A member of the National Trust Historic Hotels of America and Green Hotel Association, Skytop Lodge sits atop 5500 acres including deciduous and evergreen forests, scrub oak forests, rocky outcroppings, a rhododendron swamp, a glacial bog, and small grassy meadows, which have all been held in conservation since 1928.

Wildlife conservation efforts have been an integral part of the history of Skytop Lodge, and the original forester, Pat Fasano, worked hard to develop a trail system for the guests to enjoy. Pat also began a wildlife inventory of the property to provide a baseline for future management decisions which he knew to be important to conservation efforts such as the preservation of a forest and its inhabitants.  His published book, The Nature of Skytop, was ahead of its time.

Under the management of former naturalist, John Serrao, much of the bird life, forest community and reptile and amphibian inhabitants of the property were recorded.  This information was subsequently shared with statewide organizations such as the Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program, the Pennsylvania Herpetological Atlas, the Pennsylvania Breeding Bird Atlas, the Pennsylvania Biological Team, the Amphibian and Reptile Technical Committee, and the Dragonfly and Damselfly Technical Committee.

Recent conservation efforts include providing nest boxes for Eastern Bluebirds, Purple Martins, and Screech Owls which are monitored during breeding season, sharing results with the Pennsylvania Society of Ornithology and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. A similar program is underway building bat boxes.

Skytop also chose to refrain from broadcast spraying of gypsy moths recently to preserve other insect species that would be harmed by such a wide attack, and when installing the new Tree Top Adventure zip line obstacle course, tree removal was kept to a minimum with much of the removed wood being used for on-site projects. Conservation continues inside the lodge, too, with farm-to-table dining, highlighting local farmers and growers at their annual Harvest Lake Stroll in the autumn.
To preserve the dropping honeybee populations, Skytop’s Bee Mindful initiative is distributing over 10,000 packages of wildflower seeds to help fight Colony Collapse Disorder, by helping others grow wildflower gardens like the ones at Skytop that have provided homes to our winged friends for over 80 years. Skytop is also arranging a viewing of the award winning documentary, The Vanishing of the Bees, to raise awareness, and bringing a local bee keeper on site to share the art of bee keeping and the secrets of honey.

The Skytop Young Explorers Club is encouraging kids to grow community gardens and make Earth Day Pledges on our Facebook page where Earth lovers young and old can share photos of their projects. Skytop Naturalists, Rick Koval and Jackie Speicher, educate visitors about the Skytop native animal collection containing a 7-foot Black Rat snake,  a Timber Rattlesnake, a Northern Copperhead snake, (who all chow down on frozen rodents at public feeding times), an Eastern Garter snake (who prefers to slurp up his earthworms), Bullfrogs, Green frogs, American toads, 5 species of salamanders, and a donated 45 year old box turtle named Myrtle who is fond of eating pancakes!

Rick also hosts edible plant walks teaching how to identify safe plants for food, teas, mushrooms, and medicinal use, as well as poisonous plants to avoid. He highlights popular edible species include stag horn sumac, which makes a tea like pink lemonade, sassafras for root beer, pineapple chamomile (which tastes like, you guessed it, pineapple!), wild basil, dandelions, and acorns, as well as rare plants, such as bog rosemary growing in Skytop’s remote cranberry bog, which must be left undisturbed. Rick published this great acorn bread recipe in the Pocono Journal last January.

Skytop also works with leading conservation organizations. In 2004, Skytop Lodge hosted a Wooley Adelgid Summit organized by the Paradise Creek Study and the Brodhead Watershed Association to examine the aphid that infecting the Eastern Hemlock trees (not to be confused with the Poisonous Hemlock Shrub). These trees help prevent river bank soil erosion and provide cooling shade that shelters many forms of wild life. Working with the Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Survey a plant and grass survey was completed, and a tree survey of the golf course is underway toward certification from Audabon International.

