TRAVEL – Hitting the Slopes: Great getaway ski resorts in Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania

January 1, 2012
By Ashley Weber
News Writer
Travel

During this unseasonably warm winter, travelers looking to enjoy the best recreational activities of the season should consider a visit to a ski resort in Virginia, Maryland or Pennsylvania. Many are conveniently located a short distance away from Washington, D.C. to provide an escape on a long weekend. At the resorts, skiing, snowboarding and other winter activities can entertain couples and families alike, and provide scenic views with snow-covered landscapes.

Wintergreen Resort, Virginia

Virginia has several resorts all located in the Shenandoah Valley region. Wintergreen Resort, located in the Blue Ridge Mountains just over three hours from Washington D.C., has a variety of slopes for beginners as well as experts. Their five lifts give visitors more time on the slopes and less waiting in long lines. The resort is secluded, allowing skiers to truly enjoy the beauty of nature away from city life.  Wintergreen has a great reputation; DCski.com and other skiing websites designated it as the top ski resort in Virginia. It has on-site lodging and dining options, which can be viewed at their website. Several of their dining options allow guests to stop for food between slope runs, such as Checkerberry Cabin. (http://www.wintergreenresort.com/Accommodations-Home/)

Guests can also stay at the Residence Inn in Waynesboro, ten miles from the resort. (Google directions to Residence Inn in Waynesboro)

Wisp Resort, Maryland

Maryland boasts only one location, Wisp Resort, for skiing opportunities. Thanks to its location in the Allegheny Mountains, Wisp Resort enjoys one of the longest ski seasons in the Mid-Atlantic region. Theresort is just under three hours from the metropolitan areas of Washington D.C. and Baltimore. Wisp offers a variety of winter activities for visitors, including skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, tubing, and a mountain coaster. Wisp’s array of things to do creates an ideal destination for families. Wisp has made several green efforts in recent years, including an energy efficient snowmaking system to assist in providing snow for the slopes. The Wisp Resort Hotel is on-site and a perfect choice for lodging.  Visitors can get room and lift pass package deals if desired. (http://www.wispresort.com/wisp/info/wisp-resort.aspx). Guests can eat at DC’s Bar and Restaurant for a cozy sit-down experience.  Guests who prefer rooming options off-site can look to The Garrett Inn located only five miles south. (Google directions to Garrett Inn)

Whitetail Mountain Resort, Pennsylvania

Located only two hours from the Washington D.C. metro area, Whitetail Mountain Resort in Pennsylvania is an ideal distance for single day or longer escapes. All except one of Whitetail’s trails are equipped with lights for night skiing. It also has several ski programs designed to bring vacationers back regularly, including a seasonal equipment lease program and a discount for college students on Wednesdays. Whitetail has 9 lifts and 23 trails for all levels and ranges, as well as the longest half-pipe in the Mid-Atlantic region. While Whitetail has no lodging on-site, they have several lodging partners who offer deals when booking rooms. (http://www.skiwhitetail.com/lodging.htm) For dining options, guests can enjoy hearty food at the Windows Restaurant between slopes. (http://www.skiwhitetail.com/dining.htm)

One of several options for guests is the Mercersburg Inn located just seven miles from the resort. (Google directions to Mercersburg Inn)

For plans involving winter outdoor sports, be sure to stay up-to-date with weather and slope conditions prior to leaving fro the slopes. Many resorts have Facebook or Twitter pages to keep visitors informed, and some offer webcam images on their site to view the slopes. Additionally, visitors should be aware of the seven-point “Responsibility Code” that ski and snowboard associations endorse and all resorts guests must abide by. Some resorts may require visitors to view an “Assumption of Risk” when participating in snow sports to avoid liability in case of accidents and injuries.

For more information on the ski resorts, visit their websites.

Wintergreen Resort:                     

http://www.wintergreenresort.com/default.aspx

Wisp Resort:                                     

http://www.wispresort.com/wisp/index.aspx

Whitetail Mountain Resort:       

http://www.skiwhitetail.com/index.htm