Elk Mountain Ski Area facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Elk Mountain Ski Area |
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| Location | Herrick Township, Susquehanna County, near Union Dale, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Nearest city | Scranton, Pennsylvania |
| Coordinates | 41°43′16″N 75°33′32″W / 41.721°N 75.559°W |
| Vertical | 925 ft (282 m) |
| Top elevation | 2,667 ft (813 m) |
| Base elevation | 1,742 ft (531 m) |
| Skiable area | 180 acres (0.73 km2) |
| Runs | 27 : 25%—easy : 30%—difficult : 45%—more difficult : 0%—extreme |
| Longest run | 1.75 miles (2.816 km) |
| Lift system | 1 rope tow 6 chairlifts |
| Lift capacity | 5,400/hr |
| Terrain parks | 2 |
| Snowfall | 60 inches (1.5 m) |
| Snowmaking | 100% |
| Night skiing | 30% |
| Website | www.elkskier.com |
Elk Mountain Ski Resort is a ski area in the Endless Mountains on the summit of North Knob in Herrick Township, Susquehanna County, near Union Dale, Pennsylvania. It is located 30 miles north of Scranton. The mountain has been given favorable reviews from Ski Magazine, including a listing in "Six Unsung Heroes", a roundup of hidden gems in skiing.
History
Elk Mountain opened in 1959. The ski area provided a small lodge, a 2,200 ft (670 m) T-Bar ski lift, tow rope lifts and a small number of trails. In 1961 a double chair lift was installed, allowing for additional trails. A year later, in 1962, snowmaking was added along with a new A-Frame lodge at the base of the mountain. Night skiing came to Elk Mountain in 1966—expanding to more trails in 1972. Elk Mountain built a 4,000 ft (1,200 m) long quad chairlift in 1994.
Skiing at Elk Mountain
North Chair at Elk Mountain accesses a top elevation of 2,667 ft (813 m)—the highest lift-serviced skiing in eastern Pennsylvania. Elk has a 925 ft (282 m) vertical drop, 27 trails (6 greens, 10 blues and 11 diamonds) and two terrain parks. Five double chair lifts and a fixed-grip quad chair lift provide access to the top of the mountain. Four of the lifts, including the quad, run from the base to just below the summit of the mountain. Most ski runs are groomed, but a few are allowed to bump up, or become moguled, to allow for additional challenge. The mountain receives, on average, 5 feet of natural snow per season. Snowmaking covers 100% of the 180 acres (73 ha) of skiable terrain. The base complex features a day lodge, guest services, ski school center, restaurant, rentals, and a ski-and-snowboard shop.
