The Poconos are the Pocono Mountains of northeast Pennsylvania, about two hours from New York City and Philadelphia. In winter the region has four ski areas within about 30 miles of each other, plus indoor waterparks, so a ski weekend works for groups where not everyone skis. Places to stay range from slopeside resorts and chain hotels to condos, townhomes and lake houses.
Ski areas
- Camelback Mountain in Tannersville is the biggest, with night skiing, snow tubing and the Camelback Lodge and Aquatopia indoor waterpark at its base.
- Blue Mountain Resort near Palmerton has the most vertical drop in Pennsylvania and is about 25 minutes from Jim Thorpe.
- Jack Frost and Big Boulder near Lake Harmony are sister mountains, with plenty of condos and rental homes around Lake Harmony and Split Rock.
- Shawnee Mountain, near Shawnee on Delaware and East Stroudsburg, is smaller and good for beginners and families.
Where to stay
- Tannersville and Pocono Manor put you closest to Camelback and to the Kalahari and Great Wolf Lodge waterparks.
- Stroudsburg and East Stroudsburg have the most hotels, along with restaurants and shops downtown, about 15 minutes from Camelback and Shawnee.
- Lake Harmony is the base for Jack Frost and Big Boulder, with condos and townhomes on the lake.
- Jim Thorpe is a historic Victorian town with inns and bed-and-breakfasts, handy for Blue Mountain.
Best times to visit
- Ski season usually runs from mid-December into March, depending on snow and snowmaking. Holiday weeks, MLK weekend and Presidents’ Day weekend book up first.
- Fall: Leaf color usually peaks in early to mid-October.
- Summer: Lakes, waterparks and the Delaware Water Gap, with the year’s busiest weekends.
- Spring: The quietest time, with the lowest rates.
Getting there
Most visitors drive in on I-80 or I-380. Allow about two hours from New York City or Philadelphia, more on Friday evenings and in snow. The nearest airports are Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and Lehigh Valley (Allentown).
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