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Fall in love with Pennsylvania's Pocono Mountains in winter, when swirling snowflakes transform the region into a white wonderland.

Considering a honeymoon in the snow? Look no further than the Pocono Mountains, a woodsy East Coast range that’s as prime for winter sports as it is for couples-only hotels. During ski season, which runs from the end of November to mid-March, eight major ski areas offer a variety of trails, plus night skiing and snow tubing. And while the Poconos cover a rather large swath of Pennsylvania, several resorts offer on-property ice-skating, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and sledding, so you can roll out of bed and right into action. Best of all, since these mountains are within driving distance of several mid-Atlantic states, from Maryland to Ohio, swapping slushy pavements for powdery trails is easier than you’d think. So grab your goggles, gloves and a couple of sweaters, and head to this wintry playground.

Liftoff

Each year thousands of skiers flock to the Poconos—and for good reason. In addition to magnificent views, all of the region’s major ski areas offer equipment rentals, private and group lessons, slope-side lounges and trails designed for skiers of every level. Up for a real challenge? Head to Blue Mountain, where you’ll find three double black diamond runs (rated most difficult) and, at 1,082 feet, the area’s longest vertical drop (Danielsville, Palmerton; lift tickets start at $26; 610-826-7700; skibluemt.com). Or, check out Jack Frost Mountain, which is home to 15 black diamond trails, as well as a terrain park, an area designed for jumpers and freestylers, with plenty of ramps, rails and moguls. For more information visit jfbb.com.
Not an expert skier? Camelback features the largest variety of trails. For more information call 570-629-1661 or visit skicamelback.com. While Big Bear has the some of the longest, most scenic runs. For more information call 570-685-1400 or visit ski-bigbear.com.

Now Boarding

Skiers and snowboarders ride the same trails, but while packed snow is great for schussing, snowboarders will tell you that slightly loose, granular powder helps them maintain balance and “catch air.” Which mountain has the best conditions for carving? Head over to Camelback, where major upgrades have recently been made to the snowmaking equipment. Fresh, fluffy snow is pumped onto the slopes daily, and new grooming machines help maintain its texture. The mountain also features two terrain parks, as well as a half-pipe (a C-shaped slope on which boarders can perform tricks). If you’re both just learning, prepare to fall a lot: We mean a lot. It’s part of the fun—and a great opportunity to make snow angels. For more information call 570-629-1661 or visit skicamelback.com.

Let It Slide

Not much of an athlete? No problem. You can still get that careening-down-a-mountain rush when you visit a snow tube park, and all the Poconos’ major ski areas have them. Simply grab one of the round, inflatable snow tubes at the bottom of the slope, where an attendant will help you latch it onto a rope tow. Then sit down: The tow does all the rest! Once you reach the top of the slope, push off—and away you’ll go down the hill. Best of all, you don’t have to take lessons or rent gear of any kind. Check out Blue Marsh, home of the Poconos’ largest snow tubing area, with a whopping 16 chutes. Just wait ’til you’re zooming over bumps, ramps and hollows together, coming to a rest on a bed of fluffy straw. It’s out-of-this-world fun you won’t forget. For more information call 610-488-6399 or visit skibluemarsh.com.

Vroom, vroom!

If you’ve never ridden on a snowmobile before, this is the place to learn. Come wintertime, several resorts turn sections of their properties into riding courses that are groomed to minimize bumps and hazards. At the 164-room Caesar’s Paradise Stream hotel, for example, a field that’s used for softball tournaments in the summertime becomes the winter site for motoring sleek new Arctic Cat Bearcat snowmobiles, which are rigged not to exceed 25 miles per hour. You can share a two-seater, or each have a go on your own. The experience is a lot like jet-skiing, only you won’t walk away soggy. For more information call 800-698-4694 or visit caesarspoconoresorts.com.

Trek On

Nearly all winter sports provide an excellent workout, but perhaps the most strenuous is cross-country skiing. (If you’ve ever tried the elliptical machine at the gym, you know why.) Cross-country skis, which are longer and narrower than Alpine skis, create enough traction to allow both uphill climbing and smooth gliding over flat terrain. Traverse miles of unspoiled countryside, up snow-blanketed hills and around beautiful, bare-limbed trees dripping with sparkly icicles. Rentals and lessons are available at The Sterling Inn, a family-owned bed-and-breakfast that occupies over 100 acres, much of which is laced with scenic nature trails. Imagine gliding through the talcum-powder-white forest together, as deer, black squirrels and chipmunks scamper by. For more information call 800-523-8200 or visit thesterlinginn.com.

Dashing Through the Snow

What’s the most romantic, snowy adventure on the whole mountainside? Why, a horse-drawn sleigh ride, of course! Mountain Creek Stable arranges 15- to 20-minute sleigh rides through a pine forest. When you board the old-fashioned wooden carriage, you’ll find a soft bench seat and two blankets for extra warmth. Sit back and enjoy the bouncy ride as spindly brushwood and sweet-smelling pine needles crackle beneath the sleigh. Couples can arrange to have champagne provided for an extra fee—anything to generate some heat. Of course, you can always snuggle up together. But we don’t have to tell you two that! For more information call 570-839-8725 or visit mtcreekstable.com.

Night Life

To help beat the daytime rush, most area mountains offer night skiing, too. At Shawnee, for example, slopes stay brightly lit with floodlights until 10 p.m., and lift ticket prices are reduced. Just be sure to dress warmly: You’ll feel a lot colder skiing at night than you do during the day. For more information call 570-421-7231 or visit shawneemt.com.

Rest Your Head

When you’re ready to call it a night after a slew of cold-weather workouts, head to a warm, inviting suite at the 15-room French Manor. This elegant château-style bed-and-breakfast sits on a hilltop surrounded by acres of lofty evergreens. Each suite contains a gas-powered fireplace, a large whirlpool tub and a decanter of cognac. Draw yourselves a soothing and warm chamomile-infused bath, then drift off to sleep together. For more information call 800-523-8200 or visit thefrenchmanor.com.

For more information, call the Pocono Mountains Vacation Bureau at 800-762-6667 or go to 800poconos.com.