BIG BOULDER

📍Lake Harmony, Pennsylvania, USA

🎿 Park Rat 🟢 Beginner Friendly 🤙 Local's Favorite Unlimited on Epic

Illustration: Mountain Pow editorial team · Mountain Pow original illustration · Illustration details

Vertical drop: 475 ft
Skiable terrain: 75 acres^*
Avg snowfall: 50 in^*
Lifts: 7

POCONO MOUNTAINS

The Pocono Mountains in northeastern Pennsylvania have been a popular getaway for the greater Philadelphia and New York City metro areas since the mid...

THE REGION

The Pocono Mountains in northeastern Pennsylvania have been a popular getaway for the greater Philadelphia and New York City metro areas since the mid-20th century. Big Boulder sits along the shores of Lake Harmony, a quiet residential lake community surrounded by dense Pennsylvania hardwood forest. The region is defined by rolling, wooded hills rather than dramatic alpine peaks, creating a welcoming landscape for beginner and intermediate skiers. Big Boulder is historically significant as the first commercial ski area in Pennsylvania, opening in 1949, and it has since evolved into one of the East Coast's premier terrain parks and freestyle skiing destinations.

THE LOCAL SCENE

Lake Harmony and the surrounding Pocono communities have a laid-back, cabin-country vibe. This is a region of weekend warriors and day-trippers rather than hardcore ski bums. The terrain park culture runs strong at Big Boulder, and you will see plenty of riders honing freestyle skills on the well-built features. The nearby town of Jim Thorpe, known as the 'Switzerland of America,' adds a charming historic-town dimension with its Victorian architecture and arts scene.

GETTING THERE

Big Boulder is a drive-to Pocono ski area near Lake Harmony. Compare the airport journey as well as the flight: Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and Lehigh Valley are regional options, while Newark involves a longer drive. Allow extra time for winter roads and weekend traffic from Philadelphia and New York.

WHEN TO GO

Plan for a winter season shaped by snowmaking, weather and the operator’s calendar. January and February are the main winter months; weekdays can be calmer than weekends and holidays. Check the actual night-skiing schedule for your date.

BEYOND THE SLOPES

The region offers much more than skiing. Here's what else to explore:

🎭

Jim Thorpe Historic District

Culture

Explore the Victorian-era downtown of Jim Thorpe with its galleries, boutiques, and the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

Split Rock Resort Indoor Waterpark

Family

Enjoy the H2Oooohh! indoor waterpark at the adjacent Split Rock Resort, ideal for families with non-skiing members.

🏔️

Lehigh Gorge Trail Snowshoeing

Outdoor

Snowshoe or winter hike along the Lehigh Gorge Rail Trail, following the scenic Lehigh River through a dramatic gorge.

🍽️

Pocono Brewing Company

Dining

Sample craft beers and casual food at one of several local Pocono breweries scattered along the Route 940 corridor.

🏔️

Terrain Park Sessions at Big Boulder

Outdoor

Big Boulder is regarded as one of the top terrain parks on the East Coast with progressive features from beginner to expert.

WHERE TO STAY

Split Rock Resort sits between Jack Frost and Big Boulder and combines varied room formats with off-slope activities. Lake Harmony Inn offers rooms, houses and a larger suite; A Stone’s Throw is a named self-catering condo on Big Boulder Lake. Holiday Inn Express & Suites in White Haven is a Route 940 hotel option with breakfast and an indoor pool. Compare the actual address and route to Big Boulder before booking, and confirm rental-specific access and seasonal facilities.

THE FOOD SCENE

Dining near Big Boulder is casual and limited. Shenanigans Bar and Grille near Lake Harmony serves pub fare and is a go-to for skiers. Nick's Lake House on Lake Harmony offers a more upscale lakeside dining experience. For greater variety, head to Jim Thorpe where restaurants like Moya and Broadway Grille serve more refined meals in a scenic setting.

APRÈS & NIGHTLIFE

For a mountain break, use the resort’s dining directory to see which base-area venues are serving. Nick’s Lake House provides a lakeside town option after skiing; plan transport between the mountain and your evening stop.

INSIDER TIPS

💡Choose Big Boulder for park sessions and a compact Pocono ski day.
💡Compare nearby Jack Frost for more cruising; check the ticket terms for the areas and dates you want.
💡Check night-skiing hours for your date before planning an evening visit.

DESTINATION FACTS

Nearest Town

Lake Harmony, Pennsylvania

Population

~500

Elevation

1,680 ft (base)

Timezone

Eastern Time (EST/EDT)

LIVE WEATHER

Real-time conditions for planning your Big Boulder trip

❄️Snow Depth 🌨️Precipitation 💨Wind 🌡️Temperature ☁️Visibility

Learn to read ski weather maps →

GETTING THERE

✈️

AVP

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International

About 30–60 minutes

✈️

ABE

Lehigh Valley International

About 0.5–1.5 hours

✈️

EWR

Newark Liberty International

About 1.5–2.5 hours

Approximate planning ranges; allow extra time for winter conditions.

