Don’t let a little chill keep you trapped inside this winter. Whether you’re a beginner skier or looking for a new winter activity for the kids, Pennsylvania has some of the best ski experiences for unforgettable family fun.
Nestled high in the PA mountains, the state’s ski resorts offer amazing views and the perfect winter getaway. At these heights, families can play all winter long at venues like Seven Springs Mountain Resort in Somerset County, the largest ski and four-season resort in Pennsylvania, and Blue Mountain Resort in Palmerton, which boasts the highest vertical in the state.
Visit skipa.com for up-to-date snow conditions and check out the PA Outdoor Adventure Pass for 4th and 5th graders for recommendations on more winter fun.
People are also reading…
Eastern Pennsylvania ski resorts
Eastern PA is home to some of the state’s most accessible and family-friendly ski destinations, many within easy driving distance of major metropolitan areas. These resorts are perfect for families seeking their first ski experience or looking for convenient weekend getaways.
1. Bear Creek Mountain Resort
Macungie
23 trails | 6 lifts | 510 ft. vertical | 3 terrain parks
With 86 acres of skiable terrain, Bear Creek Mountain Resort offers winter sports enthusiasts a wonderland of skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing experiences. The mountain’s beginner area features a carpet lift and triple chair, perfect for first-timers building confidence, while Sasquatch, their most challenging black diamond trail, has a 50 percent slope for expert skiers. Their three terrain parks offer a progressive range of freestyle features, with the Family Park serving up smaller jumps, rails, and boxes for beginning freestylers, while Black Bear Park challenges experts with the largest jumps and most technical features. The resort’s slope-side hotel and spa offer a mix of après-ski warmth and relaxation.
Best for: Families wanting slope-side lodging, beginners and progressive learners
Season: Typically December through March
Budget tip: Check for midweek package deals combining lodging and lift tickets
2. Blue Mountain Resort
Palmerton
40 trails | 16 lifts | 1,082 ft. vertical | 5 terrain parks
Blue Mountain Resort boasts the highest vertical (1,082) in Pennsylvania. With 40 trails and 16 lifts, including a six-passenger high-speed lift, there are plenty of options for every level. Enhanced snowmaking technology means better conditions across the mountain, while expanded trails like Razor's Edge, Lazy Mile, and Lower Sidewinder give skiers more terrain to explore. The terrain parks range from beginner to expert, where you can learn the basics or test your skills with black diamond features and S-turns. The snow tubing park is one of the largest in the nation with up to 56 lanes and features Sonic night tubing with colorful laser lights and music. Refuel at Wood Fired Pizza & Pub, where pizzas are ready in just 90 seconds.
Best for: Families seeking variety, all skills, night skiing enthusiasts
Season: First to open and last to close in the Poconos
Budget tip: Purchase lift tickets online in advance for better rates
3. Montage Mountain Resort
Scranton
27 trails | 7 lifts | 1,000 ft. vertical | 1 terrain park
Montage Mountain’s 27 trails encompassing 140 acres offer some of the best trail diversity in the region, from runs ideal for first-timers to expert trails like White Lightning — the second steepest trail in the East. Lights along the trails make for night skiing and snowboarding. Freestylers will find jibs, natural features, and crisp lips at the terrain park, while those who prefer their winter sports sitting down can glide down a slope in some snow tubing action.
Best for: Diverse family groups with varying skill levels, night skiing
Season: December through March
4. Camelback Mountain Resort
Tannersville
39 trails | 16 lifts | 800 ft. vertical | 3 terrain parks
Celebrating more than 60 years of skiing, Camelback Mountain Resort is the largest ski resort in the Pocono Mountains with 166 skiable acres. The resort features 39 trails for all skill levels, a snowboard half-pipe, three terrain parks, and one of the largest snow tubing parks in the nation with 42 lanes that glow at night during their Galactic tubing experience. Camelback also offers the Peak-to-Peak Poconos Pass for both adults and children, providing unlimited skiing and lift access to both Camelback and Blue Mountain resorts with no blackout dates. Camelback was voted “One of the Best Ski Resorts in the U.S. and Canada” for 2023-24 by Conde Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards.
