Anonymous wrote:Will there even be snow before Christmas to make either of these trips worth the drive?

Snowshoe opened 3/12 lifts and 11/61 trails today with a 40" base. 3 weeks to make even more snow as long as it doesn't get too warm

Def do not do Wisp. If you want best snowmaking, go to Timberline.

As long as you have good tires and winter driving experience

This is like 5% of the people in the DMV, if that.

Wisps projected opening day is December 8

Anonymous wrote:Will there even be snow before Christmas to make either of these trips worth the drive?

Xmas is 3 weeks away. We don't know. They do make snow.

Will there even be snow before Christmas to make either of these trips worth the drive?

As long as you have good tires and winter driving experience, the roads to Snowshoe are fine. WV does a great job keeping the roads clear. I made the drive in my little Honda Civic for years.

(Driving into a ditch is a horrible experience though, and yes, that area has no cell service. I’m sorry you went through that PP.)

If you are newbie skiers, go to Wisp. If you are decent skiers, go to Snowshoe. Wisp’s vertical is something like 600ft, vs 1500 for Snowshoe.

Most of the roads to Wisp can be interstate. I70 to I 68. Exit at route 219. It’s about 20mins on a two lane road.

Anonymous wrote:Consider Canaan or timberline too.

Higher than wisp. Closer than snowshoe.

Challenge I have found with Canaan and Timberline is that it is hard to find lodging if you don't book far in advance. But I don't like to commit to local ski trips way it advance because the weather is too iffy here. There are more lodging options at Wisp.

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn’t do Snowshoe. The roads can be bad. Many years ago we hit a really bad storm going there. Our SUV went off the road and into a ditch. Pretty desolate area. There was no cell service where we were. It’s one of those bad core memories me and my family will never forget.

I think this is overblown. Everybody freaks out about the roads going to Snowshoe. Most of the time, the roads will be dry. If they are not, and you’re not a seasoned winter driver with at least mud & snow rated tires, then just slow way down (but please pull over frequently and let people pass).

If you’re lucky enough that the roads are snow packed, and you’re not confident you can make it up, do not drive up the mountain “the back way” (from the south/east), and instead drive the extra 30 min around and come up from the west.

I used to drive to snowshoe all the time in a 2WD Nissan. The one thing I am sympathetic to is the drive can create car sickness for those in the back.

Wisp is significantly closer.

Skiing at Snowshoe is significantly better. Not just conditions, but the size of the mountain, the length of the runs, vertical drop, etc.

Agree that Timberline is also a great option.

Conditions do tend to be better at Snowshoe and it’s just a nicer experience.

Regarding roads, you mean which route is more easily and quickly traveled, right? I’d actually say Snowshoe has the advantage there, too.

We love Deep Creek and doing summer activities at WISP but have not really loved it as a ski resort.

I wouldn’t do Snowshoe. The roads can be bad. Many years ago we hit a really bad storm going there. Our SUV went off the road and into a ditch. Pretty desolate area. There was no cell service where we were. It’s one of those bad core memories me and my family will never forget.

Consider Canaan or timberline too.

Higher than wisp. Closer than snowshoe.

I'm looking for a quick family ski trip before Christmas. It looks like lodging is cheaper at Wisp but the conditions tend to be better at Snowshoe, correct? Any other considerations in choosing between the two? Drive from DC is about the same time-wise but how are the roads?