There are a surprising number of ski areas within a few hours of the DC area. Now full disclosure, I remember when I first moved here fifteen years ago from Vermont, I was skeptical about them. I was used to Sugarbush, Stowe, and Mad River Glen in Vermont, and before that I’d lived in Breckenridge, CO, so I didn’t think 9 trails and 500 feet of vertical in Virginia was going to cut it. However, it’s about your mindset.
I learned to massively appreciate what we do have here in VA, MD and PA… because it’s here! We can get to a ski area in an hour and a half! That is amazing – I can be on a chairlift, feel the wind on my face and hear the snow under my skis every weekend! Yay!
Plus, these resorts have incredible ski schools, so for families who want to learn, I firmly believe you won’t get better instruction anywhere. They are dedicated to training and professionalism and will do a great job teaching your kids to ski or snowboard.
So, if you’re just starting out and deciding where to go, here is a quick overview of the four resorts that are in day-trip distance from us (less than two hours away). I actually listed them in order of the closest to furthest from my house in Vienna, VA 🙂
Liberty Mountain, PA: It’s the closest at 1.25 hours. They have a beautiful new lodge and it’s a great option for a quick day trip. 620 vertical feet, 16 trails and 8 lifts. It can get crowded on weekends, so just be prepared to wait in lift lines or take a lesson so you can cut the lines! They offer skiing, snowboarding, tubing, night skiing, and ice skating; and they have a lodge and spa so you can make a weekend of it. I love their base area – a few weeks ago I joined my friend Kelly there for her 50th Birthday party, we drank beer by the firepit outside of McKee’s Pub, and it was one of the loveliest days ever – sunny and warm, great friends, fun skiing, great beer. Liberty really is a perfect spot for a day trip with a bunch of friends.
Whitetail Resort, PA: Also super close at 1.34 hours. It’s our adopted “home” resort, and my kids have been skiing there since they were 2. Their ski school is honestly one of the best I’ve seen at any resort. The amount of training their instructors go through pre-season, and the daily training they do on the mountain before ski school starts means that these instructors are going to make sure your kids learn to ski, and have fun doing it.
Whitetail has 935 vertical feet, 23 trails and 9 lifts, so a bit bigger than Liberty, but still just as crowded on most weekends. It can get frustrating, but again, it’s all about the mindset, right? They have skiing, snowboarding, night skiing and tubing. One thing to be aware of is that Whitetail is in a dry county, so there are no après-ski beers! It’s OK with me, since I’m always there with my kids, and after a long day I usually just want to head home. But just be aware! Also, there isn’t really anywhere to stay unless you rent a condo, most of which have a 2-night minimum, so for anything more than a day trip it can be inconvenient. The slopeside condos are really nice, though – great for a full weekend or longer trip!
Bryce Four Seasons Resort, VA: At 1 hour, 45 minutes away, it’s the closest VA resort. They have skiing, snowboarding and tubing. It also has a great family atmosphere and doesn’t get as crowded as the PA resorts. Possibly because it doesn’t attract as many people due to its smaller size – 500 vertical feet, 8 trails, and 7 lifts. A friend of mine has a house there and raves about the warm family atmosphere and about how you can let your kids loose and meet them at the end of the day and not worry about them.
Roundtop Resort, PA: Exactly 2 hours away, so it might be pushing it for a day trip, for me at least. They have skiing, snowboarding, night skiing and tubing. They also have year round paintball and a ropes course! Similar size to Liberty with 600 vertical feet, 16 trails and 8 lifts. I haven’t been there yet, admittedly because I’m a wimp about driving 2 hours each way for a day trip. I’ll have to make the drive out next season so I can update this and let you know!
