Jack Frost Ski Resort
The Jack Frost Ski Resort which opened in 1972, is located in Kidder Township, Carbon County, near White Haven, Pennsylvania. It is part of the Pocono region. Previously Operated by Peak Resorts, it was purchased by Vail in 2019. It offers 20 trails and a terrain park for skiing and snowboarding.[1][2] Unfortunately, this article seems to confuse Jack Frost and Big Boulder ski areas. Although under common ownership, they are distinct mountains 5 +\- miles apart.
Terrain Parks (Big Boulder)
While it does have ski trails, Big Boulder is more of a snowboarders mountain. Its partner, Jack Frost is what local snowboarders call the "Skiers Mountain." The slopes of Big Boulder are much older than Jack Frost. The owners of Big Boulder built Jack Frost with a longer runs and a higher vertical drop, going down to the level of the Lehigh River, rather than up to a ridge top. Big Boulder resort has three main parks, Big Boulder Park, LOVE Park (Inspired by Philadelphia's LOVE Park a popular destination for skateboarders), and Freedom Park, on certain weekends it can have more. Especially after a competition in which they create new terrain.
Lodges (Big Boulder)
The resort has two lodges, the main lodge, which is located at the bottom of the mountain and can be seen from the parking lot. Inside there are cafes and other services for the snowboarders/skiers. The other lodge, located at the bottom of Big Boulder Park, is called the lower lodge. The lower lodge includes an outdoor grill, a bar a pro shop, and the entire lodge is sponsored by Red Bull Energy Drink.
Climate
Jack Frost Ski Resort
According to the Köppen climate classification system, Jack Frost Ski Resort has a Warm-summer Humid continental climate (Dfb). Dfb climates are characterized by at least one month having an average mean temperature ≤ 32.0 °F (0.0 °C), at least four months with an average mean temperature ≥ 50.0 °F (10.0 °C), all months with an average mean temperature ≤ 71.6 °F (22.0 °C) and no significant precipitation difference between seasons. Although most summer days are comfortably humid at Jack Frost Ski Resort, episodes of heat and high humidity can occur with heat index values > 93 °F (34 °C). Since 1981, the highest air temperature was 95.1 °F (35.1 °C) on 07/22/2011, and the highest daily average mean dew point was 72.1 °F (22.3 °C) on 08/12/2016. Since 1981, the wettest calendar day was 7.93 inches (201 mm) on 09/30/2010. During the winter months, the average annual extreme minimum air temperature is −14.6 °F (−25.9 °C).[3] Since 1981, the coldest air temperature was −24.2 °F (−31.2 °C) on 01/13/1981. Episodes of extreme cold and wind can occur with wind chill values < −28 °F (−33 °C). Ice storms and large snowstorms depositing ≥ 12 inches (30 cm) of snow occur nearly every year.
| Climate data for Jack Frost Ski Resort Main Lodge, Elevation 1,818 ft (554 m), 1981-2010 normals, extremes 1981-2018 | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 61.9 (16.6) |
72.0 (22.2) |
81.8 (27.7) |
