Getaway Guide To Bear Creek Mountain Resort
THE MOUNTAIN
Twenty-three trails and slopes that include 3 full featured terrain parks are all lighted for night skiing and riding. The 510 foot vertical mountain has two unique faces. The front overlooking the base lodge combines learning slopes, the two more progressively challenging terrain parks and "Kodiak" a summit to base, wide slope with changing pitch for upwardly mobile intermediate skiers and riders. "Sasquatch" the mountains' steepest run also feeds into the lodge. The lodge side also holds the tubing park. Two connecting trails provide easy cruising (some poling required on "Broadway") to the back face. There you find varying degrees of steepness for a wide range of comfort zones from beginner to advanced. Check the trail map before pushing off to find your own zone. Six lifts service the runs including a tubing lift and a carpet for the kids learning slope. It's an easy run across the base to return to the lodge from the back face. Look for lift ticket, equipment rental and discount prices here: http://www.bcmountainresort.com/snowsports/snowsports-l/tickets-passes
SKI SCHOOL
It was 42 years ago that I spent most weekends, learning to ski here, when the area was called "Doe Mountain". My very patient teacher was a German instructor who honed his skills in the Alpine regions of Europe. Hubert Seeman, now in his 90's retired from teaching at Bear Creek just last year. But the tradition of professional instruction is baked in. The professionally staffed school offers special children's programs, kids and adult group and private lessons, women's clinics, a senior skiing clinic and youth racing instruction. Check out details and prices here: http://www.bcmountainresort.com/snowsports/snowsports-l/snowsports-school
RENTALS
A fully stocked rental shop carries top brand skis, boards and boots for $39 a day. Helmets for $12. Bear Creek also offers seasonal rentals that can travel with you wherever your ski vacation takes you from the Poconos to the Pyrenees. Although, with air baggage fees mounting up, you're better off renting or taking out demo skis and boards when you get there.
EATS AND SIPS
The "Grille" at Bear Creek is among my favorite ski area eateries. It combines a comfy ski oriented bar, fireplace warmed lounge and a restaurant that cooks up uniquely American dishes with a nod to global flavor favorites in a room with a mountain view. The "Trails End Cafe" dishes out sandwiches and quick food in a full service cozy nook that can get you back on the slopes in a jiffy. The "Mountain Eatery" is the fireplace anchored cafeteria with all the winter sport favorites from burgers, dogs and pizza to eat on the fly, or soups and chili for a relaxing inner warm-up. There are convenient and free cubbies behind the cafeteria to stow your gear and boots.
THE HOTEL
The rooms at the Bear Creek Lodge bring bright spaces and modern convenience to a rustic, ski lodge environment. If you can score a mountain view room, grab it. You may be close to home, but staying overnight suggests a destination getaway. It's a "ski-in, ski-out" lodge that puts you just a quick glide from door to lifts. And, if you're renting equipment, you can collect it right at the desk. To ease back after a day on the mountain, a steam room, hot tubs, pool and massage are all part of the full service spa, just steps from your room. Packages are available that combine snow sports, dining and spa.
GETTING THERE
From Philadelphia, Bucks, Montgomery and Delaware Counties take the Northeast Extension of the PA Turnpike north to the Quakertown exit and follow route 663 west to route 29 north. Cross route 100 and continue to Bear Creek.
From central Montgomery and Chester Counties take route 29 north, cross route 100 and continue to the Mountain.
Enjoy!