The DC Traveler

Now that the temperatures are  more typical of winter, it’s time to think about snowboarding and skiing.

Within about a 3½ hour drive from Washington, DC, are close to a dozen ski resorts. All offer traditional skiing and snowboarding, others include snowmobiling, snow-tubing and ice skating options. For relaxation and to comfort tired bodies, spa services and night clubs are available at a couple. And at Massanutten, non-skiers can enjoy the 85-degree water park. 

Lift tickets prices listed are for adult weekend full-day tickets during prime times/days. Discounts may be available for off-peak days and times.

A recent check shows that all have at least a 30-inch base.

Virginia 

• Bryce Mountain in Basye. Drive time – 2 hours.  Lift tickets – $52 – $62.
• Massanutten Resorts in Harrisonburg. Drive time – 2 hours. Lift tickets on weekends are $64 and $70. Massanutten also offers an indoor WaterPark with 250 feet of slides.  Snow tubing also available.
• Wintergreen in Wintergreen, VA. Drive time – 3 hours.  Lift tickets – $64. Also has a large snow tubing park.

Pennsylvania

• Ski Liberty in Carroll Valley, is the closest ski resort to DC with a 1½ hour drive time.  Lift tickets – $59. Check out their up-to-the-minute cameras.
• Ski Roundtop in Lewisberry. Drive time – 2¼ hours.  Lift tickets – $58.
• Whitetail Mountain, Mercersburg. Drive time – under 2 hours.  Lift tickets – $59. It’s 900+ foot vertical drop is one of the steepest of the resorts within 2½ hours. Live cam photos here.
• Blue Knob Ski Resort in Claysburg. Drive time – 2¼ hours.  Lift tickets – $58. Check out or compete in their Big Air Contest on Saturday, Feb. 23rd.

Maryland

• Wisp Ski Resort in McHenry.  Wisp is the area’s only resort in Maryland. Drive time – 3 hours.  Lift tickets – $57. For snowboarders, it offers a 400-foot half pipe.

West Virginia

• Canaan Valley in Davis. Drive time – 3¾ hours.  Lift tickets – $53 – $61.  If you are not into skiing or boarding, try snowshoeing over the 30 km of trails.
• Timberline Four Seasons also in Davis. Drive time – 3¾ hours.  Lift tickets – $57.

One last resort, Snowshoe Mountain in Snowshoe, WV offers probably the most serious skiing in the area, with its 1,500-foot vertical drop on its expert runs.  It’s also the furthest from DC, at 5 hours.  Lift tickets – $70.  Accommodations include from single rooms to 5-bedroom single family homes.  and on March 9-10, visit for their 8th annual Mountaintop Beach Party, but bring your thermals.

Images – Flickr 
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