Best Ski Resorts in the Pocono Mountains For All Levels

Pocono Ski Resorts for Beginners

Brand new to skiing and snowboarding? The Poconos is the perfect place for all ages to learn to ski and discover a new favorite winter hobby! All six of the ski resorts in the Poconos offer gentle beginner trails and lessons taught by dedicated instructors who are ready to get you comfortable on the slopes. You can even sign yourself or your child up for a multi-week workshop. Check out our blog guide to find more tips for beginners and read on to learn more about the six different ski areas in the Poconos.

Poconos Winter Resorts for Families

Get bundled up and make memories with your family on the mountain! All six ski areas in the Poconos are great for families and friendly to visitors of all ages, with lessons and trails for all ages, cozy lodges where you can relax and grab a bite to eat, and snow tubing hills perfect for anyone in the group who doesn't feel like getting on skis or a snowboard. Stay overnight at a family resort like Camelback Resort & Aquatopica Indoor Waterpark, located right next to the Camelback ski slopes, or one of our indoor waterparks to pair your ski time with splash time. Find more ideas for family-friendly winter fun in the Poconos in our blog guide.

Poconos Winter Resorts for Couples

Planning a Poconos couple ski trip? Our region is renowned for romance, and there's nothing like stealing a kiss on the ski lift. Enjoy a day out together on the slopes at one of the six Poconos ski resorts then warm up with an overnight stay at a nearby couples resort. Find inspiration for more cozy things to do for couples and romantic winter escapes in the Pocono Mountains.

Poconos Ski Resorts Packages

Simplify the planning process and book your lift tickets and overnight lodging together to lock in ski trip savings! Browse the current ski package offers below including specials from Babbling Brook Cottages, Mountain Springs Lake Resort, and East Shore Lodging plus triple tickets available at Camelback Mountain.

Blue Mountain Resort

Palmerton’s Blue Mountain Resort is sure to please everyone in the group: first timers have 14 beginner trails to choose from, snowboarders have five terrain parks to explore, and the brave can take on Razor's Edge, Pennsylvania’s highest vertical, coming in at 1,082 feet. Blue Mountain is home to one of the country’s largest and most advanced snowmaking systems with top-of-the-line, fully automated technology for efficient snowmaking and improved snow quality. Book a group lesson with family or friends: whether you want to try snowboarding or skiing, everyone can learn the ropes from dedicated and experienced instructors. With 46 lanes, Blue Mountain's snow tubing park is the largest in the country and a must-try. Check out the after-dark tubing with music and disco lighting. When it’s time to take a break, enjoy outdoor dining areas with atmospheric string lights and fireplaces, plus on-site food trucks.

Have an Ikon Pass? Both Blue Mountain and Camelback Mountain in the Poconos have joined Ikon Pass: check your pass for more details. The Peak to Peak Pocono Pass also offers full access to both Blue Mountain and Camelback Mountain throughout the season with no blackout dates.

Nearby Places to Eat & Drink

Ready to eat after your day in the crisp winter air? Blue Mountain's Slopeside Pub & Grill is located right next to the runs, but you can also venture a bit further afield to sample delicious eateries in nearby Lehighton like Bonnie & Clyde Pub and Grill and The Gorge Eatery. After conquering the ski trails, kick back on a different type of trail: the Pocono Beverage Trail! Download the free digital pass to guide you through the region's wineries, breweries, and distilleries. Not far from Blue Mountain, raise a glass to a great day at Wine & More on 1st or Radical Wine Company.

Camelback Mountain

Camelback Mountain in Tannersville has been welcoming winter adventurers for over 60 years and is the largest ski resort in the Poconos with 39 trails and 166 acres of slope space. Excellent snow making and grooming across Camelback's 800-ft vertical rise ensure a smooth trip down the beautiful trails. The "Black Bear 6" enclosed, high-speed, six-person lift will take you to the top of the mountain more quickly and comfortably than ever. The Learning Center at Mountain Village offers private and group lessons to get beginners comfortable navigating the mountain. Glow-in-the-dark snow tubing is an experience you won't forget, and Camelback's 42 lanes make it the second largest snow tubing park in the USA. When you book an overnight stay at adjacent Camelback Resort, you can go from the slopes to the slides and splash the evening away at the incredible Aquatopia Indoor Waterpark.

For Ikon Pass members, don't forget: both Camelback Mountain and Blue Mountain in the Poconos are part of Ikon Pass. Consult your pass for more details or grab a Peak to Peak Pocono Pass for full access to Camelback and Blue Mountain this season.

Nearby Places to Eat & Drink

Three restaurants at Camelback Resort, Alta Vida, Hemispheres, and the ski-in, ski-out Trails End Pub and Grille serve up hearty meals, and more options await just down the road in Tannersville. From classic sundaes at Friendly's to Indian dishes at Tandoor Palace to Hibachi and fresh sushi at desaki, you'll find something for everyone! Make another stop along the Pocono Beverage Trail at Barley Creek Brewing Company, located at the base of the mountain, which has a full menu of apps, soups, salads, burgers, mac and cheese, and more plus hand-crafted beers and spirits. Stop by the The Taproom by Barley Creek at the Pocono Premium Outlets for even more bites and brews.

