How to Go Skiing in Ski Big Bear, Pennsylvania

Situated on Masthope Mountain near Hawley, Pennsylvania, Ski Big Bear Mountain is a popular getaway for New York City residents and other regional tourists looking for a quaint ski resort without huge crowds and frills. Ski Big Bear has a first-class ski school as well as a 650-foot vertical drop and 5 lifts that service 18 trails.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Find a Room for Your Trip to Ski Big Bear

1. Book your accommodations for your ski trip to Ski Big Bear online at the official Ski Big Bear Web site (see Resources below).
2. Call the Poconos Mountain Vacation Bureau for assistance booking accommodations near Ski Big Bear in Pennsylvania. Their number is 1-800-POCONOS.
3. Book New Year's, Valentine's and Christmas reservations at least 1 to 2 months in advance, as the whole Poconos area, especially Hawley, Pennsylvania tends to fill up early then.
4. Find great rates on cabins, apartments and homes in the area. These tend to be reasonably priced as Ski Big Bear is a relatively small resort.
5. Book a hotel in Hawley if you want more lodging options. Most of these locally owned and operated hotels are fairly inexpensive, though there are some nicer options that feature elaborate spas and other luxury amenities.

Get to Ski Big Bear

6. Purchase a flight into the nearest major airport, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport. It's about an hour away from Ski Big Bear, Pennsylvania.
7. Land a helicopter in the Poconos for close access to Ski Big Bear Pennsylvania, but book ahead as these flights are limited due to frequent use by New York City residents.
8. Book a car service or limousine from Manhattan or nearby airports if you plan to stay slopeside, and skip the car rental hassle.
9. Expect a bit of a drive to Masthope Mountain from most area accommodations, and plan your arrival and departure times accordingly.
10. Use PA 590 to reach Ski Big Bear. You'll find Ski Big Bear at the end of Karl Hope Boulevard.

Tear up the Slopes at Ski Big Bear

11. Select from morning, full-day and evening-only lift pass options to make the most of your ski budget.
12. Purchase a full-access season pass if you plan on taking more than one multi-day trip to Ski Big Bear during the season and save a bunch.
13. Enjoy the new Magic Carpet lift for quick service to the top of the mountain on the beginner's side.
14. Ski nights during your trip to Ski Bear Mountain on Wednesday through Saturday only, and plan on taking Tuesdays off with their staff!

Tips & Warnings

• It's both easy and fast to book your area lodging online (see Resources below).
• Check the snow report before leaving on your December trip in case of low snow closures (see Resources below).

Who Can Help: