Industry News
Jack Frost Big Boulder (JFBB) in Pennsylvania started off the season being the first ski resort in the state to open for the 2024-25 season on December 4, 2024. This season for the mid-Atlantic hasn’t produced as much snow as in the Northeast, but unlike years in the past, the temperatures remained consistently cold enough for some great skiing. Pond skimming symbolizes the end of the season for most resorts and JFBB pulled off one of the most unique pond skims anywhere. JFBB kicked off its last week of operations with a weekend full of events, including possibly the only night pond skimming event in the country on March 8.
This spring marks a full year under the direction of new General Manager Tony Santora which gave him enough time to plan this unique event. Last season, Santora told SnowBrains he was focused on creating events that bring guests to the mountain and keeping JFBB a family-oriented resort where skiers and boarders can visit and have fun. “We will be working over the summer to plan more events for next season, and we are excited to continue to bring the fun to both resorts,” Santora said. He kept his promise and pulled off a one-of-a-kind event to kick off the last week of skiing at Jack Frost Big Boulder.
The pond skim event was unique in that it featured two ponds, one geared for first-time and beginner pond skimmers and one built for more experienced and advanced skiers and boarders. The two ponds were located side by side, the beginner pond was 50 feet long, and the advanced pond was 75 feet long. The event kicked off at 6:00 p.m. with temperatures in the low 30s. Once the sun went down, there was a big change in how cold it felt on the mountain. It was a big departure from the perfect bluebird day with the sun keeping things warm and the temperatures in the afternoon in the mid-40s. This gave skiers and boarders a greater sense of urgency to successfully make it across to the pond without getting soaked in the much colder temperatures and having no sun to help them warm up.
Over 100 people registered to compete in the pond skim event, which gave the spectators many opportunities to cheer on the contestants. Santora even competed in the event on a snowboard and dressed up in his alter-ego outfit, known as “Chad.” Participants ranged from locals and resort employees to men and women and adults and children. Some were successful, while others had to face the brutally cold temperatures of the water when they failed to make it across the pond. The loudest cheers from the crowd were for the children they were rooting on, some who looked to be as young as eight to 10 years old. The harshest treatment from the crowd was directed at adults who failed to cross the pond and were upstaged by a child who had just crossed it successfully.
The weekend events were spread out between Jack Frost and Big Boulder resorts, with the pond skim event being held at Big Boulder. Other activities included a DJ at the base lodge, cornhole, a scavenger hunt, a rail jam, and fireworks. The overall atmosphere throughout the weekend was festive and upbeat, but there was no mistake that everyone still wished the season wouldn’t come to an end and continue for months.
Big Boulder will be closed during the week and will open again on Friday, March 14, from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Big Boulder’s closing day will be Saturday, March 15, and it will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Jack Frost will be open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Every season comes to an end, but there is still time to get some spring turns at Jack Frost Big Boulder. If you are already looking to next season, the Epic Pass for the 2025-26 season is on sale now and is at the lowest prices of the year.
Jack Frost Big Boulder’s Mountain Stats and History:
Jack Frost:
- First Opened in 1972
- Peak Elevation: 2,000 feet
- Base Elevation: 1,440 feet
- Trails: 20
- Terrain Park: 1
- Lifts: 9
- Beginner Trails: 21%
- Intermediate Trails: 37%
- Advanced Trails: 42%
Big Boulder:
- First Opened in 1947
- First Commercial Ski Resort in Pennsylvania
- Peak Elevation: 2,175 feet
- Base Elevation: 1,700 feet
- Trails: 19
- Lifts: 7
- Terrain Parks: 2
- Beginner Trails: 37%
- Intermediate Trails: 19%
- Advanced Trails: 44%
For more information, visit Jack Frost Big Boulder’s website.
