibachi show at desaki.
desaki Japanese Restaurant is the Pocono Mountains' foremost destination for sizzling Hibachi and…
Small Town Shopping
8. Best Places to Go Shopping in the Poconos
Treat yourself to a new year's gift or two while shopping in the Pocono Mountains! Our small towns are filled with character and charm and one-of-a-kind specialty shops and boutiques. Hunt for treasures in the downtown districts in Milford, Honesdale, Stroudsburg or Jim Thorpe, search for deals at the Pocono Premium Outlets, and don't forget to stop in a cafe or coffee shop for a pick-me-up!
Two locations for your shopping convenience. The largest selection of Pocono souvenirs, unique gifts…
Indoor Family Fun Parks
9. Indoor Winter Things to Do in the Poconos
Fight the winter blues: gather your friends and family for an outing to a local family fun park! Try the ninja warrior course and boulder climbing wall at Pocono Rocks or find batting cages, turf space, and courts for volleyball, basketball, and pickleball at Narrow Valley Sportsplex. Take a spin around the track at S&S Speedways - Indoor Go-Karts or travel to the past to play your favorite classic games at The Arcade Era.
Step into The Arcade Era and travel back to your childhood playing games like Pac-Man, Mario Kart…
Indoor Waterparks
10. Indoor Waterparks Pocono Mountains Winter
The weather is always a guaranteed tropical 84 degrees at indoor waterpark resorts in the Poconos! Conquer the slides, brave the wave pool or relax by the cabanas. Home to America’s largest indoor waterparks, Kalahari Resorts and Conventions boasts a 220,000 square foot enclosed paradise. The multi-million expansion at Great Wolf Lodge added seven new slides to their already-impressive roster of slides, pools, play areas and dump buckets. After a day on the slopes at Camelback Mountain, spend some time on the slides at Camelback Lodge & Aquatopia Indoor Waterpark. Book a day pass or stay overnight to try all the aquatic adventures these resorts have to offer.
Emily Whalen is the Communications Manager for the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau. A small town coffee shop connoisseur and lifelong lover of the mountains, she is excited to share tips to help visitors make the most of their stay in the Poconos. Sign up to receive the monthly Pocono Mountains Newsletter.
