While we are sad to see the fall go, there’s a lot to celebrate with all of the winter activities and events on the horizon. One family favorite is skiing and we are excited to share more about the incredible events for families and different levels of interest from the Pennsylvania Ski Area Resorts (SkiPA). We had a blast learning to ski at Shawnee Mountain last winter and can’t wait to hit the slopes again soon!
This season, visitors can look forward to everything from dazzling light displays, gingerbread house workshops and torchlight parades to cozy bonfires, New Year’s tubing and ski parties and plenty of magical opportunities to see Santa and his elves. In addition to the holiday fun, the resorts offer endless winter recreational offerings including skiing and snowboarding, tubing and ice skating. Read on to check out highlights from the 2018 Holiday Schedule:
Holiday Events at Pennsylvania Ski Resorts
SKIING IN THE EAST
Santa’s Arrival at Camelback Resort
Saturday, December 1, 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
To kick off the holiday season, Santa and Mrs. Claus will make their grand arrival to Camelback Resort in style. This free event is open to the public and includes live entertainment, musical performance, face painting, crafts and a hot cocoa bar. This year Camelback Resort and Santa partnered for a cause. Camelback Resort will be accepting new, packaged toys during Santa’s Arrival for Toys for Tots of Monroe county. Anyone who brings a tory to donate will receive a holiday pillowcase to color. For more info, please visit: https://www.camelbackresort.com/
Christmas Brunch with Santa at Bear Creek Mountain Resort
Sunday, December 2, 10 a.m.- 2 p.m.
Santa will make an appearance at Bear Creek Mountain Resort again this year on December 2. This popular Brunch with Santa event takes place in the rustic lodge. Families can enjoy a scrumptious brunch, festive activities and crafts and a special visit with Santa. Adults: $19.95. Children Ages 6-12: $12.95. For more information, visit www.montagemountainresorts.com
Annual Winter Holiday Party at Montage Mountain Resort, Scranton
Wednesday, December 5, 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Celebrate the start of Montage Mountain’s 2018-2019 Winter Season with a special annual winter holiday evening. Enjoy complimentary food and drinks until 7 p.m., and live entertainment until 10 p.m. The event is free to attend. Resort is accepting unwrapped toys to donate to Toys for Tots. For more information, visit, www.montagemountainresorts.com.
Waking Winter at Bear Creek Mountain Resort, Lehigh Valley
Friday, December 7, 6 p.m. – 12 p.m.
Bear Creek will be hosting a Waking Winter event to help wake Ullr, the mythical Norse God of snow and skiing. This free party is for all ages and officially kicks off the winter season. Enjoy a bon fire in the base area with DJ and outdoor bar, preview the new park trails and check out the newest winter gear at Slopeside Sports. Tickets are $10 and include a 2018/2019 Mid-Week Lift Ticket. There will also be a swap sale in the rental shop from 6 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. For more information, visit, https://www.bcmountainresort.com.
Ugly Sweater Party at Blue Mountain Resort, Palmerton
Saturday, December 8, 6 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Grab your friends and break out your best ugly seater for a festive evening of live music, food and drink specials and prizes at the Slopeside Pub & Grill. Anyone who dresses for the occasion will be entered to win lift tickets, swag bags, gift cards and more. Prizes, will be awarded for the ugliest sweater and most festive outfit. Please bring an unwrapped toy or donation for the Toys for Tots program. Free admission. Adults 21 and older only. For more information, visit, https://www.skibluemt.com/upcoming-events/ugly-sweater/.
3rd Annual Gingerbread House Workshop & Photos with Santa at Blue Mountain Resort, Palmerton
Sunday, December 9, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Blue Mountain Resort is offering families a chance to dust off their creative juices and enjoy a fun afternoon of Gingerbread house making in the Vista Ballroom at the Summit Lodge. Guests can enjoy live acoustic Christmas music and even meet Santa Clause, too. Children 12 and under will receive a special gift from Santa. The resort staff will take photos, but families should bring their own cameras and phones as the staff does not have the capability to print or mail pictures. Cost to attend: $5 per person includes one hot chocolate bar visit per person, meet and greet with Santa and special gift and entertainment. Cost per gingerbread house: $25 for a complete Gingerbread making kit. For more information, visit, https://www.skibluemt.com/upcoming-events/gingerbread-workshop/
Breakfast and Brunch with Santa at Montage Mountain Resort, Scranton
Sunday, December 16, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Montage Mountain is hosting its 4thannual “Breakfast with Santa.” Due to the popularity of the event, this year families can choose a breakfast session from 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. or a brunch session from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Round up the kids for breakfast, crafts, a photo opportunity with Santa and a snow tubing voucher. Ages 12 and up: $20. Ages 3-12: $10. Ages 2 and under are free. For more information, visit, https://www.montagemountainresorts.com/events/.
