Log on to PoconoVacations.com. They list all of the ski resorts in the Poconos, along with their websites and contact information. According to the website, Fernwood and Shawnee ski resorts are the best for families, whereas Cove Haven Entertainment Resort is the best place to head for a romantic skiing getaway or a honeymoon.
Book your flight into one of several nearby airports. JFK and LaGuardia in New York are both about an hour and half driving distance from the Poconos, and Philadelphia International is about two hours by car. Other options include Newark, Allentown and Scranton/Wilkes Barre. Most major airlines, including Delta, Southwest, and Continental, fly into all of the airports in the surrounding area. You can book your flight through an individual carrier’s website, or you can shop around for the best deals on websites like Expedia, Travelocity and Orbitz.
Book a rental car. Since all of the airports in the region are quite a distance from the Pocono Mountains, it’s far too expensive to take a cab to your hotel or resort. Add to this the fact that the Poconos is spread out over four counties, you’re going to need a car if you want to get around while on vacation. You can book through a nationwide agency such as Hertz, Enterprise or Budget and pick up your car at the airport. If you’re booking your hotel and flight together on a travel website like Expedia, Travelocity or Orbitz, you can book your rental car through them as well. The Martz Trailways bus service also goes to the Poconos from New York and Philadelphia and runs several bus lines throughout the Poconos.
Call resort ahead of time to ask about purchasing a lift ticket, or you can simply purchase the ticket when you get there. Note that if you’re planning on skiing on a weekend, it’s going to be more expensive than on a weekday. OnTheSnow.com lists some lift ticket prices for several of the Poconos ski resorts, so check in to this website to compare prices.
Rent your ski equipment. Contact your resort to ask them about their equipment rental services. Any of the several ski resorts in the Pocono Mountains offer skiing equipment, as well as skiing lessons. However, if you want to save a little money, drop into one of the local ski shops near your resort. Their equipment rentals are generally cheaper than what the resorts offer.
