Camelback Mountain Resort: PA’s Year-Round Playground

Since 1963, Camelback Mountain Resort has been bringing the joy of winter sport into Pennsylvania. The resort has expanded immensely over the years adding more slopes, lifts, lodging, and an indoor and outdoor waterpark.

Camelback Mountain Resort is the perfect year-round getaway. Located in the Pocono Mountains, the resort is just a quick 90-minute drive from New York City. Camelback Mountain Resort is a great stay for couples who want to get away from the city for the weekend, or even for just a few hours. And when families plan their inevitable winter getaways, they are making their way to Camelback Mountain.  

At the resort, you can ski, snowboard, or indulge in snow tubing. Camelback is hailed as the absolute best skiing destination in Pennsylvania with over 250 professional ski and snowboard instructors, top-of-the-line equipment, and ability to accumulate one foot of snow in just 24 hours. The resort is also home to the largest snow tubing park earning the fitting nickname, “adventure park.” 

Seven years ago, the resort was expanded even further totaling 42 tubing chutes with the addition of two magic carpet lifts that carry guests uphill with ease. Safety is always first and before participating in the elevated fun, guests have to learn how to be cautious on the mountains and lifts. If you’re new to skiing or snowboarding, Camelback offers a learn-to-ski/snowboard program for both kids and adults. The day-long instructional course mixes learning with fun teaching guests how to put on the equipment, balance, and utilize the skis and snowboards safely. 

Most people visit the resort between late December and mid-February. Ticket prices can be anywhere between $10 to $60 depending on guests’ ages, planned activities, family size, and coupons. On weekends and special holidays, prices are $10 to $78 and snow tubing prices range from $28 to $40. There are special deals and packages throughout the year if you want to extend your stay at the resort, the most popular is the “Stay and Play” and Breakfast package. And to top it off, Camelback Mountain Resort hosts weddings for all seasons. The bride-and-groom wedding activities include bike tours, ziplining and passes to Aquatopia, the onsite, indoor water park. 

Once tuckered out from the slopes, guests can relax with a massage or grab a drink at the indoor swim-up bar, Flyboys. There are also nine different restaurant options on the location: Colonial Commons, Graffiti Pizza, World Bazaar Coffee Shoppe, Sweet Discovery, Neptunes, Hemispheres, Trails End Pub and Grille, Kartrite’s Summit House, and Berrelli’s Family Style Italian. 

New activities are constantly posted on the resort’s website so visitors will not miss out on the latest events and happenings. For example, Camelback Resort also has seasonal competitive skiing camps and ski teams including Alpine and freestyle ski teams. The resort also offers an array of entertainment options for all ages. There are live bands on weekends and holidays, and plenty of shopping. 

While snow eventually melts and seasons change, Camelback Mountain Resort keeps the fun going all year long with their Camelback Lodge and Indoor Waterpark, and the Camelbeach Mountain Waterpark. Camelbeach, which opened in 1998, is the largest outdoor waterpark in Pennsylvania. For the thrill-seekers, the park features nine different hair-raising water slides as well as a wave pool, a Flowrider, and an “adventure river.” There are also plenty of kid-friendly attractions for the little ones and many hideouts for relaxation.  

Camelback Mountain Resort is under a two-hour drive from Manhattan. There are buses that run from Port Authority to two different stops near the resort making it easier than ever to visit this Poconos getaway. For reservations and more information about Camelback Mountain Resort, visit their websiteor give them a call at (570) 629-1661 or (877) 895-9030. 

Originally published in Bleu Magazine Issue #64