Big Boulder, Blakeslee
Monday, December 31, 8:30 p.m.
NYE Celebration
Kick off the New Year at Big Boulder for a night to remember. Enjoy a torchlight parade starting at 8:30 p.m. followed by fireworks. Tube under the stars and fireworks. The first 200 people to purchase a nighttime snow tubing pass will get free s’mores. For more information, visit, https://www.jfbb.com/event/new-event-114/
New Year’s Eve Tubing Party at Blue Mountain Resort, Palmerton
Sunday, December 31, 8 p.m. – 12:30 a.m.
Families looking for a fun way to ring in the New Year are in for a night of thrills with a special New Year’s Eve Tubing Party at Blue Mountain. Party includes unlimited tubing, music with DJ, dinner, dessert and a champagne toast for guests 21 and up. Adults (21 & Up) $55 per person. Youth (20 & Under) $45 per person. Limited tickets available, so purchase early. For more information, visit, https://www.skibluemt.com/upcoming-events/new-years-eve-tubing/
CENTRAL SKIING
Tussey Mountain ULLR Fest at Tussey Mountain Ski Resort, Boalsburg
Friday, December 7, 5:30 p.m. – 10 p.m.
The winter kicks off at the first annual festival in honor of Ullr, the God of winter and skiing. Edges Pub at the Lodge will be open, and His Boy Elroy will perform from 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. Shy Bear Brewing will have a lineup of festive brews and a bonfire will highlight the festivities. Admission is free. For more information, visit, https://www.tusseymountain.com.
ULLR Fest at Roundtop Mountain Resort, Lewisberry
Saturday, December 8, 6 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Roundtop is kicking off their Third Annual ULLR Fest in partnership with Troegs Independent Brewing and music from Riff Mountain. There will be a huge bonfire to appease ULLR, the Norse God of Winter. Enjoy a great selection of Troegs winter seasonal beers and food specials. Doors open at 6 p.m. Fire lighting at 7 p.m. For more information, visit, www.tusseymountain.com
Christmas Eve Dinner at Liberty Mountain Resort, Carroll Valley
Monday, December 24, 5 p.m.
Celebrate Christmas Eve with the family at Liberty Mountain Resort in Ike’s Chophouse. Enjoy the full regular menu in addition to a special Chef’s holiday appetizer, entree and dessert. For reservations call (717) 642-8282. For more information, visit, https://www.libertymountainresort.com/liberty-mountain-resort/enjoy/event-calendar/christmas-eve-dinner-0
Christmas Day Buffet at Liberty Mountain Resort, Carroll Valley
Tuesday, December 25, 11 a.m.- 3 p.m.
Make a new family tradition by celebrating Christmas Day at Liberty Mountain with a spectacular Christmas Day Buffet served at Ike’s Chophouse in the Highland Lodge. The buffet menu features a large variety of courses. Reservations are recommended. Call, (717) 642-8282 to reserve a table. For more information, visit, https://www.libertymountainresort.com/liberty-mountain-resort/enjoy/event-calendar/christmas-day-buffet-0
Liberty Mountain Resort, Carroll Valley
Monday, December 31, 5 p.m. – 1 a.m.
New Year’s Eve on the Slopes
Liberty Mountain is ringing in the New Year with late-night skiing and snowboarding until 1 a.m., fireworks at midnight and a variety of special events happening around the resort. Special Lift Tickets will be available from 5 p.m. – 1 a.m. and 9 p.m. – 1 a.m. For more information, visit, www.libertymountainresort.com.
Liberty Mountain Resort, Carroll Valley
Monday, December 31, 10 p.m. – 1 p.m.
Late-Night Snow Tubing Bash at Boulder Ridge
Tube in the New Year with a fun night of snow tubing complete with an all you can eat late night buffet, DJ, photo booth and fireworks. For more information, visit, www.libertymountainresort.com.
Ski in the New Year Celebration at Whitetail Resort, Mercersburg
Monday, December 31, 10 p.m. – 1 a.m.
