POCONO MOUNTAINS RESORT AMONG 10 BEST FAMILY SNOW RESORTS

10/13/2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Alicia M. Quinn / Gillian Moore
Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau
alicia@poconos.org / prdept@poconos.org 
800poconos.com  / twitter.com/PoconoTourism
570.421.5791

POCONO MOUNTAINS RESORT AMONG 10 BEST FAMILY SNOW RESORTS
Parents Magazine Names Woodloch Resort

POCONO MOUNTAINS, Pa., October 13, 2009 - The Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau (PMVB) is proud to announce that the Pocono Mountains' (http://www.800poconos.com/) Woodloch Resort (http://www.woodloch.com/) has been ranked No. 6 of the 10 Best Snow Resorts for families by Parents magazine from its first-ever 10 Best Snow Resorts For Families survey.

The survey indicated that as holiday breaks inch closer and families start looking for affordable vacation spots, snow covered getaways are proving to be more family-friendly than beach vacations. 

"We know that the Pocono Mountains is an ideal and affordable winter destination, but this is a great indicator of the rising interest for families during the winter season in the Pocono Mountains," said Carl Wilgus, president and CEO of the PMVB.  "Winter offers families the opportunity to ski, snowboard, snow tube and even snowshoe their way through snowy wonderlands encompassing over 165 ski trails."

However, Woodloch offers visitors even more.  The (http://www.woodloch.com/) all-inclusive resort features Yule-log hunts, outdoor family Olympics and a snowy scavenger hunt.  "It's a great choice because it emphasizes other kinds of classic winter fun, with more than two dozen activities being offered daily," said Laurie McEvoy, marketing director for Woodloch Resort.  "It's our version of The Amazing Race."

From more than 100 contenders, Parents narrowed the field by evaluating the family activities on site, with Woodloch offering the most, as well as nearby ski areas such as Ski Big Bear at Masthope Mountain and Tanglwood (http://www.poconoski.com/).  Other highlights included the quality of ski lessons for young children, the standard room size and amenities, child care services, kids' clubs or supervised play areas and the price tag.

For more information on planning an affordable winter family vacation, visit http://www.poconoski.com/ and browse the array of winter fun activities.  For Parents magazine's Top 10 Best Snow Resorts, visit www.parents.com/fun/vacation/ideas/best-snow-resorts/?page=6.

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 165 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.

Pocono Mountains visitor information is available online at www.800poconos.com or by phone at 800-POCONOS (800-762-6667).  Follow @PoconoTourism on Twitter to stay current with up-to-date information.  Established in 1934, the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau is a private, non-profit, membership organization.  The Pocono Mountains 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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About Parents:

Parents, published monthly by Meredith Corporation, has been America's #1 family magazine for more than 80 years. Since its inception in 1926, it has been a trusted source by every generation of parents.  Currently, the magazine is a powerful community of nearly 16 million readers devoted to supporting the efforts of parents, educators and other citizens who strive to make the world a better place for our children.

About Meredith Corporation

Meredith is the leading media and marketing company serving American women. Meredith combines well-known national brands - such as Better Homes and Gardens, Parents and Family Circle - with 12 local network-affiliated television brands in fast-growing markets and a robust online presence through the Meredith Women's Network, the first brand network comprised of premium websites geared toward the topics that matter most to women. The Meredith Women's Network engages more than 15 million unique visitors monthly, and includes The Better Homes and Gardens Network (Better Homes and Gardens, Better Recipes and MixingBowl); The Parents Network (Parents, American Baby and Family Circle); and The Real Girls Network (DivineCaroline®, Fitness, More and Ladies' Home Journal).

Meredith also features full-service marketing solutions capabilities that provide national and international companies with innovative and cutting-edge marketing services. In the last three years, the company has significantly added to its portfolio through acquisitions and investments in the digital, mobile, word-of-mouth, health care and database areas.