88.0 (31.1) |
89.8 (32.1) |
90.0 (32.2) |
95.1 (35.1) |
93.2 (34.0) |
88.8 (31.6) |
82.1 (27.8) |
76.5 (24.7) |
67.0 (19.4) |
95.1 (35.1) |
| Average high °F (°C) | 30.9 (−0.6) |
34.5 (1.4) |
42.8 (6.0) |
55.5 (13.1) |
66.4 (19.1) |
74.5 (23.6) |
78.5 (25.8) |
77.0 (25.0) |
69.7 (20.9) |
58.1 (14.5) |
47.3 (8.5) |
35.3 (1.8) |
56.0 (13.3) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 22.5 (−5.3) |
25.4 (−3.7) |
33.0 (0.6) |
44.7 (7.1) |
55.1 (12.8) |
63.6 (17.6) |
67.8 (19.9) |
66.4 (19.1) |
59.2 (15.1) |
47.8 (8.8) |
38.5 (3.6) |
27.5 (−2.5) |
46.1 (7.8) |
| Average low °F (°C) | 26.4 (−3.1) |
28.6 (−1.9) |
34.9 (1.6) |
44.7 (7.1) |
54.2 (12.3) |
64.0 (17.8) |
69.2 (20.7) |
67.9 (19.9) |
60.5 (15.8) |
49.1 (9.5) |
40.0 (4.4) |
31.1 (−0.5) |
47.6 (8.7) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −24.2 (−31.2) |
−17.5 (−27.5) |
−9.0 (−22.8) |
7.6 (−13.6) |
23.6 (−4.7) |
30.7 (−0.7) |
37.5 (3.1) |
32.6 (0.3) |
24.5 (−4.2) |
13.3 (−10.4) |
−1.2 (−18.4) |
−21.1 (−29.5) |
−24.2 (−31.2) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 3.57 (91) |
2.86 (73) |
3.70 (94) |
4.36 (111) |
4.76 (121) |
5.03 (128) |
4.63 (118) |
4.30 (109) |
4.98 (126) |
4.79 (122) |
4.12 (105) |
3.81 (97) |
50.91 (1,293) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 19.3 (49) |
13.9 (35) |
14.4 (37) |
3.4 (8.6) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.1 (0.25) |
3.7 (9.4) |
11.6 (29) |
66.4 (169) |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 74.1 | 68.9 | 64.4 | 60.6 | 63.7 | 71.7 | 72.1 | 74.6 | 75.9 | 73.4 | 71.8 | 75.3 | 70.6 |
| Average dew point °F (°C) | 15.5 (−9.2) |
16.6 (−8.6) |
22.3 (−5.4) |
31.9 (−0.1) |
43.0 (6.1) |
54.3 (12.4) |
58.5 (14.7) |
58.1 (14.5) |
51.6 (10.9) |
39.7 (4.3) |
30.2 (−1.0) |
20.7 (−6.3) |
37.0 (2.8) |
| Source: PRISM[4] | |||||||||||||
Big Boulder Ski Resort
According to the Köppen climate classification system, Big Boulder Ski Resort has a Warm-summer Humid continental climate (Dfb). Dfb climates are characterized by at least one month having an average mean temperature ≤ 32.0 °F (0.0 °C), at least four months with an average mean temperature ≥ 50.0 °F (10.0 °C), all months with an average mean temperature ≤ 71.6 °F (22.0 °C) and no significant precipitation difference between seasons. Although most summer days are comfortably to slightly humid at Big Boulder Ski Resort, episodes of heat and high humidity can occur with heat index values > 93 °F (34 °C). Since 1981, the highest air temperature was 94.6 °F (34.8 °C) on 07/22/2011, and the highest daily average mean dew point was 71.6 °F (22.0 °C) on 08/01/2006. Since 1981, the wettest calendar day was 7.19 inches (183 mm) on 09/30/2010. During the winter months, the average annual extreme minimum air temperature is −9.4 °F (−23.0 °C).[3] Since 1981, the coldest air temperature was −22.9 °F (−30.5 °C) on 01/13/1981. Episodes of extreme cold and wind can occur with wind chill values < −22 °F (−30 °C). Ice storms and large snowstorms depositing ≥ 12 inches (30 cm) of snow occur nearly every year.
