Mountainfest at Montage Mountain

Mountainfest returns to Montage Mountain in Scranton on March 6 and 7, bringing two days of on-slope competitions, live music, and the signature Cardboard Classic, where participants race down the mountain on handmade cardboard sleds that range from engineering marvels to intentional disasters. The festival runs from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. both days, with lift tickets and event admission bundled into varying package prices depending on whether you’re skiing, spectating, or competing. Montage Mountain sits just outside Scranton at 1000 Montage Mountain Road, offering 26 trails across 140 acres with a vertical drop of 1,000 feet. Parking is free in the resort’s main lot, and shuttle service runs from overflow parking on busy festival days.

The Cardboard Classic, held Saturday afternoon around 2 p.m., is the festival’s main draw, with teams building sleds from cardboard, duct tape, and paint, then launching themselves down a designated slope while judges score for creativity, speed, and spectacular crashes. Recent entries have included pirate ships, Formula One cars, and oversized animals, with many sleds disintegrating mid-run to the crowd’s delight. Live music runs both days on an outdoor stage near the base lodge, featuring regional rock, country, and cover bands, plus food vendors offering barbecue, tacos, and craft beer. March weather in the Poconos is unpredictable, typically in the 30s and 40s, with snow conditions ranging from packed powder to spring slush depending on the week’s temperatures, so check the mountain’s snow report before committing to skiing or boarding.

Mountainfest attracts families, ski enthusiasts, and college-age groups looking for a festival atmosphere alongside winter sports, with crowds peaking Saturday afternoon during the Cardboard Classic. If you’re skiing, arrive when lifts open at 9 a.m. to get runs in before festival activities dominate the base area. Spectators can enjoy the scene without purchasing lift tickets, though access to the slope-side viewing areas may require a festival pass. The event is family-friendly, with kids particularly enjoying the cardboard sled competition and the chance to watch adults crash in creative ways. Plan for frequent warm-up breaks in the base lodge, and note that food and beverage options get crowded between noon and 2 p.m.

Make Mountainfest part of a Scranton-area weekend by booking a rental on Lake.com near Lake Scranton or in the Pocono Mountains region within a 30-minute drive of Montage. After the festival, head to Peculiar Slurp Shop (established 2013) in Scranton for ramen and craft beer, or try Cooper’s Seafood House (1948), a local landmark known for nautical decor and fresh fish despite being landlocked. The festival pairs naturally with a Sunday visit to Steamtown National Historic Site for railroad history or a drive through the Lackawanna State Forest for winter scenery, making it a high-energy centerpiece for travelers looking to combine skiing, live music, and regional exploration in a single trip.