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Elk Mountain Ski Resort
Union Dale, Pennsylvania

(Click here for the official web site for Elk Mountain, or scroll below to read DCSki's complete profile...)

[Resort Overview]  [Summer Activities]  [Statistics]
[Trail Map]  [Map]  [Current Conditions]  [Webcams]
[Related News]  [Upcoming Events]  [Reader Comments]

Resort Overview - reported by M. Scott Smith, DCSki Editor

Elk Mountain was one of the first commercial ski areas to open in Pennsylvania. In 1959, Elk featured a small base lodge, a 2,200 foot T-Bar, some rope tows and several slopes.

Today, Elk has seven lifts and 27 slopes, including some of the most challenging terrain in the region. The resort also has its own distinctive character; the resort regularly plants Norway Spruce and red and white pines. Since the mid 80’s, over 13,000 trees have been planted.

In January 1999, an early morning fire leveled Elk’s compressor building. The resort was making snow within 72 hours thanks to help from local firemen, employees, local vendors, and the resort’s insurance company. During the following summer, the building was replaced.

In 2008, Elk Mountain enhanced snowmaking by adding an additional water pump, 66 new tower guns, and 10 new Areco fan guns. In 2009, Elk planted nearly 1,300 new spruce trees, and widened the Susquehanna trail. In 2011, Elk Mountain planted another 1,200 Norway and White spruce trees, and made various snowmaking improvements.

Summer Activities

Elk Mountain is primarily a winter resort. A Fall Festival in October features craft shows, musical entertainment, mountain bike rides, and more.

Statistics

Resort Name:
 Elk Mountain Ski Resort
Vertical Drop:
 1,000 feet
Trails:
 27 (6 beginner, 10 intermediate, 11 advanced)
Skiable Acres:
 235
Longest Run:
 1.75 miles
Lift Capacity:
 5,400 per hour
Lifts:
 7 (1 quad, 5 doubles, and 1 cable tow in terrain park)
Night Skiing:
 Yes, on 30% of terrain
Terrain Park:
 Terrain park is serviced by its own cable tow.
Halfpipe:
 (No halfpipe)
Tubing Park:
 (No tubing park)
Address:
 RR2, Box 3328
Union Dale, PA 18470
Phone Number:
 (570) 679-4400 or (800) 233-4131 (snow report)
Latitude:
 41.719248
Longitude:
 -75.559416
Web Site:
 http://www.elkskier.com/

Estimated Distances from Major Cities

Baltimore, MD4 hours 230 miles
Washington, DC4 hours, 50 minutes 272 miles
Arlington, VA4 hours, 50 minutes 271 miles
Richmond, VA6 hours, 30 minutes 370 miles
Pittsburgh, PA5 hours, 35 minutes 309 miles
Harrisburg, PA2 hours, 40 minutes 150 miles
Philadelphia, PA2 hours, 40 minutes 153 miles
Charleston, WV8 hours, 10 minutes 512 miles
Raleigh, NC9 hours, 10 minutes 546 miles
Charlotte, NC10 hours, 5 minutes 624 miles

 

Trail Map

To view a full-size trail map for Elk Mountain, click on the following thumbnail image. The trail map will open in a new window. Please note that DCSki's trail maps can be out of date; always pick up a copy of the latest trail map at each resort.

Map

Current Conditions

A snow condition report for Elk Mountain is shown below. Because condition reports may not be updated regularly, be sure to check the date and timestamp on the report. Before making a trip, we recommend contacting resorts directly for the latest conditions.

    Elk Mountain, PA
    As of 11:11:00 on 2011-03-27
    Report data is over 2 days old -- please check back later.

To view additional ski condition reports for areas throughout the Mid-Atlantic region and across the world, visit the DCSki Conditions page.

Related News

The past five articles related to Elk Mountain are shown below.

    Mid-Atlantic Ski Season Gains Momentum (December 27, 2012)
    A shot of cold air and some natural snow has helped launch the 2012-2013 winter season in a big way. Find out the status of Mid-Atlantic ski areas.

    What’s New for 2011: Elk Mountain (November 12, 2011)
    Elk Mountain has continued its tradition of planting Norway and White Spruce trees, adding an additional 1,200 trees over the summer.
    (1 reader comment)

    Firsthand Report: A Bumpy Day at Elk (January 22, 2011)
    DCSki Columnist Matthew Graham made a trip up to Elk Mountain over Martin Luther King Weekend, where he decided to battle moguls. Find out who won in this Firsthand Report.
    (2 reader comments)

    What’s New for 2009: Elk Mountain (November 8, 2009)
    Pennsylvania’s Elk Mountain Ski Resort has continued a long-standing tradition by planting nearly 1,300 new spruce trees on the mountain. The ski area has also made snowmaking improvements and widened the Susquehanna trail.

