Blue Mountain Skiing

The Blue Mountain skiing area is located in Palmerton, Pennsylvania, which is in the Southern Poconos in Eastern Pennsylvania. Since the resort is about a one hour drive from Philadelphia, and an equally easy drive from South Jersey, a large portion of its visitors come from either of these two areas. It is also 100 miles from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and 171 miles from Baltimore, Maryland. As such, Blue Mountain also attracts a number of people from these Mid-Atlantic cities.

The Blue Mountain Ski resort has 1,082 feet of vertical which is the largest amount in all of the Pennsylvania ski areas. Its 33 trails are serviced by nine chair lifts, which includes Pennsylvania's only high-speed detachable six-pack lift. The resort has 156 skiable acres. Although the area gets a mere 33 inches of annual snowfall, it is known for its excellent snow making system. The terrain at the Blue Mountain Ski Resort is divided as follows:

• Beginner or Green terrain: 43 percent
• Intermediate or Blue terrain: 18 percent
• Advanced of Black Terrain: 12 percent

The resort also has 100 percent mountain lighting for night skiing and riding, as well as a popular tubing park whose 19 slides are 1,200 feet long and are served by three chair lifts.

Although the expert terrain at the Blue Mountain Ski Resort is somewhat limited, advanced skiers and snowboarders will enjoy the 5,000 foot Razor's Edge. The trail is rated as a double-black diamond. It also has its own, automated snow making system. Challenger is another double-black trail which has a few exceptionally steep pitches.

Those who like to ski moguls can try their skills on Barney's Bumps, which is located at the top of the Main Street trail. If you are are a beginner or an intermediate skier or snowboarder, or if you simply enjoy cruising, you will have lots of fun on Burma Road, Lazy Mile or Paradise. In 2008, the Blue Mountain skiing area added the Dreamweaver Trail, a cruiser that is 100 feet wide throughout the entirety of the trail.

Freestyle skiers and snowboarders have a choice of three of the Blue Mountain skiing area terrain parks. These include:

• The Sidewinder Park: Sidewinder is a wide terrain park. Its variety of unique jumps include a yellow school bus!
• Come Around Park: Come Around Park is Blue Mountain's intermediate terrain park.
• Terrain Run: Terrain Run is an intermediate terrain park, which is perfect for novice freestyle skiers and snowboarders.

Although Blue Mountain does not have any ski in, ski out lodging, there are a number of hotels and bed an breakfasts within a 20-mile radius. These include:

• The Inn at Jim Thorpe: The Inn at Jim Thorpe is 20 miles from Blue Mountain. It offers massage and spa services.
• Scottish Inn and Suites: Located 17 miles from the resort, this budget hotel has free Internet service.
• Mahoning Inn: The Mahoning Inn is another budget hotel, which is located 13 miles from Blue Mountain.
• The Straup House Bed and Breakfast This charming B&B is six miles from Blue Mountain.

While Blue Mountain may not have the extensive terrain offered by Colorado or Utah resorts, with 2009 lift ticket prices averaging at $53, it may be a viable budget option.

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