OVERNIGHT STAYS & CAMPERVANS

For Big Boulder, compare a booked room or rental around Lake Harmony with a designated campsite that accepts your vehicle and winter dates. Choose your base around the daily mountain journey and the power, water and indoor facilities you need.

Compare lodging options ↗

Book a designated overnight place for your vehicle and dates. Day parking does not provide permission to camp.

Sources & planning context

Historical planning figures · Figures marked * come from earlier references and may differ from current resort figures.

Other names · Big Boulder Park, Big Boulder Ski Area

Local recommendations are editorial guidance. Travel times are approximate and depend on your route and conditions.

Typically early December to late March

A broad planning range from the historical guide, conditions permitting. Use the operator’s schedule for your travel dates.

Official schedules & conditions ↗

Schedule source ↗Official resort ↗

Official website: https://www.jfbb.com/; Source ↗ · Oct 27, 2026
Summit elevation (ft): 2175; Source ↗ · Oct 27, 2026
Base elevation (ft): 1700; Source ↗ · Oct 27, 2026
Lifts: 7; Source ↗ · Oct 27, 2026
Runs: 19; Source ↗ · Oct 27, 2026
Vertical drop (ft): 475; Source ↗ · Oct 27, 2026

Historical mountain figures awaiting field-level confirmation: Skiable area (acres), Reported average snowfall (in).

Individual listings retain their own sources and check dates. A source check covers only the named details; it does not confirm availability. Snowfall averages describe climate, not a forecast.

JFBB dining — retained review ↗Big Boulder Café provides breakfast and lunch at the base. · Checked Oct 27, 2026. This check covers these details only.

IHG — Holiday Inn Express & Suites White Haven – Poconos ↗Route940hotel with rooms/suites, indoor pool/whirlpool, breakfast, parking and Big Boulder drive relationship. · Checked Oct 30, 2026. This check covers these details only.

A Stone’s Throw — Big Boulder Lake owner website ↗Two-bedroom lakefront condo; full kitchen, laundry and patio. Community pools/hot tub summer only; lake pass requires checking. · Checked Oct 30, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Lake Harmony Inn — Rooms ↗Guest rooms with coffee maker/mini fridge and parking; houses/suite with full kitchens/laundry. · Checked Oct 30, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Comfortable Rooms, kids free at Split Rock Resort, Pocono ↗Passing Split Rock evidence reused unchanged; between Jack Frost and Big Boulder, with room/suite choices and off-slope activities. · Checked Oct 27, 2026. This check covers these details only.

JFBB ski and ride school ↗Official school offers ski and snowboard group and private lessons; choose age and ability. Lift access and equipment normally separate; specific booking determines inclusions. · Checked Oct 30, 2026. This check covers these details only.

JFBB rental booking ↗Official rental booking offers ski and snowboard equipment, with mountain location, dates and pickup selection. · Checked Oct 30, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Peterson’s operator page — indexed evidence ↗Indexed operator rental page identifies Peterson’s Ski and Cycle at 5646 Route 115, Blakeslee, 570-646-9223 and ski/snowboard rentals. Direct retrieval failed and Chrome certificate error prevented recovery; no current availability or price claim. · Checked Oct 30, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Nick’s Lake House operator page ↗Operator lists Nick’s Lake House at 20 South Lake Drive, Lake Harmony, phone5707222500, and no reservations. · Checked Oct 30, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Big Boulder official hours / current-season information ↗
The official hours page still describes 2025–26 closure; exact 2026–27 opening and closing dates were not found there.
Jack Frost Big Boulder — Mountain Information ↗
The Big Boulder section publishes 2,175 and 1,700 feet; their exact difference is 475 feet.

THE REGION

THE LOCAL SCENE

BEYOND THE SLOPES

The region offers much more than skiing. Here's what else to explore:

🎭

Jim Thorpe Historic District

Culture

Explore the Victorian-era downtown of Jim Thorpe with its galleries, boutiques, and the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

Split Rock Resort Indoor Waterpark

Family

Enjoy the H2Oooohh! indoor waterpark at the adjacent Split Rock Resort, ideal for families with non-skiing members.

🏔️

Lehigh Gorge Trail Snowshoeing

Outdoor

Snowshoe or winter hike along the Lehigh Gorge Rail Trail, following the scenic Lehigh River through a dramatic gorge.

🍽️

Pocono Brewing Company

Dining

Sample craft beers and casual food at one of several local Pocono breweries scattered along the Route 940 corridor.

🏔️

Terrain Park Sessions at Big Boulder

Outdoor

Big Boulder is regarded as one of the top terrain parks on the East Coast with progressive features from beginner to expert.

WHERE TO STAY

THE FOOD SCENE