PA ski resorts welcome fall
The air is crisp and the leaves are transitioning from green to a dazzling display of color. Autumn is the perfect time to head to your favorite Pennsylvania ski resort for not only some eye-popping foliage, but also a chance to enjoy some of the season's best celebrations and events. The Pennsylvania Ski Areas Association has announced a host of events for nature lovers and festival goers alike to enjoy all season long, from Oktoberfest and traditional fall festival celebrations to haunted houses, costume parties, and even a marathon or two.
Following are highlights of the fall schedule:
Blue Mountain Resort in Palmerton
Friday, Sept. 29 through Sunday, Oct. 1, noon-5 p.m. Oktoberfest
Mountain-style Oktoberfest celebration including scenic chairlifts, live music, key rolling, German food and beer, crafters and more. Admission is Free. (skibluemt.com)
Camelback Mountain Resort in Tannersville
Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, Sept. 29 through Oct. 22
Monday through Sunday, Oct. 23 through Oct. 31 Fall Fest After Dark: Zip. Zoom. Scream!
Rabid Creatures, Zombie Prospectors, time warps and more. When the sun goes down, Pocono classics transform into an exhilarating experience on the Monster Coaster, Lights Out Zip Line, and Kartrite’s Kurse haunted house. (camelbackmountainadventures.com)
Seven Springs Mountain Resort, Seven Springs
Saturdays, Sept. 30, Oct. 7, 14 and 21; Sundays, Oct. 1, 8, 15 and 22
Autumnfest, a four-weekend celebration of the mountain’s dramatic and colorful transformation, is a family-friendly escape featuring kids’ activities, pumpkin painting, face painting, a hay bale maze, a petting zoo, pony rides, magicians, novelty acts such as fire breathers, artisans, and wagon rides. Bavarian Games include a tug of war, pumpkin carry and hay bale toss. Plus, kids age 4-7 can try snowboarding for the first time at the free Pirates Riglet Park. (7springs.com)
Elk Mountain Ski Resort, Union Dale
Saturday, Oct. 7 through Sunday, Oct. 8, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Elk Mountain Fall Festival is a weekend of festive food and drinks, musical entertainment, scenic chair lift rides, arts and crafts and a mountain bike ride on Sunday at 10 a.m. (elkskier.com)
Shawnee Mountain, East Stroudsburg
Saturday, Oct. 7 through Sunday, Oct. 8
Autumn Timber Festival — Weekend of lumberjack events, chainsaw sculptures, scenic chairlift rides, pig races, novelty shows and live music at the base of the mountain. Plus food and arts and craft vendors. (shawneemt.com)
Liberty Mountain Resort, Carroll Valley
Saturday, Oct. 14 through Sunday, Oct. 15, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Sports fall sale and equipment swap: Liberty Mountain offers a huge pre-season sale including skis, snowboards, boots, helmets, luggage, poles gloves, hats and other accessories in both youth and adult sizes. Additionally, there will be a ski, snowboard, golf equipment swap to shop for new gear or sell the old. (libertymountainresort.com)
Shawnee Mountain, East Stroudsburg
Saturday, Oct. 14 through Sunday, Oct. 15
Pocono Food Truck and Art Festival: Bring the family for a weekend of fall foliage, street eats, and art and craft show, chairlift rides and live music, with more than 25 food trucks and 60 artists and crafters. (shawneemt.com)
Blue Knob Resort, Claysburg
Sunday, Oct. 15
Winefest at The Summit Lodge (blueknob.com)
Liberty Mountain Resort, Carroll Valley
Sunday, Oct. 15, 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Chairlift rides, live old time string blue grass performances, scarecrow building, pumpkin painting, hayrides and local craft beer. Food from the Alpine BBQ is also available for purchase. Free admission. (libertymountainresort.com)
Sunday, Oct. 15, 2 p.m.
Dipsy Doodle Dash and Liberty Mountain Challenge, held in conjunction with the fall festival. The daring Dash (one-mile race) and the Challenge for the courageous and slightly cautious (1-mile walk) to the top of Liberty Mountain will kick off this year’s festival. There will be a $25 registration fee for each participant in the Dipsy Doodle Dash and Liberty Mountain Challenge.
Blue Mountain Resort, Palmerton
Thursday, Oct. 19, 3 p.m.-8 p.m.
Job Fair: Explore seasonal job opportunities at Blue Mountain Resort. Meet with department heads and be prepared to interview. More information on current job openings and applications can be found at skibluemt.com.
Blue Knob Resort, Claysburg
Friday, Oct. 20
Oktoberfest, in true festive German style (blueknob.com)
Blue Mountain Resort, Palmerton
Saturday, Oct. 21, 8 p.m.-12 a.m.
Monster Ball: Bring your favorite ghouls and goblins for an evening of spooky libations, live music and more. Prizes will be awarded for best costumes in a variety of categories. Admission is free. (skibluemt.com)
Bear Creek Mountain Resort, Lehigh Valley
Sunday, Oct. 22, 12 p.m.-5 p.m.
Harvest Wine Festival: Bear Creek will feature local wineries, food vendors and live jazz. Tickets can be purchased in advance for $25 or $30 at the door. (bcmountainresort.com)
Blue Mountain Resort, Palmerton
Thursday, Oct. 26, 6 p.m.-9 p.m.
Boos and Brews: Blue Mountain has teamed up with a local brewery and winery for adult trick-or-treating. Guests can choose their trail, beer or wine. From there, sample seven beverages, each paired with a treat from Blue Mountain's culinary team.
Saturday, Oct. 28 through Sunday, Oct. 29
Tent sale: Skiers interested in getting a jumpstart on the season have an opportunity to save big on all the best gear including skis snowboards, apparel and more. Sale is at the Valley Lodge. (skibluemt.com)
Whitetail Resort, Mercersburg
Saturday, Oct. 28 through Sunday, Oct. 29, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Great Outdoors Festival: Crafts, food, music, demonstrations and more. Adults: $9, Seniors: $5, Kids: 6-12: $5 and Kids 5 and Under: Free. (skiwhitetail.com)
Seven Springs Resort, Seven Springs
Saturday, Oct. 28
Marathon on the Mountain in the beautiful Laurel Highlands of southwestern Pennsylvania, through the mountain terrain at Seven Springs Mountain Resort. Runners can choose the distance that fits their skill level including a marathon, half marathon or 5K. The race route features multiple ponds, (7springs.com)
Roundtop Mountain Resort, Lewisberry
Saturday, Nov. 4 through Sunday, Nov. 5, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Fall Mega Sale: New and used equipment sale. Great deals on new and used equipment, clothing and accessories. Ropes course open climb from 1 to 4 p.m., $15 for a selection of high elements and a zip line. Live music, seasonal beer selections. Free admission. (skiroundtop.com)
Source: Pennsylvania Ski Areas Association, consisting of member ski areas statewide, is a non-profit association that was developed to promote and serve the Pennsylvania Ski Industry. PSAA works to encourage participation and enjoyment of skiing, snowboarding, tubing, and cross country skiing in Pennsylvania.