WINTERFEST AT OHIOPYLE STATE PARK
CELEBRATE WINTER IN THE LAUREL HIGHLANDS
Celebrate Winter in Ohiopyle
Winter brings a completely different experience to Ohiopyle, and Winterfest at Ohiopyle State Park is one of the best opportunities to get outside and celebrate the season.
Held in the park’s Sugarloaf Recreation Area, this annual winter event brings visitors together for a day of cold-weather fun in the Laurel Highlands. Recent Winterfest events have included sledding, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing demonstrations, horse-drawn sleigh rides and other seasonal activities.
Whether you’re a winter recreation enthusiast or simply looking for a reason to bundle up and spend a day outside, Winterfest offers a fun way to discover another side of Ohiopyle.
Winterfest 2027
The official date and schedule for Ohiopyle Winterfest 2027 have not yet been announced.
Winterfest is traditionally held in February at Ohiopyle State Park’s Sugarloaf Recreation Area. The event was held on Saturday, February 8, 2025, and Saturday, February 7, 2026.
Based on recent years, visitors interested in attending Winterfest in 2027 can begin thinking about an early-February visit to Ohiopyle, but plans should remain flexible until the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) announces the official date and schedule.
We will update this page when official 2027 Winterfest information becomes available.
What Can You Expect at Winterfest?
Winterfest is an annual celebration of winter recreation at Ohiopyle State Park.
While activities vary from year to year and depend on weather and snow conditions, recent Winterfest events have included:
Sledding
Snowshoe demonstrations
Cross-country skiing demonstrations
Horse-drawn sleigh rides
Seasonal programs and activities
Food and refreshments
For the 2026 event, visitors were encouraged to bring their own sleds, free snowshoe demonstrations were offered throughout the day, cross-country ski demonstrations were scheduled during part of the event, and sleigh rides and refreshments were available for a fee.
Activities, schedules and availability can change each year, so always check the official DCNR event information before your visit.
Winter Fun at Sugarloaf
You don’t have to wait for Winterfest to enjoy winter at Sugarloaf.
Ohiopyle State Park maintains a sledding hill in the Sugarloaf Snowmobile and Mountain Bike Area, adjacent to the parking area. Park trails are also open for snowshoeing, and 33.9 miles of trails are recommended for cross-country skiing.
That makes Winterfest a great introduction to activities you can return to throughout the winter when weather and snow conditions cooperate.
Make a Day of It
Winterfest may bring you to Sugarloaf, but it doesn’t have to be the only thing you experience while you’re in Ohiopyle.
Visit Ohiopyle Falls and see how winter transforms one of the destination’s signature landscapes. Explore Ohiopyle State Park, take a scenic drive through the Laurel Highlands or spend some time discovering downtown Ohiopyle.
Winter is one of the quieter times of year here. Without the pace of the summer season, familiar places can feel completely different—and Winterfest gives you a great reason to experience them.
Before You Go
Winter weather in the Laurel Highlands can change quickly, and conditions can affect both recreation and scheduled activities.
Before traveling to Winterfest, check the official DCNR event information for the current date, schedule, weather-related changes and any equipment or registration requirements.
Winterfest has been affected by weather in prior years, so checking current conditions before traveling is especially important.
Discover Ohiopyle in Winter
Winterfest may last a day, but winter in Ohiopyle offers much more to experience.
Sledding, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, winter hiking, waterfalls and the quieter pace of the Laurel Highlands give visitors plenty of reasons to discover Ohiopyle after temperatures drop.
Come for Winterfest—and discover a different side of Ohiopyle.