The Pocono Avian Research Center has conducted research  including an investigation on the productivity and survivorship of the breeding songbirds at Skytop Lodge.  Information generated at Skytop is shared with the Institute for Bird Populations and the United States Geological Survey, the Migratory Bird Office and the Bird Banding Laboratory.   A 10 year study by the Pocono Aviary Center on Northern Saw-whet Owl at Skytop has provided evidence of a strong population that has kept the Saw-whet owl from being listed as a Species of Concern and offers encouragement.

Ann Pilcher of the Pocono Mountain Visitors Bureau stated, “What really made [Skytop] stand out was their Bee Mindful Program and all the efforts of their naturalists. We were really looking for someone that was a Green Hotel [Association} member and made conservation and nature a priority.”

Skytop Lodge is proud to be recognized for their efforts and will continue their ongoing conservation plans to enrich and strengthen our beautiful natural surroundings for generations to come.

Congratulations to Rick, Jackie, and everyone working hard for a greener planet at Skytop Lodge!

When pairing full-bodied red wine and chocolate, the wine should be sweeter than the chocolate. Following a bite of a gooey, sweet chocolate cake with a sip of a big red wine, you may taste overly dry, acidic, and bitter flavors. This is because the chocolate cake has coated your mouth in sugar masking the sweetness of the wine. Because it contains less sugar, the darker the chocolate, the better when pairing with full-bodied reds.

Milk chocolates allow for pairing with lighter-bodied wines, like Pinot Noir, Merlot, and even Reisling and Muscat. A classic pairing is a nice ruby port and some tasty chocolate mousse; the flavors of each really compliment each other well.  Try pairing a nice Zindandel with white chocolate and you’ll be amazed by how the well the buttery flavor of the white chocolate softens the tannins of the highly tannic red.

In pairing, finding the right balance is really a matter of personal taste. Mixing and matching can be a tasty adventure! Join us for Skytop’s Wine & Chocolate Weekend as we explore the flavors of regional wines and chocolates, beginning today, March 30^th through April 1^st, it will be a deliciously indulgent weekend!

If you are looking for something exceptional to do this weekend, it’s not too late to join us! You can book a room online here or call 1-877-808-9226.

Set your budget. Every bride deserves the wedding of her dreams, but it is important to be realistic. With careful planning, a bride with a small budget can have a wedding that appears like it had no budget at all.

Gather your guest list. Look for input from your family and his, but remember that the final decision is for the bride and groom to make. Knowing your guest count has a big impact on your budget as well as your venue choice, so be sure to set this early on. If you need to get the invites out quickly, you may wish to order your wedding invitations from Annsbridalbargains.com, who can ship out your personalized invitations the next business day.

Pick the perfect venue. Skytop Lodge offers the best wedding venue in the Pocono Mountains not only for it’s picturesque qualities, but also because of our impeccable attention to detail, which really sets Skytop apart from other wedding venues.

Choose your flowers. Our resident floral expert, Kate, suggests that you do some research on what flowers are in season for your date. Choosing a flower that is not naturally growing at that time of year can have a big impact on your budget. So be open-minded and do a little research. To see some beautiful inspirations, check out The Flower Shop at Skytop Lodge.

Pick your bridal party. This is your opportunity to invite your besties to help you plan your special day. Having a supportive group around you is so important when planning your wedding!

So much goes into planning a wedding and it is easy to get overwhelmed. Just remember that you are planning the event you’ve dreamed about your entire life, so have fun with it and enjoy it!

Whether you are getting married now, or in the future, tune in to our wedding blog for more Skytop wedding advice, as we follow Emily, a Skytop bridesmaid who has graciously invited us into her life while she helps two brides – her best friend and her cousin – plan their dream weddings. It is sure to be both enlightening and entertaining!

Follow Emily’s Wedding Adventures on her blog, Emily: The Professional Bridesmaid.

It seems so many of us, humans that is, feel a common bond with our furry counter-parts. This isn’t at all by coincidence. There’s no other animal on the planet with whom we mesh so well as our beloved dogs. They weren’t always the pint-sized, short-haired, take anywhere in your purse kind of companion we have today. No, in the beginning, dogs had a much more important role to play. Like all members of the family, dogs were expected to contribute, “pull their weight” if you will. They were there to haul a heavy load, help in the capture of game, keep wild animals at bay, even keep the children cozy and warm in their beds. Our connection to dogs dates back as far as our collective memories can take us.

