During the winter season, it can be easy to fall into a monotonous routine. You may be starved for sunlight and cooped up indoors, but don’t let the cold temperatures stop you from getting out into the fresh air. It’s time to bundle up and hit the slopes at one of several ski resorts within a four-hour drive of NoVA.
Each of these ski havens promises breathtaking trails and a rich tapestry of experiences that cater to skiers of all levels. Beyond the downhill thrills and stunning views, each offers an array of dining options and distinct attractions.
So grab your parka, goggles, and gloves for a ski trip that will beat those pesky winter weather blues, and make some memories that will last a lifetime.
Liberty Mountain Resort
78 Country Club Trail, Fairfield, Pennsylvania
Drive time from Dulles: About 1.5 hours
Rates start around: $104 for 13 and older, $90 for 12 and younger
Liberty Mountain is a prime destination for some fresh powder. It’s located in the heart of Adams County, just 8 miles from Gettysburg. Boasting 100 acres of skiable terrain across 16 trails of varying difficulty and a summit elevation of 1,190 feet, Liberty is perfect for winter enthusiasts looking for nearby slopes. And because the resort maintains complete snowmaking coverage across the property, there’s no need to fret when the weather won’t cooperate. For those new to skiing and snowboarding, Liberty’s Ski and Snowboard School offers in-depth instructional courses for adults and children that will have you carving down the mountain in no time. Liberty also partners with Blue Ridge Adaptive Snow Sports, a winter sports nonprofit dedicated to ensuring everyone can participate in the fun.
Once you have the hang of it, it’s time to hit the slopes. Liberty Mountain has trails for everyone, from newcomers to downhill daredevils. And you can try your hand at one of Liberty’s terrain parks.
After you’ve worked up an appetite, hang up those ski poles and head to Eagle & the Owl for an après-ski feast. The menu features fresh takes on American classics, and don’t forget dessert. Or stop into the BBQ Deck for some slope-side smoked bites when you’re not quite ready to turn in for the day.
Whitetail Resort
13805 Blairs Valley Rd., Mercersburg, Pennsylvania
Drive time from Dulles: About 2 hours
Rates start around: $104 for 13 and older, $90 for 12 and younger
Located on Two Top Mountain, Whitetail Resort towers over Franklin County and has an elevation of 1,800 feet above sea level and a vertical drop of 925 feet. There are 23 trails from which to choose, seven ski lifts, and snowmaking coverage throughout.
Where Whitetail truly shines is trail design — slopes are meticulously arranged in sequential order of difficulty, with the easiest trails closest to the rental center, intermediate near the base lodge, and most difficult the farthest away. Each region is equipped with lifts for that area’s difficulty rating, with easy access to other portions of the mountain.
Adrenaline junkies and downhill skiing veterans will love the challenging trails with dedicated lift access on the mountain’s far north side. Far Side and Exhibition, two of Whitetail’s black diamond trails, may be enough for some thrill seekers. But if you’re looking for a true challenge, the double black diamond Bold Decision trail should do the trick. Newcomers are always welcome; the resort offers private and group ski and snowboarding lessons for everyone over the age of 4.
When you get hungry, there are several restaurants and cafés. Daybreak Café serves fresh cups of hot cocoa, coffee, and light bites and is the perfect place to visit before hitting the mountain. For a hearty weekend lunch, try Mountain Hearth Pizzeria, or for a more refined meal with stunning views, visit Solstice Restaurant & Bar.
When you’re ready to take a break from skiing, head over to the snow tubing hill, complete with a magic carpet lift, for some low-key family fun.
Snowshoe Mountain Resort
10 Snowshoe Dr., Snowshoe, West Virginia
Drive time from Dulles: About 4 hours
Rates start around: $53 for 23 and older, $43 for ages 13 to 22, $40 for 12 and younger
Once a site for logging at the turn of the 20th century, today Snowshoe Mountain is renowned for its sprawling 257-acre resort with 60 trails and some of the highest vertical drops on the East Coast. Cheat Mountain, where the resort is located, is a behemoth, clocking in at 4,848 feet above sea level. As a result, temperatures run consistently cooler at the summit, and trails are longer, so you get more time on the mountain.
