The Poconos' eight family ski resorts offer a range of difficulty levels to accommodate many different skill levels. Skytop has the shortest vertical drop at 295 feet and has trails for novice skiers. All eight resorts include easy trails and bunny or beginner hills. Shawnee, Camelback, Ski Big Bear, Jack Frost and Big Boulder also have magic carpet lifts for beginners. Blue Mountain is the largest, with 1,082 feet of vertical drop, 37 trails, 5 terrain parks and 12 lifts. While it has a bunny hill to accommodate beginners, it also has 7 intermediate and 15 advanced trails for more adventurous and experienced skiers. In between, in size and vertical drop, are Alpine Mountain, Big Boulder, Jack Frost, Camelback and Shawnee.
Several of these family ski resorts have on-site accommodations that simplify getting from room to slope, especially if you have small children. Staying slope-side can reduce aggravation and give you a quick escape when you or the kids need some down time or a nap. Skytop and Camelback have on-site accommodations. Skytop Lodge, built in 1928, is full of old-fashioned charm, and many families return from year to year and generation to generation. Situated at the base of Camelback Mountain is Chateau Resort, with a heated indoor pool, whirlpool, sauna and exercise room, providing plenty of off-slope activities. Camelback also has luxury homes and townhouses slopeside. Some of the luxury homes can accommodate large family groups.
Each of the eight ski resorts has nearby hotels and in some cases condominiums and bed-and-breakfast lodging options. Check your resort's website or call them to see if they offer any package deals with local hotels that may make your vacation more affordable. Because Christmas is one of the busiest times of year, book your lodgings early to ensure availability.
If you want to plan on some adult-only time on the slopes or want your children to have ski instruction, most of these resorts have ski schools and babysitting. Read through what each resort offers to see whether it's right for your family's Christmas vacation.
