Hidden Gems of PA: Jack Frost Big Boulder, PA

Gregg Frantz | | Post Tag for Industry NewsIndustry News
Jack Frost
Jack Frost Photo: Gregg Frantz

Jack Frost Big Boulder is a great day trip for skiers looking to satisfy their snow fix without making that long road trip.  It is located in the Pocono Mountains and is about an hour away from Philadelphia and about two hours away from New York City.

Quick Facts and History:

Big Boulder Mountain
• Summit elevation: 2175′
• Base elevation: 1700′
• Vertical drop: 475′
• Trails: 15
• Lifts: 10 (2 Triples | 5 Doubles | 1 Carpets | 2 Carpet Tubing Lifts)

Jack Frost Mountain
• Summit elevation: 2000′
• Base elevation: 1400′
• Vertical drop: 600′
• Trails: 20 (4 Easier | 6 More Difficult | 8 Most Difficult | 2 Terrain Parks)
• Lifts: 12 (1 Quad | 2 Triples | 6 Doubles | 1 Carpet | 2 Surface Tubing Lifts)

Jack Frost Big Boulder are actually 2 different mountains located in the Poconos and are a quick 10-minute drive from one another.

Jack Frost Photo: Gregg Frantz

Big Boulder was established in 1947 and was the first ski resort in PA. Big Boulder also has bragging rights as the birthplace of modern-day snowmaking! Big Boulder is well known throughout the Poconos for its terrain park. The mountain is basically a park rat’s dream. For the most part, Big Boulder is one big terrain park with features on almost every trail to hit. One trail that I found a lot of fun was an intermediate trail called, “Bunny’s Elbow”. It is one of the few trails at Big Boulder that skiers/boarders can just go down with few to little features on them. It is narrow with quick turns and has a few small vertical drops on the trail but does offer some glades you can hit as well.

Jack Frost Photo: Gregg Frantz

Jack Frost is a family-oriented ski resort that embodies the characteristics of a ski resort that the Poconos are famous for. The mountain offers terrain best suited for beginners to intermediate. There are some trails that are truly fun to hit there for the more experienced skiers/boarders. I would suggest their diamond slope,” Telstar” that drops into another diamond slope, “Floyd’s Folly”.  It’s narrow, has quick turns, short but fast vertical drops, and has a great view of the Lehigh River below you.

When it comes to lift ticket prices you really cannot beat Jack Frost Big Boulder. Their lift ticket prices are lower than other ski resorts around the area making them great for families. It is also important to remind guests that at Jack Frost Big Boulder your lift passes are valid at both resorts for that day. So, you are getting to experience two mountains while purchasing just one lift pass! Jack Frost Big Boulder is also part of the Epic Pass program.

Jack Frost Big Boulder is a great place for skiers/boarders who looking for a resort that offers a little bit of everything, that is not that far away and without paying those high ticket prices.

Jack Frost Big Boulder Trail Maps:

Jack Frost Trail Map

Jack Frost trail map

Big Boulder Trail Map

Big Boulder trail map

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3 thoughts on “Hidden Gems of PA: Jack Frost Big Boulder, PA

  1. That’s pretty AWESOME !
    7-springs SKI CLUB in 1990 led me to live in the mountains in Colorado also……HA

  2. I remember skiing these two areas on separate occasions in 8th Grade on a school trip there. It was only my 2nd and 3rd time ever skiing. I thought the hill was huge. I rented elan skis with spademen bindings. Little did I know then that this would lead to bigger things in my life. I ended up moving west to work at Snowbird when I was 22. Still in the state today!

    1. That’s awesome! Jack Frost Big Boulder was a fun resort to check out! I’m glad you have some good memories from there!

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