Today, sports like dog-mushing seem to be more nostalgic than anything. A connection to the past, keeping the “romance” of Jack London and the Gold Rush alive. So many of today’s “racing” sled dogs are built for speed not compatibility to the elements. Fewer and fewer mushing outfits are running the traditional, thick furred, fuel efficient sled dogs of yester-year . Snow Caps has found it’s niche as a tour kennel, bridging people to their pasts while educating them about this timeless form of travel. We are dedicated to preserving our mushing heritage. As advocates for the Siberian Husky and Mushing as a sport, it’s our mission to show our guests that these magnificent creatures are alive and well, still happily doing what they’ve known for thousands of years.

Snow Caps Sled Dogs is based in Breckenridge, CO. where we currently operate the largest Siberian Kennel in the nation. For approximately 30 years, we have been offering a very unique twist to the dog sledding experience. After brief instruction, we allow our guests to actually try their hand at mushing the team. Implementing a snow-mobile and passenger sleigh, the guide is able to ensure safety at a distance, giving complete navigational control to the “musher”. Truly unique, enabling guests to enjoy the experience with friends or family. We pride ourselves on the dogs we raise, socialization being our main emphasis. Guests are encouraged to handle the dogs at every opportunity

Approaching our third winter season at Skytop Lodge, I pause to reflect on our journey of the past few years. My name is Jared O’Neill. I was once Head-Trainer and Senior guide at Snow Caps in Breckenridge. A “Jersey Boy” originally, I headed West as soon as age permitted. Never one for “settling”, life beckoned everything be tried, at least once. Through the years, I’ve always been involved with outdoor recreation on some level. Whether personally or professionally, the outdoors have always been a big part of my happiness. Dogs were always the other part. Since most of my spare time had always been spent in the wilderness with my own dogs, giving dog sledding a go was inevitable. If you love dogs, love snow, love being active, there’s just nothing else like it. And, that was that. I quickly found that I had a knack for training pups and before I knew it I’d raised close to a hundred sled dogs! I even moved in with my dogs for a spell. We spent three years living in a cabin at 10,000 ft, completely “off the grid”. (That’s no plumbing or electricity to you city folk) As time progressed, I had a longing to return to the green hills of my youth. Even growing up just an hour east of it’s location, I was completely unaware of Skytop Lodge. Upon my first arrival, I was completely taken by surprise. Never did I expect to find such a breath-taking, un-spoiled and vast tract of land with a history of dog sledding.

I think it’s safe to say, Snow Caps will be calling Skytop “home” for many years to come. Already, the dogs have become a favorite among Skytop guests. During the winter months, we have ample snow to provide the “traditional” mushing experience. During the rest of the year, Skytop’s extensive trail system is perfect for the exciting sport of “dry-land” dog sledding. Weather navigating a high-adventure dog-powered scooter, joining a guide on our large training cart, or attending a kennel-tour, there is always a fun and educational way to enjoy our lovable sled-dogs.

Snow Caps would like invite you to come meet our newest additions. We have three beautiful healthy pups. Sky, Penny and Red were born on September 22nd. As our family grows, guests become part of our dogs lives, watching them grow and learn, maybe one day mushing them on a team, or even giving them a warm home to spend their “golden years”. Come on out out and see whats got everybody “howling”!

1. Taking in the peace and serenity with a snowshoe outing, exploring the wilderness trails.
2. Being the first skater on the rink at the start of the session, carving long, flowing outside edges, adding a jump or two!
3. Making gooey s’mores at the outside bonfire. Yum!
4. Chattering down the toboggan chute at 40 mph, the shooting out across frozen Skytop Lake! What a chilling thrill.
5. Mushin’ a team of Siberian huskies across the snow covered frozen landscape. Of course, the puppy kisses add to the experience.
6. Taking a nature walk to identify the many animal tracks in the snow.
7. Making the first tracks on the downhill slope… A frosty rush!
8. Taking in the scenery, gliding along on a pain of cross-country skis. What a great workout!
9. Enjoying afternoon tea and piano concert by the Pine Room’s roaring fire place.
10. Having a massage to relax my weary muscles at the Skyview Spa.

