My kids always feel the same about going to school, but when I told them they’d be going to a different kind of school—ski school—well, you can imagine their excitement. My husband and I are skiers, and introducing our kids to the sport has always been on our minds, but winters would go by without us going. This year, though, we vowed it would be different and made it a point to take the kids to the slopes. We chose Jack Frost, the companion mountain to Big Boulder (a few miles down the road), which has more trails with varied terrain, perfect for all skill levels. I had been a few times pre-kids, and now, I was looking forward to seeing their family-friendly side. From rentals to well-groomed trails and a great instructor, Jack Frost had everything we wanted, and by the end of the day, my kids felt confident enough to do a bunch of runs solo down the bunny hill (proud mom moment for sure). Read on for more about our day on the slopes and how Jack Frost Big Boulder Ski Resort is ideal for families who ski, snowboard, or want to learn. (featured photo credit: NJ MOM)

A Family-Friendly Ski Day For Beginners And Pros

A day on the mountain

Situated in the Pocono Mountains, just a few hours from New York City and about an hour from Philadelphia, the Big Boulder ski area was the first commercial ski resort in Pennsylvania and one of the first places in the US to use commercial snow-making. While Big Boulder is the original mountain, Jack Frost opened as a companion mountain in 1972 and has been catering to generations of families ever since. After a little over 2 hours of driving, we arrived and saw snow on the ground and clear paths to where we needed to check in. The resort was easy to navigate, and the staff was accommodating. Because we needed to rent equipment, we made our first stop at the on-site rental shop.

Getting into gear

The walls lining the rental shop were a vibrant collection of ski equipment in a rainbow of colors, and my kids were already thinking about which skis they would get (or colors they wanted) when they saw it. Once in the shop, you can rent ski boots from children’s size 6 to adult size 17. Skis are available from 77 cm to 180 cm, snowboard boots from children’s size 13 to adult size 15, and snowboards from 80 cm to 165 cm. Our whole family rented ski boots and skis, and my husband and I also picked up poles. We didn’t get them for the kids because poles are not recommended for ages 10 and under, since they are learning to balance and need to focus on form. It was easy to find the right fit, and soon we were out on the mountain. Tip: If you rent online in advance, you save up to $11 off the walk-up rate and avoid waiting in line.

Making magic on the mountain

Since it was our kids’ first time, we liked the size of Jack Frost—there are 20 trails (21% beginner, 37% intermediate, 42% advanced, and one terrain park)—so it didn’t feel overwhelming. Big Boulder has 19 trails and two terrain parks. And for more advanced skiers, it’s good to know that Jack Frost has a summit elevation of 2,000 feet, a base elevation of 1,400 feet, and a vertical drop of 600 feet. To get our bearings, we sat down and ate the lunch we had brought from home at a picnic table outside while looking at the trail map. We also looked at the EpicMix App, an interactive trail map with real-time weather, on-mountain GPS, and resort and safety information.

So much to learn

After lunch, the kids were excited to get their skis on and learn how to go down the bunny hills. They met with their instructor, Eric, who patiently taught them the basics of skiing before going to the mountain. My husband and I snuck a few peeks at them from a distance—we couldn’t believe how confidently they got onto the ski lifts. By the end of their two-hour lesson, they blew us away with how well they skied down the hill with a real sense of accomplishment. I would recommend ski or snowboard lessons if your child is new to the sport—it not only takes the stress off trying to teach them, but also builds independence. The best part? My kids absolutely loved taking the lessons.

Trails for all ages and abilities

While the kids took their lessons, my husband and I explored well-groomed, easy-to-navigate trails. It was a beautiful winter day, and the conditions were ideal for skiing. Since we went on a weekday, it wasn’t crowded, and I found it very peaceful being outside with only the sounds of skis and snowboards in the snow. My husband and I had a blast getting back into skiing (it’s like riding a bike — you don’t forget), and having a few hours to ourselves was also an excellent way to spend the afternoon together.

Ski lessons = life lessons

Overall, we had a great day, and the best part was seeing how successful our kids felt after learning to ski. It was amazing to go from starting the day with them wearing their first pair of skis to ending with them confidently skiing down the mountain to show off their newfound skills. This trip was more than just a family experience—it also taught patience, life skills, balance, taking turns, trying new things, and facing a few challenges. We couldn’t have asked for a better way to spend a sunny winter day.

What to know before you go

Jack Frost and Big Boulder both have two mountains, but they each have a slightly different vibe. Jack Frost is the bigger one with more varied terrain and extra lifts, while Big Boulder has a smaller, cozy feel with a higher base elevation.  A significant difference is their hours—Jack Frost is open from 9 AM to 4 PM on weekdays, while Big Boulder opens later, from 3 PM to 8 PM. Both resorts open at 8:30 AM on the weekend, but Boulder stays open until 8 PM. Both have rentals available online, and we stayed up to date on everything by checking the website for snow and weather reports, lift and terrain status, and mountain cams. There are lockers available to store your items—we found that we could fit everything for the whole family in one locker, even backup dry clothes if needed. The mountain recommends helmets for everyone, not just kids, and they can be rented or purchased at the ski shop. Big Boulder recently just opened its new Bubly Tube Park with two 600-foot conveyor carpets to get tubers back up to the top after their ride down the mountain. Though we brought our own food, we did see that dining options were available on-premises. Jack Frost has The Cafe at Jack Frost, E-2000, Jack Frost Taqueria, and The Frosty Toboggan. Big Boulder has The Big Boulder Cafe, T-Bar, The Incline Lodge, Big Boulder Taqueria, and The Big Boulder Tubing Lodge. And I highly recommend downloading the EpicMix app—it lets you make reservations and provides an interactive trail map, real-time weather, on-mountain GPS, resort and safety information. 

For more information about Jack Frost and Big Boulder, visit their websites, Instagram, and Facebook pages.

Jack Frost Ski Resort
434 Jack Frost Mountain Road
White Haven, PA 18661

Big Boulder Ski Resort
357 Big Boulder Drive
Lake Harmony, PA 18624

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