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| SKIING ENTHUSIASTS DON'T
HAVE TO FLY TO EUROPE TO FIND EXCITING SLOPES, TOP-NOTCH CONDITIONS AND WORLD-CLASS
ACCOMMODATIONS. IN FACT, THEY NEED NOT LEAVE THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA. YOU'LL FIND A
SAMPLING OF SOME OF PENNSYLVANIA'S SKI RESORTS THAT ARE JUST A SHORT DRIVE OFF THE
PENNSYLVANIA TURNPIKE. by Kay Jenkins Rew and Joe Agnello |
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EASTERN
PENNSYLVANIA In eastern Pennsylvania, only 54 miles north of Philadelphia, Bear Creek beacons skiers of every age. Bear Creek, open early December to mid-March, is located in Macungie near the western edge of Pennsylvania's scenic Lehigh County. A perfect family getaway, children ages 6 to 12 can hit the slopes for as little as $18 a day. Youngsters ages five and under, and adults 70-plus ski free; childcare is available on site. Bear Creek offers 100 percent snowmaking capabilities, 15 trails and seven lifts to accommodate everything from alpine and night skiing to snowboarding. Lessons given by a member of the Professional Ski Instructors of America are available, teaching beginners and honing the skills of intermediate and expert skiers one-on-one or in groups. Various special programs and packages are also offered. For more information about Bear Creek, call (610) 682-7100. Bear Creek is located on the web at www.doemountain.com . Directions: Take the PA Turnpike's Northeastern Extension (I-476) to the Quakertown Interchange (Exit #32). Drive south on Route 663 to Pennsburg. Turn right onto Route 29 North to the junction at Route 100 (at the traffic light). Cross Route 100, driving four miles to Bear Creek. Camelback Camelback Ski Resort can also be reached from the Northeastern Extension. Offering 33 trails and 12 lifts, snowboarding and snowtubing, Camelback could easily become a favorite winter holiday destination. Camelback's nationally recognized Children's Learning Center offers youngsters excellent ski and snowboarding instruction, giving them a solid beginning. Classes include children four to seven, seven through 12; and for tots 12 months to four years, daycare services are offered. Adult instruction is available for beginning skiers to advanced sports lovers. A great variety of Lodging surrounds Camelback, from rooms with Jacuzzis and fireplaces, to private cottages, many offering ski packages and group rates. For additional information, call Camelback at (504) 629-1661 or visit their web site at www.skicamelback.com Directions: Take the Northeastern Extension (I-476) to the Lehigh Valley Interchange (#33). Take Route 22 east to Route 33 north to I-80 west to exit #45, Tannersville and follow the signs. Blue Mountain Blue Mountain is the closest ski resort to Philadelphia and South Jersey. Located near the Northeastern Extension, Blue Mountain also offers skiers the highest vertical drop (1,082 feet) in Pennsylvania. Additionally, their popular snowtubing and snowboarding facilities are open from morning to night (in season). Breathtaking mountain views and crisp air greet visitors to Blue Mountain. Rental shops are available so you can hit the slopes in no time. Blue Mountain features 27 runs and seven lifts. Classes for children (starting at age four) through adult and senior instruction and workshops are held at various times throughout the day, including training for those who wish to improve their racing techniques. Accommodations range from a romantic log lodge to Victorian suites with fireplaces. To find out more about Blue Mountain, call (610) 826-7700 or browse their web site at www.skibluemt.com Directions: Take the Northeastern Extension (I-476) to the Lehigh Valley Interchange (#33). Follow Route 22 east approximately five miles to Route 145 north (MacArthur Road). Go nine miles to the traffic light at the far end of the long bridge. Turn right onto Blue Mountain Drive and go three miles to Danielsville. The entrance is just past the top of the mountain. Jack Frost and Big Boulder Jack Frost and Big Boulder are known as the "big two" ski resorts in the beautiful Pocono Mountains. Offering something for everyone. Big Boulder is geared more toward family vacations, while Jack Frost offers excitement for skiers looking for more challenging slopes. Of course, snowboarding and snowtubing are also available. Big Boulder was the first commercial ski resort in Pennsylvania, attracting winter sports fans since 1941. Big Boulder boasts 14 slopes and seven lifts, while Jack Frost offers 30 slopes and seven lifts. Both resorts feature a wide range of yearly activities and events. Lodging at both resorts range from luxurious accommodations to more modest rooms. For more information on Big Boulder and Jack Frost ski resorts, call 1-800-468-2442 or visit their web site at www.big2resorts.com Directions: Take the Northeastern Extension (I-476) to the Pocono Interchange (#35). Those visiting Jack Frost should exit the Turnpike and turn left at the first traffic