What is on your top ten??

Spoo-Tacular, October 28-30
Enjoy devilish delights, tractor drawn hayrides and even a Masquerade Ball. Kids can take joy in trick or treating, spooky sing-a-longs, fireside ghost stories, Tarot card readings, and pumpkin carving. Guests can also attend a Ghost Hunting 101 presentation and participate in a real paranormal investigation with the team from Core Phenomena Research. From shadows in the attic to voices in the crib closet, there is a plethora of paranormal activity at Skytop.

Harvest Lake Stroll, November 4-6
Harvest Lake Stroll is a culinary themed event open to the public and overnight guests alike on November 5 from 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. This epicure weekend offers seven unique food stations situated along Skytop’s sprawling 75-acre lake. The first station starts at the Orvis boathouse station with seasonal homemade soups and wine pairings. Stations in between encourage guests to sample pâtés and cheeses, pastas and unique delicacies, while the stroll ends with a sumptuous selection of desserts and specialty coffees at the Streamside Lodge.

Wine & Cheese Festival, November 18-20
Spend the weekend sipping, swirling and sniffing rich merlot, fruity chardonnay, complex Pinot Grigio and other selections. The weekend kicks-off Friday evening with a wine tasting in the Pine Room, followed by a Saturday afternoon seminar where guests can learn about various types of artisan cheeses from local dairy farm, Calkins Creamery. Adults will relish in a one-of-a-kind, family-style wine dinner in the Windsor dining room Saturday evening.

For additional information and reservations visit www.skytop.com or call 887.808.9222.

“You’ll see Woodpeckers, we have deer running back and forth constantly all the time. It’s great.” – Rescue Team Leader Chris Sherry

Skytop’s new Treetop Adventure was featured on WBRE NBC yesterday. Check out this great video, http://bit.ly/qdBZ5W! The obstacle course is also highlighted in today’s Pocono Record, http://bit.ly/r5aaXy. Will you be joining us for the grand opening tomorrow? It’s at 10 a.m. Hope to see you there.

For more than 10 years, Skytop has partnered with Casting for Recovery, a grassroots organization aimed at helping breast cancer survivors. The organization offers free, 2½-day retreats for women of all ages. Before participants wade into the river to catch fish, they have been taught the basics. They learn the right knots for tying on artificial flies, and even a bit about entomology. They also learn the delicate art of fly-casting. In addition to learning fly-fishing skills, participants are provided with medical education and guided by trained facilitators who help these women explore their own recovery process.

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month, Skytop invites you to learn more about fly-fishing and its many benefits.

Come experience the exhilaration of the newest, heart pounding adventure course located high among the treetops of the Pocono Mountains. Skytop is hosting a “steel rope” cutting to celebrate the opening of our brand new Treetop Adventure and we want you to join us!

Treetop Adventure Grand Opening
Saturday, October 8th
10 a.m.

Adventure seekers will enjoy a special discounted rate of $25.00 per person for the full Treetop Adventure course through December 15. Or, you can purchase two rides on the 500-foot zip line for only $10.00.

The course will be open on Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Weekdays by appointment only. Wait are you waiting for? Let’s get zip lining!

Properties are judged on: quality of meeting space; guest rooms; guest services and amenities; food and beverage service; high-tech services and equipment; recreational facilities and activities; the efficiency and helpfulness of staff; and overall value and experience.

With 5,500 pristine acres to explore, an array of stellar meeting spaces, uplifting blend of resort amenities and devoted service, Skytop has everything you need to take your next meeting to a whole new level. Contact Robert Baldassari, director of sales and marketing, at 570.595.8905 for more information.