| Climate data for Big Boulder Ski Resort Ski Patrol & First Aid Building, Elevation 1,985 ft (605 m), 1981-2010 normals, extremes 1981-2018 | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 61.1 (16.2) |
71.3 (21.8) |
81.1 (27.3) |
86.6 (30.3) |
88.8 (31.6) |
88.7 (31.5) |
94.6 (34.8) |
92.0 (33.3) |
87.9 (31.1) |
81.0 (27.2) |
75.3 (24.1) |
65.2 (18.4) |
94.6 (34.8) |
| Average high °F (°C) | 30.4 (−0.9) |
33.9 (1.1) |
42.1 (5.6) |
54.8 (12.7) |
65.8 (18.8) |
73.5 (23.1) |
77.8 (25.4) |
76.1 (24.5) |
69.1 (20.6) |
57.3 (14.1) |
46.6 (8.1) |
34.8 (1.6) |
55.3 (12.9) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 22.3 (−5.4) |
25.4 (−3.7) |
32.7 (0.4) |
44.8 (7.1) |
55.5 (13.1) |
63.7 (17.6) |
68.3 (20.2) |
66.9 (19.4) |
60.0 (15.6) |
48.5 (9.2) |
38.7 (3.7) |
27.5 (−2.5) |
46.3 (7.9) |
| Average low °F (°C) | 14.2 (−9.9) |
16.9 (−8.4) |
23.3 (−4.8) |
34.7 (1.5) |
45.1 (7.3) |
53.8 (12.1) |
58.9 (14.9) |
57.8 (14.3) |
50.8 (10.4) |
39.7 (4.3) |
30.7 (−0.7) |
20.2 (−6.6) |
37.3 (2.9) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −22.9 (−30.5) |
−15.1 (−26.2) |
−8.5 (−22.5) |
8.0 (−13.3) |
24.8 (−4.0) |
32.2 (0.1) |
37.9 (3.3) |
33.6 (0.9) |
26.3 (−3.2) |
15.0 (−9.4) |
−0.4 (−18.0) |
−19.7 (−28.7) |
−22.9 (−30.5) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 3.87 (98) |
3.23 (82) |
4.16 (106) |
4.61 (117) |
4.68 (119) |
5.01 (127) |
4.80 (122) |
4.34 (110) |
5.08 (129) |
5.12 (130) |
4.58 (116) |
4.37 (111) |
53.85 (1,368) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 20.3 (52) |
14.5 (37) |
15.1 (38) |
3.6 (9.1) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.1 (0.25) |
3.8 (9.7) |
12.2 (31) |
69.7 (177) |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 75.1 | 69.8 | 65.5 | 62.3 | 64.9 | 74.4 | 74.8 | 77.7 | 78.5 | 76.1 | 73.6 | 76.2 | 72.4 |
| Average dew point °F (°C) | 15.6 (−9.1) |
16.9 (−8.4) |
22.4 (−5.3) |
32.7 (0.4) |
43.9 (6.6) |
55.4 (13.0) |
60.0 (15.6) |
59.7 (15.4) |
53.3 (11.8) |
41.3 (5.2) |
31.0 (−0.6) |
21.0 (−6.1) |
37.9 (3.3) |
| Source: PRISM[4] | |||||||||||||
Ecology
Jack Frost Ski Resort
According to the A. W. Kuchler U.S. potential natural vegetation types, Jack Frost Ski Resort would have a dominant vegetation type of Northern Hardwood's (106) with a dominant vegetation form of Northern hardwood forest (23).[5] The plant hardiness zone is 5b with an average annual extreme minimum air temperature of −14.6 °F (−25.9 °C).[3] The spring bloom typically begins around April 30 and fall color usually peaks before October 11.
Big Boulder Ski Resort
According to the A. W. Kuchler U.S. potential natural vegetation types, Big Boulder Ski Resort would have a dominant vegetation type of Northern Hardwood (106) with a dominant vegetation form of Northern hardwood forest (23).[5] The plant hardiness zone is 6a with an average annual extreme minimum air temperature of −9.4 °F (−23.0 °C).[3] The spring bloom typically begins around April 30 and fall color usually peaks before October 13.
Recreation
In 2006, warm weather resulted in issues for local skiers, but was able to stay open with snow reserves made in December.[6]
The resort was able to open one week earlier due to an aggressive snow season.[7]
Jack Frost is a major tourist destination and attraction in the region and has caused an influx of new home buyers. Home buyers have cited the ski resort, golf courses, and distance from New York City and Philadelphia as factors for purchasing local properties.[8]
References
- "Ski Resort Profile: Jack Frost Mountain, Pa". The Washington Post. 2004. Retrieved 2014-04-10.
- "Getaway Guide: Jack Frost Mountain". CBS News Local. 2012-12-05. Retrieved 2014-04-10.
- "USDA Interactive Plant Hardiness Map". United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
- "PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University". Retrieved December 20, 2019.
- "U.S. Potential Natural Vegetation, Original Kuchler Types, v2.0 (Spatially Adjusted to Correct Geometric Distortions)". Retrieved December 20, 2019.
- Robert Smith (2006-01-16). "No Snow in the Poconos". NPR. Retrieved 2014-04-10.
- Peggy Lee (2013-11-14). "Jack Frost Big Boulder Gets a Jump on Ski Season". WNEP. Retrieved 2014-04-10.
- Joe Samuel Starnes (2009-02-12). "A Poconos Village With Nature Near at Hand". New York Times. Retrieved 2014-04-10.