Fabulous!4.3 / 5Sep 04, 2019
William P. advanced skier
Build your Elk Mountain Ski Resort Ski Trip
Learn more about Elk Mountain Ski Resort
Pros
- Minimal crowds
- Great value lift tickets - night skiing included in ticket
- Challenging intermediate and advanced trails
Cons
- Limited amenities and old lifts
Elk Mountain Ski Resort Ski Packages |
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| Lodging | Discount | Price |
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Shadowbrook Resort
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13% off | $268 |
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Radisson Lackawanna Station Hotel Scranton
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12% off | $414 |
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Hotel Wayne
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12% off | $293 |
View all ski packages for Elk Mountain Ski Resort |
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Overall
One of the top ski resorts in Pennsylvania, Elk Mountain continually gets the best snow in the state as it's located further North than most resorts. With a variety of terrain across its 180 ac of skiable terrain, the small resort offers up a surprisingly decent amount of challenging intermediate and advanced trails considering its size. It also has one of the best value lift tickets around that covers night skiing until 10:00pm! There are hardly ever any crowds and along with its great terrain makes for a worthwhile weekend visit for locals who are willing to make the drive.
Best month to go
January and February
January and February have the best snow conditions in Elk Mountain because it's freezing enough to keep it snowing!
FLY TO
Philadelphia International Airport
DRIVE TO
Elk Mountain Ski Resort (2 hours 45 minutes)
Base of Elk Mountain (Walk)
- Private resort community
- No ski-in/ski-out lodging
- Far from restaurants and shops
Union Dale (5-7 mi)
- 10 minute drive to the resort
- Private home rentals
- Limited places to eat and shop
For beginners
With unbeatable package deals for beginners, Elk Mountain is a great place for first-timers to test the waters without digging too deep into their pockets. The uncrowded slopes also make for the perfect stress-free environment for beginners to learn on. Once never-evers have mastered the beginner area, they can proceed onto the West Slope, a wide open trail that's great for practicing on. Our favorite trail for beginners, however, is Tioga. Starting off at the top of the mountain and offering superb views throughout, Tioga is the longest beginner trail at Elk Mountain and meanders down the west side of the mountain before connecting onto West Slope.
For intermediates
Elk Mountain serves up a range of wide and long blue runs with a few twists and turns that will keep intermediates on their feet. The west side of the mountain offers up the best runs for intermediates and best of all, they tend not to be icy or skied off as most skiers track the east side. Our pick for the best run for intermediates would have to be Schuylkill into Kickapoo. Starting off at the top of the mountain Schuylkill is a nice groomed cruiser but once you're in Kickapoo, the sharp twists and turns are bound to offer up quite a challenge!
For experts
It might not have the gnarliest terrain but Elk Mountain does offer up some challenging runs that will satisfy any weekend warrior. The west side of the mountain is best for advanced skiers and snowboarders as its less tracked out and icy than the east, plus there is more powder to be found here. When the conditions are right, Tunkhannock is covered with moguls making it a real thigh burner and our favorite for advanced/experts at Elk Mountain!
Find freshies
The best spot to find freshies is on the west side of the mountain, especially on the black runs such as Tunkhannock, Chippewa and Tecumseh. These runs are less tracked as most skiers head to the east side of the mountain.
Ditch the crowds
While crowds are kept to a minimum here, the beginner trails tend to see more skiers than other areas. The Tioga trail is the only exception as it appears daunting for beginners being so high up the mountain and it also requires an upgraded lift ticket. Lifts A, B, C can also see some crowds as its right outside the base lodge. Ski on the west side of the mountain to avoid all crowds and use Lifts E and F.
Non skiers
Non-skiers will find themselves quite bored at Elk Mountain with no facilities and activities to keep them entertained. It's best to consider going to another resort or perhaps consider driving an hour toward the Poconos where there is a range of winter activities such as snow tubing or dogsledding. Chet's Place is the closest place that offers beautiful scenic cross-country skiing and snowshoeing!
Families
Elk Mountain is great for families whose focus is on skiing and snowboarding with nicely groomed cruisers for the whole family to ski down together. The base might not have the kids facilities or activities that might be found at other large resorts, but its family-friendly vibe is enough to keep any powderhound families happy.
Save up to 32% when you book a Elk Mountain Ski Resort package!
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Elk Mountain Ski Resort Reviews
William P. Average!3.4 / 5Aug 08, 2019
Tory S. expert snowboarder
Good!3.8 / 5May 03, 2019
Patrick K. advanced skier
Average!3.4 / 5Jan 14, 2019
John C. advanced snowboarder
Average!2.9 / 5Nov 24, 2017
BSBen S.
Elk Meadows isn't Elk Meadows anymore (and hasn't been for a long time). It's Eagle Point. I love it because our is what skiing was way back before big ski conglomerates took over. It's small, friendly, uncrowded, inexpensive, and fun. ... Moreexpert skier
Superb!5 / 5Sep 29, 2017
DBWDavid B W.
This is absolutely the best Vermont has to offer, with the shortest distance from the Jersey Shore. If you live on the jersey shore you may know what i mean. otherwise your stuck with Vernon based mountain creek..which is now only for snowboarders i think. and blows. so go here instead. or dont. And let the people that know about it keep it a... MoreSuperb!5 / 5Dec 25, 2013
CAClaire-Amy
Elk is close to where I live in PA. It makes for a great day trip. They have the best snowmaking in PA and it is always consistant. Not only are their staff warm and friendly, the people who frequent the mountain are equally as friendly. Never a quiet lift ride up the mountain. They have good food in the cafe and the restaurant and it is extremely... MoreVery Good!4 / 5Sep 09, 2011
PPaul
It's easy to get to (right on interstate), great beginner and intermediate slops for the kids and inexperienced, and great, convenient shopping/restaurants.