When it comes to Philadelphia, it’s all about location, location, location. In just a few hours, you could be shopping on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, walking along the Inner Harbor in downtown Baltimore, playing a game of beach volleyball at the Jersey shore, or be well on your way to our nation’s capital.
With the best of food, fashion, and entertainment in our backyards, Philadelphians seem to have it all. And, as the blizzard of 2016 looms in the weather forecast, we thought it appropriate to showcase the best places near Philly to enjoy the inevitable weekend snowfall. Take advantage of this winter precipitation, grab your board or skis, and head to one of our favorite nearby ski resorts!
Blue Mountain Resort
The Inside Scoop:
- On January 30th and 31st, Winter Fest will be held at the Summit Lodge! Every day from 12 until 6 p.m., this free event will feature live entertainment and activities for all ages. Be sure not to miss the fireworks display on Saturday night. Oh, and if you’re an Olympic hopeful, this event may just change your life. Participants are invited to take part in the 2016 Ice Luge Challenge. (Bring your A-game. The USA Olympic Luge Team will be scouting at this event!)
- Big news! This summer, Blue Mountain will be breaking ground on their new resort facilities! Their one, two, and three bedroom condos will have breathtaking views overlooking the mountain, and they’ll be available for purchase and for rent. Ski out onto the slopes from the luxurious facilities or stay behind to relax. Will you swim laps in the indoor pool, float the afternoon away in the outdoor pool, or soak in the outdoor hot tub with its retractable roof?
- Did we mention a spa is in the works?!
Rates:
Weekend Lift Ticket: $85 (Includes a $15 food voucher)
Weekend Rentals: $40
Helmet Rental: $12
Stats:
Vertical drop: 1,082 feet (Pennsylvania’s highest vertical drop!)
Trails: 39 (14 Green Circle | 4 Blue Square | 11 black Diamond | 4 Double Black Diamond | 6 Terrain Parks)
Lifts: 10 (8 ski lifts | 2 tubing lifts)
Distance From Philly: 76.8 miles | 1 hour, 39 mins
Sleep, Eat, Spa?
Where should we eat? Slopeside Pub and Grill
Will there be cocktails? Yes!
Can I sleepover? Not yet!
Apres ski massage? Coming soon!
Jack Frost Ski Resort
The Inside Scoop:
- On January 26th, beginner skiers can take advantage of the Learn to Ski and Ride Special. For only $25, you get a beginner lift ticket, a group lesson, and rentals!
- For those who are more advanced, a snow pass at either Jack Frost or Big Boulder gives you access to the other mountain. So, you can ski at Jack Frost from 8 a.m. through 4 p.m. and then, if you’re not too wiped out, head over to Big Boulder to tear up the slopes until they close at 10!
Rates:
Weekend Lift Ticket: $55
Weekend Rentals: $35
Helmet Rental: $12
Stats:
Vertical drop: 600 feet
Trails: 20 (4 Green Circle| 6 Blue Square| 8 Black Diamond | 2 Terrain Parks)
Lifts: 12 (1 Quad | 2 Triples | 6 Doubles | 1 Carpet | 2 Surface Tubing Lifts)
Distance From Philly: 99.8 miles | 1 hour, 48 mins
Sleep, Eat, Spa?
Where should we eat? Check out the Frosty Toboggan – Located at the top of the mountain, they’re known for their impressive variety of specialty burgers!
Will there be cocktails? Yes!
Can I sleep over? No
Apres ski massage? No
Big Boulder Ski Resort
The Inside Scoop:
- For starters, their hours are mostly at night. However, they do have additional daytime hours on weekends and holidays. Plus, as we just mentioned, you can always start the day at their sister location, Jack Frost!
- With five terrain parks, Big Boulder boasts the most “progressive and innovative terrain park program in the Poconos.”
- They love to give back to the community. Carve 4 Cancer’s third annual event will raise money for blood cancer research on Saturday February 6, 2016. In the last two years, this event has donated $10,000 to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
Rates:
Weekend Lift Ticket: $55
Weekend Rentals: $35
Helmet Rental: $12
Stats:
Vertical drop: 475 feet
Trails: 15 (4 Green Circle | 3 Blue Square | 3 Black Diamond | 5 Terrain Parks)
Lifts: 10 (2 Triples | 5 Doubles | 1 Carpets | 2 Carpet Tubing Lifts)
Distance From Philly: 93.0 miles
Sleep, Eat, Spa?
Where should we eat? T-Bar has awesome wings and live entertainment every weekend. On Mondays, don’t miss Yuenglings and Wings. Taco Tuesday is up next, followed by flatbread pizza specials on Wednesday. Did we mention that they have a killer cheesesteak special on Thursdays? See, Philly… Big Boulder is calling your name!
Will there be cocktails? Yes!
Can I sleepover? No
Apres ski massage? No
Montage Mountain Resort
The Inside Scoop:
- They’ve got the biggest airboarding program in the county. Airboarding? Yes, it’s almost like riding an air mattress down the slopes. Want more info? Click here!
- In the summer, they have an awesome waterpark with cabanas, a waterslide complex, and even a wave pool.
- Montage Mountain boasts the steepest trail in Pennsylvania. Called the White Lighting, it’s 3200 feet long, has a 600 foot vertical drop, and a 213 foot vertical drop at its max pitch of 32 degrees!
Rates:
Weekend Lift Ticket: $59
Weekend Rentals: $35
Helmet Rental: $15
Stats:
Vertical drop: 1000 feet
Trails: 26 (6 Green Circle | 11 Blue Square | 4 Black Diamond | 3 Double Black Diamond | 2 Terrain Parks)
Lifts: 7 (1 Quad, 3 Triple, 1 Double, 2 Magic Carpets)
Distance From Philly: 123 miles | 2 hours, 11 mins
Sleep, Eat, Spa?
Where should we eat? With its outside fire pits, awesome food, and live music almost every night, Slocum Hollow is the place to be. Hands down.
Will there be cocktails? Yes!
Can I sleep over? No
Apres ski massage? No
Bear Creek Mountain Resort
The Inside Scoop:
- Don’t miss their outdoor pool and hot tub. You can chillax with an adult beverage while watching the action on the slopes.
- Their Discovery Ski packages are great if you’re a first-timer or if you just need a little extra coaching. These lessons include your equipment and an extended day lift ticket!
- Their annual pond skimming event will be held this year on March 20th. Basically, they dig a big hole in the snow, fill it with water, and invite costume clad skiers and snowboarders to see if they can make it across. The winner gets a free season pass for the following season!
Rates:
Weekend Lift Ticket: $65
Weekend Rentals: $38
Helmet Rental: $12
Stats:
Vertical drop: 510 feet
Trails: 19 (9 Green Circle | 6 Blue Square | 4 Black Diamond | 2 Terrain Parks)
Lifts: 6 (3 quad chairs, 1 triple chair, 2 carpet lifts)
Distance From Philly: 54.5 miles | 1 hour, 19 mins
Sleep, Eat, Spa?
Where should we eat? Paired with a solid wine list, Chef Michael Greenstein has put together a delicious menu of American favorites at The Grille. The restaurant has an awesome view of the mountain, so be sure to make your reservation in advance!
Will there be cocktails? Yes!
Can I sleepover? Yes! The hotel is beautiful with a true lodge feeling and lots of rustic charm!
Apres ski massage? Hell yes! Enjoy a couples massage, relax in the steam room, or book a mani/pedi in their full service spa.
Where do you like to visit for snow-filled day trips and getaways? Which is your favorite trail?
