Top 10 Winter Activities in and Around the Poconos

As Mariah Carey defrosts her timeless winter playlists and Christmassy vibes that will make you feel like “Walking in a Winter Wonderland”, you might as well plan a trip to the Poconos for the ultimate vibe! Poconos has a lot to offer other than the usual snowboarding and skiing. When it comes to winter activities in the Poconos, skiing and snowboarding are only the tip of the iceberg. There are many more ways to enjoy the quiet and snowy beauty of the season if skiing isn’t your jam.  Explore the 2,400-acre winter wonderland to find thrilling outdoor and indoor experiences.

Top 10 winter activities in and around Poconos

Fill your calendar with icy fun, from age-old activities like sleigh rides and snowshoeing to more contemporary thrills like paintball, ATVs, and off-road vehicles. And worry not, waterpark resorts and escape rooms are there to warm you up.

1. Cross-Country Skiing:

Want to enjoy skiing without the probability of falling? Start your cross-country skiing adventure. In one of Poconos’s natural forests and parks, cruise over miles of well-maintained paths and open spaces. Whether you’re attempting the sport for the first time or you’re an expert with your own favored stride and skate skiing methods,  a day of cross-country skiing is a fantastic opportunity to get in a winter workout and immerse yourself in the untainted terrain, 

2. Sleigh rides

The horse understands how to pull a sleigh, so enjoy a warm journey through the snow this season! Magical horse-drawn sleigh rides are available throughout this season at local stables, such as Mountain Laurel Resorts. While traversing the river and the woods, make a new four-legged buddy. A fantastic way to enjoy the surroundings is by riding a horse.

3. Snowshoeing

One of the finest ways to experience this is by using snowshoes. There’s nothing quite like stepping out across a smooth sheet of just fallen snow! Take a leisurely stroll to unwind and take in the peace of the snowy woods; snowshoes make navigating the drifts much easier. Uncertain about where to begin? Local business Naturfi provides a variety of services, including guided tours and meditation strolls through some of our area’s most picturesque winter beauty sites. They also rent snow gear in the Poconos.

4. Ice skating

It’s time to put your ice skates on when the temps drop below freezing and the lakes freeze over. At Poconos places like Promised Land State Park and Tobyhanna State Park, nothing compares to flying over the frozen landscape. To ensure the ice is secure, make sure to verify the weather and conditions beforehand. Every season, the venerable Skytop Lodge provides a covered rink with public skate sessions and rentals.

5. Off-road adventures for the win!

Despite the chill, get on a four-wheeler and sprint through the snow to keep the adrenaline flowing! In the Poconos, ATV and UTV rentals are available far into the winter, and going off-road is a fun way to spice up the season. With Pocono ATVs, visit picturesque forest roads and open fields at Memorytown or race around the track at Alvins Offroad Playground. Want to go for a ride on your snowmobile? There are lots of snowmobiling paths to travel through in nearby parks when the weather is favorable.

6. Paintballing the cold!

Live your Die-Hard fan moment with paintballing! Prepare for an action-packed winter paintball match in the Poconos! The 750 snow-covered acres of Skirmish Paintball are home to amazing paintball fields with cover from trees, forts, castles, freight containers, airplanes, tanks, and buildings.

 Bring your pals along for a memorable winter outing. Your ticket includes equipment, and no prior expertise is required.

7. Go-karting

The indoor go-kart track at S&S Speedways in Stroudsburg is where you should put your best foot forward. Newcomers and experts alike are welcomed throughout the entire year. Take in nighttime racing or reserve a private event. Remember that you must be at least 54″ tall, and don’t forget to pack gloves and safety glasses (prescription and sunglasses counter as protective eyewear). You can also enjoy the snack bar, pool table, and video game arcade off the beaten path.

8. Snow tubing

An easier option to enjoy the slopes if you don’t feel confident using skis or a snowboard is to organize a snow tubing excursion with family and friends. Relive the thrill of childhood snow days spent sledging. Take advantage of the groomed lanes to glide down the mountain, then board a magic carpet conveyor to return to the summit and continue your descent. The two biggest snow tubing facilities in the nation are located in the Pocono Mountains: Camelback Mountain, which has 42 lanes and amazing night time tubing, and the recently expanded Blue Mountain Resort, which has 46 lanes spanning 1,000 feet.

9. Indoor water parks

Escape to the magnificent indoor waterpark resorts in the Pocono Mountains’ perpetually balmy temperatures when the weather outside becomes gloomy! These enormous splash parks are among the biggest and most stunning in the nation. Splash around all day at H2Oooohh or try the new virtual reality water slide at Kalahari Resorts & Conventions! Try the wave pools and lazy rivers at Great Wolf Lodge, visit the Indoor Waterpark at Split Rock, or take advantage of the 125,000-square-foot food watertopia at Camelback Lodge & Aquatopia Indoor Waterpark.

10. A good ol’ escape room

If you haven’t experienced an escape room, winter is the perfect time to put your deductive reasoning skills to the test! Spend the afternoon inside solving puzzles and completing themed tasks with your family and friends. Choose from four interactive experiences at Klues Escape Room, or unravel clues in a movie-set setting at Big Screen Escapes. The winner receives lifelong bragging rights for their intelligence!

And yes, leave the crisis of where to halt the night to us. We got you! Rest your coats at Mountain Laurel resorts where you get the best amenities to make your vacation one to reminisce your whole life. Serving delicious bites and warm drinks along with the coziest of rooms, Mountain Laurel resorts is undoubtedly your home away from home.