By Christopher Holland • The Current Contributing Writer
Now that autumn is behind us, it’s time to start digging out winter clothes and dust off those skis and snowboards.
Ski season is officially underway in Carbon County, with Jack Frost/Big Boulder and Blue Mountain having opened in late November. Each year as the temperatures start to drop, ski resorts are busy making snow anticipating the arrival of guests from near and far.
“Cooler temperatures and lower humidity are providing a big window of opportunity to build a base on most trails,” said Tricia Matsko, director of sales and marketing at Blue Mountain. “The snow guns dust the trails overnight into the early morning hours, depending on the weather.”
Blue Mountain has the state’s highest vertical, the longest runs and the most varied terrain with 39 slopes that challenge every level of skier and rider. The resort also has snow tubing.
Blue Mountain also has plans to host many events to attract crowds to the resort.
On Sunday, Dec. 9, Blue is hosting its 3rd Annual Gingerbread House Workshop where it’s inviting families and friends to come out and make gingerbread houses and get in the holiday spirit. Guests can enjoy live acoustic Christmas music and meet Santa Claus. Children 12 and under will also get a free gift from Santa.
And that’s just one of many events planned for the ski season at Blue Mountain. The resort also offers meeting rooms and conference space, which could make for a great work retreat for local businesses.
Jack Frost And Big Boulder Ski Resorts
Big Boulder first opened in 1949 and was the first commercial ski resort in Pennsylvania, and it was there that snowmaking was first used successfully in a commercial application. Jack Frost opened in 1972. Both resorts are known for their powerful snowmaking systems, and Big Boulder has been the first ski area in Pennsylvania to open the last 8 years.
Jack Frost-Big Boulder is the result of a revolution – The American Industrial Revolution, that is. Josiah White And Erskine Hazzard, pioneers in the anthracite coal mining industry, founded the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company. These two entrepreneurs created the world’s first iron-wire suspension bridge as well as an effective river navigation system to transport large amounts of coal to Philadelphia. By 1840, the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company employed over 1,000 men in a dozen or more manufacturing establishments. At its peak capacity in 1919 the company had 11,000 employees and was producing 5 million tons of coal per year.
Around 1942, employees built the Split Rock Club on the shores of Lake Harmony as a company retreat. The club consisted of Split Rock Lodge and the adjoining Hazzard ski slope. When the lodge was sold in 1947, Hazzard ski slope became known as Big Boulder Ski Area. This was the first commercial ski resort in Pennsylvania, and it was here that snowmaking was first used successfully in a commercial application.
John Guresh, an employee who was instrumental in building Big Boulder Ski Area, was the pioneer who perfected the snowmaking machine. In 1956, a machine that resembled a lawn sprinkler was used to emit crystals that looked and acted like snow. Guresh said of his first efforts, “One of the biggest problems was keeping the water moving fast enough to prevent freezing before it could be sprayed.” He also stated that “It never bothered me that I didn’t become rich and famous from the invention. I made a lot of friends and got a lot of recognition, that was more important.”
When Jack Frost opened in 1972, the experiences from Big Boulder laid the groundwork for a well designed ski resort. All of the slopes, lifts, buildings, and snowmaking infrastructure that would be required were planned as part of the original construction. Today, Jack Frost Ski Area is a companion resort to Big Boulder Ski Area.
With roots in the industrial age, these two ski resorts have become the heart and soul of the Northeastern Pennsylvania ski industry.
Jack Frost Mountain provides a variety of inviting terrain with a summit elevation of 2000 feet, base elevation of 1400 feet and vertical drop of 600 feet. 21 different slopes including: ski school learning slope, 4 beginner slopes, 6 intermediate slopes, 8 advanced slopes and “One” Terrain Park. There are 9 lifts: 1 quad, 2 triples, 6 doubles and 1 ski carpet.
Big Boulder Ski Area devotes 50% of its acreage to freestyle terrain. Big Boulder has ranked in the “Top 5 Parks in the East” by Transworld Snowboarding Magazine. The base elevation is 1700 feet with a summit elevation of 2175 feet and a vertical drop of 475 feet. 15 different slopes to include: 4 beginner slopes, 3 intermediate slopes, 3 advanced slopes and 5 Terrain Parks. There are 8 lifts: 2 triples, 5 doubles and 1 ski carpet.
Other resorts in the area include Shawnee Mountain Ski Area in Shawnee, and Camelback Mountain Resort in Tannersville.
Each resort offers its own unique experiences, whether you’re an avid trail rider or like to relax in the fire-lit lodges.
By the upcoming holiday, all resorts should be open in full capacity, bringing in visitors from throughout the Tristate area.
To find what resort best fits your desires, visit their company websites and explore the options available to you and your families.
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