A Family Winter Starts at Shawnee Mountain
For more than 50 seasons, families have been learning to ski, making memories and
spending winter days together at Shawnee Mountain. As the independently owned and
operated Pocono ski area heads into the 2026/27 season, that family tradition remains at
the heart of the Shawnee experience.
Located just off Route 80 and the closest Pennsylvania ski mountain to New Jersey,
Shawnee makes a day on the slopes an easy winter getaway for NJ families. Its
approachable size and family-friendly atmosphere have helped generations of guests feel
at home on the mountain, and many of today’s parents first learned to ski at Shawnee
themselves and are now returning with their own children.
For families new to skiing and snowboarding, learning can start as young as age three.
Shawnee’s Children’s Programs serve young skiers and riders through age 15, while the
Snowsports School offers instruction for kids, teens and adults, making it possible for the
whole family to learn. Dedicated learning terrain includes the SKIwee Bowl, a magic carpet
surface lift and a beginner hill with its own chairlift.
There’s plenty waiting beyond the beginner hill, too. Shawnee offers 23 trails and up to
seven lifts, along with two terrain parks, weekend NASTAR racing and night skiing
Wednesday through Sunday. Families can make a full day of their visit with dining
throughout the mountain, including two cafeterias, a full-service restaurant, summit graband-go options and a snack and coffee bar.
And no skiing experience is required to enjoy a winter day at Shawnee. Snowtubing offers
an easy way to get outside and play in the snow, while Mini Monster Mountain gives the
littlest winter adventurers a place to enjoy sleds, gliders, a snowball wall and other snow
activities. Guests who would rather stay cozy can enjoy the lodge or relax outside by the
firepit and take in the mountain atmosphere.
For the 2026/27 season, Shawnee is also creating more ways for families to make repeat
visits affordable. Options include Season Passes, a new discounted Junior Season Pass,
the 3rd & 4th Grade Snowpass, Children’s Program three-lesson bundles and the flexible 3
Pack Pass, which includes three anytime lift tickets that can be shared among family
members.
Throughout the season, special events add even more reasons to return, with rail jams,
snowshoe racing, demo days and live music planned throughout the winter. Behind the
scenes, Shawnee has also spent the off-season focused on infrastructure improvements
supporting its snowmaking and lift operations.
After five decades, the goal remains simple: make winter feel welcoming, accessible and
fun for the whole family. Whether it’s a child’s first time on skis, an afternoon of snowtubing
or another ski day for a family that has been visiting for generations, there’s a place for
them at Shawnee.
Families can explore lift tickets, lessons, children’s programs, Season Passes and other
winter activities at ShawneeMt.com, or follow Shawnee Mountain on social media for
updates throughout the season
