Guide To Bear Creek Mountain Resort

Bear Creek Mountain Resort
Doe Mountain Rd.
Macungie, PA.
www.bcmountainresort.com

There was a time, back in the day, that nearby Berks County boasted a small family ski area with 2 trails, 1 lift and a ramshackle lodge. It was called, Doe Mountain. -Jay Lloyd

Presto. Just 6 years ago, that old lodge came down. In its place stands a modern, sprawling hotel and conference center that anchors a 21 trail winter resort, powered by 7 lifts and featuring a challenging terrain park and an adrenalin pumping snow tubing hill. This is Bear Creek Mountain Resort.

Here's the tour. Parking is plentiful and there are convenient shuttle buses to get skiers and riders to the main lodge. Early arrivals get choice spots, steps from the ticket windows. On the entry plaza, a large, well stocked rental facility and ski shop gets you geared up and on the slopes in a jiffy. To the left is the main lodge, hotel, restaurants and ski school. This season, hotel guests have their own rental shop and can ski straight from door to lift.

On the mountain, 3 terrain parks featuring rails, tables, staircases and jumps are accessed from a quad chair to the left. The quad also gets skiers and riders on the main slopes, ideal for intermediates. At the summit terminal, it links up to "Broadway" a long meandering cruising trail that connects to a combination of novice, intermediate and steep, advanced terrain. There, a triple chair serves the eastern trails.

In the center of the hill, you'll find learning and ski school terrain, protected from faster through traffic and served by a trio of carpet lifts.

The mountain is completely covered by a powerful snowmaking system and all of the terrain and snow tubing park are lighted for night action.

Off the mountain, the hotel features a full service spa, indoor pool, indoor/outdoor hot tubs and a first class restaurant and lounge with panoramic views of the slopes.

Rates: All-Day Adult Lift Tickets are $46 midweek, $61 on weekends. Youth and Senior tags are $40 midweek and $49 on weekends. Children under 5 and adults over 70 ski free. Check out package, ski school and rental prices at: http://bcmountainresort.com/summer/winter_rates.aspx

Getting there:
From Philadelphia (54 miles)
Take I-476 North (the PA Turnpike Northeast Extension) to exit 44/Quakertown. Turn right onto Route 663 South towards Pennsburg. Turn right onto Route 29 North and follow to the Route 100 intersection. Continue straight at traffic light (do not follow 100/29) for 4 miles to Bear Creek.