Best Ski Resorts Near Washington D.C.

Liberty Mountain Resort is one of Washington, D.C.'s closest winter getaways, sitting just over one hour away from the city with a 620-foot vertical drop. Two challenging terrain parks are available for different levels of skiers, with the East Side Park for beginners (short-distance rails and low-elevation tabletops) and the West Side Park for seasoned freestylers (advanced rails, boxes, and launch platforms). The resort also boasts one of the best snowmaking systems in the country with 350 guns that guarantee powdery coverage, whether natural snowfall occurs or not.

Liberty Mountain Resort has exceptional lodging options with comfortable modern interiors and furnishings. Winter guests enjoy Highland Lodge for its easy access to Laventide Salon & Day Spa and, the resort's indoor saltwater pool which boasts mesmerizing, sweeping views of the surrounding mountains. Closer to the slopes is Alpine Lodge, which has ice skating, dining, and fire pits just steps from each bright, modern room. Wherever you choose to stay, Eagle & The Owl offers the best on-site dining experience with its delightful selection of craft brews, cocktails, and inventive comfort foods (guests love the tender blackberry BBQ pork porterhouse steak).

Located four and a half hours away from the buzzing metropolis of D.C., Snowshoe Mountain resort offers a prime getaway for outdoor and relaxation enthusiasts. It possesses the perfect mix of elevation and weather patterns to ensure excellent shredding conditions all winter long, plus countless après-ski activities ranging from pool tables and arcade games to yoga flows and hot stone massages. With 60 impressive trails, a steep 800-foot vertical drop, and 150 strategically placed snow guns, Snowshoe Mountain Resort guarantees more skiable terrain than any other resort in the southeast. You can also hit the slopes for snow tubing under the stars, LED light shows at sundown, soak into indoor/outdoor heated pools, and embark on off-road adventure tours for breathtaking views of the mountain's most remote and scenic areas.

Have your pick of a classic rustic cabin or luxury mountain home in The Village, the resort's cobblestone "island in the sky" that offers convenient lodging just steps away from ski lifts, retail stores, and dining hotspots. The Brigham Collection provides the most refined accommodations with amenities ranging from on-demand resort shuttles to bubbling outdoor community hot tubs. At the onsite Cheat Mountain Pizza, you can efficiently fuel up with a slice and a drink, but it's Sunset Cantina that will become your favorite for après-ski indulgences with its mouth-watering Mexican fare and delish homemade margaritas. 

The Poconos region has a fair share of distinctive retreats, but Camelback Resort is a standout with its plentiful snowsports activities and indoor waterpark that keeps a toasty 84 degrees year-round. No detail is overlooked at this family-friendly getaway where winter and summer collide, from its modern mountain-style architecture to its adventurous décor. Case in point: Ancient relics and unique worldly objects meet luxurious leather furnishings for an Indiana Jones-style greeting in the lobby. The range of amenities is another highlight—377 snow guns, fireside lockers, an equipment retail shop, and a tune-up center. Depending on how many people you're traveling with, you can choose from several deluxe suits with spacious modern interiors, grab bars, and optional connected rooms or spring for a condo that sleeps up to 14 guests with a full kitchen, dining area, and multiple bedrooms. 

Between Camelback's 39 trails there are 16 lifts, 42 tubing lanes, and an 827‐ foot vertical drop. The resort offers plenty of variety for skiers of all levels. CBK Park is a highlight for experienced shredders with its jump line, rails, and boxes ranging in difficulty from advanced to expert. Beginners can enroll in the onsite ski and ride academy or simply enjoy some casual indoor fun in the form of laser tag, rock climbing, bumper cars, escape rooms, arcade games, VR, and ropes courses. 

Cozy common areas, such as Trails End Pub and Grille, are ideal for cocktails with stunning mountainside views and outdoor family bonfire sessions; on-site restaurant Hemispheres serves sunrise favorites in a buffet-style space; and Borrelli's Italian offers a robust menu of classic Italian pasta, prime dry-aged chops, and exquisite wines and cocktails to keep you warm après-ski.

Nestled on a high plateau in the lush Allegheny Mountains of West Virginia, Canaan Valley Resort offers a quiet escape from the D.C. grind and is just three hours away. The dazzling winter playground features 47 trails, four lifts, and a vertical drop of 850 feet with slopes suitable for all levels of skiers and snowboarders. Canaan Valley Resort offers many promotions to save on lodging and winter activities. If you're an Indy Pass holder, you can even get free lift tickets for two days at the resort (and 100+ others across the country). 

