Jack Frost Ski Resort facts for kids
Jack Frost Ski Resort and Big Boulder Ski Area are two popular places for skiing and snowboarding in Pennsylvania. They are located in the Pocono Mountains region, near White Haven. These two resorts are partners, meaning you can use the same ticket to enjoy both mountains!
Jack Frost opened in 1972. It has 20 trails and a special terrain park for skiers and snowboarders. Big Boulder opened even earlier, in 1947. A company called Vail bought both resorts in 2019.
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Big Boulder: A Pioneer in Snowmaking
Big Boulder Ski Area opened its slopes in 1947. It's famous for a cool invention! In the 1950s, an employee named John Guresh helped create the first useful snowmaking equipment right here. This was a huge step for ski resorts everywhere, allowing them to make their own snow even when nature didn't provide enough.
Big Boulder is often seen as a mountain that's especially great for snowboarders. Its partner, Jack Frost, is sometimes called the "skiers' mountain" by locals. The slopes at Big Boulder are older and generally shorter than those at Jack Frost. Jack Frost was built with longer runs and a bigger drop in height, going down towards the Lehigh River.
Terrain Parks at Big Boulder
Big Boulder used to be known for its amazing terrain parks. These parks are special areas with jumps, rails, and other features for snowboarders and skiers to do tricks. Big Boulder had three main parks: Big Boulder Park, LOVE Park (inspired by Philadelphia's famous LOVE Park where skateboarders often gathered), and Freedom Park. Sometimes, after a competition, they would even build new and exciting features.
However, during the 2020-2021 ski season, the new owners decided to have fewer terrain parks. They started to focus more on Big Boulder as a mountain for learning to ski or snowboard. This change made some people wonder if Big Boulder would still be one of the top "park" mountains on the East Coast. It's still being seen if this change is permanent or just for a short time.
Lodges at Big Boulder
Big Boulder has two main buildings, called lodges, where visitors can relax and get ready for the slopes.
- Main Lodge: This lodge is at the bottom of the mountain and you can see it from the parking lot. Inside, you'll find cafes and other services for skiers and snowboarders.
- Lower Lodge: This lodge is located at the bottom of the Big Boulder Park area. It has an outdoor grill, a place to buy drinks, and a pro shop where you can find gear. This lodge is also sponsored by Red Bull.
Nature at the Resorts
Both Jack Frost and Big Boulder Ski Resorts are located in an area with beautiful natural surroundings. The main type of trees you'll find here are Northern Hardwood trees. This means you'll see lots of trees like maple, birch, and oak.
The weather here allows for a good ski season. The coldest temperatures usually happen in winter. Spring flowers typically start to bloom around April 30th. The leaves on the trees usually change to beautiful fall colors before October 11th at Jack Frost and October 13th at Big Boulder.
Fun and Tourism
Jack Frost Ski Resort is a very popular place for tourists to visit in the region. It brings many people to the area, and some even decide to buy homes nearby! People often choose to live here because of the ski resort, nearby golf courses, and because it's not too far from big cities like New York City and Philadelphia.
Even when the weather is warm, the resorts work hard to stay open. For example, in 2006, warm weather caused some challenges, but the resort was able to stay open by using snow that they had made and saved from December. Sometimes, if there's a lot of snow early in the season, the resort can even open a week earlier than planned!
