The snow is coming; it’s time to pull out your old ski gear from last year. Gloves, helmets, jackets—it’s all in the back of your closet. Ski resorts have already started to open this December. While not as prominent as West Coast skiing, there are many options on the East Coast near Northern Virginia. These are some great spots around here, along with a solid option on the west coast for a memorable ski trip. If you are planning to ski a lot this winter, look into getting the Epic Pass that offers access to all of the resorts on this list. Additionally, it also gets you 20 percent off typically overpriced food and beverages. It is worth it to get the pass if you are skiing for five or more days this winter.
Seven Springs Moutain Resort
This resort is a popular destination in Pennsylvania. It is the largest in the state with 33 trails and seven terrain parks. There is a hotel at the resort that provides easy access to the slopes, perfect for multi-day ski vacations. However, it is a little far for a daytrip, with the drive being over three hours. If you are willing to make the trek, and possibly stay for a couple of days, it is an excellent option.
Liberty Mountain Resort
Liberty is significantly closer than Seven Springs, with a drive of just over an hour. With a shorter travel time, it is a good option for a day trip. However, Liberty is known to have crowded slopes and some trails with little snow coverage that can quickly turn icy. If parking is hard to find, go to the parking lot on the backside of the mountain. It is right on the slope and is often much less crowded.
Whitetail Mountain Resort
Whitetail is another close option with just an hour and a half drive. It has a larger vertical elevation than Liberty and seven more trails. However, it can be especially crowded on weekends, and some trails are prone to icy conditions. Still, it is a solid option with the feel of a larger mountain that is on par with Liberty. Whitetail even has the option of night skiing, which they offer throughout the ski season.
Park City Mountain Resort
Located near Salt Lake City, Utah, Park City has some of the best snow in the world. It is the largest ski resort in the country with 341 runs that get over 350 inches of snowfall per year. When traveling to the West Coast for skiing, Utah is a better option than Colorado. The mountains are much closer to the airport, making it more convenient, despite the plane ride being slightly longer. Park City also has the Park City Mountain Village and Canyons Village, which both have a vibrant environment at the bottom of the slopes after a long day skiing.
Rental Gear
The lines for rental gear at east coast ski resorts can take several hours. To avoid a long line, bring your own gear or rent from a place in northern Virginia in advance. A nearby store to rent skis from is Sun & Ski Sports in Seven Corners.
Follow the Snow on the East coast
With the lack of snow that falls on the East Coast, take advantage of the infrequent snowstorms when they do pass through. Your ski trips do not have to be planned well in advance. Especially with the Epic Pass, it is easy to take a day trip to one of the many ski spots that are just a short drive away.
