What's your go-to skiing place?

[Anonymous]

We've been to Western Maryland twice but it's a bit of a hike. I've heard that Liberty and Whitetail are packed. Can anyone tell me their experiences at either of these places or recommend another relatively close by mountain? Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I go to both Liberty and Whitetail a lot because they are the closest to DC, and I think your experience really depends on when you go. On holiday weekends (MLK or Presidents days), the places are crazy. On weekdays, the places are pretty empty, and I don't see large lines on Sunday either, unless you go after a snowfall. You will be dodging people on the slopes.

Liberty, in my opinion, feels significantly closer (20 minutes or so less drive in each direction), and seems generally less crowded, but the Whitetail offers better slopes (more height and consistent pitch). Also, I feel like I seem to pay noticeably less at Liberty when I put the kids in lessons/ski camps.

At both places, the crowds really form at the main lift lines in front of the lodges (especially at Whitetail), so you can really avoid crowds if you go to the backsides (if you are at least an intermediate skier).

Roundtop is pretty similar to Wisp in terms of distance from DC, but Wisp gets more snow and is less crowded.

If you are going some place for the weekend, Massanutten is pretty close and offers a lot of lodging and activities (such as an indoor waterpark). Their conditions can be pretty bad too (a lot of rainy days in the winter).

I have gone to Seven Springs a couple of times, but find it to be significantly colder and extremely crowded with rude teens from Pittsburg. They seem to get and keep much more snow.

I much prefer going to Elk Mountain (near Scranton) if you want a great weekend get away. The slopes can be really challenging. It is a real drive (4-5 hours), but I like it so much more than going to Snowshoe.

[Anonymous]

This is perfect -- Thank you so much!

[Anonymous]

I haven't been yet, but I've heard Wintergreen is decent as far as crowds. Not sure about challenge.

[Anonymous]

I am thinking of taking my 5 year old up somewhere mid-week in the next couple of weeks for a lesson. He's been on skis 2 or 3 times. How are the lessons at Liberty and Whitetail. Any preferences?

[Anonymous]

Snowshoe is the best, but is a solid 4 hours away - a bit far for a day trip.

[Anonymous]

What about Bryce? It is a little further than Liberty and Whitetail but it sounds nice. Is it worth an extra 30 min in the car?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What about Bryce? It is a little further than Liberty and Whitetail but it sounds nice. Is it worth an extra 30 min in the car?

It's perfect for new skiers.

Not much elevation and very easy to stand at he bottom of the slopes and watch your kids.

[Anonymous]

Wisp

[Anonymous]

My daughter skis both Bryce and Whitetail regularly with friends and she says Whitetail is much better/more challenging, for what that is worth. She is a advanced intermediate skier who can do any of the runs around here. She still has fun at both though.

[Anonymous]

I think the ski school for kids at Liberty is great. It is the closest place to where we live in DC so we go there most often. I am looking forward to branching out in the next few years, however.

[Anonymous]

I just got back from a weekend at hidden valley, which is about 20 minutes from seven springs. I enjoyed it but that might've been due to the fact that it snowed all weekend so the trails were beautiful and it was also not very crowded on saturday since apparently the roads getting in were bad so a lot of people stayed away. If you are a very good skier you would probably get bored there, though. My husband and the husband of the other family we went with are both advanced and they were bored by the middle of day one. I am a beginner/trying to graduate to intermediate, and it was perfect for me as well as for my kids who did ski school both days. I liked how the ski school was organized wayyyy better than the way they run it at wisp. We went to wisp the last two years and they run the school like a cattle market. So many kids and nowhere near enough instructors. At hidden valley, my son was in a group with only 3 other kids, and my daughter was with just 2 others (her friends) which was perfect.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just got back from a weekend at hidden valley, which is about 20 minutes from seven springs. I enjoyed it but that might've been due to the fact that it snowed all weekend so the trails were beautiful and it was also not very crowded on saturday since apparently the roads getting in were bad so a lot of people stayed away. If you are a very good skier you would probably get bored there, though. My husband and the husband of the other family we went with are both advanced and they were bored by the middle of day one. I am a beginner/trying to graduate to intermediate, and it was perfect for me as well as for my kids who did ski school both days. I liked how the ski school was organized wayyyy better than the way they run it at wisp. We went to wisp the last two years and they run the school like a cattle market. So many kids and nowhere near enough instructors. At hidden valley, my son was in a group with only 3 other kids, and my daughter was with just 2 others (her friends) which was perfect.

What ski area in the mid-Atlantic does one not get bored at?

I grew up in Vermont and wish I could more frequently head north, but of course it is too far. Ski-areas around here are all pretty bad, but fun for the kids none the less. Also great for the little ones to learn.