After the holidays, the Poconos settle into real winter: ski resorts run their festivals and race days, Jim Thorpe and Stroudsburg fill their streets with ice sculptures, and the state parks open snowmobile trails and natural-ice skating when the weather allows.
Many 2027 dates hadn't been announced when we wrote this in early November 2026. Where that's the case, we list the most recent year's dates and label them, so you know roughly when to plan. Always check before you go.
Jim Thorpe WinterFest
Jim Thorpe's WinterFest is a mid-February weekend of ice carvings, a luminary walk, carriage and train rides, live music and shop specials downtown. The Visitors Bureau says 2027 dates are still to come. In recent years it has been held around Presidents' Day weekend (in 2024 it ran Thursday, February 15 through Sunday, February 18). Presidents' Day 2027 is Monday, February 15, so the weekend of February 13–15 is a good guess, but confirm before you book.
Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway trains have been part of WinterFest in past years. After the October 31, 2026 rockslide, the railroad has been boarding in Nesquehoning, so check where trains leave from in February.
Sources: Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau: Jim Thorpe Christmas & winter · Lehigh Valley Public Media: WinterFest 2024 · Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway
Ice sculptures in Stroudsburg
Downtown Stroudsburg's WinterFest fills the borough with ice sculptures for a day in February. In 2025 it was Saturday, February 15, from 11 AM to 4 PM, with more than 40 sculptures, a carving demonstration in Courthouse Square, a scavenger hunt and warming stations. Watch the Visitors Bureau's events calendar for the 2027 date.
Sources: Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau: Downtown Stroudsburg WinterFest (2025)
Ski resort events
- Camelback (Tannersville): Club Camelback, a 21-and-over après-ski party, on December 26, January 16 and February 13; Boarding for Breast Cancer on January 16–17 (lift ticket needed for the snow); and the free Vertical Challenge race series on March 6–7. Camelback's Winter Fest, with a Torchlight Parade and fireworks, was Saturday, February 14 in 2026 (free, 8 to 10 PM); watch for the 2027 date.
- Blue Mountain Resort (Palmerton): its 2026 Winter Fest, on February 21–22, was free and included luge demos with Team USA athletes, live music and fireworks. Look for 2027 plans on the resort's site.
- Jack Frost and Big Boulder (Lake Harmony area): Beginner Takeover Days start January 6 at Big Boulder. Lift tickets will be limited this season, so buy ahead.
Sources: Camelback: winter happenings · The Valley Ledger: February 2026 winter fests · Jack Frost Big Boulder
Snowmobiling
Snowmobiling is allowed only on designated trails, and only once there's enough snow. In state parks and forests the trails open the day after Pennsylvania's last regular or extended rifle deer season and close by April 1. The state posts trail and snow conditions three times a week in season.
- Hickory Run State Park: 21 miles of orange-blazed trails.
- Tobyhanna State Park: a 5.1-mile one-way loop on the Lakeside Trail, starting at Lot 1.
- Lehigh Gorge State Park: 15 miles on the Lehigh Gorge Trail between White Haven and Penn Haven Junction.
- Promised Land State Park and Delaware State Forest: more than 23 miles of designated trails.
- Rules: every snowmobile must be registered with the state (out-of-state machines registered in a state that honors Pennsylvania's registration are exempt). Carry your registration and proof of liability insurance. Riders under 10 can't ride on public land, and ages 10 to 15 need a safety certificate.
- Ask your host before you bring a snowmobile: community roads and parking areas have their own rules.
Sources: PA DCNR: snowmobiling · PA DCNR: snowmobile trails in state parks · Tobyhanna State Park: winter · Hickory Run State Park: winter
Ice skating
- TLC Park, Tannersville: Pocono Township runs an outdoor rink in winter, open only when it's cold enough for safe ice. Call the township at 570-629-1922 for conditions.
- Tobyhanna State Park: a 1.2-acre skating area on the lake near Parking Area #3, close to the Pocono Summit, Pocono Lake and Blakeslee homes.
- Hickory Run State Park: skating on the lake's natural ice; snow isn't cleared.
- On any natural ice, nobody checks the thickness. The state parks say you need at least 4 inches for one person and 7 inches for a small group. Test it, don't go out alone, and stay off after a few days above freezing.
Sources: Pocono Township parks & recreation · Tobyhanna State Park: winter · Hickory Run State Park: winter
Valentine's and Presidents' Day weekend
In 2027, Valentine's Day is Sunday, February 14 and Presidents' Day is Monday, February 15, so the two land on the same three-day weekend. That makes it one of the busiest weekends of the winter, with WinterFest likely in Jim Thorpe and festivals at the ski resorts. Book a home early, and reserve dinner as soon as restaurants take bookings.
For a couples' trip, look for a smaller home with a hot tub or a fireplace. Club Camelback's 21-and-over party is on February 13.
Sources: Camelback: winter happenings
