My kids have been eager to try snowboarding, so when my husband and I found out that Shawnee Mountain in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, is an excellent place for beginners, we decided to hop in the car and head to the Pocono Mountains. Shawnee features 23 trails, two terrain parks, and an extensive learning center, so we were confident the kids would have plenty of terrain to spread out and focus on their lessons. Overall, it was a fantastic day—getting on a board was a great experience for them, and for us, watching them learn a new skill was thrilling. Read on for more about our first snowboarding experience (and where to get the most delish hot chocolate ever) at Shawnee Mountain. And for more frosty fun, check out the best places to ski and board in the tri-state area. (featured photo credit: NJ MOM)

Shawnee Mountain: A Family Fun Mountain

Coming up to the mountain

Before we headed out, we checked the easy-to-access snow report on the website to find out which trails and lifts were open. It also listed the temperature and snowmaking status, so we knew how to prepare for gear. Getting to the mountain was easy, and once we parked, we crossed a footbridge to the central hub, where the lodge and rental area were. As we walked into the lodge, we could see the snowy mountain. Straight ahead was the larger part of the mountain where skiers and snowboarders were cruising down, and to the left was the Freestyle Terrain Park. To the right, we saw the Learning Center, Snow Tubing Park, and the adorable Mini Monster Mountain, where kids ages 8 and under could play in the snow and hang out.

Getting equipment ready

My kids were new to snowboarding, and so we headed to the rental area to get set up for a day on the slopes. They have everything you need for skiing and snowboarding, including helmets for rent (helmets are included with the Children’s Program lessons). For this visit, my kids rented boots, bindings, and snowboards. My husband and I planned to ski while the kids were in their lessons, so we rented skis and had our own helmets and goggles. It was an easy process; many staff members were available to help, and finding the right fit didn’t take long.

Choose your own adventure 

The summit elevation of Shawnee Mountain is 1,350, the average snowfall is 35 inches, and the uphill capacity is 12,600 skiers an hour. With 23 trails, there are plenty of different ways to spend time on the slopes in this 125-acre ski area. You can choose to ski or snowboard on trails labeled “Easiest,” “More Difficult,” “Most Difficult,” or “Freestyle Terrain.” The two Terrain Parks feature multi-jumps, s-rails, rollers, rails, and a Pyramid and Bridge. And if you’d rather slide than ski, enjoy the thrill of snow tubing at their Pocono Plunge Snow Tubing Park. 

Engaging lessons for all

The Learning Center is on a designated beginner’s slope, so tiny skiers and adult beginners have a safe place to learn. Since the kids were anxious to get to their snowboarding lesson, we headed to the Children’s Program office in the back of the building, where we signed in, got them ready with their equipment, and went to the designated spot to meet their instructor. They were taking the three-hour Mountain Cruisers program for ages 7-15, with morning, afternoon, and full-day sessions with lunch, and an instructor-to-student ratio of 6:1. The kids were thrilled to begin, so we took off for our skiing date. When we returned to pick them up, we were amazed by their progress. They had gone from knowing nothing about snowboarding to confidently gliding down the mountain. We were very impressed with the lessons they received—Ayden was an excellent instructor. He taught the kids everything from how to strap onto a snowboard to completing a C-turn by the end of their lesson. They also received a report card, which they can bring back and give to the next instructor, who can use it to know where they left off.

Take a break

Shawnee doesn’t allow outside food, but we were happy to find plenty of good lunch and snack options. At the Hope Lodge, we found the Hope Cafeteria and seating, the Greenhouse Cafe with grab-and-go items and coffee, and The Tavern with a full-service bar featuring specialty adult drinks like hot apple cider, hot coffee, tea, and hot chocolate with an extra twist. At Trepp Lodge, there is the Trepp Cafeteria and the Groomers Grill & Bar, a full-service restaurant and bar with starters, burgers, wraps, salads, sandwiches, chili, soup, dessert, and a kids’ menu featuring hot dogs, chicken tenders, and macaroni and cheese. For more intrepid skiers and boarders, there’s the Summit Bar and Lodge at the top of the mountain, with great views, a bar, and a food menu. There is also a Square Fare food truck available outside the lodge. The children’s programs have snack time as part of their three-hour program, and both kids said that, in addition to their snack, they were pleased to announce that they had “the best hot chocolate that they ever had in their life” at Shawnee.

FAQs

Shawnee Mountain is expected to open in early to mid-December (weather permitting), then Monday-Tuesday from 9 AM-4 PM and Wednesday-Sunday from 9 AM-9 PM. They are also open on holidays for limited hours; always check ahead because hours are subject to change. Parking is free and close to the mountain. Everything is cashless, and if you have cash on hand, they have reverse ATM kiosks that will convert your cash (free of charge) into a Visa prepaid gift card. Shawnee uses a dynamic pricing system, which means that, like an airline, several discounted tickets are sold daily, and the next tier will pop up automatically when the lower price is claimed (typically, tickets bought further in advance cost less). If you purchase in advance but are concerned about choosing a date, trip insurance called a Flex Ticket is available for $25 (it only needs to be added to your cart once) and allows you to change the date or time of your reservation. Note that you will be responsible for the overage if you move to a higher-priced day. Season passes are also available, and if you have a third or fourth grader from any school or state, they can get a Third and Fourth Grade Snow Pass and receive three free ski or snowboard visits with an adult ticket (valid midweek or after 3 PM on weekends and holidays). College students, active military, and seniors ages 65-69 can receive a discount; anyone 70+ can ski for free. Tickets for snow tubing and Mini Monster Mountain are separate; you do not need a lift ticket. Rentals are available for skiing and snowboarding for toddlers to adults, and there are lockers for storing items; two first aid locations are on-site, a ski and snowboard repair shop, a retail shop, guest services, and a ski shop. There are lodging packages at the historic Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort or The Penn Stroud. Keep up to date with new events this season, like Paint the Mountain Pink and the Bigfoot Snowshoe Race.

Learn more about Shawnee Mountain by visiting their website, Facebook, and Instagram.

Shawnee Mountain
401 Hollow Road
East Stroudsburg, PA 18301

Want the inside scoop? Sign up for the NJMOM bi-weekly newsletter to get the lowdown on everything for your family in NJ (think of it as the ultimate cheat sheet for NJ Moms). And don’t forget to tag your photos #NJMOM and @njmom for a chance to be featured.