    What’s New for 2008: Elk Mountain (November 16, 2008)
    Elk Mountain has increased snowmaking by adding an additional water pump, 66 new tower guns, and 10 new Areco fan guns. A couple trails were also re-graded.

To view more articles related to Elk Mountain, click here.

Upcoming Events

The next event scheduled to be held at Elk Mountain is listed below.

To view more upcoming events at Elk Mountain, click here. Remember, events are subject to change at any time, and DCSki's list of events may not be comprehensive. Please contact Elk Mountain directly to verify event details before making a trip.

Related Bargains

The following bargains are related to Elk Mountain.

    (No matching bargains found.)

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Reader Comments

The views and opinions expressed in DCSki Article Comments are strictly those of the comment authors and have not been reviewed or approved by DCSki. If you believe a comment is inaccurate or inappropriate, please contact DCSki's Editor.

Comments on Elk Mountain - posted by JohnyB
November 15, 2005 at 10:20 pm
Elk Mtn has some of the best skiing south of Vermont, so many people say to go to West Virginia, why when Elk Mtn has so much to offer. They have great trails and good conditions and a great staff.
 
Comments on Elk Mountain - posted by DCSki Reader
January 29, 2006 at 8:45 pm
Elk Mountain is the best ski resort that i have ever ben to the terain park is the best i wouldn't chose any other ski resort!
 
Comments on Elk Mountain - posted by jack bower
January 23, 2007 at 5:19 pm
make more powder and get a halfpie and get a good terrain park
 
Comments on Elk Mountain - posted by DCSki Reader
January 23, 2007 at 10:48 pm
wow, elk, there is some great level III terrain
 
Comments on Elk Mountain - posted by foster
November 5, 2007 at 10:15 am
elk mountain has the best skiing in pa i cant wait to go there this winter
 
Comments on Elk Mountain - posted by TJ
November 14, 2007 at 5:38 pm
you need a half pipe so i can tear dat up p haha but other than that, you okay
 
Comments on Elk Mountain - posted by Charlie
August 31, 2008 at 9:50 am
Elk Mountain remains the best skiing in PA; the emphasis is on skiing. Will Elk ever build a half-pipe? Half-pipe I said!
 
Comments on Elk Mountain - posted by sara sider
December 23, 2008 at 11:29 pm
so for January 8th. what is the estimated cost for 5 beginners for skiing? We are planning a two day trip.
 
Comments on Elk Mountain - posted by Elmer Taylor
December 30, 2008 at 9:36 pm
I skied Elk the first day they opened. Great then, great now. Their grooming is second to none anywhere. I am 75 years old and I DONT ski the bumps anymore, but they are there along with every other terrain for every skiers desire. This is one Great place with great people running the show. Hope they keep up the good work! Tuesday is my day!
Do my spring skiing at Gore Mountain Love that place but it isnt in my back yard like ELK
 
Comments on Elk Mountain - posted by SEAN DOUGHERTY
February 20, 2009 at 10:36 pm
Definaltely the best mountain in Pennsylvania! No crowds, great long runs. Other resorts like Camelback, Blue Mountain, Shawnee, Bear Creak and other places in the Poconoes claim to have 20 to 33 trails. Get real!! Why do they count the cross trails? Elk has 27 real trails up to 1.75 miles long and is definately worth driving to. Don't waste your time @ Snow Mountain. They claim to have a double black diamond and is only a couple hundred feet long. Worth the drive 30 minutes past Snow Mountain off 81N. THEY BEST MOUNTAIN IN PENNSYLVANIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
Comments on Elk Mountain - posted by bobbert el bob
October 12, 2009 at 3:05 pm
This mtn is awesome
 
a trip during the blizzard - posted by Allen Clark
December 30, 2010 at 9:14 pm
Just back from two days at Elk, Dec 26 & 27. The first day (Sunday) provided ideal conditions, though it was quite windy at the top of the mountain (both lifts). Did I say windy? The blizzard that stranded hundreds of thousand at airports in the northeast blew at the top of Elk at 60 mph. Wow. Never experienced anything like that, but have to hand it to the original resort designer in that the lifts all go up in the midst of dense pines, quite easy.

Not many skiers, considering it was the first two days after Christmas. Surface of all trails very good, a bit blown off down to hard-packed snow the second day.
 
Comments on Elk Mountain - posted by fishnski
December 31, 2010 at 4:39 pm
Pennsylvanias Elk Mountain Ski Resort has continued a long-standing tradition by planting nearly 1,300 new spruce trees on the mountain. The ski area has also made snowmaking improvements and widened the Susquehanna trail

For years I skied the Leafless tree slopes of PA untill I discovered the Wild & wunderful wild Spruce & firs on the Slopes of the WV areas..Glad to see that places like Elk & Camelback realized the importance of these evergreens..Now if Sugar Mtn,NC would plant some Frasier firs on their Slopes..
 

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