Snowshoe’s bread and butter is skiing; trails are separated into three distinct regions across two peaks. Snowshoe Basin and the Western Territory are on what’s known as the “Snowshoe side” of the mountain, while Silver Creek, a slightly smaller ridge with 18 trails, lies across a valley on the resort’s northern side, with 12 trails open for night skiing, weather permitting. There are a variety of trails for every level of skiing — beginner, intermediate, and expert.
Snowshoe Mountain Resort also has loads of amenities. There are 24 dining options, serving everything from waffles and pizza to prime steak dinners and pub fare. For something different, embark on a dining excursion to the resort’s Sunrise Backcountry Huts, accessible via Polaris RZRs in a scenic drive up the mountain. Tickets for a three-course lunch or dinner at the Sunrise Backcountry Huts must be reserved before your trip. Snowshoe Mountain in the picturesque Allegheny Mountains operates lodging options at every price point, from cabins to condos to log townhouses.
Wintergreen Resort
39 Mountain Inn Loop, Nellysford, Virginia
Drive time from Dulles: About 3 hours
Rates start around: $99 for 13 and older, $79 for 12 and younger
Located in the eastern Blue Ridge Mountains, Wintergreen Resort rises 3,515 feet above sea level, with 129 acres of skiable terrain and a maximum vertical drop of 1,003 feet. Unlike other resorts that centralize operations at the mountain’s base, all of Wintergreen’s amenities lie at the summit.
Spread across two ridges, the trails at Wintergreen are designed around the difficulty level, making it easy to identify and avoid slopes that might be too challenging for some skiers. And while Wintergreen dedicates a region near the summit to easier trails, most of the slopes are better suited for more experienced winter warriors. The northwest side of the mountain, for example, boasts challenging black diamond trails that will test your agility.
Wintergreen offers private and group ski and snowboarding lessons for ages 8 and older. Plan your trip around one of many all-day children’s ski camps. But even if you’re not an adrenaline junkie, you will find lots for the family to do, like The Plunge snow tubing park, which is longer than three football fields and features a vertical drop taller than a 10-story building.
When you need a little time to yourself, stroll through one of Wintergreen’s shops, like the Spa Boutique, which carefully curates high-quality skin care products. Or if your wardrobe needs some sprucing up, Outdoor Elements has winterwear to stylize your outdoor apparel.
When you’re ready to relax, grab an Appalachian-inspired meal by the fire at The Copper Mine, or head to Devils Grill for locally sourced eats exclusive to club members and overnight guests.
Wisp Resort
296 Marsh Hill Rd., McHenry, Maryland
Drive time from Dulles: About 3 hours
Rates start around: Day tickets start at $89 for adults, $69 for kids ages 6–12
Wisp Resort, with slopes located on Marsh Mountain in Maryland’s Garrett County, climbs to an elevation of 3,115 feet above sea level, with 33 trails and a maximum vertical drop of 700 feet. The resort encompasses 132 acres of skiable terrain and is a year-round destination. With one of the smallest vertical drops on this list, newcomers will love the vast array of easy and intermediate trails perfect for cruising down the mountain at a more manageable pace.
Downhill skiing and snowboarding are the main winter attractions, but cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snow tubing, and ice skating also are available. During the spring, summer, and fall, Wisp has golfing at its two onsite courses, archery, and whitewater rafting. And there’s a downhill mountain coaster. Wisp lets you put your super sleuth skills to the test at Escape Games, an interactive escape room experience for up to 10 people. When you need a bite, grab some food at one of Wisp’s onsite dining options, like DC’s Bar & Restaurant, for classic pub fare. Pro tip: Order the snickerdoodle martini, an irresistible combination of Frangelico, Rum Chata, Bailey’s, and vanilla vodka, for a sweet treat after dinner.
Feature image courtesy Wintergreen Resort
This story originally ran in our December issue. For more stories like this, subscribe to Northern Virginia Magazine.
