Pocono Mountains Travel Guide - 2008-2009 - (Page 19) TOGETHER TIME: The whole family will enjoy snow tubing. Here are some great ways to help you discover your personal winter wonderland in the Pocono Mountains. QUICKEN YOUR PULSE Don’t lament winter. Embrace it. The Pocono Mountains encompasses some 2,400 square miles, making the region a virtual paradise for winter fun. Here, many ski resorts are in full swing from late autumn into spring. Skiers from New York City, New Jersey, Philadelphia and beyond find the many trails sporting packed powder the perfect place for exhilarating downhill adventures. Additionally, snowboarders are welcome at all of the ski resorts with some areas offering designated areas for snowboarders to display their special brand of athleticism. And those who like to tear it up on a snowmobile find many options. LIVE LIKE A KID AGAIN Channel your inner child by getting back to basics. FAST FACT: Forget skill and cumbersome equipment Inspired by winter in the Pocono Mountains, Dick Smith, a Honesdale resident, wrote the and hit the slopes snow tubing. Snow lyrics for the song “Winter Wonderland.” tubing is fun for everyone, whether you have kids or not. Novices need not fear: It’s easier than it looks. Time to shed the winter layers? Defrost and dive in while staying at Great Wolf Lodge and play like a kid in one of the country’s largest indoor water parks. Additional indoor water parks are in the planning stages. STOPPING BY WOODS ON A SNOWY EVENING Okay, so Robert Frost was writing about Vermont in winter in his famous poem, but chances are he hadn’t seen the Pocono Mountains in all its winter glory. What could be more heart-warming than a horse-drawn sleigh ride, complete with jingle bells and lap blankets, on a chilly evening? Whether it’s a memorable sojourn you seek or a fun ride for the whole group – sleighs range in size and can pull larger crowds through the woods (laughing all the way, no doubt). But if snow is scarce, saddle up and head out on horseback for a winter trot through glorious surroundings. Or opt for an old-fashioned train ride through these snowy environs for a most unique excursion. FIRE & ICE By day, steal away for a few hours and pamper yourself with a hot stone massage, aromatherapy and other spa services at one of the region’s top facilities. And after an invigorating day spent skiing, snowboarding, ice fishing, sledding, dog-sledding or snowmobiling, unwind with good friends and family over a brandy by a roaring fire. Without a doubt, conversation will include a plan for your next wintertime excursion in the Pocono Mountains. James Zeleniak is a seasoned journalist who lives in Philadelphia with his wife, two young daughters and dog named Diesel. Originally from Northern New Jersey, Zeleniak enjoys sharing the wonders of his adopted state with his readers. 800POCONOS.COM 19 FRESH POWDER: The Pocono Mountains offer some of the best skiing in the East. http://www.800POCONOS.COM
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