March 29th 2012

Showing Love 1: Elk Mountain PA

Getting out of New England. One ski area at a time.

Words by: Alex Kaufman l STE Online Editor

Editor's Note: While there's a tendency to focus on where the snow falls, the parks are massive or the backcountry lines are slayed (northern New England), there's vast areas of the East where the mountains are a little smaller and the climate a little warmer, but skiers flock to their local slopes with the same level of dedication. From the midwest to the deep south to the coast, the East is home to ski areas large and small that deserve their props. This spring and summer we're going to "show some love." Do you rip a lesser hyped spot that deserves a moment in the sun? Hit us up. - AK


Elk Mountain, PA. (photo by hiddenpondconference.com)

First opened in 1959 in northeastern Pennsylvania’s, Elk Mountain resides in the Endless Mountains, 30 miles northeast of Scranton. Geologically speaking these mountains are a dissected plateau within the Allegheny Plateau. Originally there was a 2200 foot T-bar to be followed by a double chair in 1962.

Don’t let that plateau talk fool you. This is some of the most serious skiing in the Keystone State. The summit elevation of 2694 feet is the highest point in eastern PA and 1000 vertical feet is a lot in this ski region. It’s akin vertical-wise to Blue Mountain to the south, but sees far less skier traffic from the big cities. They claim it to be “like skiing in Vermont, without the drive”.


Pre closing day 2012. Check out more sick Adam Jewel shots on his facebook page.

West of the Catskills. North of NYC's go-to hills in PA. Hard to get to = better snow.


We asked followers of @skitheeast. Here's the response.

A skiers online review on the mountain states: "This is my favorite PA mountain. They're totally old school. Slow lifts, small lodge, and not a lot of frills. However, the mountain tends to attract skiers and snowboarders that actually know what they're doing. Very seldom do you find people sitting in the middle of the trail, wiped out on the side, or taking up the entire slope."

Vertical drop is so 2010. Vertical excitement is the future.