View source for Jack Frost–Big Boulder Ski Resort

{{Short description|Ski area in Pennsylvania, United States}}
{{Infobox ski area
| name           = Jack Frost–Big Boulder
| logo           =
| logo_width     = <!--Default is 150px-->
| picture        = JackFrost.jpg
| caption        = Jack Frost Big Ski Resort's main lodge in January 2017
| pushpin_map    =
| pushpin_relief = y
| location       = [[Kidder Township, Pennsylvania]], U.S.
| mountain       =
| nearest_city   = [[Allentown, Pennsylvania|Allentown]], [[New York City]], [[Philadelphia]]
| coordinates    =
| status         = Operating
| owner          = [[Vail Resorts]]
| vertical       = {{convert|475|ft|abbr=on}} (Big Boulder), {{convert|600|ft|abbr=on}} (Jack Frost)<ref name=stat>{{Cite web |url=https://www.jfbb.com/the-mountain/about-the-mountain/mountain-info.aspx |title=MOUNTAIN INFO |access-date=2023-02-08 |website=Jack Frost Big Boulder Resort}}</ref>
| top_elevation  = {{convert|2175|ft|abbr=on}} (Big Boulder), {{convert|2000|ft|abbr=on}} (Jack Frost)<ref name="stat" />
| base_elevation = {{convert|1700|ft|abbr=on}} (Big Boulder), {{convert|1400|ft|abbr=on}} (Jack Frost)<ref name="stat" />
| skiable_area   =
| number_trails  = 18 (Big Boulder), 20 (Jack Frost)<ref name="stat" />
| longest_run    =
| liftsystem     = Big Boulder: 7 (2 quad, 1 triple, 1 double, 3 surface)<br>Jack Frost: 9 (4 quads, 2 doubles, 3 surface)<ref name="stat" />
| lift_capacity  =
| terrainparks   = Yes, 2 (Big Boulder), 1 (Jack Frost)<ref name="stat" />
| snowfall       =
| snowmaking     = Yes<ref name="stat" />
| nightskiing    = Yes<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.jfbb.com/the-mountain/about-the-mountain/night-skiing-and-riding.aspx |title=NIGHT SKIING AND RIDING |access-date=2023-02-08 |website=Jack Frost Big Boulder Resort}}</ref>
| website        = https://www.jfbb.com
}}
'''Jack Frost–Big Boulder''' is a resort with two separate ski areas. It is located in [[Kidder Township, Pennsylvania]], in the [[Pocono Mountains]] region of [[Northeastern Pennsylvania]]. In 2019, the resort, which had been owned and operated by [[Peak Resorts]], was purchased by [[Vail Resorts]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/larryolmsted/2019/07/22/ski-travel-revolution-vail-acquires-17-more-ski-resorts-expands-epic-pass |title=Ski Travel Revolution: Vail Acquires 17 More Ski Resorts, Expands Epic Pass |date=2019-07-22 |access-date=2023-02-08 |website=[[Forbes]] |last=Olmsted |first=Larry}}</ref>
==Big Boulder==
{{uncited section|date=December 2022}}
Big Boulder opened in 1947, and employee John Guresh is credit with developing the first usable snow making equipment while working there in the 1950s. Big Boulder resort has three main parks, Big Boulder Park, Freedom Park, and LOVE Park, inspired by [[Philadelphia]]'s [[LOVE Park]] a popular destination for [[skateboarders]].
During the 2020-21 ski season, Vail made the decision to considerably reduce the number of terrain parks at Big Boulder and market the mountain as a learning hill. It remains to be seen if this is a temporary [[COVID-19 in Pennsylvania|COVID-19 pandemic]]-related change, or if Vail has decided to take away what made Boulder special when compared to today’s mega resorts. The resort has two lodges, the main lodge, which is located at the bottom of the mountain and can be seen from the [[parking lot]]. Inside there are cafes and other services for the snowboarders and skiers. The other lodge, located at the bottom of Big Boulder Park, is called the lower lodge. The lower lodge includes an outdoor grill, a [[Bar (establishment)|bar]] a [[pro shop]], and the entire lodge is sponsored by [[Red Bull Energy Drink]].
