Camelback PA: Spring Ops

[jamesdeluxe]

Since @Patrick is posting spring listings on his site but not here:

Weeks after most ski areas in the Northeast called it a day, Camelback has continued to offer lift-served skiing on its 720-vert snowmaking glacier amongst the rhododendrons. On April 8, they were still blowing snow!

Closed today due to rain; however, they have enough base to reopen next weekend for $25 with a season pass from any other ski area, An April 26 closure is impressive given how far south it is.

I avoid big bumps like the plague but it's impressive to see someone slay them like this:

 

[Tony Crocker]

Is this new policy on Camelback’s part? I don’t recall Patrick listing it in his prior eastern closing threads, but perhaps it didn’t occur to him as it would not to most of us.

 

[Skieric]

I believe they have new management this season.

 

[jamesdeluxe]

It's a new initiative and is garnering a lot of positive reactions through the region. For example, on NY Ski Forum you'll see that people are saying things like "this should be Gore's new policy." I overheard a couple guys on the NJ Transit train a few days ago talking about going there on Saturday. Anecdotal of course, but not to be dismissed.

I mentioned that Camelback should be awarded the nickname "Baby Beast" in reference to how part of Killington's brand is related to keeping at least one trail open well into spring.

 

[MarzNC]

Ever heard of the Victor Glacier? It's in Michigan.

2023-24 was the first season that Boyne Mountain created the Victor Glacier and kept a lift open until mid-May. Even allowed people to hike for turn on May 24, 2024. Last day in 2025 was May 19.

Reminds me of the headlines generated during early season when Ski Ward "opened" on Oct. 18 based on snowmaking from a Latitude 90.

From Boyne Mountain website on Aprili 19, 2026:

 

[ChrisC]

If low-altitude, south-facing Black Mountain, NH can ski until May 1st and be the last NH open, any ski area can do it!

I assume Camelback has lost ground to Blue Mountain over the last few decades (more HS lifts, vertical, closer, etc) and needs some publicity.

Good for them!

 

[jamesdeluxe]

I assume Camelback has lost ground to Blue Mountain over the last few decades (more HS lifts, vertical, closer, etc) and needs some publicity.

I haven't looked at its books so don't know about "losing ground" fiscally but Camelback has become a true four-season resort with a big hotel, water park, and so on. We stayed there a couple times on journo visits and it was pleasant if you're looking for a family stay with things for non-skiers to do. OTOH, @Worldskitraveller called it "a waterpark with a ski area attached."

 

[ChrisC]

I haven't looked at its books so don't know about "losing ground" fiscally but Camelback has become a true four-season resort with a big hotel, water park, and so on.

I should clarify: Camelback lost ground to Blue Mountain from a skier/rider's perspective. The ski area footprint has been stagnant for years. IMHO. Likely hotels and water parks were a better ROI.

However, a number of East Coast ski areas have tried to establish themselves as four-season resorts: Jay Peak - a waterpark for Canadians financed by H-1 Visas for Chinese with some gladed terrain attached, Seven Springs, Mountain Creek, etc.

 

[MarzNC]

KSL Resorts took over Camelback in 2019. Two years later, Blue Mountain was added to the KSL Resorts portfolio. Most of the resorts that KSL Resorts are golf and/or beach properties. KSL Resorts is related to but not the same as KSL Capital, which provided base funding for what became Alterra. Camelback and Blue were added to the Ikon pass for the 2023-24 season. The speculation was that it took a few years to get Camelback up to a level that would satisfy Ikon pass holders.

Camelback has had an outdoor waterpark since 1998. The indoor waterpark opened in 2015.

A major change at the top at Camelback was announced last fall. The new GM had experience at Camelback growing up. He worked at Jay Peak and Mountain Creek in senior management positions.

October 2025

Blog Feature

Camelback Resort Blog

www.camelbackresort.com

" . . .
Bays [VP and GM], who is an avid skier, brings not just his passion for snow sports and snowmaking to this position, but a unique history with the resort. "My first jobs as a teenager were at Camelback as both a lifeguard and ski instructor, and I participated in its after-school ski program when I was a kid," said Bays. "I was born and raised in the Poconos, and I look forward to moving back with my wife to raise our own family. I'm looking forward to our anticipated ski season opening day December 12 so we can get everyone - guests, family and friends - back out on the slopes!"

With an extensive hospitality background and a strong operational record overseeing activities at destination properties, Bays was general manager of Great Wolf Resorts - overseeing properties in Naples, Florida; Atlanta, Georgia; Sandusky, Ohio; and the Poconos - leading complex resort functions across hotels, waterparks, golf, retail, food and beverage and more. He was chief operating officer/general manager of Mountain Creek Resort in Vernon, New Jersey, supervising a 177-room resort which included a 170-acre ski area and snow tubing, a 40-acre outdoor park, a 27-hole golf course and four restaurants. A native of the Poconos region, he was previously with Camelback Resort as director of aquatics/risk management and began his career as director of operations for Jay Peak Resort in Vermont. He holds an MBA and a bachelor's degree in business administration from Southern New Hampshire University.
. . ."