While the extreme winter weather helped contribute to ideal conditions on the slopes, the bitter cold and significant snowfall also created some challenges for area ski resorts in recent months.
The high temperature reported in Pleasant Mount, near Elk Mountain Ski Resort, in Susquehanna County ranged from 6 to 14 for nine days from Jan. 25 to Feb. 2, according to the National Weather Service. Meanwhile, the low temperature hovered between minus 2 and minus 9 for consecutive days from Jan. 27 to Jan. 31, per NWS data.
“The extreme cold has definitely hurt us because people stay home when it’s super cold,” said Bob DeLuca, director of sales and marketing for Elk Mountain in Herrick Twp. “When it’s zero and below, and combined with some pretty high winds, that makes for some tough conditions. Extreme temperatures and lots of wind actually forced us to close early a couple times. We encourage people to keep checking themselves and the people they’re with for frostbite and to come in to warm up after a couple of runs.”
Elk Mountain received a total of 40 inches of snow throughout December and January — about 8 inches above normal — according to the National Weather Service. More than 10 inches of snow accumulated during one day in late January.
“We never thought we’d be in a position where it was too cold or there’s too much snow on the roads,” DeLuca said.
Meanwhile, the high temperature reported at the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport in Pittston Twp. remained in the teens for nine consecutive days from Jan. 24 to Feb. 1 — ranging from 11 degrees to 19 degrees — per NWS data.
“Obviously, when it’s really cold, it impacts business,” said Charles Jefferson, part-owner of Montage Mountain. “We see some casual skiers that might not have the gear, but if you have the gear it’s just beautiful out there. It’s been great conditions. The snow has been fabulous all season long.”
Jefferson noted snowmaking efforts have continued without any issues throughout the winter.
“We’ve been building our base all along,” he said. “The only real challenge is the wind. When it’s windy, it’s a challenge because you’re trying to make snow but it’s blowing places you don’t want it to go. But the temperatures have not been a problem for us. The biggest challenge is when you get the warmups. You don’t want the ground thawing, because once the ground starts to thaw, that’s a problem.”
Friends Caitlin Rudalavage and Lana Celli, both of Dunmore, ride the ski lift at Montage Mountain Resorts in Moosic Tuesday, January 27, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Skis rest on the bottom of the slopes at Montage Mountain Resorts in Moosic Tuesday, January 27, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Skiiers walk to the ski lifts to go up the mountain at Montage Mountain Resorts in Moosic Tuesday, January 27, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
A snowboarder glides down a slope at Elk Mountain Ski Resort in Herrick Twp. (TIMES-TRIBUNE FILE PHOTO)
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Friends Caitlin Rudalavage and Lana Celli, both of Dunmore, ride the ski lift at Montage Mountain Resorts in Moosic Tuesday, January 27, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Throughout December and January, a total of 31.6 inches of snow was measured at the airport — about 12 inches above normal, according to the National Weather Service.
“You walk outside and see the snow everywhere,” Jefferson said. “That plays well into the perception and it also plays well into the conditions. There’s no question that natural snow is a wonderful thing for ski resorts throughout the East Coast.”
Jefferson added that all of Montage’s trails have been open for weeks.
“This season has been one of our best and we’re looking at temperatures for Presidents Day weekend that are really going to boost attendance,” he said.
Jefferson anticipates Montage Mountain will remain open for skiing and snowboarding through March, weather permitting.
“We had 103 days last year and we expect to have at least 100 days this year,” he said. I actually don’t think we lost a day at all thus far.”
DeLuca also expects more seasonable temperatures will lead to increased sales at Elk Mountain during Presidents Day weekend.
“The weather is going to be very favorable,” he said.
DeLuca boasted that patrons have described the condition of the trails at Elk — which are also fully open — as “spectacular” and the best in 20 years.
While snowmaking also remains ongoing at Elk, when needed, DeLuca stressed the plethora of natural snow makes a big difference at the resort, especially on particular trails.
“Our Lehigh trail doesn’t have snowmaking, so we can’t always open it,” he said. “There have been seasons when it’s only open for a short time, but it’s open now and it’s been open for a few weeks. People really enjoy that trail — it’s an easier trail, but it has beautiful scenery. At that point in the season, we’re not making snow as often. It’s just to beef up certain areas. We’re in very good shape.”
Jefferson enjoyed the ski conditions at Montage Mountain firsthand last weekend as he traversed the slopes.
“I’ve never seen conditions better,” he said.