Vol. 5 No. 1, January 2008
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Winter Wonderlands
Find your mountain retreat just hours from the Jersey Shore
When it comes to chilling out in the winter, hitting the slopes is a favorite choice. But you don’t have to travel to Vail or Killington for superior schussing. There are terrific ski resorts within a half-day’s drive of Atlantic City, many with spa facilities, fine dining, even activities for the kids. Ready for some winter R&R? Read on.
Not a snow bunny or a tube dude? There are plenty of relatively close getaways where you can enjoy a hot drink by a cozy fire, as well as the other activities that make for a perfect mini-vacation: fabulous dining, dazzling nightlife and spa services. And many destinations feature special mid-week packages, perfect for casino workers who are often working on the weekend.
The nearby Pocono Mountains—roughly three hours from Atlantic City—offer skiing, snow tubing, ice skating, snowmobiling, horse-drawn sleigh rides, snow shoeing, ice fishing and much more. And there also are some great accommodations that will let you unwind in style.
Among them is the Mount Airy Casino Resort in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania. The former Mount Airy Lodge, which closed in 2001, reopened in November as a $412 million, 188-room luxury destination resort.
The resort boasts 2,523 slot machines (denominations range from a penny to $25) and the latest high-tech video poker and progressive jackpots. Dining options include Red Steakhouse, with high-quality steaks and seafood, Le Sorelle Cucina, specializing in fine Italian cuisine; Betty’s Diner, with retro all-American fare; and the 24-hour Buffet at Mount Airy.
The posh Gypsies Lounge with live bands, DJ and comedy acts was scheduled to open this month. A high-end spa and salon is also scheduled to open soon, offering facials, massages and other relaxing treatments.
As for skiing, the resort is close to Camelback and the Crossings areas. The resort offers different packages, depending on days of the week and time of year. For more information, call 877-MTAIRY1, or visit www.mountairycasino.com.
For those specifically interested in mid-week packages, the Pocono Mountains Visitor’s Bureau in Stroudsburg lists a number of options.
One is “Learn to Turn,” a collection of packages that offers three mid-week lift tickets and three nights of accommodations.
More than two dozen lodges and resorts participate in this promotion. One is the popular Caesars Pocono Resorts, which includes Cove Haven in Lakeville, Pocono Palace in Marshalls Creek, Paradise Stream in Mount Pocono (all couples-only resorts specializing in honeymoon getaways), and the family-friendly Brookdale in Scotrun.
Depending on where you stay, the accommodations include bi-level suites, your own private swimming pool, heart-shaped whirlpool tubs, fireplaces, and those kitschy seven-foot whirlpool baths shaped like giant champagne glasses. These four-level suites also include a heart-shaped, heated swimming pool, dry sauna, steam shower, fireplace, king-sized round bed, Bose Wave radio and in-suite movie rentals.
All these resorts offer a wide array of dining and nightlife options. Other winter activities include wine tasting, cooking classes and cocktail parties, and on-site options like ice skating, cross-country skiing, snow tubing and snowmobiling. Indoor activities include basketball, racquetball, billiards, miniature golf, and swimming in indoor pools.
Packages may include ski passes to Tanglewood Ski Resort, Ski Big Bear at Masthope Mountain, Alpine Mountain, Camelback Resort or Shawnee Ski Resort. For more information, call 877-822-3333, or visit www.caesarspoconoresorts.com.
For a full list of resorts that participate in the "Learn to Turn" promotion, visit www.poconoski.com and click on the “Learn to Turn” link, or call 800-POCONOS.
I f you take your winter sports seriously, then Jack Frost and Big Boulder mountains are great for skiing, tubing and snowboarding.
Visit between Monday and Friday and you can take advantage of the JFBB 5 Finger Discount Card, which gives cardholders 50 percent off regular snow pass prices, valid for one snow pass per day. (This discount is not valid during holiday periods and cannot be applied to discounted snow passes.) The cost is $99.
Want to unwind after a day in the snow? Big Boulder has the Alpine Lounge and the Main Stage in the Glass House, and Jack Frost boasts the legendary E-2000 Lounge and the Cantina. Enjoy everything from acoustic duos to tribute bands by the fireplace.
For general information about these areas, call 570-443-8425, or visit www.jfbb.com/home.asp.
For those with kids, the ideal Poconos option is the Great Wolf Lodge in Scotrun, a year-round family resort that includes the 78,000-square-foot indoor water park Bear Track Landing.
The enormous park, which utilizes nearly 380,000 gallons of water, features 11 waterslides, six pools and all kinds of high-tech fun. Among the highlights: the Slaptail Pond wave pool, where you can enjoy a simulated river rafting experience, the Coyote Canyon tube slide, and Fort Mackenzie, a four-story tree house-cum-water fort with suspension bridges, cargo nets and web crawls. Fort McKenzie also features two body slides that twist and turn all the way to the bottom and end with a splash. A 48-foot tall water tower bucket dumps 1,000 gallons of water every few minutes.
