There are a lot of lists out there ranking ski resorts. In fact, searching that phrase can reveal too many options for one to even process. Best ski towns, best après-ski bars, best ski resorts for powder, etc.
Unfortunately, a lot of those lists don’t account for a common skier archetype in the Mid-Atlantic: the person who has never gone before and is now tasked with learning after being coaxed into the sport by a loved one. This is the skier who will happily “pizza” more than “French fry,” and is dead set on conquering the green circles before setting foot on a blue square. If that’s you, worry no more: here are the resorts you should be aiming for this winter, without having to hop on a plane.
- Wisp Resort: McHenry, Maryland
One reason that Wisp is great is that it’s not too close to anything. Unlike other resorts, there is no massive urban locale that flocks here as soon as the calendar turns to Saturday. At Wisp, the spirit of the independent ski resort is still going strong. Not a part of the Epic or Ikon passes — the two predominant conglomerates in the industry — this family friendly resort nestled behind Deep Creek Lake in Garrett County, Maryland, is included on the Indy Pass, which is for smaller resorts across the East and Midwest. Day passes for those who just want to give skiing a first try and then go from there run between $89 and $99 for an adult and $69 to $79 for a child, and rentals are available at the mountain or close by off the mountain. There are a number of green circles here for those who make it off the bunny slope, and many of them are longer than greens at similar resorts in the area. Try Possum or Little Dipper to Big Dipper if you want to appreciate the ratio of ski time to lift time at Wisp, which is better at very few places in the Mid-Atlantic. There are a ton of good lodging options, making this a good spot for a weekend trip with friends and family.
2. Roundtop: Lewisberry, Pennsylvania
Roundtop has easy appeal: it’s a half hour from Harrisburg, easy to get to, on the Epic Pass and has lift tickets under $100. All of these factors also mean that crowds can get huge. Plus, the mountain is small and lacks diverse terrain, so there is a good chance that much of that crowd will also be using the bunny slope and the other beginner runs. Lodging isn’t quite as picturesque here as it is farther into the sticks — Roundtop is best utilized as a good spot for a day trip. If you want to go on a Saturday or Sunday or even a holiday weekend, get there early. No matter what day it is, most mountains are pretty empty for the first hour or so, and that holds true at Roundtop. You can get plenty of reps in before the lines get too long and be back at home for a late lunch! But if you wait until midday on a Saturday, you will certainly be dipping, ducking and dodging people. At least it will improve your response time! Beginners also love that the conditions at Roundtop vary less than other places, as the hardpack snow and groomed runs are almost always present and good for learning.
3. Timberline: Davis, West Virginia
At Timberline, the destination is worth the journey. Located three hours from Washington, D.C., and three and a half from Baltimore, Timberline is nestled in the Canaan Valley of West Virginia. This means spotty service, windy roads, but most importantly, lots of snow. While there are benefits to learning on consistent hardpack, there is one big perk of powder: it’s a much softer fall! To go along with over 200 inches of annual snowfall, Timberline has tickets available for an afternoon if you are only interested in a half day of shin pain. Lodging options are homey and affordable, too. The crowds here are smaller and more old-fashioned, with good vibes aplenty and form-fitting, $1,000 ski suits nowhere to be found. Beginners love Salamander and Winterset, as both hug the outside of the mountain and offer long runs to the bottom. For those who don’t want to bite off more than the bunny slope, a full day of fun awaits you, too. The designated beginner area has magic carpets to take you to the top and kind instructors to show you the ropes.
4. Liberty: Fairfield, Pennsylvania
Until less than a decade ago, Liberty was one of three sister resorts that served the southern Mid-Atlantic along with Roundtop and Whitetail. Now, they are all owned by a larger conglomerate, and the independent trio is no more. However, Liberty still has the same reputation as it did before, which is one of a family resort with a lot of space dedicated to beginners. With a bunny slope that is long, and more importantly, wide, there is plenty of room to operate without worrying about a collision. Whitetail is a bit harder to get to and has much better expert terrain and more variation, while Roundtop is beloved for the vibes and its proximity to major cities. At Liberty, more is geared towards the beginner than anywhere else. The rental shop churns out orders like a factory, and the base area is as good for a hang out as the mountain is for skiing. If you want to show up without equipment, have a fun few hours, then kick back with some drinks by a fire as a family, Liberty is a phenomenal option.
5. Seven Springs: Champion, Pennsylvania
Seven Springs is known as Pittsburgh’s resort, and that is true from the black and yellow color scheme to the names of some of the runs. That being said, it is a great option for those in D.C., Baltimore and the rest of the DelMarVa area because it is bigger than the other options on this list. The mountain is huge with vast accommodations. Seven Springs is used to tons of visitors of varying skill levels descending on their property, which means that it doesn’t necessarily feel like it’s bursting at the seams on a weekend or holiday. While it is known as a haven for park rats and experts, there is also plenty of room dedicated to beginners. Seven Springs has been the home of holiday-weekend trips for families in the Mid-Atlantic for decades and still delivers on that reputation to this day.
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