7 Best Ski Resorts In Pennsylvania

1660 Blue Mountain Dr, Palmerton, PA

Blue Mountain Ski Resort is home to the highest vertical in PA at 1,082 feet! It’s a skier’s paradise, offering the most varied terrains and some of the longest runs in Pennsylvania. There are 171 acres of skiable areas with 40 slopes, including 14 beginners, 6 intermediate, 11 experts, 4 experts only, and five terrain parks for everyone to enjoy. You’ll also find 16 lifts that will take you back to the top for another exciting ride.

Another thing to boast is their 96% snowmaking capability, considered one of the East Coasts’ largest snowmaking systems. The ski resort also offers different lessons for beginners and those who want to improve their skills and is available for as young as 3 y/o.

And if you find yourself hungry after a day of fun, onsite restaurants serve great food and tasty drinks.

344 Elk Mountain Rd, Union Dale, PA

One of the first commercial ski areas to open in Pennsylvania back in 1959 is the Elk Mountain Ski Resort. Located 30 miles north of Scranton, PA, and set in the breathtaking “Endless Mountains”, this is a great area to ski if you want to skip the crowds in the Poconos. 

Elk Mountain has a 925 ft vertical and summit elevation of 2,667 ft. Featuring 180 acres of skiable area and 27 trails including 2 terrain parks, there is always something for everyone to enjoy. There are 2 terrains in the resort including Little Foot and Stompin’ Grounds which offer fun and exciting features for beginners, mid-skill skiers, and experts. Because of these reasons, it’s not hard to understand why they were named the Best Overall Mountain in the Mid-Atlantic Region.

301 Resort Dr, Tannersville, PA

Camelback Mountain Resort is one of the best ski resorts in Pennsylvania and is the largest ski area in Pocono. Camelback Mountain itself reaches an elevation of 2,133 feet with a vertical drop of 800 ft.

There are three terrain parks with features that are perfect for a variety of skiers, from beginners to experts. It has a total of 166 skiable acres and 35 trails with the longest stretching up to 4,646 feet (Nile Mile).

The resort also features 16 lifts and among them are 4 magic carpet lifts and 2 high-speed quads. The majority of the trails cater to beginners but experts can also have an exciting run downhill on the steeper and more challenging trails offered at the resort.

Around the resort are 15 dining areas where you can stay for a while and enjoy meals or if you prefer just a grab-n-go style, they have it there too.

1000 Montage Mountain Rd, Scranton, PA

Montage Mountain is relatively easy to find, with it having easy access to the highway, and is a few minutes away from downtown Scranton. Your next adventure awaits with its 140 skiable acres and 1000 ft vertical drop with stunning valley views.

There are a total of 37 trails and are open for full-night mountain skiing. You’ll find beginner terrains in the area as well as black diamond and double black runs that are fit for advanced and expert skiers. 

And If you’re in search of slopeside Apres Ski, they have that at the “Midland” which sits between the summit terrain and the lower mountain “North Face” complex.

It’s the perfect place to rest and warm up by the fire pit, grab a bite or enjoy live music on weekends and holidays. 

1424 Overland Pass Claysburg, Pennsylvania

Another great skiing destination in PA is the Blue Knob all seasons resort which features over 1000 ft vertical and is the highest in the state. There are varied terrains available for all types of skiers, from beginner-friendly areas to the more challenging ones where experts can enjoy some glade skiing, traverse skiing, and bowl skiing.

The blue knob also offers cross-country skiing which spans 10 km of gently sloping wooded trails. Due to its elevation, the resort enjoys a greater amount of snowfall compared to other resorts in Pennsylvania. 

If you’re looking for a place to stay, there are lodging options for you available at Alpine Village which is located at the base of the resort. 

13805 Blairs Valley Rd, Mercersburg, PA

Located on Two Top Mountain at the Bear Pond Mountains of PA is Whitetail Resort. It is a four-season resort and is one of the best ski resorts in Pennsylvania. The resort offers extensive trails that are available for all skiers of different skiing abilities.

Featuring a vertical of 935 ft and a top elevation of 1,800 ft. Whitetails have a total of 25 runs wherein areas are lined up in sequence across the mountain( easy, intermediate, and most difficult areas). You’ll notice that the trails are made in a series of straight parallels to take advantage of their vertical drop for steady and sustained run downhill.

Skiing lessons are being offered at the resort-like the Nitetrailers program that focuses on developing skills required to ski or snowboard on all terrain.

777 Water Wheel Dr, Champion, PA

Set foot into a winter wonderland playground at Seven Springs Mountain Resort in PA. The resort features a vertical of 750 ft and a summit elevation of 2, 994 ft. Covering 285 acres of skiable terrains with 33 slopes and trails, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Within the area are 10 lifts that lift you to the mountain for another round of snowy fun rides.

Over the recent years, they also put effort into making the resort more environmentally friendly by putting up energy-efficient light fixtures and bulbs, putting up recycling stations, and most notably, they stopped using diesel compressors involved in its snowmaking procedures by replacing them with electric compressors.