POCONO TOWNSHIP -- It was a great day for skiers in the Poconos as Camelback Mountain kicked off its season Thursday.
The trails were packed with folks eager to take a trip down the slopes, but with a new indoor waterpark open this winter, there’s a lot more for people to do.
For the winter warriors sliding down the slopes at Camelback Mountain, they couldn't keep their excitement contained.
“It's awesome. I was waiting for a long time. It finally happened,” said Burl Gualucci from Cresco.
With December's temperatures above normal, it's a late January start for the ski season in the Poconos.
Skiers and snowboarders have been eagerly anticipating this moment.
“First time of the season, best time, oh my God, I couldn't wait to be out here. I've waited months,” said Jarrett Sullivan. “No snow all season, just getting it in January, how crazy is that?”
“We were watching the website, waiting for them to tell us they were open,” said Alyssa Achey from Reading.
Workers at the resort say they took advantage of the below freezing temperatures during the week and had their snow blowers going for the past seven days. That was enough to get 13 of Camelback's 34 trails open for business.
“This is awesome. We're so excited to finally be open, really kicked the winter season and we can tell that everybody that's come out is just as excited as we are,” said Dru Brooks with Camelback.
For those who didn't want to take a trip down the mountain, they could take a trip to the tropics.
At Camelback's new indoor water park, Aquatopia, folks were taking a dip in some much warmer weather.
“This is a great Christmas vacation. This is Christmas vacation for us,” said Carrie Bowmaster from Lancaster.
It's always a balmy 84 degrees inside Aquatopia where there's something for the young and young at heart.
“We're here on a corporate retreat and it's amazing. They've got everything,” said Dan Deming from Ambler. “I’m going come back and take my kids.”
In order to use Camelback's new waterpark, you have to either be staying at Camelback's new hotel or be season ticket holder at the mountain.