Elk Mountain Ski Area

Elk Mountain Ski Area
Location Herrick Township, Susquehanna County, near Union Dale, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Nearest city Scranton, Pennsylvania
Coordinates 41°43′16″N 75°33′32″W / 41.721°N 75.559°W / 41.721; -75.559
Vertical 925 ft (282 m)
Top elevation 2,667 ft (813 m)
Base elevation 1,742 ft (531 m)
Skiable area 180 acres (0.73 km2)[1]
Runs 27
: 25%—easy
: 30%—difficult
: 45%—more difficult
: 0%—extreme
Longest run 1.75 miles (2.816 km)
Lift system 1 rope tow
6 chairlifts
Lift capacity 5,400/hr
Terrain parks 2
Snowfall 60 inches (1.5 m)
Snowmaking 100%
Night skiing 30%
Website www.elkskier.com

Elk Mountain Ski Resort is a ski area in the Endless Mountains on the summit of North Knob in Herrick Township, Susquehanna County, near Union Dale, Pennsylvania. It is located 30 miles north of Scranton, PA. The mountain has been given favorable reviews from Ski Magazine, including a listing in "Six Unsung Heroes", a roundup of hidden gems in skiing.[2]

History

Elk Mountain opened in 1959.[3] The ski area provided a small lodge, a 2,200 ft (670 m) T-Bar ski lift, tow rope lifts and a small number of trails. In 1961 a double chair lift was installed, allowing for additional trails. A year later, in 1962, snowmaking was added along with a new A-frame lodge at the base of the mountain. Night skiing came to Elk Mountain in 1966—expanding to more trails in 1972. Elk Mountain built a 4,000-foot-long (1,200 m) long quad chairlift in 1994.

Skiing at Elk Mountain

The Endless Mountains, as seen from the top of Elk Mountain

North Chair at Elk Mountain accesses a top elevation of 2,667 ft (813 m)—the highest lift-serviced skiing in eastern Pennsylvania.[2] Elk has a 925 ft (282 m) vertical drop, 27 trails[4] (six greens, 10 blues and 11 diamonds) and two terrain parks.[5] Five double chair lifts and a fixed-grip quad chair lift provide access to the top of the mountain. Four of the lifts, including the quad, run from the base to just below the summit of the mountain. Most ski runs are groomed, but a few are allowed to bump up, or become moguled, to allow for additional challenge. The mountain receives, on average, 5 feet of natural snow per season. Snowmaking covers 100% of the 180 acres (73 ha) of skiable terrain. The base complex features a day lodge, guest services, ski school center, restaurant, rentals, and a ski-and-snowboard shop.

References

  1. ↑ "Elk Mountain opens for season". Susquehanna Independent Weekender. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 6 March 2013.
  2. 1 2 Potters, Everett (September 2002). "Six Unsung Heroes". Ski Magazine. Retrieved April 6, 2012.
  3. ↑ "History" (PDF). Elk Mountain Ski Area. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 January 2011. Retrieved 6 March 2013.
  4. ↑ "Trail Map: Elk Mountain Ski Area". Archived from the original on 13 December 2012. Retrieved 6 March 2013.
  5. ↑ "DCSki Resort Profile: Elk Mountain". Retrieved 6 March 2013.

Coordinates: 41°43′16″N 75°33′32″W / 41.721°N 75.559°W / 41.721; -75.559

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