Two Pennsylvania ski resorts will each host their annual Ullr Fest celebrations this month– honoring Ullr, the Norse god of snow, and welcoming the upcoming 2025-26 winter season. Both resorts were recently recognized among the Top 30 Ski Resorts in the U.S. by the 2025 Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards–with Blue Mountain Resort ranked number 10 and Camelback Resort ranked Number 21.
The two resorts invite locals and visitors to enjoy free, family-friendly celebrations featuring live music, fall activities, food and drinks, and festive tributes to winter’s return. Camelback Resort will host its tenth Annual Ullr Fest on Saturday, November 8, from 4 to 9:00 p.m., and there will be live music by Leighann & Company, local crafts and homemade goods, and guests can indulge in seasonal food and drinks. Highlights include Goat Snuggling, Fire and Viking performances, and ski decorating. The popular Beard Competition is back and with prizes for the Longest, Most Creative, Best Mustache, and Most Viking-esque beards. The evening culminates with a bonfire, fire performances, and a drone show finale. Entry and parking are free for the guests.
Camelback Mountain is located in the Pocono Mountains and is less than two hours from New York City and Philadelphia. It is one of the larger ski resorts in Pennsylvania and has trails for all levels of skiing and snowboarding, from beginners to experts. It features 16 ski lifts, 39 trails, with 100% snowmaking and night skiing. There is also a 170,000-square-foot indoor adventure building with tons of activities, such as a 125,000-square-foot indoor waterpark, indoor climbing wall, indoor ropes course, and over 100 arcades and rides for the whole family to enjoy.
During the off-season, Camelback Mountain has upgraded its high-speed Stevenson Lift has received major mechanical and electrical improvements for smoother, more reliable operation. Snowmaking capabilities also see a major expansion with new high-pressure feed and summit supply lines now powering the popular Margie’s Delight and Sullivan trails. Additionally, the resort has added 32 HKD Klik auto hydrants and 32 HKD Impulse stick guns to ensure faster, more consistent snow coverage across the mountain.
Blue Mountain will kick off its Ullr Fest on November 15, from 4 to 9:00 p.m., with live music by The Castaway Band, a Viking Costume Contest, a Mechanical Snowboard Riding Contest, and a bonfire. Attendees can bring their old skis in to turn them into a shotski at the Shotski Station, and participate in the Wooden Ski Craft Station to paint a wooden ski and offer it as a tribute to Ullr. The Kids Zone will feature face painting, crafts, and games, while food and drinks will be available from Waffle Hut, Spud Truck, and Tipsy Taco. Season passholders will enjoy exclusive free food and drink perks during the event.The high-speed Stevenson Lift has received major mechanical and electrical improvements for smoother, more reliable operation. Snowmaking capabilities also see a major expansion with new high-pressure feed and summit supply lines now powering the popular Margie’s Delight and Sullivan trails. Additionally, the resort has added 32 HKD Klik auto hydrants and 32 HKD Impulse stick guns to ensure faster, more consistent snow coverage across the mountain.
Blue Mountain is also located within two hours of New York City and Philadelphia and has a vertical of 1,082 feet, the most varied terrain in the region, and one of the largest snowmaking systems on the East Coast. Blue delivers a wide range of terrain with 40 trails for every skill level.
Blue Mountain is planning on opening for the 2025-26 season on Friday, November 28, and Camelback Resort’s planned opening day is on Friday, December 12. For those hoping the season might come sooner to the Pocono ski resorts, check out these two Ullr Fests and hope for early-season snow.