Best for: Families wanting resort amenities, beginners through experts, snow tubing enthusiasts
Season: December through March
Budget tip: Consider the Peak-to-Peak Poconos Pass if you plan multiple visits to both Camelback and Blue Mountain
5. Spring Mountain Adventures
Spring Mount
7 main trails | 5 lifts | 428 ft. vertical | 1 terrain park
Located just minutes from the Lansdale Exit (#31) of the Pennsylvania Turnpike, Spring Mountain Adventures is a place to start a family tradition of winter sports. With seven trails, four chair lifts, a magic carpet lift for beginners, and an ice skating rink, this smaller resort focuses on creating a welcoming environment for new skiers. The Ski Bees program welcomes children as young as three, while adult lessons help grown-ups get comfortable on the slopes. The intimate size means less intimidation and more personalized attention.
Best for: First-time skiers and families with young children, learning environment
Season: December through March
Budget tip: Look for beginner package deals that include lessons, equipment and lift access
6. Elk Mountain Ski Resort
Union Dale
27 trails | 7 lifts | 1,000 ft. vertical | 1 terrain park
Since Elk Mountain first welcomed skiers in 1959, this resort has maintained its reputation for quality terrain and natural beauty. Set in the “Endless Mountains” about 30 minutes north of Scranton, Elk features 27 slopes ranging from green to black diamond. While known for challenging terrain, there are beginner and intermediate options. The resort’s Stompin’ Grounds Terrain Park features changes throughout the season as new boxes, bonks, and rails are built and switched out. The resort’s decades-long nursery program includes regular plantings of Norway and White spruce, helping to maintain the winter setting.
Best for: Families seeking natural beauty, intermediate to advanced skiers
Season: December through March
Budget tip: Check for early-season and late-season discounted rates
7. Jack Frost Big Boulder Ski Resort
White Haven
Jack Frost: 20 trails | 9 lifts | 600 ft. vertical | 1 terrain park
Big Boulder: 18 trails | 7 lifts | 475 ft. vertical | 2 terrain parks
Nestled in the Pocono Mountains, Jack Frost and Big Boulder offer “Two Mountains, One Epic Trip.” Jack Frost is often among the first ski resorts in Pennsylvania to open thanks to energy-efficient snow guns, while Big Boulder features LED slope lights that are 42 percent brighter and terrain parks configured for progression. Big Boulder celebrated 75 years as a skiing destination in 2023 and is where snowmaking was first used successfully in a commercial application. Together, Jack Frost Big Boulder offers an out-west vibe and has become a destination for skiers and snowboarders to test their freestyle skills with grooming and advanced-level terrain across the two mountains for experienced skiers and riders. Big Boulder’s Bubly Tube Park provides a break from skiing and snowboarding.
Best for: Value seekers getting two mountains, freestyle progression, tech-savvy families
8. Shawnee Mountain Ski Area
East Stroudsburg
23 trails | 10 lifts | 700 ft. vertical | 2 terrain parks
Shawnee Mountain offers winter fun for the family in the Poconos. With 125 acres of skiable terrain, 23 trails, two terrain parks, and a welcoming vibe, it’s a place to learn, build confidence, and enjoy the slopes. Children’s programs and beginner lessons make starting out easy, while snow tubing adds extra excitement off the runs. Whether you're carving turns for the first time or returning for another season, Shawnee Mountain supports winter adventures.
Best for: Families with elementary-age children, eco-conscious travelers
Season: December through March
Budget tip: Take advantage of the free 3rd and 4th grade program and local resident rates
9. Ski Big Bear
Lackawaxen
18 trails | 7 lifts | 650 ft. vertical | 2 terrain parks
With 18 trails, seven lifts including two magic carpets, and two terrain parks, Ski Big Bear is a place for newbies to learn to ski or snowboard. Gentle learner slopes, rentals, and lessons make the mountain an option for those new to skiing or snowboarding. The snow tubing park makes it a destination for families with non-skiers or anyone wanting to take a break from the slopes.
Best for: First-time skiers and snowboarders, budget-conscious families
Season: December through March
Budget tip: Rental and lesson packages make this one of the economical options for beginners
Central Pennsylvania ski resorts
Central Pennsylvania’s ski resorts offer terrain combined with the convenience of being close to major population centers like Harrisburg, Hershey and State College. These mountains are options for families looking for winter fun without long drives.
