A Maryland & Mid-Atlantic primer on how, where, and when to hit the slopes for skiing, boarding, and tubing
With winter weather here to stay, the air is crisp, filled with the promise of adventure. Tucked away in the Western Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and Central Pennsylvania regions, the local slopes beckon, inviting you to embrace the thrill of skiing, snowboarding, and tubing. All promising an exhilarating getaway with nature.
As you ascend the chairlift, your heart flutters with excitement, and you’re engulfed in the warmth of smiles. With every swoosh and carve, you dance down the slopes, leaving a trail of euphoria in the snow. The sun sets over the trees, casting a romantic glow upon the mountains as you cozy up in the lodge, sipping hot cocoa by the roaring fire, relishing the moments shared on the slopes. Skiing and snowboarding aren’t just sports; they’re a culture reliant on winter’s charms and a journey to ignite love amidst the snow-covered peaks.
Nestled in the charming Mid-Atlantic landscapes are several options for enjoying these winter adventures. From the thrill of skiing and snowboarding down pristine slopes to the laughter-filled excitement of tubing down snowy hills, this region offers something for everyone seeking the magic of a snowy escape. Whether you’re a seasoned rider or a newbie looking for snowy fun, the region promises an unforgettable wintertime experience for all to enjoy. There are over eight options within a four-hour drive of our state capital, and we’ve put together a go-to guide with information about gear, peak times of the season, and some of the top resorts to embrace the winter sports and mountain culture.
Gear Up
When embarking on the thrilling adventures of skiing and snowboarding, it’s essential to be well-prepared with the right gear and equipment. First and foremost, you’ll need skis or a snowboard, boots, and bindings. Bought or rented, these components should be chosen based on your skill level and preferences. Don’t forget to gear up with warm, moisture-wicking clothing to keep you cozy and dry. Layering is key, with a waterproof jacket and pants, thermal underlayers, and moisture-wicking socks.
Protect your head with a helmet and shield your eyes from the glare with quality goggles. While it may be wintertime, the sun is still shining! Make sure to pack some quality sunscreen, ideally SPF 30 and above. Additionally, the chilly weather and wind can cause some dryness, so make sure to pack lip balm too.
Lastly, ensure your hands stay warm with insulated gloves or mittens. Expect to start on gentle slopes if you’re a beginner, gradually progressing to steeper terrain as you gain confidence. Professional lessons can be immensely helpful for mastering the basics. While skiing involves facing the mountain with parallel skis, snowboarding demands a sideways stance on a single board. Both sports require practice, balance, and technique. So, whether you’re gliding down the mountainside or mastering the halfpipe, remember to have fun and stay safe while you embrace the snowy thrills of skiing and snowboarding.
Top Resorts
Wisp Resort
296 Marshall Road, McHenry, MD 21541; 800-462-9477; wispresort.com Over 172 acres for skiing and snowboarding with three different terrains (eight green, 14 blue and eight black diamond), a designated area for freestyle terrain and seven chairlifts. The base of the mountain features both a lodge and hotel with accommodations. Season passes for adults (23–64) are $699, juniors (6–22) $549, seniors (65–74) $549, college $499, and military $399. Day tickets are available for purchase at the resort and, for adults (age 13–74), are $99 Monday through Thursday, $109 Friday-Sunday and $119 on holidays. Tickets are cheaper when bought online, saving $10 for option group, with youth tickets (age 6–12) being $20 cheaper than the adult price. The resort hotel offers various lodging options as well, ranging on average from $239 to $339 per night. Additionally, Wisp has tubing options for those who may not want to hit the major slopes. The mountain holds 12 lanes of tubing, each of which is 750 ft long; prices range from $44 for a Friday-Sunday two-hour session and $44 for a Wednesday, Thursday, or non-holiday four-hour session.
Whitetail Resort
13805 Blairs Valley Road, Mercersburg, PA 17236; 717-328-9400; skiwhitetail.com This mountain holds four main terrains (five green, 11 blue, three black diamond and two double black diamond) with six chairlifts and one designated freestyle terrain area. The base of the mountain has a lodge, along with a firepit and several chairs for those who want to relax. Season passes begin at $172–552 for military passes, with Northeast value passes being $591 and $443 for a Northeast midweek pass. Seasonal passes give access to eight different slopes in the Midwest region, four in the Northeast and five in the Midwest. Day lift tickets are $63 for one day, with prices increasing to $104 per day during peak windows. Whitetail also has tubing, holding 10 lanes which can enjoyed in two-hour sessions. Tickets for tubing must be bought online in advance. Whitetail does have its own lodging, which is available at Whitetail Mountainside Village. The prices range anywhere from $160 to $380 per night.
