Blue Knob Ski Resort Lodge — Hotel in Pavia Township

I skied here in the mid-late sixties and seventies as a young man, and returned for the first time on January 29, 2019, and again on March 8, 2019. It’s still day trip doable from the DC region, about 3 hours or less to drive. Conditions were good both days I skied, and most of the mountain was open.

When it has good natural snow, this is THE local mountain in the mid-Atlantic for the hardcore, experienced, and good intermediate skier. Stembogan Bowl, Deer Run, Extravert (a true double black but rarely open), Lower High Hopes and Route 66 lift line runs will challenge even the most experienced skiers and riders.

After a good storm, some of the best tree skiing anywhere in the East can be found just by asking the locals. Those runs aren’t on the trail map! What a bonus for tree skiers/riders!

In general, the mountain skis much bigger than it looks on paper. The folks who work at “The Knob” could not be friendlier.

The prices to ski and rent are very reasonable in advance through Liftopia on the Blue Knob web site, or with the Liftopia app. At this stage, I have to rent equipment. The ski and boot rental inventory is average at best, and the edges of the skis are very dull. For this, the older slower chair lifts, and dated day lodge, I gave it four stars. The mountain? For its location, five stars hands down.

The Blue Knob Clubhouse, about a mile down the mountain past the tubing area is a fun little apres ski haunt with reasonable food and drinks. It’s well worth a stop for dinner before the ride home.

For skiers and riders, check the five day weather forecast and book a snow day. Mid-week rates are best if you can get away. So, get up there and support a good local mountain!

One last important tip, with its northern fully exposed face, high elevation, and “heavy” air it can get very windy and VERY cold. Be fully prepared including a balaclava, scarf/gaiter, good gloves, plenty of down and wool layering, and of course goggles. I’ve heard folks say they have never felt colder than the chairlift ride at “The Knob”,...

Terrible layout of slopes and lifts; very crowded by noon and I don't believe they were limiting sales based on the number of people and cars in the lot; out of control skiiers and boarders everywhere because of the crowds and what seems like the bad layout of terrain (one green intersects with a diamond! We almost got plowed into twice by out of control skiiers and my board got scratched from one almost hitting me/riding over it); chaos at the top of lifts, & no lift operators were wearing masks; it was just a mess. It might be nice on a weekday with no crowds, and the one unique thing this mountain has is the ski on/off houses right on the slopes; but I would stay away otherwise and won't be back this season because of lack of covid protocol enforcement. Also the lifts are bad, they only had 3 open: 1 triple-the best one-has a slope leading into the line which is great fun to stand in sideways; the other lift (double) was so small we barely fit on it and we are thin!; the one lift chair had no safety bar so they had to make the person wait for the next one...and getting off at the top of the triple there is a drop off like a jump. Finally the line we waited in to pickup out tickets purchased online was horrendous as well and no one was practicing or enforcing social distancing (it was indoors too).This place is overall no good; the scenic drive thru the state park on the way in was the best part! UPDATE: customer service came through and gave me a full refund so I am adjusting my star rating for...

Not sure what’s worse the snowmaking or the people who work there .

First it’s the best winter PA had in ages and blue knob still manage to have terrible conditions. Apparently they don’t make snow and it shows. Bare spots, icey and skied off. Every else in the tristate conditions are great this place they are terrible. And people said this is the best conditions they can remember!!!!

Now we get to the staff. They are the rudest people. I don’t know who is worse the bartender or the ticket window. They obviously are miserable with their jobs and they take it out on you. I with the notable exception of the lifties and the cafeteria girls they were nice. They, and i could be wrong were immigrants so they weren’t infected with the toxic culture of this place.

Speaking of the cafeteria the food is disgusting. They leave fries under a hot lamp to go cold and greasy and then charge $5 for them. I had the worse burger I have ever had.

Don’t waste your time driving there it’s the worst mountain with the rudest employees...