EXPERIENCE A VARIETY OF WINTER ACTIVITIES WITH VALUE PACKAGES IN THE POCONO MOUNTAINS

11/03/2008

Marla McLaughlin/Susannah Gregory                                      Alicia M. Quinn
Lou Hammond & Associates                                                     Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau
212.308.8880                                                                                570.421.5791
marlam@lhammond.com                                                         alicia@poconos.org
susannahg@lhammond.com

    EXPERIENCE A VARIETY OF WINTER ACTIVITIES
WITH VALUE PACKAGES IN THE POCONO MOUNTAINS

POCONO MOUNTAINS, PA, November 3, 2008 – The Pocono Mountains of northeastern Pennsylvania (www.800poconos.com) are offering value added winter activities and packages for the 2008-09 winter season. Only a short drive from many major US cities, winter activities such as ice skating, snow tubing, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing await, ensuring families, couples and travelers of all ages and interests get the most out of the pristine winter wonderland.

Winter packages and activities can be found on www.800poconos.com.  Highlights include: 

RED MITTEN WEEKENDS – Woodloch Resort, January 9 – February 8, 2009
This four season resort is offering a winter wonderland full of activities such as a snow tube run, ice skating, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, winter Olympics and more. Woodloch is known as the official snowshoe destination for the tri-state area.  The package includes two-nights accommodation, six meals, daily activities, nightly entertainment and use of all facilities and amenities.  Rates begin at $430 per person and $130-$255 for children up to 10 years old, based on double occupancy.  For more information, call 570-685-8000 or visit www.800poconos.com.

SNOW TUBING WINTER FUN – Fernwood Hotel & Resort, January 4 – March 15, 2009
Fernwood Hotel & Resort, a 440-acre resort, invites guests to experience snow tubing at Fernwood's Winter Fun Center on either single or family snow tubes. The package includes accommodations and four tickets to the Winter Fun Center. Rates begin at $126, based on double occupancy.  For more information call 570-588-9500 or visit www.800poconos.com.

ALL-INCLUSIVE SNOW TUBE – Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort, 2008-09 Ski Season
Located along the edge of the Delaware River, the Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort is offering a one-night stay of accomodations, full breakfast, and a four-hour snow tubing ticket to Shawnee Mountain. Rates begin at $116 per person, $43 for children age 12-17 and $34 for children ages five-11, based on double occupancy. For more information call 570-424-4000 or visit www.800poconos.com.

WINTER FUN - The Inn at Pocono Manor, November 1, 2008 – March 31, 2009
Listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, the Inn at Pocono Manor offers the unique charm of a historic location with modern services and amenities.  The Winter Fun package includes one night lodging, full breakfast and choice of horseback ride or guided All Terrain Vehicle tour.  Pricing begins at $170 per room, based on double occupancy. www.poconomanor.com

WINTER WEEKEND – East Shore Lodging,November 7, 2008 – April 30, 2009
East Shore Lodging, located on Lake Wallenpaupack, if offering a Winter Weekend package including two-nights accommodations and continental breakfast. Rates begin at $162 based on double occupancy and a two-night stay. For more information, call 570-226-3293 or visit www.800poconos.com.

WILEY'S WINTERFEST – Great Wolf Lodge, January 4, 2008 – February 5, 2009
Less than two hours from New York and Philadelphia, Great Wolf Lodge's Wiley's Winterfest Package invites families to stay in any of the properties spacious suites Sunday through Thursday night, including complimentary Waterpark passes.  Pricing begins at $229 for the Family Suite. www.greatwolf.com/poconos

WINTER GETAWAY – Ehrhardt's Waterfront Resort, November 1, 2008 – April 30, 2009
This winter, the family owned and operated resort is offering travelers a third night at half-price when booking a two-night stay. Rates begin at $58 per night, exclusive of holiday weekends. For more information, call 570-226-4388 or visit www.800poconos.com.

SPLASH & STAY – Split Rock Resort and Golf Club, November 1, 2008 – March 31, 2008
Split Rock Resort invites guests to experience "H20ooohh", the new indoor waterpark at this family resort. The Splash & Stay package includes deluxe accommodations and admission to waterpark. Midweek package rates begin at $100.50 per person, per night based on double occupancy and a two-night stay. Weekend package rates begin at $133 per person, per night, based on double occupancy and a two-night stay. For more information, call 570.722.9111 or visit www.splitrockresort.com.

WINTER WONDERLAND OF FUN – Penn Hills Resort, October 16, 2008 – March 8, 2009
Penn Hills Resort offers a "Getaway to Mountains of Fun" including accommodations in the Riviera Suite along with free tubing at Alpine Mountain.  The package also includes a full country breakfast for two days, dinner, use of resort facilities and game room. Rates begin at $79 per person, per night, based on double occupancy.  A minimum stay of two-nights is required.  A third-night stay for $59 per person. For more information call 570-421-6464 or visit www.800poconos.com.

About the Pocono Mountains
With 2,400 square miles encompassing Pennsylvania's Carbon, Monroe, Pike and Wayne counties, the Pocono Mountains region is home to rolling mountain terrain, breathtakingly beautiful waterfalls, thriving woodlands and 170 miles of winding rivers.  Winters offer guests the opportunity to ski, snowboard, snow tube and even snowshoe their way through snowy wonderlands encompassing over 163 ski trails, while summers also cater to the active traveler allowing exploration of 261miles of hiking and biking trails, over 35 golf courses, whitewater rafting, boating, fishing and open access to nine state and two national parks. 

Any time of year is a good time to visit the Pocono Mountains, located within driving distance of most major East Coast cities.  This region teeming with history offers year-round cultural tours and art exhibitions, abundant antiquing and brand-name shopping and a full calendar of festivals showcasing the heritage, music and food of the Pocono Mountains. 

Even the most discerning traveler will find comfortable accommodations in the Pocono Mountains, which offers an eclectic mix of resorts, distinctive properties and quaint, country inns and bed and breakfasts.

Comprehensive Pocono Mountains visitor information is available online at www.800poconos.com or by phone at 800-POCONOS (800-762-6667).  The Pocono Mountains Convention and Visitors Bureau is the official destination marketing organization for the four counties of Carbon, Monroe, Pike and Wayne in northeastern Pennsylvania.   

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