Carving an edge at Camelback Resort in Tannersville / Photograph courtesy of Camelback Resort
Forget heading west — you don’t have to travel far from Philly to ski or snowboard. Black diamond trails, beginner hills, and après-ski experiences abound from Virginia to Vermont, so grab your gear and hit the lifts and shred some gnar (or simply be a powder princess on the bunny slopes). Whatever your style, you’ll find it here.
Belleayre Mountain / Photograph courtesy of Belleayre Mountain
Pack up the car and head for the slopes at one of these ski resorts, all within six hours of Philly. Keep reading …
Urban Cowboy Lodge / Photograph by David Krugman
Post up at one of these destinations, which welcome travelers with everything from classic ski cabins to ultra-luxe getaways. Keep reading …
Expert Advice: One Philly Pro’s Fave Resorts
Jack Frost/Big Boulder / Photograph courtesy of Jack Frost/Big Boulder
As president of the Philly Freeriders Ski & Snowboard Club — a group of 4,000-plus snow-sports enthusiasts that formed over a decade ago — Doylestown’s Matt Patel-Schneider knows how to shred powder. He started skiing in elementary school, and now he’s an expert who seeks adventure off-piste. And while his club’s members meet as far as Whistler or Chamonix, they’ll still tear up mountains closer to home.
For day trips, Blue Mountain Resort is Patel-Schneider’s favorite. The mountain’s short, steep runs make it the region’s most challenging, he says — plus, it’s home to the country’s largest tubing park. He also recommends Montage Mountain, Camelback Resort, Jack Frost/Big Boulder, and Roundtop Mountain Resort. The latter, in Lewisberry, has tricky terrain to please advanced skiers, while Camelback’s year-round indoor waterpark makes it perfect for families.
For a weekend, Patel-Schneider drives to Vermont’s Killington Resort. “They call it the Beast of the East for a reason,” he says of the massive resort — larger than any in Pennsylvania or New Jersey. Killington also gets ample snow, and there’s a lively après-ski scene. If you want a charming ski town, though, Patel-Schneider suggests Ludlow’s Okemo Mountain. — C.P.W.
Scribner’s Catskills Lodge / Photograph by Read McKendree
Whether your idea of unwinding is a sauna and a salt room or a beer and a band, here’s where to go hard and recover well this winter. Keep reading …
Gear Essentials
Photograph by Breanne Furlong
Shop snow gear that serves its purpose without sacrificing style.
❶ Arc’teryx Mallow toque, $55 at Buckman’s (King of Prussia). ❷ Oakley Flow M Matte goggles, $383 at Buckman’s. ❸ Helly Hansen Men’s Alpha LifaLoft insulated ski jacket, $570, available by special order at D&Q (Cherry Hill). ❹ Cozy plaid fringe scarf, $22 at Gather (Honesdale). ❺ Atomic Savor Visor Stereo helmet, $220 at the Ski Bum (Glen Mills). ❻ Hestra Army Leather Gore-Tex five-finger ski gloves, $230, available by special order at D&Q. ❼ Allen Paca Knitwear one-quarter zip sweater, $199 at allenpaca.com. ❽ Allen Paca Knitwear heavy alpaca socks, $35 at allenpaca.com. ❾ Burton Highshot step-on men’s snowboard boots, $380 at the Ski Bum. ❿ Rome Boneless snowboard, $523 at D&Q. — K.S.
Bryce Resort / Photograph by Andrew DeVier-Scott
Expert advice on prep time, gear, and tackling the bunny slopes … with patience. Keep reading …
Published as “The Mountains Are Calling” in the December 2025/January 2026 issue of Philadelphia magazine.