Montage Mountain Ski Resort (also known as Sno Mountain)
is a little farther from Philadelphia
and New York City
than most of the other Pocono Mountain
resorts, but this is not necessarily a bad thing: it tends
to be less crowded than Blue
Mountain, Jack
Frost, and other nearby ski
areas.
Montage Mountain Ski Resort is hard to miss; its runs are clearly visible as you drive on Interstate 81 through Scranton PA. As industry has receded from the Scranton area, the region has placed increased focus on local tourism. Montage Mountain Ski Resort is a major strength of the burgeoning local tourist industry.
Sno Mountain / Montage Ski Resort is quite large by
Pennsylvania standards, with 140 acres of skiable terrain
serviced by six lifts. Its 21 trails are well balanced
between advanced, intermediate, and novice terrain.
The learning area above Montage ski lodge is one of the best in the area, with trails of increasing pitch separated from other traffic. First timers can perfect their technique in the bunny area, then head up the chairlift above Montage ski lodge and tackle Easy Street and the more difficult but still gentle Highball and Mainline.
Intermediates will want to head to the north side of Sno Mountain/ Montage Ski Resort, to the Iron Horse and Long Haul lifts. Fast Track run, from the top of Long Haul, winds down the entire 100-foot vertical drop, getting steeper near the bottom. Runway, the other full-mountain trail, features the Upper Runway Terrain Park, with more jumps and rails than most area parks.
The most challenging terrain at Sno Mountain / Montage
Ski Resort is just below the Montage ski lodge. A dedicated
chairlift (Phoebe Snow) services three short double-black-rated
slopes: Smoke, Boomer, and White Lightening. White Lightning
is the steepest, but this can mean it gets iced over and
develops uneven mogul bumps. Neighboring Boomer is not
as steep but generally has a better surface.
Sno Mountain / Montage Ski Resort is open until 10 pm
daily during. Ticket prices are inching over $50 for a
full-day pass, but discounts are still available for afternoon,
4-hour, or night passes. A special Sunday night deal lets
people on the slopes for less than $25.
Montage ski lodge has a pleasant pub and cafeteria, but there are no slopeside condos. This is no problem; there is plenty of lodging in nearby Scranton, a small city with plenty of restaurants and bars. A great place to stay on a Montage ski weekend.
