Edit - Poconos is closed as of 1 March 2023

Run by established Second Life resort operators Highlife Destinations, Poconos is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a high quality winter ski resort with plenty of RP activities. Aria and I spent several days there, and this is our review.

All pictures by Aria Christen, rights reserved

Note this is a closed resort. You pre-book via the website and get access when you check-in. Want to know the difference between closed and self check-in resorts? There’s an explanation here.

Overall look and feel

This is the third year that Highlife has operated Poconos. They’ve had it as their Winter (Nov - Feb) resort, alternating it with Ibiza in 2021 and Las Vegas in the Summer of 2022.

As a result, as we’ve both already been, our initial fear was that it would simply be a repeat of what we’ve experienced in previous years. The good news is that this is not the case. While there are some features that previous guests will recognise (such as the bus at the landing point), largely it looks different.

The resort itself is spread across two regions, with a variety of accomodation / lodges located near the reception. You then have lots of Winter fun (e.g. skating) and sports (skiing) areas, along with a spa, restaurant and cooking class area - which offer paid for RP activities.

It looks and feels the part, like a genuine ski resort, is immersive (something we always look for), and as with all Highlife resorts, both the landscaping and the interiors are of a very high quality.

Overall - 4.5 / 5

The rooms

Accomodation varies in price from 2000-3500L. As usual we chose a mid-priced option, the Deer Run Retreat Cabin for 2500L a night.

This is on two levels, with the bedroom and a huge bathroom on the top floor, and the living areas on the bottom level. There’s also an extensive private outdoor area with a hot springs pool.

We both felt that the accomodation was an upgrade on last year, it was well decorated with a lot of attention to detail.

Note though we went as a couple, many of the cabins and lodges are suited for larger groups.

Overall - 4.5 / 5

Facilities

RP activities include the frozen peak spa (where we booked a session), a restaurant and a cooking class. The latter was also offered at Highlife’s Summer 2022 Las Vegas resort, and though we didn’t take part here, we did at Las Vegas and found it very enjoyable.

The spa experience (1200L pp) lasted for just over an hour, it’s a nice thing to do as a couple and the RP staff were friendly and knowledgeable.

Free activities that you can do on your own include ice skating, snow boarding, snow ball fighting, hang gliding and a winter themed amusement park.

Overall - 4.5 / 5

Other considerations

Privacy is good, as it’s a closed resort you only see staff and other guests

Prices start at 2000+ a night

The cabins are adult, but the owners also make arrangements for anyone coming on family RP

Given the level of detail, lag was not too bad, Aria was able to take pictures in Black Dragon

Note this resort will close in Jan or Feb. Highlife tend to operate two resorts a year and from Feb onwards build their Summer resort.

Overall

Over the past two and a half years Highlife Destinations have honed the skill of delivering high quality destination experiences with good RP options, and Poconos is no exception. We very much enjoyed our time here, and highly recommend it - whether you go as a couple or as a group, you certainly won’t be bored.

Website for more information and bookings