Which Poconos Ski Resort is Right for You?

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. Big Boulder is open until 9 p.m. seven days a week this season, perfect for night skiing or snowboarding. Sign up for an evening Discovery Beginner Lesson, available from 5 to 8 p.m. For fun for the whole group, take to the snow tubing slopes Friday through Sunday.

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. Book a group lesson with family or friends: whether you want to try snowboarding or skiing, everyone can stay together to learn the ropes from dedicated and experienced instructors. Recently expanded from 32 to 46 lanes, Blue Mountain's snow tubing park is now the largest in the country and a must-try. When it’s time to take a break, enjoy outdoor dining areas with atmospheric string lights and fireplaces, plus on-site food trucks.

With 39 trails and 166 acres of slope space, Camelback Mountain in Tannersville is the largest ski resort in the Poconos. Excellent snow making and grooming across Camelback's 800-ft vertical rise ensure a smooth trip down the beautiful trails. The Learning Center at Mountain Village offers private and group lessons to get beginners comfortable navigating the mountain. After dark galactic 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. Choose from three ski-in, ski-out restaurants and plenty of dining options, or book an overnight stay at Camelback Lodge. After a day on the slopes, spend an evening on the slides at the incredible Aquatopia Indoor Waterpark.

Jack Frost Mountain in White Haven is a few peaks away from its sister resort, Big Boulder Ski Area. 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. seven days a week, with snow tubing available on the weekends from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The new Epic Mix app makes it easy for guests to plan their day, consult interactive trail maps and receive up-to-the-minute resort notifications.

A great winter outing is waiting for skiers and snowboarders at Shawnee Mountain Ski Area in East Stroudsburg this season. Check out enhancements including new grooming and snow making equipment, updated eateries and brand new rental equipment. Hop on one of 12 lifts, including a high-speed quad, to access 23 trails, two terrain parks and 125 skiable acres. 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.

Situated just above the Delaware River, 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, so you can 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.