10. Blue Knob All Seasons Resort
Claysburg
34 trails | 6 lifts | 1,072 ft. vertical
Often considered one of Pennsylvania’s lesser-known mountains, Blue Knob All Seasons Resort features one of the highest ski mountains in PA. While known for challenging slopes, there are trails for beginners and intermediate skiers. Cross-country skiers can use groomed and non-groomed trails, and non-skiers can visit the snow tubing park. The resort features condominium lodging in Alpine Village, where guests can use resort amenities without leaving the property.
Best for: Families wanting on-mountain lodging, diverse skill levels
Season: December through March
Budget tip: Look for condo packages that include lift tickets for multi-day savings
11. Whitetail Resort
Mercersburg
22 trails | 9 lifts | 935 ft. vertical | 2 terrain parks
Opening in 1991, Whitetail Resort is Pennsylvania’s newest ski destination and a longtime option for skiers and riders from Baltimore and Washington, D.C. Its 120 skiable acres feature 22 trails, a 935‑foot vertical drop, terrain parks, nine lifts, and snow tubing for all-ages winter activities. Guests can refuel with food and bar service while taking in mountain views. In warmer months, the 18‑hole Whitetail Golf course offers another way to use the resort’s setting.
Best for: Families seeking uncrowded midweek skiing, progressive terrain
Season: December through March
Budget tip: Midweek rates are lower and crowds are minimal
12. Liberty Mountain Resort
Fairfield
16 trails | 8 lifts | 620 ft. vertical | 2 terrain parks
Only about an hour drive from D.C. and Baltimore and about eight miles southwest of Gettysburg, Liberty Mountain Resort is an option for a winter getaway. The resort’s 100 acres of skiable terrain and two terrain parks are used by skiers and snowboarders who are learning or at the intermediate level, though advanced skiers will find challenging terrain too. The Boulder Ridge snow tubing park requires no experience.
Best for: Weekend getaways from DC/Baltimore, beginners to intermediate skiers
Season: December through March
Budget tip: Combine your ski trip with a visit to nearby Gettysburg for educational family time
13. Roundtop Mountain Resort
Lewisberry
21 trails | 8 lifts | 600 ft. vertical | 2 terrain parks
A short drive from both Hershey and Gettysburg, Roundtop Mountain Resort (formerly Ski Roundtop) celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2024. While close to 60 percent of Roundtop’s 103 acres of skiable terrain is billed as “advanced,” there is terrain for beginners and intermediates, plus instruction to help you build skills. The resort also offers night skiing and snowboarding opportunities (Dew After Dark) during the season, along with snow tubing.
Best for: Families with mixed skill levels, night skiing enthusiasts
Season: December through March
Budget tip: Night skiing tickets are often discounted compared with day rates
14. Ski Sawmill Family Resort
Morris
12 trails | 3 lifts | 515 ft. vertical | 1 terrain park
Located between Lock Haven and Wellsboro, Ski Sawmill Family Resort offers 12 slopes for all skill levels with a vertical drop of 515 feet. This resort features four lodging options ranging from a farmhouse to the Mountain Inn, making it a weekend ski option. The resort has undergone updates, including refreshed decks, updated lodge floors, and enhanced facilities. The Chainsaw terrain park offers several challenges.
Best for: Budget-conscious families, multi-day ski trips
Season: December through March
Budget tip: Lock in Early Bird season pass deals before Oct. 31, 2026
15. Tussey Mountain
Boalsburg
8 trails | 4 lifts | 500 ft. vertical | 1 terrain park
Known as “a small mountain with a large heart,” Tussey Mountain offers skiing on 38 acres with eight trails ranging from beginner to advanced. A short drive from Penn State’s University Park, Tussey’s terrain park features boxes, rails, pipes, and assorted jumps. All trails are lit for night skiing, and guests 21 and over can visit the Mountainside Bar after the slopes. The atmosphere and proximity to State College make this a local option.