For grownups who really want to be pampered, there’s Elements Spa Salon, with services ranging from massages and facials to nail treatments. Even the kids can get in on the pampering. Scoops, an ice cream-themed spa for kids 12 and under, offers Mommy and Me Ice Cream pedicures. Budding glamour pusses are treated to a sundae during the procedure. There are also other kid treatments, such as facials and manicures.
The dining options are decidedly kid-friendly, ranging from Pizza Hut to the Loose Moose Cottage Buffet. (Not to worry, there are also a couple of bars, such as Grizzly Bob’s, for frazzled moms and dads.)
The lodge’s accommodations include rustic suites with log cabin bunk beds to amuse the kids. All accommodations include free water park passes for the entire duration of your stay.
There are different packages depending on time of year. From January 2 to February 7, check out Wiley’s Winterfest (prices start at $229). For more information, call 800-768-9653, or visit www.greatwolf.com.
For those willing to travel, the Catskill Mountains in New York are another getaway option. For terrific mid-week specials, start in Windham, New York, less than three hours away. The cozy Winwood Inn has a special mid-week package at $79.50 per person per night based on double occupancy that includes your room, a lift ticket, continental breakfast and free shuttle to and from the mountain. (This offer is based on availability, is not in effect during holidays and is subject to change.)
In addition to three trails, four lifts and some serious snowmaking equipment, there’s also the Windham Mountain Adventure Park. This family attraction offers indoor ice skating, bungee trampolines and a rock climbing wall.
Après-ski, wind down at the Trail’s End Tavern & Grill, formerly Vines Bistro, which has been completely renovated. In addition to its sparkling new décor, there’s a revamped menu with nouvelle comfort foods, as well as a bar with flat-screen TVs to take in sports action.
On the slopes, there’s a hearty waffle eatery, and in the base lodge there’s a new sushi bar and organic juice drinks at Refresh Cafe. Call 518-734-3000 to reserve, or visit www.windhammountain.com.
Another popular Catskill Mountains retreat is Hunter Resort at Hunter Mountain, just eight miles from Windham. The "Midweek Play & Stay" package includes a stay in a luxuriously rustic suite at the Kaatskill Mountain Club or Liftside Condominiums that also includes a day of skiing/riding starting at $89 per person per night. (This offer is valid now through April 15, except during holiday periods.)
There is much to see and do in this charmingly funky town, a prime party spot with a collection of colorful shops. One popular option is the legendary Slopes in Tannersville, with some of the best bands around, as well as a DJ. Every day is a holiday at Slopes, which prides itself on its great bar staff and huge dance floor.
Dining choices include the popular Van Winkle’s at the Kaatskill Mountain Club, which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner (from sandwiches and pizzas to full-course meals), as well as the Summit Lodge, a "café in the sky" nestled right on the slopes.
And don’t miss the luxury Mountain Club Spa, also at Kaatskill Mountain Club. Spa products are made from flora and fauna indigenous to the region. For more information, call 800-HUNTERMTN, or visit www.huntermtn.com.
Pocono Destinations
Be sure to inquire before you travel, and check the forecast. Some activities are guests-only, and most outdoor amusements are weather permitting.
Major Ski/Snowboard Areas
• Alpine Mountain Ski & Ride Center, Analomink. 800-233-8240
• Big Boulder Ski Area, Lake Harmony. 570-722-0100
• Blue Mountain Ski Area, Palmerton. 877-SKI-BLUE
• Camelback, Tannersville. 800-233-8100
• Jack Frost Mountain, Blakeslee. 570-443-8425
• Shawnee Mountain, Shawnee on Delaware. 800-233-4218
• Ski Big Bear at Masthope Mountain, Lackawaxen. 570-685-1400
• Tanglewood Ski Area, Tafton. 888-226-SNOW Snowmobiling
• Caesars Brookdale Resort, Scotrun. 800-233-4141
• Caesars Cove Haven, Lakeville. 800-233-4141
• Caesars Paradise Stream, Mount Pocono. 800-233-4141
• Caesars Pocono Palace, Marshalls Creek. 800-233-4141
• Delaware State Forest. 570-895-4000
• Hickory Run State Park, White Haven. 570-443-0400
• Lackawanna State Forest, Lackawanna. 570-963-4561
• Lehigh Gorge State Park, White Haven. 570-443-0400
• Pocmont Resort & Conference Center, Bushkill. 570-588-6671
• Pocono Snowmobile Rentals, Mount Pocono. 570-645-1515
• Promised Land State Park, Greentown. 570-676-3428
• Tobyhanna State Park, Tobyhanna. 570-894-8336
• Woodloch Pines Resort, Hawley. 570-685-7121 Horse-Drawn Sleigh Rides
• The French Manor, South Sterling. 570-676-3244
• Mountain Creek Riding Stables, Cresco. 570-839-8725
• Pocono Manor Golf Resort and Spa, Pocono Manor. 800-233-8150
• The Sterling Inn, South Sterling. 800-523-8200
• Sugar Mountain Carriages, Bushkill. 570-588-3063
• Triple W Riding Stable, Honesdale. 800-540-2620