Jack Frost Mountain

Jack Frost Mountain in White Haven is located just a few peaks away from its sister resort, Big Boulder Ski Area, and one lift ticket grants you full access to both resorts. Just two hours away from Manhattan, Jack Frost's 12 lifts and 20 inviting trails offer a great variety for skiers and snowboarders. Sign up for beginner adult or child lessons at the Ski School, with advanced lessons also available for those looking to hone their skills. Start your morning on the mountain; the slopes at Jack Frost open at 9 a.m. Monday through Friday and 8:30 a.m. on weekends. The Epic Mix app makes it easy for guests to plan their day, consult interactive trail maps, and receive up-to-the-minute resort notifications.

Big Boulder Ski Area

Offering one of the best park systems on the East Coast, Big Boulder Ski Area in Lake Harmony is the place to be for boarders, Terrain parks and features cover the mountainside, occupying half of the slope space. Practice your tricks on ramps, jumps, hits, banks, fun boxes, jibs, rails, half and quarter pipes and more. Enjoy five new lifts with fixed-grip, four-person chairs which greatly increase uphill capacity and access to multiple slopes. Big Boulder is open until 8 p.m. seven days a week, perfect for night skiing or snowboarding. Over at the bubly snowtubing park, families can enjoy sliding downhill then hopping on the conveyor carpet and towrope lift to get back up the mountain.

Nearby Places to Eat & Drink

Follow the winding road along the shores of Lake Harmony to discover lots of places to eat at the foot of Jack Frost and Big Boulder. Split Rock Golf Club's Sunset Green Restaurant & Bar is open Thursdays through Sundays in the winter. Piggy's Restaurant, Shenanigans, Nick's Lake House, and Louie's Prime Steakhouse are also located just a short drive away from the slopes.

Shawnee Mountain Ski Area

A great winter outing is waiting for skiers and snowboarders at Shawnee Mountain Ski Area in East Stroudsburg this season. Hop on one of 12 lifts, including a high-speed quad, to access 23 trails, two terrain parks, and 125 skiable acres or hit the snow tubing park. From adult lessons and learn to ski packages to children's programs like "Skiwee" and "Mountain Cruisers," Shawnee Mountain is a great place to try skiing or snowboarding for the first time. The new Mini Snowboard Camp offers a four-session snowboard camp for children ages 7-16, while the Mini Monster Mountain features a children’s play area with activities and equipment to encourage snow play.

Have an Indy Pass? Both Shawnee Mountain Ski Area and Ski Big Bear at Masthope Mountain in the Poconos are partner resorts! Consult your pass for more details.

Nearby Places to Eat & Drink

Less than ten minutes' drive from Shawnee Mountain, The Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort along the Delaware River is home to delicious restaurants like The Gem and Keystone Tavern and The River Room plus another stop along the Pocono Beverage Trail, ShawneeCraft Brewing Company, which has 16 handmade beers and hard seltzers on tap. Try Ecuadorian dishes at Bluefoot Cuisine or head to nearby Delaware Water Gap and Stroudsburg for even more great options.

Ski Big Bear at Masthope Mountain

Situated in the Upper Delaware River Region, not far from the New York-Pennsylvania border, Ski Big Bear at Masthope Mountain in Lackawaxen is the northernmost ski area in the Poconos. You won't have far to go from your car to your first run: the Mountaintop Village base lodge is located at the peak of the mountain. Grab your rentals and start cruising down the slopes as soon as you arrive! Ski Big Bear is fantastic for families and first-timers, with private and group lessons available. Friendly and knowledgeable instructors will take you through all the basics, from putting on your equipment to boarding the chair lift for the first time. Before you know it, you'll be sailing over the snow.

Ski Big Bear is also part of Indy Pass! The physical and cloud-based Indy Pass gives participants two free lift tickets and a third discounted day at each partner resort. Shawnee Mountain in the Poconos also participates in Indy Pass: check your pass for more details.

Nearby Places to Eat & Drink

After your day at Ski Big Bear, drive into the small towns of Hawley and Honesdale to refuel and warm up! Close to the slopes, you'll find is the family-favorite Woodloch Resort, where both overnight and day guests can enjoy meals at The Inn at Woodloch. Call ahead to confirm hours and make reservations at The Overlook Restaurant and The Grille Room at The Country Club at Woodloch Springs or TREE Restaurant and Bar at The Lodge at Woodloch. Earn more points along the Pocono Beverage Trail and savor delicious wines when you stop by nearby Three Hammers Winery.

Poconos Ski FAQ

Be sure to take a look at our snow conditions page to find live powder updates and live webcam streams before you arrive. Book your lift tickets, rentals, and ski lessons online ahead of time and take advantage of special seasonal ski savings. There's so much winter fun to experience in the area, you'll want to find a place to stay to enjoy your ski getaway to the max. See you on the slopes!