Best for: Penn State families and alumni, intimate learning environment
Season: December through March
Budget tip: Check for college student discounts and family packages
Western Pennsylvania ski resorts
Western Pennsylvania is home to some of the state’s largest ski destinations, for families planning extended winter vacations or seeking amenities alongside skiing.
16. Laurel Mountain Ski Resort
Boswell
20 trails | 2 lifts | 761 ft. vertical
Nestled in Laurel Mountain State Park, Laurel Mountain Ski Resort is an iconic skiers’ mountain. With the highest vertical drop on the Laurel Ridge at 761 feet, the mountain is known for its double diamond Lower Wildcat Slope, one of the steepest in the state with a nearly 60 percent slope. The slopes were originally designed by European skiing figure Johann “Hannes” Schneider, the Austrian ski guide and inventor of the Arlberg Method, a basis of modern alpine ski technique. The resort opened in 1940 and some of the original structures still stand.
Best for: Advanced skiers seeking challenges, ski history enthusiasts
Season: December through March
Budget tip: This smaller resort often has lower ticket prices than larger Western PA destinations
17. Mount Pleasant of Edinboro
Cambridge Springs
10 trails | 2 lifts | 340 ft. vertical
Nestled in the snowbelt region of northwestern Pennsylvania, Mount Pleasant of Edinboro offers winter activities for all ages. With 40 skiable acres, 10 trail runs, and a 600-foot, eight-lane snow tubing hill, this resort welcomes everyone from first timers to experts. Many trails are lit at night for night skiing and snowboarding. Mount Pleasant also offers cross-country skiing and snowshoeing with groomed trails of natural snow, with each trail access pass including a chairlift ride up and down from the trails.
Best for: Families in northwestern PA, night skiing, natural snow enthusiasts
Season: December through March
Budget tip: Snowbelt location often means natural snow coverage, reducing need for extensive snowmaking
18. Hidden Valley Resort
Hidden Valley
28 trails | 8 lifts | 470 ft. vertical | 2 terrain parks
Located in the Laurel Highlands about an hour southeast of Pittsburgh, Hidden Valley Resort has 28 trails, eight lifts, and two terrain parks, with skiing and snowboarding for first timers to experienced skiers. With 110 acres of skiable snow each year, Hidden Valley Resort offers rentals and lessons for those starting out or wanting to build skills.
Best for: Pittsburgh-area families, first timers needing services
Season: December through March
Budget tip: Look for Pittsburgh-area resident specials and midweek packages
19. Seven Springs Mountain Resort
Champion
33 trails | 14 lifts | 750 ft. vertical | 7 terrain parks
Seven Springs Mountain Resort is Pennsylvania’s largest ski resort with 285 acres of skiable terrain, 33 trails, and 14 lifts. For freestyle enthusiasts, seven terrain parks offer a progressive range of difficulty. Beginners can start at North Park with small features, while The Alley provides top-to-bottom runs for experienced riders. Seven Springs has expanded lesson offerings to include full and half-day children’s group lessons. The resort offers on-site lodging, an indoor pool, arcade, bowling, and snow tubing. Seven Springs also features some of the best bike trails in PA during warmer months.
Best for: Multi-day family vacations, all skill levels, resort amenities seekers
Season: December through March
Budget tip: Multi-day lodging packages include lift tickets and often provide overall value
20. Boyce Park Ski Area
Pittsburgh
10 trails | 5 lifts | 180 ft. vertical | 1 terrain park
Just outside Pittsburgh, Boyce Park Ski Area offers winter activities with city access. With 10 slopes, snowboarding terrain, cross-country trails, and snow tubing, it’s the only place in the Allegheny County Parks system offering downhill skiing and tubing. Night skiing keeps the action going after dark, with the Four Seasons Lodge serving as a warm-up hub. Set across 1,096 acres in Monroeville and Plum townships, the park is named for William D. Boyce, founder of the Boy Scouts of America. When the snow melts, hiking trails, sports fields, a wave pool, skate park, and archery range are available.
Best for: Pittsburgh-area families, affordable ski experiences
Season: December through March
Budget tip: Lift tickets for children under the age of 5 are free
For more outdoor adventure inspiration this season, explore winter activities both the kids and parents will enjoy.
