Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania
Visiting Ski Big Bear at Masthope Mountain
What to know, what to do, and where to stay nearby.
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Ski Big Bear at Masthope Mountain is the Poconos ski area that feels like it belongs to the locals — smaller than the mega-resorts, less crowded, and with the kind of relaxed energy that makes a winter day on the mountain actually enjoyable. With skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing across 18 trails, it is big enough to fill a full day but intimate enough that you are not fighting for lift lines. At 40 minutes from Ferncrest Promised Land, it turns a glamping stay into a winter adventure weekend.
What to Do
Everything Ski Big Bear at Masthope Mountain has to offer
Ski Big Bear offers 18 trails across 650 vertical feet, with terrain ranging from gentle beginner slopes to steeper intermediate runs. It is not the biggest mountain in the Poconos, and that is part of the appeal — shorter lift lines, a more relaxed atmosphere, and enough variety to keep things interesting without feeling overwhelming.
Snowboarding is popular here with a terrain park featuring rails and jumps for freestyle riders. The park is well-maintained and scaled for intermediate riders, making it a great place to progress without the intensity of a larger resort's park scene.
Snow tubing is the standout for families and groups. The dedicated tubing area has multiple lanes, a magic carpet lift back to the top, and no experience required. It is the fastest way to have fun in the snow and consistently the most popular activity for non-skiers visiting the area.
Night skiing is available on select evenings, with lit trails that extend the day well into the evening. There is something about skiing under lights with cold mountain air and fewer people on the slopes that makes it feel like a completely different experience from daytime runs.
The lodge at the base offers food, drinks, and gear rentals. Full ski and snowboard rental packages are available, so you do not need to bring your own equipment. Lessons are offered for beginners of all ages.
Why It's Worth the Trip
More than a pin on the map.
The Poconos are not the Alps, and Ski Big Bear does not pretend to be. What it offers is something better for most people — a genuine, low-pressure winter mountain experience where you can ski in the morning, tube with the kids after lunch, and be back at Ferncrest by the fire pit before dinner. It is the kind of ski day that does not exhaust you. It energizes you. Paired with a warm dome tent and a hot tub waiting at the end of the day, it makes winter in the Poconos feel like something worth planning around.
Seasonal Guide
Best time to visit Ski Big Bear at Masthope Mountain
Spring
The ski season typically wraps up in mid-March. Late-season skiing can offer warmer temperatures and softer snow conditions. Ferncrest and the surrounding Poconos transition into hiking and lake season by April.
Summer
Ski Big Bear is closed during summer. However, the Poconos offer endless summer activities — Promised Land State Park, Lake Wallenpaupack, and the surrounding forests are all in peak season. Ferncrest is open year-round.
Fall
The mountain is closed in fall, but the surrounding area is at its most beautiful during foliage season. Use a fall stay at Ferncrest to explore the trails and towns before ski season begins.
Winter
Peak season. Skiing, snowboarding, and tubing typically run from mid-December through mid-March, depending on snowfall and temperatures. Night skiing is available on select dates. Book early at Ferncrest for winter weekends.
Frequently asked questions
Where to Stay
Stay at Ferncrest Promised Land
30 miles from the property
After a day on the slopes at Ski Big Bear, the 40-minute drive back to Ferncrest feels like a transition from one world to another. You trade ski boots for slippers, cold mountain air for a heated dome tent, and lift lines for a hot tub under the trees. Light the fire pit, warm up with a drink, and let the evening settle in. Ferncrest in winter is not roughing it — it is the most comfortable way to experience ski season in the Poconos.
