Has anyone been to Camelback ski area in Pennsylvania?(pocanos)?

Question

Do they have nice beginner trails? Not talking about bunny, but a nice ride down the mountain but nothing too dangerous.

Thanks

ALSO if it's 36 deg, is it still a good idea to go? Will it be all wet and slushy?

This will be my 2nd time going to a ski resort

Answer 1

Yes it will be slushy. It has been raining all day here in the wonderful Poconos. We picked up 3 inches of snow and it is all MUSH...that's why I'm in here writing stuff on Yahoo instead of being outside in the snow.

Camelback is notorious for getting icy. It has a northern exposure and the place loves to freeze up, so if it stays above freezing it will be slushy. If it freezes it will be like boilerplate.

I'm sure  fellow Top Contributor "NJGit" can answer with some more detail...he works there.

Answer 2

Thanks Willie D for the email.  

I only work on the weekends but I know it was closed today due to weather.  Probably due to wind and the mix of rain and snow.   I would go to skicamelback.com and check the conditions page as well as calling the number on the web page for the conditions.   There is a link to accuweather on the conditions page.  The good thing about Camelback is that it is usually colder and has better snow than a lot of the surrounding areas like Blue Mtn.  

If it is above freezing then it isn't good unless it has been cold for a while.  As long as it isn't raining the slopes have been holding up pretty well.   The major thing to worry about is winds though.  If there is a big temp change then the winds will come and then they will have to shut down the high speed detachable quad chairs.  The fixed lifts are smaller and slower.  

The groomers and snowmakers have been doing a great job when it is cold enough to make snow.  There is supposed to be some overnight snow and temps are supposed to be in the 20's so they should be able to have the mountain in decent shape until Sunday when there is supposed to be some more wet stuff.  

When are you heading up?  Update your question and I"ll let you know if I hear anything from anyone up there.  

The best beginner slope is the Sunbowl.  It is really wide and has a lodge at the base.  It is down the hill on the left from the main lodge.   The other one is Coolmor and that is all the way on the right facing the mountain and is narrower and a little smaller.  

The best novice trail is Nile Mile.  It is all the way on the East side of the mountain and is accessed by the Stevenson lift.  As you face the mountain it is all the way down on the left past the Sunbowl lodge and Glen Lodge.  If you get there early then you can have it to yourself practically.  

OK please don't take this as being condescending but there is a major misconception with trail ratings.  Bunny slopes are the beginner slopes.  At Camelback they are marked with a blue snowflake on the maps.  The novice ( green circle) slopes are for people that have enough skill to turn and stop with a decent degree of confidence and may have parts with a decent bit of slope to it.  If you are a beginner then technically you should stay off them.  I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that.    There is a learning hill that is tiny so if that's what you mean by bunny slope then please pardon my confusion.  

If you need any help feel free to ask a Ski Patroller (Red jackets with white cross), Ranger ( Yellow and black jacket with black diamonds), or instructor (Blue jacket with Camelback ski school lettering on front)  and they will steer you in the right direction.