Other highlights include an onsite equipment rental center, a 1,200-foot snow tubing park with a magic carpet lift (a family favorite), and the onsite Snowsports School that offers training programs for new skiers and snowboarders aged seven and up. Enjoy cozy lodging with rustic furnishings and a fireplace to keep warm whether you stay in a suite, cabin, or cottage. Dining options are plentiful with four onsite bars and restaurants, but Hickory Dining Room offers the best scenery with panoramic views of the valley.

Whitetail Mountain Resort is located just over an hour from D.C., making it a convenient option for those looking to ski or snowboard near the nation's Capital. With 23 pristine trails, nine9 lifts, and an impressive 935‐ foot vertical drop, Whitetail has something for all levels of skiers and snowboarders, but one of its biggest draws is snow tubing. The onsite tubing park is open seven days a week for two-hour sessions, and there's even a special kiddie run for children under 42 inches tall. If you happen to visit on weekdays, Whitetail Mountain's "Ski the Week" program offers discounted pricing, wide-open runs, and untouched snow ripe for carving.

Accommodations can be booked at Whitetail Mountainside Village Resort through one of nine exclusive lodging partners, each with its own unique set of amenities and perks. Whitetail Mountainside Village is a guest favorite for its spacious townhouses with fully stocked kitchens, cozy homestyle décor and furnishings, and ski-in/ski-out access to the slopes. You can enjoy classic American fare at one of Whitetail's several onsite eateries. The Trailside Grill has a great selection of burgers, beers, and cocktails while The Marketplace is ideal for grabbing a bowl of steamy hot soup, chili, or mac & cheese après-ski. 

If you're looking to take your first few turns across an actual hilltop this winter season, consider Bryce Mountain Resort. Sitting just two hours west of D.C. in the beautiful foothills of the Allegheny Mountains, Bryce is ideal for first-timers and families with young children thanks to its low elevation, gentle slopes, and a vertical drop of just 500 feet. 

Bryce Mountain resort boasts one of the largest ski teams in the southern region with over 60 racers and even offers race training clinics for skiers as young as five. Home of the acclaimed Horst Locher Snowsports School, all students can enjoy a safe and positive learning environment with PSIA-certified instructors. Bryce Mountain Resort doesn't offer onsite lodging, so you'll have to choose from nearby hotels and vacation rentals. Standouts include Clear Ridge Lodge, which offers upscale rustic accommodations at the heart of Bryce Mountain Resort, and Family Farmhouse Inn, a restored 1830s Victorian homestead that couples antique charm with modern amenities. 

Blue Knob Resort is one of the best skiing destinations near Washington D.C., offering advanced runs that are sure to challenge even the most experienced skiers. Sitting on the highest skiable mountain in Pennsylvania with a vertical drop of 1,072 feet, Blue Knob features 34 runs and five lifts to whisk you to the start of its most challenging slopes, plus a NASTAR course for competitive racing so you can really test your skills. Other offerings include snow tubing, groomed Nordic skiing, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing.

The Blue Knob Resort features a range of exciting lodging options from studios to multi-bedroom condos, all of which are convenient to relaxing amenities like Blue Knob's indoor swimming pool, hot tub, and sauna. Chalets and cabins are also available for rent by local owners, some with ski-in/ski-out options. When you've worked up an appetite, Clubhouse Bar and Grill is a fun and casual eatery with weekly trivia nights and appetizing specials like slow-cooked ribs and sliced beef brisket.

Located three and a half hours away near Champion, Pennsylvania, Seven Springs Mountain Resort is a haven for snowboarders with no fewer than seven terrain parks, all of which are built and maintained on a daily basis. Expect everything from beginner jumps to pro-level kickers and a legendary urban-inspired park known as The Streets. Seven Springs is also home to the only 22-foot superpipe in the East, which hosts major qualifying events for elite athletes. 

Terrain parks aside, there are 33 slopes and trails spread out over 285 acres of skiable terrain. 

Other amenities include a NASTAR course and a Snowsports School for private and group lessons. You can choose from an entire fleet of Burton snowboards at the rental shop, then treat your aching muscles to a massage at the spa after a grueling session on the mountain. 

Dining options range from farm-to-table fine dining at Helen's to more relaxed family meals at Slopeside. Stay in the no-frills but comfortable Slopeside Hotel, or choose from a variety of more premium rental townhomes, condos, and chalets.