Philadelphia may not be considered a ski gateway like many other U.S. cities, but it’s actually close to a number of East Coast ski resorts. Philadelphia skiers and riders are within driving distance of an impressive 20-plus ski areas. From family-friendly ski resorts to ski hills with fun terrain parks to resorts with night skiing, ski areas near Philadelphia have a little something for everyone. Let us help you plan your next ski trip with the top Pennsylvania ski resorts near Philadelphia, all of which are within a three-hour drive from the city. See our complete list of Pennsylvania ski resorts here.
The Best Ski Resorts Near Philadelphia
Spring Mountain
Perfect for a quick day trip, Spring Mountain, located about an hour from Philadelphia, has 450 feet of vertical and a modest 45 skiable acres with 9 runs and 6 lifts. Other highlights include 2 terrain parks and ski and snowboard lessons, which are good for parents with kids and those who are just starting to ski or ride. Kick back after a day of laps at the Powder Pig Pub at Spring Mountain. Spring Mountain also has a great ice skating program, featuring a full outdoor skating rink that plays host to ice skating lessons, public skating, and hockey games. This is the perfect small mountain for all your favorite winter activities.
Bear Creek Mountain Resort
Bear Creek Mountain Resort, located 43 miles outside of Philadelphia, has 7 lifts with 2 quads, a double, a triple, and 3 magic carpets. The expanded beginner area and award-winning Snowsports School are great for new riders looking to get their ski legs. Bear Creek Mountain’s 21 trails offer plenty of room for progressing skiers and riders, while more adventurous riders can enjoy Sasquatch, a black diamond trail with a proper 50 percent slope. Bear Creek Mountain also has a full night skiing operation so the fun can continue after the sun goes down. Three terrain parks — Cascade Park, Black Bear Park, and Family Park — offer features for all levels, giving everyone the chance to showcase their skills.
Blue Mountain
We can’t talk great Pennsylvania ski areas without talking about the Pocono Mountains, which is where you’ll find Blue Mountain. Blue Mountain, rated no. 1 by OnTheSnow users for intermediate terrain in Pennsylvania, has the highest vert in the state with 1,082 feet of vertical drop. There are 39 trails accessed by 13 lifts and accompanied by 5 terrain parks — with a massive 350-foot-long half pipe. Plus, 100 percent of its terrain is lit for night skiing. Blue Mountain is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., living up to its name as the most open terrain in Pennsylvania. The 39-lane snow tubing hill is also open that late, with lighted trails for when the sun goes down. While you could make a day trip of it, Blue Mountain is worthy of a weekend getaway.
Camelback Mountain Resort
Located two hours from Philadelphia in the Poconos, Camelback Mountain Resort is a popular four-season destination. On 160 acres of skiable terrain, guests can choose from 33 trails serviced by 17 lifts including the new Black Bear 6 high-speed lift. Camelback is the largest mountain in the Poconos and is bursting with things to do. Zip down ski slopes during the winter and then speed down its 4,000-foot zipline in the summer. Camelback is also home to Pennsylvania’s largest indoor waterpark, Aquatopia, which we wrote more about here.
Night skiing and Galactic tubing, with lighted lanes, are just a couple of the resort’s many activities. Camelback was voted the num. 1 best place for snow tubing by USA Today 10Best in 2023. From Philadelphia, Camelback is doable as a day trip, though there are condos and suites that make it perfect for an overnight or weekend getaway.
Shawnee Mountain Ski Area
Shawnee Mountain Ski Area is another Pennsylvania ski area tucked away in the Pocono Mountains. A 2-hour drive from Philadelphia, Shawnee Mountain has 22 trails and 2 terrain parks spread over 165 acres of skiable terrain, along with a full tubing park. It offers something for everyone in your group. Like some of the other ski areas listed here, it also offers night skiing, which is great for those who want to head up after a full day of work. Shawnee Mountain is a quick drive from the quaint town of Stroudsburg, which has a number of hotels and inns, for those who want to make a weekend of it. Stroudsburg, considered the “heart of the Poconos,” is teeming with great restaurants, bars, and activities for families, making it the perfect getaway from Philly.
Elk Mountain
Elk Mountain, located in Union Dale, Pennsylvania, has been spinning lifts since the late 1950s. Here, 27 runs are served by 6 lifts, where the terrain is largely catered towards beginner and intermediate skiers and riders. However, more advanced skiers and riders can rack up vert thanks to 1,000 feet of vertical drop and plenty of advanced terrain. Located 2 hours and 45 minutes outside of Philly, Elk Mountain is a good choice for those looking for a less crowded Pennsylvania ski area.
Elk Mountain was named the Best Overall Mountain in the Mid-Atlantic Region and is rated by OnTheSnow users as the no. 2 small ski area in Pennsylvania. The elevated culinary experience at the on-resort Winter Garden restaurant, advanced snowmaking, a good ski school program, and a down-to-earth, truly local vibe help give Elk its stellar reputation among skiers. The Philadelphia Ski Club periodically runs trips to Elk throughout the winter if you’re looking for a skiing community to join.
Jack Frost and Big Boulder
These sister mountains in the Poconos provide a fun skiing experience for Philly city dwellers. Big Boulder is 78 miles away and Jack Frost is 82 miles away, making them each just under a 2-hour drive from Philadelphia. Lift tickets get you access to both resorts so you have twice the terrain to choose from. Jack Frost has 20 trails across 100 skiable acres while Big Boulder has 15 ski runs across 55 skiable acres. Both mountains also have snow tubing, snowboard and ski lessons, and rentals. The resorts are 20 minutes apart so you don’t have to go far to explore them both. It’s not just anywhere you can ski two mountains in one day.
Montage Mountain
Just over 2 hours from Philadelphia, Montage Mountain is a 140-acre resort with 27 trails that’s perfect for intermediate and advanced skiers. Montage offer a truly unique Pennsylvania après-ski experience at the Midland, a mid-mountain complex featuring private tent rentals, outdoor beer gardens, fire pits, and live music. It’s the perfect way to enhance your après experience. Boasting 100 percent snowmaking, night skiing, and the second steepest slope on the East Coast, White Lighting, Montage lives up to its motto of being “the best kept secret this side of the Poconos.” During the warmer months, guests can enjoy its bustling waterpark scene.
Liberty Mountain Resort
Just north of the Maryland-Pennsylvania border, about two and a half hours outside of Philadelphia, is Liberty Mountain Resort, a fun four-season destination. This ski resort has 275 acres of mountain activities, with 100 of those acres for skiing and riding, featuring 21 runs and a mix of greens, blues, and black diamond trails. Liberty has an expansive Children’s Learning Center, too, so your kids can have a blast at ski school, while you cruise around the ski area. In the summer, Liberty has an 18-hole golf course set against the picturesque backdrop of the mountains.
Roundtop Mountain
Roundtop Mountain, which has been operating in the Pennsylvania for almost 60 years, is just over two hours from Philadelphia. It had just 4 trails when it started, and has now grown to 21 runs across 600 skiable acres. Roundtop grants guests a local community experience with family-friendly vibes, a bustling lesson program, and snow tubing, offering activities for every type of winter enthusiast. After you’ve had your fill of skiing, just 45 minutes away is one of the state’s biggest attractions, Hersheypark. Chocolatetown and Roundtop combine to offer a unique Pennsylvania weekend getaway.
Header image: @Camelback Mountain Resort
February 15, 2024