==Jack Frost==
{{uncited section|date=December 2022}}
The owners of Big Boulder built Jack Frost with a longer runs and a higher vertical drop, going down to the level of the Lehigh River, rather than up to a ridge top.
==Ecology==
===Jack Frost Ski Resort===
According to the [[A. W. Kuchler]] U.S. [[potential natural vegetation]] types, Jack Frost Ski Resort would have a dominant vegetation type of Northern [[Hardwood]]'s (''106'') with a dominant vegetation form of [[Northern hardwood forest]] (''23'').<ref name="Conservation Biology Institute">{{cite web|url=https://databasin.org/datasets/1c7a301c8e6843f2b4fe63fdb3a9fe39|accessdate= December 20, 2019|title=U.S. Potential Natural Vegetation, Original Kuchler Types, v2.0 (Spatially Adjusted to Correct Geometric Distortions)}}</ref> The [[plant hardiness zone]] is 5b with an average annual extreme minimum air temperature of {{convert|-14.6|°F|1}}.<ref name="USDA">{{cite web|url=https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/InteractiveMap.aspx|publisher=[[United States Department of Agriculture]]|accessdate=December 20, 2019|title=USDA Interactive Plant Hardiness Map|archive-date=July 4, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190704214427/https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/phzmweb/interactivemap.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref> The spring bloom typically begins around April 30 and fall color usually peaks before October 11.
===Big Boulder Ski Resort===
According to the A. W. Kuchler U.S. potential natural vegetation types, Big Boulder Ski Resort would have a dominant vegetation type of Northern [[Hardwood]] (''106'') with a dominant vegetation form of [[Northern hardwood forest]] (''23'').<ref name="Conservation Biology Institute"/> The [[plant hardiness zone]] is 6a with an average annual extreme minimum air temperature of {{convert|-9.4|°F|1}}.<ref name="USDA" /> The spring bloom typically begins around April 30 and fall color usually peaks before October 13.
==Recreation==
[[File:JackFrost2.jpg|thumb|The ski area]]
In 2006, warm weather resulted in issues for local skiers, but was able to stay open with snow reserves made in December.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5159767 |title=No Snow in the Poconos |publisher=[[NPR]] |author=Robert Smith |date=2006-01-16 |accessdate=2014-04-10}}</ref>
The resort was able to open one week earlier due to an aggressive snow season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wnep.com/2013/11/14/jack-frost-big-boulder-gets-a-jump-on-ski-season/ |title=Jack Frost Big Boulder Gets a Jump on Ski Season |publisher=WNEP |author=Peggy Lee |date=2013-11-14 |accessdate=2014-04-10}}</ref>
Jack Frost is a major tourist destination and attraction in the region and has caused an influx of new home buyers. Home buyers have cited the ski resort, golf courses, and distance from [[New York City]] and [[Philadelphia]] as factors for purchasing local properties.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/13/greathomesanddestinations/13havens.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0 |title=A Poconos Village With Nature Near at Hand |work= [[New York Times]]|author=Joe Samuel Starnes |date=2009-02-12 |accessdate=2014-04-10}}</ref>
==References==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
*[http://www.jfbb.com/ Official site]
*[http://paskiresorts.com/big-boulder-ski-area-history/ Big Boulder Ski Area history]
{{coord|41.111|-75.652|region:US-PA_type:mountain_scale:25000|display=title}}
{{Pennsylvania ski areas and resorts}}
{{authority control}}
[[Category:1972 establishments in Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Carbon County, Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Peak Resorts]]
[[Category:Pocono Mountains]]
[[Category:Ski areas and resorts in Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Carbon County, Pennsylvania]]