How to Go Skiing in Spring Mountain, Pennsylvania

Spring Mountain, Pennsylvania's focus on modern elements to please families has made it a favorite among the city set escaping with family into the Pennsylvania mountains. Their innovative snowboarding and beginner's programs have something for all age ranges at lower skill levels. Night skiing and snow making, along with proximity to Philadelphia make this a popular day tripper ski spot.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Credit card
• Internet-capable PDA or computer

Book Your Ski Trip to Spring Mountain

1. Reserve accommodations at either of 2 mid-range hotels near Spring Mountain for the convenience of walking to the slopes. The Spring Mountain Web site has links to these hotels on its Web site (see Resources below). Rates are generally moderate.

2. Check the Pennsylvania Tourism Office Web site to book alternate accommodations nearby (see Resources below). You can also phone the office at 1-800-847-4872 to speak to someone about booking lodging near Spring Mountain.

3. Reserve a large group or special occasion accommodation package at Spring Mountain's Lenape Lodge if you can arrange for 30-100 guests. Email Spring Mountain to make a reservation or call 1-888-305-5044.

4. Book a hotel in Philadelphia and drive into Spring Mountain each day of your trip for the maximum number of lodging grades and options. Philadelphia is only about 30 miles away, and you can drive in on the Schuykill Expressway (route 76) west to Blue Route (476) North to Route 63.

5. Ask after student, senior and off-peak (weekday) discounts on all ski packages and lift tickets. Book rooms within the Collegeville or Norristown areas for proximal rooms at great prices.

Ski Spring Mountain

6. Sample the world-class Burton Learn to Ride snowboard program for kids and adults to learn a little about the latest craze on the slopes with one of the most innovative programs on earth.

7. Relieve yourself of pull-me-up-the-hill duty for the weekend. Make the most of your child's beginner experience on the Mole Hill Magic Carpet, where kids unfamiliar with using chairlifts are magically hoisted uphill aboard a flat, escalator style pulley straight to the top during weekends only.

8. Enjoy night skiing until 9 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday and all the way to 10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. Night sessions tend to be more crowded Thursday and Friday evenings due to the post-work crowds.

9. Get an updated ski report at the Spring Mountain Web site.

10. Expect a relatively small mountain with only 45 skiable acres, a vertical drop of 450 feet and a summit elevation of 528 feet. Almost all of the runs are suitable for beginning and intermediate-level skiers, but experts will find little to thrill them here.

Tips & Warnings

• Purchase a discounted ten trip, fully transferable pack of lift tickets for maximum flexibility at minimum cost.
• Book online if you want to be able to do a quick search and comparison among a number of lodging providers.
• Spring Mountain is beginner and intermediate heavy, with only 11 percent black diamond skiing.
• Beware of Christmas Day closures at Spring Mountain and many other Pennsylvania area ski resorts, and book accordingly.