- 1). Research the ski resorts online. List those that best match your party's skiing ability and preferences. Blue Mountain (Skibluemt.com) has the highest vertical in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, which makes it a good choice for the most experienced skiers, and it also has five terrain parks for snowboarders and trick skiers. Alpine Mountain and Shawnee are favorites of local families because they are smaller resorts with good selections of easier trails. Jack Frost/Big Boulder offers two ski resorts and the most snow-tubing trails in the area.
- 2). Note which resorts on your list have the amenities that are important to you. All the ski areas have lounges and cafeterias, for example, but the larger resorts like Blue Mountain, Camelback and Jack Frost/Big Boulder host special events throughout the season and feature live entertainment. Consider resorts with babysitting if you will be skiing with small children who lack the stamina to stay out on the slopes all day.
- 3). Decide how you will spend your time away from the slopes. Narrow your list further according to what is nearby that interests you. Camelback is close to outlet shopping and Mount Airy Casino. Jack Frost/Big Boulder are near Lake Harmony's Split Rock Resort. Shawnee is near the Mountain Laurel Center for the Performing Arts. Blue Mountain is convenient to historic Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, home of the Sands Casino Resort.
- 4). Consider the type of accommodations you prefer once you have chosen a ski resort. The Poconos offers everything from roadside motels, to deluxe family hotels with indoor waterparks, to vacation condos with ski on/ski off access to trails right outside your door, to rental homes located outside of the ski resorts but in communities with amenities of their own. Vacation rentals, whether condos or houses, can be easier on the budget because their kitchens allow you to prepare meals at home.
- 5). Research accommodations on tourism websites with links to motels, hotels and real estate brokerages offering vacation rentals.
- 6). Contact hotels and motels directly to ask about availability on your preferred dates. Discuss prices, too. Request group discounts on rooms and, if the hotel has a restaurant, dining. Book vacation rentals through the real estate broker that lists the units in which you are interested.
- 7). Call the sales office of your chosen ski resort to discuss group discounts on lift tickets, snow-tubing passes and dining. Camelback, for example, gives ski discounts to parties of 15 or more with 48 hours' notice. Big Bear gives discounts to groups of 20 or more. The sales representative with whom you speak will walk you through the resort's payment and check-in policies.
- 8). Research transportation options. Smaller groups traveling from relatively close by might choose to drive, individually or together. Consider chartering a bus or van from a local transportation company if you have a large group or one that will be traveling a long distance.
- 9). Compute the total cost of lift tickets, accommodations and transportation. Divide the total by the number of people in your party. Add the costs of equipment rentals and ski lessons to the fees of party members who will take advantage of them. Collect each party member's fee.
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Make your reservations as soon as you have collected the fees from each person attending. Keep track of payment due dates and confirmation deadlines. If you are renting a vacation home for your trip, return your rental agreement by the due date.
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