Top Reasons to Stay at Skytop Lodge

• Built in 1928, the lodge sits on a 5,000-acre estate in the Pocono Mountains—an expansive wilderness that encompasses rivers, more than 100 lakes, and two national parks.
• The lodge has a private mountain for downhill and cross-country skiing, plus a an ice-skating rink and a toboggan run.
• At the onsite adventure center, you can climb a 33-foot rock wall, ride a treetop zipline, rent a kayak, or brave a whitewater-rafting tour on the Lehigh River. This Getaway includes select activities (some activities require additional fees).
• The 18-hole golf course incorporates the hilly landscape, making for some challenging shots. The course is fringed by pine trees and looks out onto West Mountain.
• After a day of adventure, guests can unwind at the onsite Skyview Spa with invigorating lemon-peel scrubs or eucalyptus-infused shiatsu scalp massages.
• Onsite dining options range from grilled cobia at the Windsor Dining Room to gnocchi duck confit amid waterfront views at LakeView Restaurant. This Getaway includes three daily meals.
Guest rooms and cottages are decorated in warm, neutral tones and outfitted with cable TV and free wireless Internet.

Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains: Skiing, Hiking, Trout Fishing, and Quaint Historical Towns

The Poconos region of northeastern Pennsylvania accounts for some 2,400 square miles of mountains, lakes, waterfalls, and forests. The area has been a popular vacation destination ever since Pennsylvania Quakers opened a hotel here on the Delaware River in 1829. Today, the Poconos draw nearly 24 million annual visitors, thanks to year-round recreational opportunities and spectacular natural scenery.

In winter, locals often make weekend trips from Philadelphia, Baltimore, New York, and DC for one reason: skiing. One ski spot that's particularly popular is Camelback Mountain Resort, which sits atop one of the region’s tallest mountains at 2,133 feet and boasts 160 acres of skiable terrain. For an extended run, head to the Nile Mile, which drops 800 feet vertically over the course of a mile-long descent. The resort is also amply lit for night skiing, and is the only place in the Poconos with a halfpipe.

The warmer months are a great time to explore the region’s lakes and wooded hills. For spectacular hikes, check out Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, where you can trek to dramatic waterfalls or follow a 27-mile section of the historic Appalachian Trail. Throughout the region are dozens of lakes and streams filled with bass and trout. Lake Wallenpaupack, located 30 miles east of Scranton, is one of the best fishing spots in the state.

There are diversions outside of hiking and fishing, too. A handful of quaint little towns full of antique shops and galleries nestle in the mountains. You'll find boutique wine galleries and historical mansions tucked away on country roads, including the late 19th-century Asa Packer Mansion, which is open for tours, in the borough of Jim Thorpe.

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