In Pennsylvania, winter refuses to sit still. One minute you’re racing down a mountain. The next, you’re sipping rye whiskey by the waterfront, fishing through a frozen lake or wondering how ice skating and a spa treatment ended up on the same itinerary.
When planning snow sports and winter activities in Pennsylvania, prepare for a few twists. Ski resorts bring the thrills, lodges turn warming up into an art form and wineries and distilleries make après-ski taste even better. Pack some layers and leave room for the detours. Around here, that’s often where you find the best stories.
Winter Getaways in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania’s winter getaways pair snowy outdoor recreation with lodges and resorts made for warming up afterward.
Pre-Packed Escape at the Lodge at Glendorn
In the Pennsylvania Wilds, The Lodge at Glendorn brings luxury and recreation together across 1,500 wooded acres. Spend the day cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating, curling or ice fishing. The lodge has much of the gear you’ll need, so you can save some room in the car and skip the packing puzzle.
Skytop Lodge in the Poconos
The Pocono Mountains offers another choose-your-own-adventure getaway at Skytop Lodge. Set on 5,500 acres, the resort features cold-weather activities like skiing, snowshoeing, snow tubing and ice skating. Afterward, retreat to the spa or settle in for dinner without leaving the property. That’s winter balance, PA style.
Winter Fun, Plus World-Class Art at Nemacolin
In the Laurel Highlands, Nemacolin takes the winter getaway in several directions at once. Ski at Mystic Mountain, go dog sledding, enjoy a spa treatment or explore the resort’s permanent collection of roughly 1,000 works of art. It’s a place where rugged and refined share an itinerary, even if your ski legs vote for the spa.
A Spa Retreat at Omni Bedford Springs Resort
Prefer to admire winter from indoors? Omni Bedford Springs Resort in the Alleghenies sits on a 2,200-acre estate with guestrooms, several dining options and the 30,000-square-foot Springs Eternal Spa. It makes a comfortable base for a weekend built around warm meals, unhurried mornings and no obligation to put on ski boots.
Cozy Indoor Things to Do in Pennsylvania During Winter
Cold toes are not a requirement for enjoying winter attractions in PA. Resorts, spas, galleries, restaurants and tasting rooms offer plenty of reasons to head inside.
At Bear Creek Mountain Resort, follow a morning on the trails with a visit to the property's spa. Skytop Lodge also makes it easy to move from outdoor recreation to spa time and onsite dining, while Nemacolin adds its massive art gallery to the mix of indoor experiences.
In Boalsburg, historic Duffy's Tavern offers an upscale meal and a seat at the bar after a day at Tussey Mountain. Farther south, Omni Bedford Springs Resort gives visitors a choice between the casual Frontier Tavern, the more formal Crystal Room and room service. Sometimes the best winter plan is the one that ends with dinner arriving at your door.
Winter Wine Trails, Breweries and Distilleries
Snow and spirits make surprisingly good travel companions. Across Pennsylvania, tasting rooms offer a warmer way to explore the state, often just a drive away from the slopes.
After a day in the Pennsylvania Wilds, make a side trip to Blackbird Distillery in Brookville for specialty moonshine in a range of flavors. Near Philadelphia, Dad’s Hat Pennsylvania Rye serves rye whiskey cocktails from its Bristol waterfront tasting room and offers tours that take you behind the scenes of its whiskey-making process.
In Philadelphia’s Fishtown neighborhood, Philadelphia Distilling produces spirits including Bluecoat Barrel American Dry Gin® and Penn 1681 Rye Vodka. Book a tour in advance to explore its 13,000-square-foot distillery.
The Pocono Mountains keep the winter pours coming. Mountain View Vineyard, Winery & Distillery in Stroudsburg produces wines and spirits, including moonshines and flavored vodkas, using eco-friendly techniques. In East Stroudsburg, Silverback Distillery operates a production facility and tasting room in a former airplane hangar, serving straight pours, cocktails and smoked drinks. Apparently, even the buildings here take detours.
Near Pittsburgh, Maggie’s Farm Rum Distillery gives rum lovers a post-ski stop. At Nemacolin, the Hardy Room bourbon tasting includes four spirits accompanied by paired bites and information about their aromas, flavors, origins and finishes.
In York County, Wyndridge Farm serves ciders, wines, craft brews and sodas inside a 120-year-old barn on its 77-acre property. Along Pennsylvania’s Great Lakes, the Lake Erie Wine Country winds through 30,000 acres of vineyards and connects more than 20 wineries producing specialty wines, brandies and ports.
Family-Friendly Winter Activities
Families can find winter activities in PA well beyond the ski trails. Snow tubing at Bear Creek Mountain Resort, Blue Mountain Ski Resort, Liberty Mountain Resort and Roundtop Mountain Resort lets kids and adults enjoy the hills without mastering a set of skis first.
At Pymatuning State Park, just 1.5 hours from Cleveland, OH, cold weather brings another side of the park into view. When conditions allow, visitors can go ice fishing or ice skating on the frozen lake and cross-country skiing along the park's trails.
The Lodge at Glendorn in Bradford adds curling, snowshoeing and ice skating to the choices, while Skytop Lodge also offers ice fishing and ice skating alongside skiing and snow tubing. The hardest part may be convincing everyone to agree on what comes first.
Plan Your Pennsylvania Winter Adventure
However you winter, Pennsylvania has more to discover. Browse seasonal events, unique experiences and getaway ideas to inspire your next adventure.