In the cooler season, Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains region transforms into a winter wonderland. By early December, the area is blanketed in a thick layer of sparkling snow. Woodland trails become scenes straight out of a postcard, with maples, birch trees and evergreens dusted in white.
Hilly terrain and year-round outdoor adventures make the Poconos a paradise for winter sports enthusiasts. If you’re planning your seasonal vacations now, here are just a few of the cold weather activities you’ll find here in the Poconos.
Remember the first time you went on a sled ride? Recapture that magical childhood moment while whooshing down the hill at Skytop Lodge. The luxury Poconos resort has one of the few remaining toboggan runs in the area, making it a great place to stay with the family this winter. The sleds are even painted a classic cherry red for that nostalgic feel. Seasonal guests can also get a stellar bird’s-eye view of the snow-coated landscape on the zipline adventure course – a more modern invention – or enjoy ice fishing at Skytop’s private trout pond. Contact the resort at 855-345-7759 for information the winter activities available this year, which can include cross-country skiing, archery, ice skating and more!
With nearly 60 inches of annual snowfall on average, the area around Mt. Pocono is a winter wonderland. As the holidays approach, children make snowmen with carrot noses and have snowball fights with their friends. One of the more popular wintertime family activities is a classic horse-drawn sleigh ride offered by Pocono Country Carriages. Their horse facility is located in picturesque woods near Tannersville, PA, just 30 minutes from Skytop Lodge. Offered in the winter months, this warm and welcoming sleigh tour through the Poconos wilderness comes with scenery straight out of a holiday greeting card.
If you’re looking for an adrenaline rush to help you conquer the cold, try your hand at Skirmish Paintball. It’s basically the arctic version of traditional paintball, played in a snowy outdoor field complete with a white stone castle. Entry includes all the accessories that you’ll need to get started, from goggles and guns to a referee to judge each team member’s hits. Wear white, or winter camo, and you’ll blend right in. (Of course, the downside of that strategy is that your opponent’s paintballs will look like neon splatter paintings on your light-colored suit.) Skirmish Paintball is offering several winter specials for the 2017-2018 season, including a free paint weekend in early December and half-price entry on President’s Day weekend.
The Poconos is the perfect location for your winter getaway. With more than 180 groomed snow trails, tubing hills and outdoor adventure courses, it’s a haven for active pursuits. Book your stay at Skytop Lodge today and start planning your winter vacay. Whether you love the rush of the slopes or you’re more focused on drinking hot cocoa and sledding, we can help design a Poconos trip your whole family will adore.