With nearly two dozen ski resorts, Pennsylvania is a lovely place for those hoping to ski or snowboard this winter. Boasting a range of runs that vary in difficulty, the Keystone State is ideal for individuals of all experience levels. And don’t be surprised if you meet individuals from neighboring states on the slopes as the Pocono Mountains are a go-to place for many people living in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States
9 Closest Ski Resorts to Pittsburgh, PA
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Pennsylvania Ski Areas by City
You won’t have to travel far from Pennsylvania’s best-known cities to enjoy a day on the snow. With plenty of ski resorts spread across the state, you’re sure to have a blast on your PA ski trip this winter. Consider venturing northeast to ski areas like Camelback Mountain in the Poconos or over to the western part of the state to resorts like Seven Springs.
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Guide to Pennsylvania’s 22 Ski Resorts
With the Appalachian Mountains crossing much of Pennsylvania, the state has a notable number of resorts for downhill skiing and snowboarding. Pennsylvania’s 22 resorts range from 25 to 285 skiable acres, with most of them around 100 acres.
Although they’re smaller than resorts to the west or even others in the east, the terrain in the state helps create some challenging drops for expert skiers. The state’s Allegheny and Pocono mountains are central locations for the best skiing in the state. That’s also the spot to find some of the most popular resorts and ski towns in Pennsylvania.
The average snowfall in PA isn’t huge but lake effect snow in the western part of the state can add to the manmade powder on ski slopes. Some areas of Western Pennsylvania receive more than 100 inches each year.
If the weather cooperates, the Pennsylvania ski season can begin as early as mid-November, with slopes almost always open by the beginning of December. The season usually ends by mid-March but on occasion can extend to the end of the month.
Most resorts are day destinations, and with all of them within 2 hours of a major city, it’s easy to find lodging a short distance from any ski area. With half of the slopes to the west and the other half central and to the east, it’s easy for skiers and snowboarders to access any number of resorts from just about any area of the state.
Ski and snowboard near Pennsylvania’s most popular destinations:
- Discover the ski resorts closest to Harrisburg.
- Discover the ski resorts closest to Philadelphia.
- Discover the ski resorts closest to Pittsburgh.
- Discover the ski resorts closest to Scranton.
Western Pennsylvania Slopes
Western Pennsylvania, and the area near Lake Erie in particular, can receive large amounts of snow annually. The largest resort in the state is Seven Springs Mountain Resort, with 33 named trails serviced by 10 lifts. For expert skiers and snowboarders, the resort includes several runs for glade skiing.
Seven Springs is one of the best locations in Pennsylvania for snowboarders. Not only does it boast 7 terrain parks, but it also has an Olympic-sized superpipe, one of only two in the country.
Laurel Mountain, located in the Allegheny Mountains, has 20 trails on 70 skiable acres. This is the place to find Pennsylvania’s steepest slope. Lower Wildcat Slope averages nearly a 60 percent slope and is one of the most popular runs in the northeast. The ski area opened in 1940 with slopes designed by renowned Austrian ski guide Johann Schneider, who developed the modern alpine ski technique.
So many of Pennsylvania’s ski areas are located in the west along the mountains where there is plenty of snowfall. Many of these resorts also have terrain parks for the enjoyment of both skiers and snowboarders.
- Bear Creek Mountain Resort
- Blue Knob All Seasons Resort
- Boyce Park
- Elk Mountain
- Mount Pleasant
- Mystic Mountain at Nemacolin
- Roundtop Mountain Resort
- Spring Mountain Adventures
- Tussey Mountain
Central and Eastern Slopes
To the east of the state, the area around the Poconos provides lots of options for skiing and snowboarding. Some resorts have impressive vertical drops and advanced terrain that rival other resorts east of the Mississippi. Along with the many public resorts is Eagle Rock Resort, a private ski area open only to owners in the community and their guests.
Camelback Lodge & Indoor Waterpark is one of the top resorts in the Poconos, especially for families. The ski area has 39 trails, 16 lifts, terrain parks, a halfpipe, and an 800-foot vertical drop. For those looking for activities off the slopes, the resort’s on-site lodging includes a year-round indoor water park.
For the highest vertical drop in the state, look no further than Blue Mountain Resort, which features a 1,082-foot drop. The resort has some of the more challenging trails in Pennsylvania. Only 15 of the 40 trails are green and another 15 are black or double black diamond, so there are plenty of runs for every level of skier. The resort also has 5 terrain parks on its 164 acres.
There are plenty of other public ski areas, most larger than 50 skiable acres, in the central and eastern part of the state. Some have combination or discounted lift tickets to other resorts, so skiers and snowboarders can enjoy even more slopes.
- Hidden Valley Resort
- Jack Frost Big Boulder
- Liberty Mountain Resort
- Montage Mountain
- Shawnee Mountain Ski Area
- Ski Big Bear
- Ski Sawmill Family Resort
- Whitetail Resort
Skiers and snowboarders might be surprised to discover that extreme slopes are hidden within some of Pennsylvania’s many ski areas. With several cities that can serve as a base location, it’s easy to explore the variety of downhill slopes throughout the state.
