Elk Mountain Ski Resort is a ski area in the Endless Mountains on the summit of Elk Hill in

Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania Susquehanna County is a county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It is part of Northeastern Pennsylvania. As of the 2020 census, the population was 38,434 Its county seat is Montrose. The county was created on February 21, 1810, from part ...

. It is located north of Scranton. The mountain has been given favorable reviews from ''Ski Magazine'', including a listing in "Six Unsung Heroes", a roundup of hidden gems in skiing.

History

Elk Mountain opened in 1959. The ski area provided a small lodge, a 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, and trails were expanded further in 1972. Elk Mountain built a long quad chairlift in 1994.

Skiing at Elk Mountain

North Chair at Elk Mountain accesses a top elevation of —the highest lift-serviced skiing in eastern Pennsylvania. Elk has a vertical drop, 27 trails (six greens, 10 blues and 11 diamonds) and two terrain parks. 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 of skiable terrain. The base complex features a day lodge, guest services, ski school center, restaurant, rentals, and a ski-and-snowboard shop.

Climate

According to the Trewartha climate classification system, Elk Mountain Ski Area has a Temperate Continental (''Dc'') Climate with warm summers (''b''), cold winters (''o'') and year-around precipitation. ''Dcbo'' climates are characterized by at least one month having an average mean temperature ≤ , four to seven months with an average mean temperature ≥ , all months with an average mean temperature < and no significant precipitation difference between seasons. During the summer months at Elk Mountain Ski Area, episodes of high heat and humidity can occur with heat index values ≥ at the summit and ≥ at the base. The annual peak in thunderstorm activity is July. During the winter months, episodes of extreme cold and wind can occur with

wind chill Wind chill or windchill (popularly wind chill factor) is the lowering of body temperature due to the passing-flow of lower-temperature air. Wind chill numbers are always lower than the air temperature for values where the formula is valid. When ...

values < at the summit and < at the base. The plant hardiness zone is 5b with an average annual extreme minimum air temperature of at the summit and at the base. The average seasonal (Oct-Apr) snowfall total is at the summit and at the base. Ice storms and large snowstorms depositing ≥ of snow are somewhat frequent, particularly during nor’easters from December through March.

References

External links

Elk Mountain Ski ResortElk Mountain Area Directory
{{coord, 41.721, -75.559, region:US-PA_type:mountain_scale:10000, display=title Buildings and structures in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania Ski areas and resorts in Pennsylvania Pocono Mountains Tourist attractions in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania 1959 establishments in Pennsylvania