Winter Family Fun in the Poconos
Bust out your heavy winter gear for a getaway with Sundance Vacations. If you’re thinking of visiting the beautiful Pocono Mountains this winter, we have some fantastic accommodations and activities nearby to create everlasting memories with your loved ones. With over 2,300 miles to explore, it’s easy to understand why this place is a nature lovers paradise. With an average annual snowfall of 50 inches, you will want to spend some time outdoors in this winter wonderland and take in the crisp mountain air.
Where to stay
Woodfield Manor
Travel to the heart of the Poconos and enjoy a stay at the historic Woodfield Manor. Decorated in rich wooded tones, guest will enjoy the quiet serenity of this idyllic Inn sitting on 12 acres of manicured grounds. An outdoor fireplace and natural wood surroundings invite you to completely relax and rejuvenate. Enjoy exquisite fine dining at the award-winning Frogtown Chophouse on site. For a night of fun and excitement, travel two miles down the road and visit the Mount Airy Resort & Casino.
Snow Ridge Village
Snow Ridge Village, located in Blakeslee, Pennsylvania is the place to stay and play in the Pocono’s! With easy access to the Jack Frost ski slopes and the Lake Mountain Club, there is always something to do, no matter what season you’re traveling! Snow Ridge Village is just minutes away from great shopping and a short ride to the Mohegan Sun Pocono Casino and Mount Airy Casino. If you’re looking to get out and into nature, the D&L Trail, Lehigh Tannery Trailhead in White Haven is only 20 minutes from the resort! With easy access to the trails, a short distance to southern Pocono attractions like Jim Thorpe, and easy access to Central Pocono attractions via Rt. 940, this property is a great home base for a Pocono vacation!
Things to do
Shopping
Everyone likes to shop! While in the Poconos, The Crossing Premium Outlets will provide a fantastic shopping experience! With over 100 designer and name brand outlet stores, there will be something for everyone. You can save between 25% to 65%, while spending the day shopping until you drop. The Outlets are situated in the heart of the Pocono Mountains, just a short drive away from Snow Ridge Village and Woodfield Manor. While visiting the outlets, be sure to stop in for a wine sample at the Blue Ridge Estate Vineyard & Winery. They have a Special Edition Glitter Inspiration wine with the mesmerizing effects of edible glitter. This is the most beautiful glass of wine you will ever see. It makes a great Christmas gift too.
Snow tubing & skiing
Jack Frost/ Big Boulder Ski Resort is nestled in the Poconos and complement each other perfectly. Here you have the opportunity to get two different experiences on the same lift ticket. JFBB takes pride in being the first ski resorts to open in Pennsylvania every year. Big Boulder has a summit elevation of 2,175 feet, a 457-foot vertical drop, 15 trails 2 triple lifts, 5 doubles, 1 carpet and 2 carpet tubing lifts. Jack Frost has a summit elevation of 2,000 feet and a 600-foot vertical drop. It also has 20 trails, 1 quad lift, 2 triple lifts, 6 doubles, 1 carpet and 2 surface tubing lifts. They also have an awesome terrain park too! These two ski areas are a perfect fit for any member of the family.
Montage Mountain Ski Resort is located on 140 acres, just outside of Scranton. This ski resort has a summit of 1,960 feet, a 1,000-foot vertical drop and features 26 slopes, well-groomed terrain, 100% snow making, awesome night skiing, the fastest snow tubing lanes in PA, 1 terrain park, 7 lifts and is the only resort in Pennsylvania to offer airboarding. If you’re an experienced skier, you will want to check out “White Lightning” which is the second steepest slope on the East coast. Montage Mountain is a must-visit destination while visiting the Poconos.
Camelback Resort was voted #1 for skiing and riding in Pennsylvania. They have 1 huge snowtubing park with 42 lanes. Sometimes snowtubing is the most fun way to ride the mountain. You have to be at least 33 inches to ride the tubes. They also have galactic tubing at night, which provides a spectacular experience! Enjoy their 39 trails, an 800-foot vertical rise, 166 acres of slopes, 100% snow coverage, night skiing and 3 in and out restaurants. It’s easy to see why so many people love this ski resort. This resort is not only amazing for outdoor winter activities, but it also provides Winter swimming. That’s right, I said winter swimming. They are home to the Aquatopia Indoor Waterpark which is open year-round.
