The Pocono Mountains, known as the Poconos, are located in the Northeast in the state of Pennsylvania. The area first became popular as a recreational area in the early 1900s, but the first commercial ski area was only developed in 1946. Today the Poconos are home to eight ski resorts and are visited by thousands of skiers and snowboard riders every year. This is the most handy skiing region for the Baltimore, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. areas.
The Ski Resorts
The ski resorts, which are scattered around the Poconos, are Alpine Mountain Ski & Snow Tubing Center, Blue Mountain, Camelback Mountain Resort, Shawnee Mountain, Big Bear, Tanglewood and Jack Frost.
With plenty of lifts and trails, there are opportunities for novices, intermediate and advanced skiers and riders. There are also facilities for tubing, cross country skiing and half pipes for extreme enthusiasts. In season, you can also rent a single- or double-seat snowmobile.
Lodging
There is all sorts of comfortable lodging available in the Poconos, ranging from staying at the Poconos Resorts, which tend to be, but are not necessarily, the most expensive accommodations, to hotels, motels, country inns, cottages, bed and breakfasts, and vacation rentals. For those who want to rough it, there are more than 40 campgrounds.
This is the perfect setting for a honeymoon or a romantic weekend away with your loved one; spend your days on the slopes and relax at night in a private pool.
After-ski Activities
There's plenty to do at night after your day on the slopes. After a satisfying meal at one of the more than 30 restaurants in the area, enjoy some of the local night life. There's plenty to choose from: Line country dancing, rock and roll, Karaoke or, on Fridays or Saturdays, enjoy a show at the Shawnee Playhouse. Most of the bars and inns have live entertainment for you to enjoy. At the Settlers Inn enjoy a pianist playing music from the 1930s and 1940s while you enjoy dinner.
Siummertime Activities
Not all of the activities at Poconos rely on a layer of snow. This area started off as a summer recreation area and it continues to support many summer activities, such as whitewater rafting, hiking and biking, bird watching, fishing and horseback riding. You can even try your hand at skydiving or paintball.
There are nine State Parks and two National Parks in the Poconos for hiking, biking, swimming or canoeing. And, if you are there at the right time of year, you can even hunt for wild turkeys, grouse or white-tailed deer.
Geography and Climate
The Pocono Mountains are a natural extension of the Catskills in New York State. The weather can vary from one place to another in no time at all. A foot of snow can fall in one place while a couple of miles away there's hardly a sprinkle. Temperatures can rise as high as 110 degrees F in the heat of summer, though the average high is 85 degrees F. Winter low average is below freezing from November to March.
Member Comments