Megan PellegrinoSno Mountain: Scranton,Pa.
Nestled in Northeast Pa.’s endless mountains, Sno is that hidden gem locals hit and tourists usually don’t tend to make it to. What that means: short lift lines.
More commonly known as Montage Mountain, Sno was recently renamed. With the new name comes new additions.
Sno’s got terrain parks, both a rail and jump park, well suited for snowboarders hoping to catch some air and practice crazy tricks. There’s both a 13 foot and a 22 foot half pipe.
With 30 runs, it’s a mountain for every level of skier, offering easier slopes for beginners, intermediate trails and for a challenge the North face is a headwall. The infamous slope, White Lighting is one of the steepest on the East Coast, filled with challenging moguls. Each and every trail is fully lit for night skiers. Or for those not interested in skiing or snowboarding, the mountain offers the recreational fun of snow tubing.
Sno Mountain’s Web site is snomtn.com.
Sno also houses the largest recreational ski and snowboard race program in the world, the National Standard Race, where guests and mountain regulars can take a run through a downhill racecourse and possibly win a medal.
The racing franchise uses a handicap system to level the playing field and provide skiers and snowboarders with fun ways to race, even to compare their scores with others across the country that have run a NASTAR course. For more on NASTAR visit www.nastar.com.
Plus, Sno has plenty of it. Between 270 snow guns blowing and the natural snowfall Northeast Pennsylvania accumulates, there’s no doubt that there will be snow.
Blue Mountain: Palmerton, Pa.
The closest drive out of the listed resorts, Blue Mountain, has daily pricing specials, including $10 off a college student’s lift ticket Monday through Friday. With 155 skiable acres, Blue Mountain offers lots to do.
It’s got a snow tubing park, 33 trails and three terrain parks.
College party night anyone? In addition to offering college lift tickets discounts during the week, Thursday night is when it gets interesting.
Blue Mountain’s Web site, skibluemt.com, informs that all college students with a valid ID will receive a number of discounts on more than just lift tickets.
There will be deals on rentals and tubing, along with food and drink specials. Plus live music and a dance floor from 8 to 11 p.m.
Coming this weekend, Habitat for Humanity and Blue Mountain are coming together to help raise funds.
Sponsored by the ski resort and Born Candy on Feb. 21 and 22, there will be promotion and information on the cause at Blue Mountain.
Jack Frost/Big Boulder: Jack Frost/Big Boulder
This Pocono tourist attraction wants to help out the college kid’s budget.
Every Wednesday is Jack Frost College day and when nightfall hits, it’s Big Boulder where anyone with a valid college I.D. can grab a $15 snow pass, $10 rentals and drink specials. Even on the weekends where many other resorts are too expensive, one lift ticket is good for both resorts, doubling the fun.
Jack Frost also has snow tubing, for those non-skiers or riders, and two terrain parks.
Boulder Park, being rated as a top five terrain park on the East Coast of Canada and the United States by Transworld Snowboarding, is made for those freestyle fanatics.
With over 40 long and wide slopes to choose from, there seems to be a trail for riders of all skill levels.
Perhaps the best part of the mountain, is the lodge and parking lot being at the top. Skiiers and riders can simply strap in and head straight down a trail rather than wait in a long lift hill line.
Jack Frost/Big Boulder Ski Resort, just a straight shot up the North East extension, is just an hour and a half away from Cabrini.
For more information, visit www.jfbb.com.
