What's New On Pennsylvania Slopes
Skiers and riders are already hip deep in western powder and are carving turns on the upper slopes of Killington Mountain in Vermont. Can Pennsylvania sliding be far behind? It may just be a matter of weeks. So what's new at our favorite winter resorts, closest to home. Here's an abbreviated roundup that I recently compiled for the Pennsylvania Ski Areas Association. Full resort profiles will be flowing on these pages as the snow - natural or manmade begins to fly. -- Jay Lloyd
SPRING MOUNTAIN
757 Spring Mount Rd.
Spring Mount, PA 19478
springmountainadventures.com/
Youngsters will have more opportunities for after school sliding at close-to-home Spring Mountain. The 3-day a week after school program for 6 to 14 year olds has been expanded to Monday through Friday plus Saturday sessions. Also look for new features to challenge riders in the terrain park. And the bright, sun filled Powder Pig Pub will launch its first full season of operation.
BEAR CREEK MOUNTAIN RESORT
101 Doe Mountain Lane
Lehigh Valley, PA 18062
bcmountainresort.com/
Chutes, snow and sushi are the news at BEAR CREEK MOUNTAIN RESORT this winter. The snowmaking system has taken another leap forward with a major expansion of the lake that feeds an array of blizzard-making pipes and guns. The Bear Creek snow tubing park has seen a major growth spurt as the chute-channeled action has doubled. But it's the Grille, a popular sipping and supping hot spot that takes the snow sport dining experience to the summit. Bear Creek has added a sushi bar and two expert sushi chefs to the mix.
CAMELBACK MOUNTAIN
301 Resort Drive
Tannersville, PA 18372
skicamelback.com/
CAMELBACK MOUNTAIN is bursting with expansion for riders and sliders who make the Poconos their winter playground. The doors have opened on Camelback Lodge, a "Ski-In-Ski-Out" hotel that has been crafted around the largest indoor waterpark in the Northeast. Camelback visitors this year will find 453 rooms and suites for destination accommodations surrounding 7 pools and 13 water slides in the naturally lit "Aquatopia". On the slopes, learning programs have been expanded. So has the Snow Tubing Park which will offer 42 chutes and two magic carpet lifts.
SHAWNEE MOUNTAIN
Shawnee-on-the-Delaware, PA 18356
shawneemt.com
At SHAWNEE MOUNTAIN the most popular black diamond slope is getting a major snowmaking boost. Two new tower mounted snow machines have been planted on "Lower Tomahawk". To massage the snow into a dynamic skiing and riding surface, Shawnee will unleash a new Piston Bully groomer to put challenge or ballroom conditions on the hill. As part of a multi-year program to modernize its ski and snowboard rental shop, Shawnee Mountain has purchased 300 pairs of new Elan skis and 300 new Flow and Rossignol Snowboards. The Shawnee Rental Facility is now able to outfit over 4000 skiers and riders.
JACK FROST/BIG BOULDER
Blakeslee, PA 18610
jfbb.com
A new full service restaurant is on the menu for the dawn of a new season at JACK FROST MOUNTAIN. In winter sports tradition, burgers and flatbreads will top the menu items. On the mountain, Snowmaking has been ramped up with an expanded arsenal of hi-tech fan guns to keep the powder inventory growing. Also look for an expanded stock of new high performance gear in the rental shop. Meanwhile sister-area BIG BOULDER joins the snow blast movement with its own wizardry. New fan guns here will boost the ride and slide experience on parks and trails. And for the tubing crowd, the way to the top will be enhanced with a new 600' Magic Carpet to ease the way up before the thrill of the ride down. Winter buffs will also glide into newly refurbished lodges and have an enhanced choice of rental equipment.
BLUE MOUNTAIN
1600 Blue Mountain Drive
Palmerton, PA 18071
skibluemt.com
At BLUE MOUNTAIN. The learning experience takes an innovative twist for new and young skiers and riders. Beginning this season a pair of ski school programs starts off right in the rental shop where first timers and upwardly mobile learners will be paired up with their instructors to take the guess-work and stress out of everything , starting with equipment selection and then those first steps on the snow. And what snow it will be. Fifty brand new low energy snow guns have been added to an already impressive arsenal. Blue Mountain will be offering a special "Ski, Ride and Dine" package that includes lift tickets and dinner. Responding to trends indicating smaller groups are now hitting the trails, clusters of 6 to 10 friends rather than the traditional 15 can now take advantage of group discount pricing.
ELK MOUNTAIN
344 Elk Mountain Rd.
Union Dale, PA 18470
elkskier.com
ELK MOUNTAIN which rises over northeastern Pennsylvania and dominates the Endless Mountains has continued its impressive multi-year tree planting program. Eight-hundred new trees are growing on the scenic "Wissahickon" trail. Visitors this year arriving at the lower parking lots will find a brand new "Elk Wagon" waiting to whisk them to the lodge. This past summer saw extensive modifications and upgrades to the lift system that offers an eye-filling ride to the 1,000 vertical foot summit. The Elk snow making system gets another boost with enhancements to the pond, supplying the crucial water supply that morphs into a blizzard of fresh snow.
At MONTAGE MOUNTAIN dynamic additions and improvements have been sculpted in the parks. There's new surfacing on the fun boxes and improved stability on existing features. Look for a Battleship Pipe Rail, Transition Pipe Rail & Banana Pipe Feature. In Whistler Park get ready for a new set of special features that will be the first-of-its-kind in mid-Atlantic riding. Advanced boxes and rails will be a major part of improvements to the popular Spike Terrain Park.
