Jack Frost Big Boulder are two fantastic ski resorts in the Poconos of Pennsylvania, they are companion resorts and lift tickets are valid at both areas, which are located just a few miles from one another. They are both family-friendly resorts, have diverse terrain, great facilities and services, not to mention, some of the friendliest staff north of the Mason-Dixon Line. The Poconos has long been a favorite destination for groups and families because of its pristine mountainous beauty, wealth of activities, and plentiful accommodation.
Jack Frost Mountain provides a warm and welcoming ski area with a summit elevation of more than 2,000 feet, with a base elevation of 1,400 feet. There are 21 trails, including a ski-school only learning slope, four beginner slopes, six intermediate slopes, and eight advanced slopes. There are also two impressive terrain parks, which cater to a variety of ability levels. There are nine lifts overall, which can easily handle a high volume of riders. At Big Boulder Ski Area, the stats are just as impressive as the resort is devoting 50 percent of its overall terrain to park features. The summit sits at 2,175 feet and the base elevation is 1,700 feet and has eight lifts. Big Boulder is home to one of the most progressive and innovative terrain park programs in the country, making it a haven for snowboarders and freestyle skiers. The 15 trails are broking out: four beginner, three intermediate, three expert, and five terrain parks.
There is an excellent ski and snowboard school, with many professional and certified instructors who will gladly teach students from age three on up. There are private and group lessons, ski and snowboarding lessons, as well as several adaptive programs, specialized lessons, and many workshops to fine tune established skills and techniques.
The Poconos is a hugely popular four-season resort area and the fun doesn’t stop once the snow starts piling up. There is ice skating, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, ice fishing, snowmobiling, sledding, and much more. Take a romantic starlit sleigh ride or take an icy hike up the mountain front. For those who prefer the warmth and comfort found indoors during the winter would do well to check out outlet shopping in the area, dining at quaint roadside cafes, or checking out historic monuments and buildings in the area.
Lodging is plentiful and all tastes and budgets are catered to, whether it be modest chain hotels or lavish vacation homes, there’s something for everyone in the region. Because there is no slope-side lodging available Jack Frost and Big Boulder do a fantastic job of partnering up with local accommodation to give its guests great ski and stay vacation packages every winter. A great and welcoming winter vacation destination is at your fingertips. The resorts are only an hour from Philadelphia but will feel worlds different once guests enter into the scenic and picturesque Poconos.
Jack Frost and Big Boulder are separate resorts, located a few miles from one another, but a lift ticket grants you access to both. Combined, the two resorts contain more than 35 runs and 17 lifts to accommodate high-volume crowds. Although the two areas are separated by a few miles they have many similarities. Jack Frost and Big Boulder boast 100 percent snowmaking abilities, both feature night skiing seven nights a week, both have massive 400-foot half pipes, and both have snowtubing.
Big Boulder stepped up in 2006 and decided to work on filling the need for quality terrain parks on the East Coast, specifically, the mid-Atlantic. The advent of Big Boulder PARK was a massive success, TransWorld Snowboarding voted one of the top five terrain parks on the East Coast, both in the U.S. and Canada. The immediate attention paid to the resort was a little overwhelming at first, but an added incentive to keep improving. Their incredibly dedicated team built the park with the philosophy that parks should be fun and accessible but also challenging. There are now five terrain parks at Big Boulder, including the One Park, which offers a more leisurely run for beginners and families to enjoy together. At Jack Frost there is also new terrain features brought by the same people who made the excellent parks at Big Boulder.
There is so much to do in the Poconos, as it is one of the biggest tourism draws in the entire state. Not only is the landscape scenic, but it is also home to great hiking trails, rock climbing, and fantastic lakeside activities like boating and fishing. On mountain, you’ll also find snow tubing (which is great for all ages), snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, ice skating on outdoor rinks, ice fishing, snowmobiling through alpine forests, and much more. Despite the fact that Jack Frost Big Boulder is remote (the nearest town of Blakeslee has one traffic light), there is plenty of shopping nearby at the Crossing Outlets in Tannersville, and Scranton is the nearest decent-sized city.
The area surrounding the resorts is peaceful, quiet, and the quintessential sleepy ski town. Guests seeking a lively après ski scene will not find it at Jack Frost Big Boulder. It is more of a soothing respite from the bustling urban areas that many of the guests hail from, however, there are a few bars and restaurants in the area that offer cocktails and great beer on tap.