Spend New Year’s on the slopes at Whitetail for the late-night ski and snowboard fun including discounted lift tickets from 5 p.m. – 1 a.m. or 9 p.m. – 1 a.m. Enjoy the sounds of the band “Retrospect,” playing in the Marketplace from 8:30 p.m. – 12:30 a.m. Plus, there will be fireworks and a ball drop at midnight. For more information, visit, www.skiwhitetail.com.
New Year’s Tubing Celebration Whitetail Resort, Mercersburg
Monday, December 31, 10 p.m. – 1 a.m.
Ring in the New Year Adventure Snow Tubing Style. Round up your friends and family and celebrate at Whitetail. This year’s event will include a buffet style variety of pizza, chips, soda, hot chocolate and cookies. The party starts at 10 p.m. and runs until 1 a.m. Tickets include three hours of snow tubing and unlimited pizza buffet. Space is limited and reservations are required. Price is $43.95 per person for buffet and tubing, $19.95 per person for buffet only and $8 for buffet and kiddie tubing for ages two to four. For more information, visit, www.skiwhitetail.com.
WEST SKIING
Celebrate the Holidays at Nemacolin at Mystic Mountain at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, Farmington
November 22 through December 31
Enjoy the magic of the season with a. trip to Nemacolin Woodlands Resort to experience the Holiday Brilliance and create special memories for years to come. With a festive light show every night of the week along with regularly scheduled holiday fun including holiday craft workshops, visits with Santa and his elves, elf tuck-ins, holiday movies, character breakfasts, wine tastings, holiday wreath making, live music, bonfires and more. For more information, visit, https://www.nemacolin.com/events-calendar#Event_1207.
Holidays in the Highlands at Seven Springs Resort, Seven Springs
Friday, November 30 through Sunday, December 2
Friday, December 7 through Sunday, December 9
Friday, December 14 through Sunday, December 16
Friday, December 21 through Sunday, December 23
Holidays in the Highlands at Seven Springs has become a popular winter tradition. Guests enter through the tree-lined resort entrance where more than one-million lights brighten the night, then hop aboard the Santa Express Holiday Train to take a ride through the Holiday Village. Santa Clause is available for photos with the whole family and there is a craft zone to make special holiday creations. Grownups can find the perfect gifts for everyone on the list from more than 30 local craft vendors and listen as carolers fill the room with holiday cheer. After experiencing the lights, visitors can check out the special holiday concert line-up. The magical Holiday Village is open Fridays, from 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. and Saturdays, from 4 p.m. – 9 p.m. The Holiday Light display is open from 5 p.m. – 10 p.m., Friday through Sunday, November 23 through December 23. Admission to the Highlands is free. There is an admission fee for holiday concerts. Minimal fees apply for Santa Express Train and activities inside the Holiday Village. For more information, visit, https://www.7springs.com/events/holidays-in-the-highlands/
Family New Year’s Eve Party at Hidden Valley Resort, Hidden Valley
Sunday, December 31, 8 p.m. – 12:30 a.m.
Enjoy a family-friendly New Year’s Eve Party at Hidden Valley. The Southbridge Room is the perfect place to ring in the New Year with fun for kids and teens of all ages. DJ Bob will be spinning today’s hits. Admission to the party includes, party favors, balloon animals, face painting, assorted refreshments, chips and pretzels and confetti launch at midnight. Cost: $15 per person. Limited tickets are available. Order by phone at (888) 718-4253 or visit, https://www.hiddenvalleyresort.com/events/family-new-years-eve-party/
Hidden Valley Resort, Hidden Valley
Sunday, December 31, 9 p.m. – 1:30 a.m.
Hidden Valley New Year’s Eve Party
Ring in the New Year and dance the night away at Hidden Valley Resort as DJ Essay keeps the party rocking’ into 2019. Admission includes Hors d’oeuvres, two drink tickets, confetti launch at midnight and party favors. Cost: $35 per person. Limited tickets are available. Order by phone at (888) 718-4253 or visit, https://www.hiddenvalleyresort.com/events/hidden-valley-new-years-eve-party/
For those still looking for gift ideas, give the gift of skiing and snowboarding with a gift card to your favorite SkiPA resort. Or, if you have a family member who is new to the sport, the First Time Skier/Snowboarderpackage is a perfect choice. Simply choose a resort and receive a lift ticket, rental and lesson for just $59.
