Hitting the Slopes

By Sandra Deckelman & Steve Flynn

REGION — Over the next several weeks, we will be reviewing the slopes of Northeastern Pennsylvania and the Catskill Mountains. If there is a slope you are dying to try, but want to hear about it first, drop us a line and we’ll try to add it to our hit list. We can be reached at sandy@riverreporter.com or 845/252-7414.

Ski Big Bear
at Masthope Mountain

Ski Big Bear, a community-owned ski area, has come a long way since Steve’s last visit several years ago. There were more slopes, better snow making and much better skiing.

Located about 10 minutes north of the Roebling Bridge in Lackawaxen, PA, this slope is close, enjoyable and very affordable.

In recent years the community at Masthope purchased the ski area and has since purchased new rental equipment, increased its snow making capabilities and added a tubing run. The increased snow making capabilities allow for 100-percent snowmaking on all trails. We found the trails to be well groomed, well lit and great to ski. There is something for all ages and abilities. From the bunny slope serviced by its own T-bar, the terrain park for the dare devil to the tube run for the non-skier, Ski Big Bear is the place to be.

The friendliest staff on the slopes is definitely at Masthope. On several occasions we had the opportunity to speak with personnel and ski patrol. One of the patrollers sat and told stories with us for a half hour while we were in the cafeteria, and the lift attendants were polite, helpful and very courteous.

There is great fireplace burning in the lodge, real wood and all.

This is the place to go if you want quiet slopes, affordable prices and great skiing.

For information on Ski Big Bear at Masthope Mountain, visit www.ski-bigbear.com or call 570/685-1400.

The All New
Holiday Mountain Ski Area

Taken over by Craig Passante this past year, Holiday is in transition. Passante has revamped the rental room, ticket purchase area and cafeteria. The road has not been smooth though, with problems developing early in the season on the chair lifts. Overall, however, we found everything to be in working order.

The first few runs of the evening were made on Benson’s Glade, a more difficult trail located to the far right of the lodge. The glade is a great slope to warm up on, but very difficult to reach if the double chairlift (located in the center of the slopes) is not operating. Unfortunately for us, none of the slopes surrounding this lift were available for night skiing, keeping the lift closed.

It is quite a walk from the lodge to the lift which services Benson’s Glade, The Roman Candle and Manny’s Run, the three longest slopes available for night skiing. Once you’re there don’t leave these trails until you’re ready to leave for good. These slopes are a great place to start your session, while energy levels are still high enough to make the trek.

Holiday boasts of an all-terrain park for snowboarders in its brochure, but we were unable to locate the park. We did watch some great talent jumping a huge mound of snow at the bottom of the Roman Candle. The jumping and tricks were great, but required riders to make a dead run (for speed) down the Roman Candle, through lift line traffic from the convergence of three slopes, ski/ride over dangerous ungroomed terrain and land on an ungroomed surface. Whether or not this is permitted, we found no one discouraging this practice.

The staff in the rental room was quite helpful as they set up Sandy’s snowboard and prepared her for a next attempt at the sport.

The prices in the cafeteria were reasonable: $1 for bottled water and $3 for five mozzarella sticks.

Our overall opinion of The All New Holiday Mountain Ski is… it’s a great place for beginners, families and those looking to get back in the “ski” of things. On the downside, it offers little or no challenge to those with advanced skill.

There is a lot of work yet to be completed at Holiday. Be sure to keep up to date on its progress, and stop by for a warm-up run before heading off to something more challenging.

For information on The All-New Holiday Mountain Ski Area call 845/796-3161 or visit www.holidaymtn.com.