light, driving four miles to the resort's entrance. If your destination is Big Boulder, exit the Turnpike, and drive east on I-80. Take exit 43 and turn right, drive one mile to Route 903. Turn right, go 1-1/2 miles and follow the signs to the resort. Ski Roundtop A mere 20-miles south of Harrisburg, Ski Roundtop, located in Lewisberry, York County, is a perfect holiday for singles, families and groups. In addition to trails for all skill levels, Ski Roundtop welcomes snowboarders and those who delight in the art of snow tubing. Rumor has it that if you enjoy sledding, you'll find snow tubing on Ski Roundtop's 800-foot long trails a thrilling new sport. Once at the bottom, relax while a staff member pulls you back up the hill. Ski Roundtop features a total of 10 lifts and 15 trails, with the longest run measuring 4,100 feet. Travelers can look forward to skiing at Roundtop from Thanksgiving through late March, where, after 35 years in the business, their 100 percent snowmaking capability is down to a science. Naturally, rentals and lessons are available. Children as young as three years of age will have fun on an easy slope just right for their size. Inside Ski Roundtop, children can practice in the pre-ski facility. Parents are invited to take advantage of childcare services for tykes ages 18-months and up. Travelers will find base shops offering food, restrooms, lockers, ski shop and a variety of other convenient services. For additional information, call 717-432-9631. Ski Roundtop can also be found on the web at www.skiroundtop.com Directions: Exit the Pennsylvania Turnpike at the Harrisburg-West Interchange (Exit #18), taking Interstate 83-south to exit 15. Turn left onto Route 177, right onto Pinetown Road, and left at Mt. Airy Road. Turn right onto Roundtop Road. SOUTHWEST AND SOUTHCENTRAL
PENNSYLVANIA Boasting the second-longest vertical drop in Pennsylvania as well as snowboarding and 10 kilometers of cross-country trails, Blue Knob Four Seasons in Claysburg offers a complete menu of skiing opportunities. There are 34 trails served by two triple-chair lifts, two double-chair lifts and three surface lifts. Snowmaking can cover 95 percent of the resort's 82 ski-able acres that span the border of Blair and Bedford counties. You can rent skis and snowboards and get lessons on both. Regular adult lift tickets are $27 on weekdays and $39 on weekends and children under five ski free with a ticketed adult. Blue Knob's longest ski run is two miles. Its slopes are well-balanced in terms of degrees of difficulty. Daily hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Half-day (1-5 p.m.) and night (6-10 p.m.) packages are available. On-site condos can be reserved by calling Blue Knob Recreation Inc. at 814-239-5111. Other accommodations are in the nearby Bedford or Altoona areas. Directions: From Turnpike Exit 11, take U.S. Route 220 north toward Altoona. Follow signs to Blue Knob, located west of Route 220. It's about 20 miles from the Turnpike. Hidden Valley Hidden Valley in Somerset County is another all-purpose winter wonderland and it's less than 15 minutes from the Turnpike. It's got 25 trails served by nine lifts that can handle up to 12,000 skiers an hour. There's alpine skiing, night skiing, cross-country skiing and snowboarding. Snowmaking covers all of its ski-able area. Hidden Valley has a vertical drop of 610 feet and plenty of trails for all proficiencies. Directions: Coming from the west, take Turnpike Exit 9 (Donegal) and follow Pa. Route 31 South. Coming from the east, get off at Turnpike Exit 10 (Somerset) and take Pa. Route 281 south to Route 31 north. Follow Route 31 to Hidden Valley. Seven Springs Mountain Resort There are 31 trails served by 18 lifts, including two quad-chairs and seven triple-chairs. It's got a vertical drop of 750 feet and its longest run is 6,600 feet. There's rentals, a ski school, night skiing and on-site child care. More than 80 percent of the trails are designated as "easiest" or "intermediate." The slopes are open from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. on weekends and until 10 p.m. on weekdays. For more information, call 814-352-7777 or visit web site www.7springs.com Directions: Take Turnpike Exit 9 (Donegal) and follow Pa. Route 31 south for a short ways to Pa. Route 711 south. Follow signs from Route 711. Whitetail Ski Resort Whitetail, in Franklin County near Mercersburg, is one of the Commonwealth's newest ski resorts. It boasts a vertical drop of 935 feet. There are 17 trails served by seven lifts that can haul up to 11,200 skiers an hour. Whitetail has 11 lighted slopes and 108 ski-able acres. For more information call 717-328-9400 or visit web site www.skiwhitetail.com. Lodging options include town homes as well as nearby bed and breakfasts, country inns, and motels. Directions: Exit the Turnpike at Fort Littleton (#13) and take U.S. Route 522 south to U.S. 30 east. Pick up Pa. Route 75 south at Fort Loudon and follow signs.
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