MONROE, Pa. — The busy slopes at Camelback Mountain Ski Resort near Tannersville are a subtle reminder that winter is here, and Mother Nature will give the area ski resorts a big boost this weekend.
The first big snowstorm of the year is expected to hit the Poconos, dropping several inches.
Employees have been patiently waiting for this.
"We're ready for it," said Molly Coneybeer, Camelback's marketing director. "Plow trucks are in the parking lots ready to make sure our guests can get in and out of the mountain safely, in and out of the hotel. Groomers are on standby, so as soon as the snow starts coming down, they'll be working it into everything else that we already have here on the mountain."
At Shawnee Mountain Ski Area near East Stroudsburg, the slopes are packed, too.
Marketing Director Rachel Wyckoff says the snow is coming at a good time.
"Last year, we kind of had a great start and a not-so-great finish. This year, we've had a great start, a little rough around Christmas week, but we're looking forward to a positive new year with snow and colder temps."
But even with the incoming wintry weather, the resorts aren't just relying on nature. They are taking advantage of temperatures below freezing and blowing snow.
"We are actively making snow every chance we get. Snow guns are on right now. They'll be on all night, again, as long as temps remain. Inches of fresh snow, though it doesn't flip our world upside down, but it gets worked into everything else," Coneybeer said.
The ski areas hope that the late weekend storm will draw people to come out and visit, especially with an upcoming holiday weekend.
"Usually what happens is we have a beautiful snowstorm, and then it's the next weekend, so people see all the snow on the ground. It reminds them it is time to go skiing, and then hopefully, next weekend, which is also MLK weekend, people will have a long break. Hopefully, we are busy, and people can enjoy what Mother Nature gave us," Wyckoff said.
Workers at both mountains say they've seen a steady increase in bookings for the weekend.
Check out severe weather tips on WNEP's YouTube channel.