Aquatopia Indoor Waterpark
Aquatopia Indoor Waterpark has 125,000 square feet with everything you would want in an indoor waterpark. They have 13 water slides, 1 wave pool, 1 interactive toddler play area, 1 lazy river, 170,000 square feet of indoor games, 365 days of indoor/outdoor adventure and a 0% chance at staying dry! They even have a swim up bar for adults. Did you know this is the home of the Storm Chaser Water Coaster, and that it’s the longest indoor water coaster in the world? Here you can eat, shop and chill. You can purchase day tickets online for a quick arrival process. The best part about this indoor waterpark in my opinion is the transparent roof, which allows sunlight to reach you. You could possibly leave the winter weather with a tan! It’s a beautiful 84 degrees year-round. This indoor waterpark is only 3 miles from Woodfield Manor and 23.4 miles from Snow Ridge Village.
Kalahari
Kalahari has 220,000 square feet and is filled with wet and wild fun for the entire family. They have water slides that start inside and take your through twists and turns outside the building. You can hop on the indoor water coaster, test your surfing skills on the flowrider or sit back and relax in one of the indoor/outdoor spas for adults, then you can visit the adult only swim up bar located in the Grotto to enjoy frozen daiquiris. When you’re hungry, grab a bite to eat at one of the restaurants on site. You can purchase a day pass online to guarantee your admission into the waterpark. Be sure to check out the Waterpark Experiences too, where you can become a shark or mermaid. They even have a new underwater virtual reality experience! The weather inside the waterpark is always 97 degrees, which would be perfect to thaw out at after a day skiing on the mountain. This waterpark is only 19.2 miles from Snow Ridge Village and 5.8 miles from Woodfield Manor!
Eagles Mere Toboggan Slide
If you’re up for a little drive to experience an awesome Winter toboggan ride, the Eagles Mere Toboggan Slide will be sure to excite the whole family. Eagle Mere is located in the upper Allegheny Mountains and is a cute little town to visit, if you blink you might just miss it. Winter is a time for excitement here and the town comes to life. The toboggan slide was created by the volunteer fire company in 1904. You can rent a toboggan and cruise down the huge slide to hit speeds up to 45 miles an hour! They also have a snack shack and refreshments to enjoy. The slide is open on weekends throughout the winter. Be sure to check their website for full operating hours.
Horseback Riding
Located less than 3 miles away from Sundance Vacations Woodfield Manor, the Mountain Creek Riding Stables are open year-round. Horseback riding lets you see nature and the winter season in a completely different way. Just imagine the photos you will get while horseback riding through the Pocono Mountains during the winter season. At mountain creek, they specialize in beginner and intermediate riding. You do not need any experience to enjoy the trail rides through the woods. They are open 7 days a week and offer private trail rides, wagon rides and more. The key to an enjoyable winter trail ride is dressing in layers. Bundle up and explore the snow-covered trails. Dates and hours of operation vary, so be sure to call to book your ride in advance.
Indoor Go-Karts
If you’re looking for some afternoon fun, but want to stay inside, why not try indoor go carts? S&S Speedways opened in 1996 and is family owned and operated. They are open year-round and offer fun for those who are a minimum of 54” tall. They also have video games and pool tables for the family to enjoy. Buckle up for an awesome ride through their indoor track. This is the perfect place to get competitive and race with your family. Imagine the memories you’ll make here! Check out how to get a FREE race here! (You must print the coupon and take it to the front desk). S&S offers racing at its best!
Dog Sledding
If you’re looking for even more excitement, I have just the adventure for you. Arctic Paws Dog Sled Tours provides a unique experience. This extraordinary adventure gives you an opportunity to see what huskies are truly capable of. The dogs absolutely love meeting new people, and they are happiest running through the trails with or without snow. They operate for winter tours usually December through February but are open throughout the year. The minimum age for the tour is 10 years old. Please note this is not simply a ride, but a hands-on experience and requires physical participation. This truly is a unique way to experience the Pocono mountains!
Sundance Vacations is here to make your winter getaway even better with this Winter Vacation Packing List. You can also download the Pocono Area Activities Guide for even more to explore while you’re visiting the beautiful Pocono Mountains.
How to get there
ABE – Lehigh Valley International Airport
AVP – Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport
Interesting Tidbit:
The salient feature of the Pocono’s Hickory Run State Park is an 18-acre bed of rocks known as Boulder Field. The rocks range in size from under 18 inches to more than 25 feet in length, with the largest rocks on the eastern end and the smallest rocks at the western end of the field. The tops of the rocks are nearly at the same height over the approximately 400-by-1,800-foot field that slopes at a one-degree pitch. This rocky landscape is a National Natural Landmark that has been around for over 20,000 years and is the result of melted glaciers. Boulder Field is a short drive from both Woodfield Manor and Snow Ridge Village.
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