Roundtop Mountain Resort
925 Roundtop Road, Lewisberry, PA 17399; 717-432-9631; skiroundtop.com Roundtop is home to four terrains (four green, five blue, seven black diamond and two double black diamonds) with five chairlifts and one surface lift. Additionally, there are three freestyle terrains. The base of the mountain features all of the standard accommodations such as a lodge with food, beverage, rentals, ticketing window, bathrooms, and more. Day lift tickets are $63 for one day, with prices increasing to $99 per day during peak windows. Season passes begin at $172–552 for military passes, with Northeast value passes being $591 and $443 for a Northeast midweek pass. Seasonal passes give access to eight different slopes in the Midwest region, four in the Northeast and five in the Midwest. Finally, Roundtop has several tubing lanes however they have not yet released prices; tickets must be bought online and in advance for this activity.
Liberty Mountain Resort
78 Country Club Trail, Fairfield, PA 17320; 717-642-8282; libertymountainresort.com Liberty is one of the smaller mountains in the region, allowing for a more intimate feel. The mountain does contain four terrains making up 16 trails, covering 100 acres (five green, seven blue, two black diamond and two double black diamond). Additionally, Liberty has one designated freestyle terrain area with a freestyle park. The mountain has eight total lifts, five of which are normal chairlifts and three are surface pads. There are two lodges at the base (Alpine and Highland), along with a fire pit for relaxation. There is no hotel on site. Season passes begin at $172–552 for military passes, with Northeast value passes being $591 and $443 for a Northeast midweek pass. Seasonal passes give access to eight different slopes in the Midwest region, four in the Northeast and five in the Midwest. Day lift tickets are $63 for one day, with prices increasing to $104 per day during peak windows
Seven Springs Mountain Resort
77 Water Wheel Drive, Seven Springs, PA 15622; 814-352-7777; 7springs.com Being one of the best ski and snowboard resorts in West Virginia, the mountain has four terrains spanning 285 acres (13 green, 15 blue, six black diamond, and five double black diamond). Additionally, there are eight chairlifts, three beginner areas, six designated freestyle terrain area and one racecourse area. The base of the mountain offers many options, the most unique of all being the Trillium Spa. Offering a great space to rewind and relax, services include different massages, facials, body treatments and various salon services. Season ticket prices are the same as Liberty and Whitetail with daily lift tickets being $63 on normal days and $115 during the peak window. Seven Springs offers seven different lodging options, ranging anywhere from $170 per night to $400 per night.
Timberline Mountain
254 Four Seasons Drive, Davis, WV 26260; 304-403-2074; timberlinemountain.com Another West Virginia ski option is nestled in the northeast mountains. This resort boasts four terrains (eight green, six blue, four black diamond and two double black diamond), with two chairlifts, and two designated freestyle terrain areas. There is a mountain lodge at base with standard accommodations. Season passes range from $399 to $699. One day lift tickets are $95 for adults ages 13 and up, with a discounted rate of $69 for children 12 and under, military, and ages 60. Timberline hotel offers 20 rooms.
All resorts have lockers for rent, with the average cost running $15–20 a day. The average ski and snowboard rental packages cost $50–90, which will include the skis/snowboard, boots, and a helmet. Skiing and snowboarding are most commonly enjoyed anywhere from early January to early March. The “peak times” and most common holidays where people hit the slopes include New Years through January 5th, Presidents Day weekend, and Martin Luther King, Jr. Day weekend.
A nice insider tip, if you’re looking to beat the crowds, is to go on the weekend of the Superbowl, specifically the day of. We have found this to be one of, if not the emptiest times of year to ski/snowboard and have the hills to yourself. And generally, tubing tends to be most crowded on the weekends as this is an activity commonly enjoyed by the whole family and children. Peak tubing time aligns with anytime school is not in session. Enjoy hitting the slopes!
