Best Skiing in Pennsylvania: Guide to the best mountains and data for peak snow conditions

Are you ready to hit the slopes and experience some of the best skiing in Pennsylvania? From the Poconos to the Alleghenies, Keystone State has some amazing ski areas perfect for skiers and snowboarders of all levels.

One of the great things about skiing in Pennsylvania is the variety of terrain. From gentle hare slopes to challenging black diamonds, you’ll find a variety of runs to suit your ability and preference.

But with so many options, it can be difficult to choose a ski resort. But don’t worry – we are here for you. We’ve compiled a list of some of the best Pennsylvania ski resorts so you can choose the right one for you, your friends and family.

Blue Knob All Seasons Resort

If you’re a Pennsylvania skier, you need to check out Blue Knob. Located in the Allegheny Mountains, this resort features the state’s highest driveable mountain (an incredible 3120 feet!). What can you expect? Excellent snow conditions and some of the longest runs in the area.

The north-facing slopes ensure that the snow stays fresh and is not overly affected by the sun.

But the fun doesn’t stop there. Blue Knob has a total of 34 named runs with a vertical drop of 1,072 feet. You have a choice of five lifts to get to the top, including two doubles, two triples and a drag lift. You will be able to avoid the crowds! And if you like terrain parks, Blue Knob has one with bumps, rails, and other cool features.

Competitive athletes will also love the resort’s challenging slopes and NASTAR racing facility, one of only five in the state.

Now you can also find the Stembogan bowl at Blue Knob. This small area is typically snow-capped, and the runs below are some of the most challenging on the mountain—think East Wall Glades, D-Trail, and Stembogan Field.

If you’re looking for a change, the resort also offers snow tubing on Fridays and weekends. So grab your gear and hit the slopes at Blue Knob.

Average annual snowfall

From the beginning of December to the end of March you have many opportunities to climb the mountain. And if you’re a fan of fresh powder, be sure to check out January or February — these are the snowiest months at the resort. Average annual snowfall is about 75 inches, which is relatively high compared to other resorts in the state.

February is the best month in terms of average snowfall, with 29 inches of average snowfall over 9 days. The base depth increases to 26 inches and the peak depth jumps to 36 inches. The maximum base depth can sometimes reach an impressive 48 inches.

January is the second best month to visit this resort, not too far behind snow in February. You can expect an average of 28 inches of snowfall over about 9 days in January. This results in an average base depth of 21 inches and an average peak depth of 28 inches. But that’s not all – the maximum base depth can even reach a whopping 35 inches.

Best Skiing in Pennsylvania: Blue Mountain Resort

Fancy the slopes in Pennsylvania? Look no further than Blue Mountain! With a whopping 1,100 feet of elevation gain and 40 named runs, this resort in the Poconos has everything you need for an epic day on the mountain.

With 15 modern lifts and 95% snow coverage, you don’t have to worry about lift lines or early season closures. In addition, 96% of the slopes are illuminated at night, so you can continue skiing long after the sun has set.

But it’s not just about skiing at Blue Mountain. The resort also offers five terrain parks for snowboarders and freestyle enthusiasts, with features like jibs, rails, and bumps to keep things interesting and varied.

If you’re feeling exhausted from all the action on the mountain, you can always pause and slide down one of the 34 tubing lanes, including double tubes, for a buddy ride. With a top speed of around 40 km/h, these slides are the longest and fastest in the state.

In the 2022/23 season, Blue Mountain will install a brand new six-seater chairlift to replace the Main Street and Burma chairlifts. This lift is expected to take 3,000 skiers per hour to the top in less than five minutes. Talk about efficiency!

Whether you’re a snowboarder, an experienced skier, or just looking for a fun winter activity, Blue Mountain has something for everyone.

Average annual snowfall

The snow season at Blue Mountain runs from December through March, with February being the snowiest month on average. This ski resort gets an average of 43 inches of snow a year.

In February you can expect around 16 inches of snowfall over the course of 3 days making for some truly epic conditions on the mountain. And with average base and crest depths of 32 inches and 50 inches, respectively, you’ll have plenty of powder to play with.

Camelback Mountain Resort

Camelback Mountain Resort should definitely be on your radar when looking for ski resorts in the Poconos. It’s a full-service resort, which means you’ll find everything you need on the mountain – even for those family members who’d rather not ski.

Plus, it’s super convenient because the resort has its own accommodations at the bottom of the hill, so you don’t have to worry about commuting to the ski resort. And if you’re traveling with kids, you’ll be happy to know there’s a massive lodge with over 450 rooms and an indoor water park called Aquatopia.

But enough about the amenities – let’s get to the mountain itself. It has 39 runs and a vertical drop of 800 feet, which is pretty impressive. Plus, the trails are expansive—each averaging four acres—so there’s plenty of room to ski or snowboard.

Snow cover is usually pretty good, thanks to the resort’s elevation (2,130 feet), but when Mother Nature isn’t cooperating, Camelback has an efficient snowmaking system to make up for it.

Camelback Mountain Resort can get crowded on the weekends, so be prepared for a few lift lines. But don’t worry — the resort has some of the most modern lift infrastructure in the state, so the wait shouldn’t be too bad.

In 2023, wait times will be even better as the resort installs a brand new six-person chair called the Black Bear 6. It’ll be able to take 600 more skiers to the top of the mountain than the old Sullivan Express Quad, so the lift lines should be shorter, meaning more time to ski!

Average annual snowfall

An average of 17 inches of snow falls on Camelback Mountain in March, making it the snowiest month and best time to visit the resort. There are typically 3 days of snowfall this month and the average base depth is 35 inches. At the summit, the average depth is 50 inches and the maximum bottom depth is 52 inches. The most significant snowfall for this month was 20 inches.

The snow season lasts about 4 months, from December through March, and the resort receives an average of 47 inches of snow per year.

Best Skiing in Pennsylvania: Montage Mountain

Scranton residents are fortunate to have the popular ski resort of Montage Mountain just a stone’s throw from their homes. Just 8 miles from downtown, Montage is so close it might as well be considered within the city limits. This proximity makes it one of the most convenient resorts in the state for those who want to hit the slopes.

Despite being close to town, Montage Mountain is far from small. The resort boasts an impressive 1,000 feet of vertical drop and a variety of slopes for all levels of skiers and snowboarders, including 27 runs, a tubing area and a terrain park that is lit at night.

From gentle green and blue slopes suitable for families to steep and challenging slides in the north face area, Montage has something for everyone.

Feeling bold and ready for a challenge? If so, you can ski to White Lightning on Montage Mountain, a run that the resort says is the second-steepest in the eastern United States.

Thanks to its convenient location near Scranton, Montage Mountain is an affordable destination for ski enthusiasts. The resort offers some of the best deals in the East for those wanting to try their hand at the sport – lift tickets and rental skis can be purchased for as little as $40 every week Monday through Friday!

In terms of accommodation and dining, the town of Scranton is only a 15 minute drive away. It has a lot to offer, with a wide range of accommodation and plenty of restaurants and grocery stores.

Average annual snowfall

Like other Pennsylvania resorts, Montag Mountain’s snow season runs from December through March. The best time to visit this resort, however, is January through March, as you’re likely to get upwards of 10 inches of snow each month. Overall, the resort receives about 41 inches of snow each year.

The snowiest month at the resort is February, with an average snow depth of 17 inches. The average base depth this month is about 30 inches and the average peak depth is about 39 inches.

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