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Winter in the Poconos, honestly.
Three ski mountains within half an hour, dog sledding, free ice rinks and sledding hills — and the straight answer about snowmobile rentals nobody else will give you.
Snowmobile rentals in the Poconos: there aren't any.
We get asked constantly, so here it is plainly: no one publicly rents snowmobiles in the Poconos anymore. The last rental operation, near Pocono Manor, switched to UTVs back in 2017, and Skytop Lodge's snowmobile trails are reserved for its own overnight guests.
The closest thing open to everyone: a guided winter UTV tour with Pocono Outdoor Adventure Tours near the Raceway — enclosed side-by-sides that run all year including snow days, no experience needed, kids 5+ ride along. Book ahead on snowy weekends.
Want the machine-free version of a white-knuckle winter day? That's what the tubing parks and the terrain at Big Boulder are for — read on.
Three ski areas within half an hour.
Ski a full day and still beat the hot tub crowd home.
Camelback Mountain
The big one — 39 trails, 16 lifts, night skiing, and the largest snow-tubing park in the US. Tubing tip from experience: book the first morning slot online; holiday-weekend lines get brutal by 11.
Jack Frost Big Boulder
Two mountains on one ticket: Jack Frost for cruisers, Big Boulder for terrain parks and night sessions. Usually the calmest lift lines of the three.
Shawnee Mountain
Closest to our homes and the family favorite — 23 trails, a genuinely good ski school, smaller crowds, gentler prices. First-timers start here.
The winter the locals do.
Free sledding hills
Right in Stroudsburg: the big hill at Wesleyan Church on N 5th Street, and another behind the junior high. Bring sleds.
Ice skating
Free outdoor rinks in Stroudsburg borough and at TLC Park in Tannersville (bring skates, 9–9, weather permitting). Skytop Lodge opens its rink to the public — ~$10, or $20 with rentals.
Dog sledding
Arctic Paws runs real dog-sled tours at the Shawnee Inn on winter weekends, mid-December to early March, snow permitting. Books out fast — reserve early.
Snowshoes, free
PEEC lends snowshoes at no charge — take them up the McDade Trail for the quietest winter walk in the Water Gap.
The après is the point.
Every home has a year-round hot tub and a fire pit; the Chalet and the Manor add saunas. Ski all day, thaw all night.
Winter questions, answered straight
Can you rent snowmobiles in the Poconos?
No — there are currently no public snowmobile rentals or guided snowmobile tours in the Poconos. The last operator (near Pocono Manor) switched to UTV tours back in 2017, and Skytop Lodge's snowmobiling is for its overnight guests only. The closest experience open to everyone is a guided winter UTV tour with Pocono Outdoor Adventure Tours near the Raceway — enclosed side-by-sides that run year-round, snow days included, with kids 5+ welcome to ride along.
Where can you go ice skating in the Poconos?
Three good options: Stroudsburg borough runs a free outdoor rink (bring your own skates, 9 AM–9 PM, weather permitting), Pocono Township has a free rink at TLC Park in Tannersville (Routes 611 & 715, also BYO skates), and Skytop Lodge opens its pavilion rink to the public from late November — about $10 to skate, $20 with rentals.
Is there dog sledding in the Poconos?
Yes — Arctic Paws Dog Sled Tours runs at the Shawnee Inn on winter weekends, roughly mid-December through early March, snow permitting. It books out fast and is weather-dependent, so reserve ahead and have a plan B.
Which ski mountain is closest to East Stroudsburg?
Shawnee Mountain, about 30 minutes from our homes and the most beginner-friendly of the three. Jack Frost Big Boulder is ~20 minutes and Camelback ~25 — all close enough to ski a half-day and still have the afternoon at the house.
Where can kids go sledding for free?
The hills locals actually use are right in Stroudsburg — the big one at Wesleyan Church on N 5th Street and another behind the junior high. Bring your own sleds; after a fresh snowfall they beat any paid tubing line.
Winter stays, reviewed.
“This place was awesome, very clean, pictured as the home is, host very responsive. I would stay again & will be back. went her will my husband and 2 kids, alot of things to do, games. ext.”
“Beautiful home, very spacious, the basement is very well done and beautiful, spent half my time down there. Owner was very responsive and helpful throughout my stay”
Book your ski weekend
Same homes, better price — no platform service fees, and returning guests get a loyalty discount. Questions first? Text, call, or email anytime.
Place photography via Wikimedia Commons: Jack Frost Mountain © Rhys A. (CC BY 2.0) · Camelback Mountain © Jkarps (CC BY-SA 4.0).