11 miles apart · Pennsylvania
Blue vs Bear Creek
Both are Pennsylvania ski resorts with night tubing, only 11 miles apart, but they sit at opposite ends of the size scale: 46 lanes at one, 10 at the other.
Bottom line: Pick Blue Mountain for the largest hill and snowmaking, and Bear Creek if you want a published price, a magic carpet and no reservation requirement.
| Feature | Blue Mountain Resort | Bear Creek Mountain Resort |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Palmerton, PA | Lehigh Valley, PA |
| Lanes | 46 | 10 |
| Lift back up | Multiple lifts | Magic carpet / conveyor |
| Night tubing | Yes | Yes |
| Snowmaking | Yes | Not published |
| Reservations | Required | Not required |
| Minimum age / height | Not published | Age 6+, 42" tall |
| Starting price | See park site | From $35 |
Facts come from each park's official site and are re-checked each season; prices are the lowest published rate.
Choose Blue Mountain Resort if…
- You want the biggest hill. Blue Mountain Resort lists 46 lanes, the most of any park we track, versus 10 at Bear Creek.
- Snow reliability matters. Blue Mountain lists snowmaking; Bear Creek’s record does not.
- You are happy to book ahead. Blue Mountain requires reservations.
Choose Bear Creek Mountain Resort if…
- You want to decide late. Bear Creek Mountain Resort says reservations are not required.
- You want the details up front. Bear Creek publishes a $35 starting price, a minimum age of 6 and a 42-inch height minimum. Blue Mountain publishes none of the three, so ask before you go.
- A smaller hill suits your group. Ten lanes and a magic carpet lift keep things simple.
Worth knowing before you go
Both parks list night tubing, so an evening session is possible at either. Blue Mountain’s lift type is listed as multiple lifts, which suggests more than one way back up; confirm how it works for tubers on the day you visit.
Blue Mountain has no published starting price or age and height rules, which is a gap in what the park makes public, not a sign that there are none. Check its tubing page and ticket page for current rates and minimums, and do the same for Bear Creek’s $35 figure, since prices change by date and time slot.
Because the parks are 11 miles apart, you can also check both for availability on the same weekend and book whichever has open sessions. For more on choosing a hill by size, see the biggest tubing parks.
Frequently asked questions
Which is bigger, Blue Mountain or Bear Creek?
Blue Mountain lists 46 lanes and Bear Creek lists 10. Blue Mountain has the most lanes of any park we track.
Do I need a reservation at either park?
Blue Mountain requires reservations. Bear Creek says they are not required, but confirm before a busy weekend.
Which has the lower minimum age?
Bear Creek publishes a minimum age of 6 and a 42-inch minimum height. Blue Mountain does not publish either in our records, so check with the park.
Full details: Blue Mountain Resort · Bear Creek Mountain Resort · more head-to-heads