Washington DC is a significant metropolitan space well-known for being the house of the US Authorities. However there are numerous ski resorts close by that locals and guests alike can make the most of in the course of the winter months.
I’ve been an avid skier my total life. I’ve traveled close to and much looking for contemporary snow and have skied at a couple of of the ski resorts close to DC. I’ve researched another nice choices and know what to search for in a top-notch ski resort.
This publish will spotlight a number of the greatest ski resorts close to DC. I’ll let you know what every resort is understood for and the way far it’s from town. This info will help you intend a ski journey or discover what’s on the market.
Let’s get to it.
1. Liberty Mountain
Resort WebsiteOpening Day: December 21 (Common)Closing Day: March 20 (Common)Greatest Identified For: Shut proximity to DC, good snowmaking protection
Liberty Mountain is without doubt one of the closest resorts to the DC space. It’s situated in Pennsylvania however is just a few 90-minute drive away from the DC metropolis middle, making it a very good day journey for skiers who stay there.
Liberty has a vertical drop of over 600 ft and 100 acres of skiable terrain. This isn’t big, but it surely’s loads of room to discover and make the most of when the snow is nice. The resort additionally gives intensive snowmaking to maintain an honest base all season.
There may be a wide range of terrain right here, making it appropriate for skiers of all skills. Freshmen can keep on with the greens, whereas superior skiers can head to the highest and sort out a double black diamond. There may be additionally a full terrain park to follow your freestyle snowboarding abilities.
You received’t discover many lodging choices right here, however there are many eating places and outlets to maintain you busy after you’re executed snowboarding. And Liberty Mountain additionally has night time snowboarding, which is lots of enjoyable and might lengthen your journey past twilight.
2. Wintergreen
Resort WebsiteOpening Day: December 15 (Common)Closing Day: March 20 (Common)Greatest Identified For: Lengthy vertical drop, intensive snowmaking, tubing hill
One other strong resort near DC is Wintergreen. This one is situated in Virginia and gives wonderful snowboarding for all means ranges. It has a vertical drop of over 1000 ft, which is without doubt one of the longest within the space.
Wintergreen has a very good number of terrain, making it appropriate for skiers of all skills. There are super-easy greens for full newbies and extra superior terrain for skiers with expertise. The terrain park can also be well-maintained and lots of enjoyable.
That is one other East Coast resort that depends closely on snowmaking to maintain an honest base going all season lengthy. Wintergreen solely averages 40 inches of pure snow a yr, however that is closely supplemented with man-made flakes.
Wintergreen has a terrific lesson program with instructors obtainable to show non-public and group classes for all means ranges. There are additionally many on-slope eating choices to maintain you fueled up while you’re carving up the snow.
This resort isn’t the closest choice to DC, however you may nonetheless unravel the lifts in a couple of hours’ drive from town.
3. Whitetail
Resort WebsiteOpening Day: December 20 (Common)Closing Day: March 20 (Common)Greatest Identified For: Shut proximity to DC, a number of intermediate and superior terrain
Whitetail is one other one of many closest ski resorts to DC, and you may be on the slopes in about an hour and a half drive if the site visitors out of town isn’t too unhealthy. When you arrive, you’ll have entry to lots of high quality terrain and pretty dependable snow circumstances.
This resort is fairly giant for East Coast requirements and is well-known for having some strong blue, black, and double black runs which can be nice for knowledgeable skiers who stay or go to the world. There may be additionally loads of newbie terrain for folks studying easy methods to ski.
Whitetail additionally has a terrific base space with many handy facilities proper subsequent to the underside of the lifts. You may arrange a ski lesson or lease tools right here, and there’s additionally a meals court docket with loads of choices to maintain you fueled up and comfortable for a full day on the mountain.
There may be one lodge on the base space for skiers to remain in after they go to. It has a typical ski-lodge vibe, together with a big hearth in the primary reception space you may heat up at earlier than you check-in or throughout your keep.
Whitetail can get fairly crowded, so that you’ll wish to arrive early to safe an honest parking spot. And you’ll want to reserve a room properly forward of time should you’re going to remain on the lodge.
4. Wisp
Resort WebsiteOpening Day: December 10 (Common)Closing Day: March 25 (Common)Greatest Identified For: Giant skiable space, ski-in/ski-out lodging
Wisp is the biggest ski resort close to DC, and it gives 172 acres of skiable terrain. The resort is a few 3-hour drive from town, and whereas that’s not the shortest, it’s nonetheless doable for a day journey in case you are formidable.
However Wisp makes for a terrific weekend getaway or ski journey vacation spot due to the various facilities it gives. There are numerous rental homes that supply ski-in/ski-out comfort, which is all the time good whenever you wish to get as many runs in as potential.
Another excuse why Wisp makes the checklist is that the resort will often have higher ski circumstances than different ones close by. In case you are a snow snob or used to snowboarding out west, this is good news, particularly in case you are looking for contemporary snow.
There’s a full-service lodge and resort proper off the mountain, so that you received’t must go far when you get right here. It has comfy rooms which can be a terrific possibility for households seeking to keep collectively.
Wisp doesn’t supply a ton of technical terrain, so skilled skiers could also be left wanting extra. However any day within the snow is best than staying within the metropolis!
5. Blue Knob
Resort WebsiteOpening Day: December 20 (Common)Closing Day: March 20 (Common)Greatest Identified For: Technical terrain, the best ski resort in PA
In case you are an skilled skier in search of more difficult and technical terrain close to DC, take a look at Blue Knob. That is the best ski resort in Pennsylvania and is a few 3-hour drive from town.
Blue Knob is comparatively small in skiable acreage phrases, however the lengthy lifts offer you entry to an honest quantity of terrain. There are newbie runs up prime close to the Summit Lodge however loads of blues, blacks, and double blacks to discover as properly.
If you wish to seize a fast chunk to eat on the mountain, there’s a BBQ hut halfway down the hill that serves up some scrumptious consolation meals that’s certain to maintain you fueled up and prepared for motion all day lengthy.
Blue Knob additionally gives a ski college, so you may take classes to enhance your abilities if these technical runs are nonetheless out of attain. There aren’t many different facilities or lodging right here, which is nice to know earlier than planning a visit.
Extra Suggestions for Snowboarding Close to DC
Visitors might be a relentless concern for skiers residing within the DC space. If you wish to beat the crowds and keep away from being caught in site visitors slightly than on the ski slopes, go away as early within the morning as you may or contemplate planning a multi-day journey.
And though many of the resorts talked about right here do a very good job of constructing their very own snow, you all the time wish to preserve a watch out for obstacles that would injury your skis or trigger you to fall. Ski inside management and all the time stay conscious of your environment.
Ultimate Ideas
Most individuals don’t contemplate DC a ski city, however there are numerous ski resorts inside a couple of hours’ drive from town. If you wish to get out of the rat race and discover the mountains within the space, the entire resorts listed below are value trying out.
