Skiing season is best spent in Poconos! The region opens its six ski areas for the winter with exciting new additions every year! The Poconos is easily the best place on the East Coast for ski season. Skiing and winter sports is one of the biggest attractions of the Poconos valley.
Winter has always been when Poconos shines, turning into a winter wonderland! For all of those looking for places close to New York to ski, look no further, Poconos is the place for you!
I’ll be going over everything you need to know about ski season in Poconos, so you can hit the trail fully prepared!
Ski Season in Poconos: Temperature, Snowfall
Ski season in Poconos
Ski season starts around late November/December and goes on until February/March
Best time to Ski
The best month to visit Poconos for skiing is February, as it snows the most. Although, skiing in november is also ideal as that is when the season opens.
Temperatures
In the duration of November-February the lowest temperatures go until is 18°F and the highest being 36°F
Snowfall
The average annual snowfall of Poconos is around 50”
Fluctuating Weather
The weather fluctuates quite frequently during winter, so before you head out to the slopes make sure you look at the forecast.
What All Ski Equipment Do You Need?
Skiing requires a lot of equipment. If you are a regular skier you know this, but beginners not to worry! Here is a comprehended list of all the equipment you need for your ski adventure this winter!
- Skis
- Bindings
- Boots
- Poles
- Helmet
- Goggles
- Clothing
- Base Layers
- Socks
- Backpack
- Avalanche Safety Gear
Skiing Trails- All You Need To Know
Ski trails are divided into different levels based on your skill set, starting from beginner all the way till expert. Poconos has about 185 slopes in total and 6 mountains. Big Boulder Ski resort and Camelback resort are two of the most popular. Avail your ski passes and lift tickets on their websites.
1. Green Trails (Beginner)
Green trails are beginner slopes, for those who are learning or have just learned to ski. These trails are denoted by a green circle next to them on the map. These slopes are gently sloped and groomed and quite spacious.
If you are a beginner and plan to ski in Poconos check out this guide on skiing in Poconos for beginners
2. Blue Trails (Intermediate)
These trails are for intermediate or slightly more skilled skiers than beginners, they are denoted by a blue square (sometimes 2 blue squares) on maps. It is more high stakes than beginner slopes, if unprepared you may gain speed very quickly and it could lead to a collision.
3. Black Diamond Trails (Advanced)
Black diamond trails introduce many more aspects and can be more thrilling for a skilled skier, it includes much steeper slopes, some black diamond trails include open bowl sections(with rocks and other obstacles) or glades. They are denoted by a single black diamond on maps.
4. Double Black diamond Trails (Expert)
The double black diamond trails are at the top of the scale, expert level. The double black diamond trails introduce a completely new set of challenges, at most ski resorts the double black diamond trails will have one of not many obstacles, making it a high-risk technical experience.
Find out why Poconos is the ultimate paradise for skiers!
Tips, Tricks and More
Ski Passes and Tickets
If you are a seasonal skier you must have heard about ski season passes and collective ski passes. There are four kinds of collective ski passes- Ikon, Epic, Indy and Mountain collective. These passes are basically multi resort ski passes, which means you can access ski areas of multiple ski resorts around the world with a single pass. The Ikon pass has added Blue Mountain Ski Resort and Camelback resort to its list of ski resorts for the 2023-24 ski season!
Spring Skiing
If you are looking to ski, spring is not a bad time either! Skiing in april is common in the Poconos, as the springtime is a bit of a transitional climate for the region. It is still brisk but not as cold as march. Of course the thrill is better when skiing in december!
Life hacks while Skiing
As a somewhat seasonal skier these hacks may not have saved my life but surely made it a lot easier!
-
- Always carry a nutrition bar or protein bar of some sort!
- While packing up your boots, if you are leaving them in your car, leave a rug under them for when the snow melts.
- Wrist leashes for your gloves! These make it so easy to take off when you are in lifts and don’t have to worry about dropping them.
Staycation Options for Skiing
A ski trip to the Poconos won’t be complete if you don’t stay there! HolidayKeepers have stays near ski spots as well! Find properties ranging from cabins to vacation homes and even luxury mansions!
Wrap Up:
This is everything you need to know about skiing in the Poconos! Make sure you remember these points when you are hitting the slopes.
The Poconos skiing experience truly is one of a kind and especially a wonder for those from the city looking for adventure, just a two-hour drive away awaits a winter wonderland!
Stay at some of the best and luxurious properties offered by HolidayKeepers, and Contact Us now to begin your booking process!
FAQs
Q: When is it ideal for skiing in Poconos?
A: Late November/December till February/March
Q: Can you learn to ski in Poconos?
A: Yes, classes for beginners are provided almost everywhere in the Poconos
Q: How many ski trails are there in Poconos?
A: Poconos has six mountains and 185 slopes and multiple skiing areas.
