Canaan v Timberline v WISP Ski Resorts (Arlington, Fairfax: home, best)

[Hudlander]

Never been to the 'high country' resorts, looking to go for a day and back not overnight from Fairfax County.
How do these compare/which do you recommend?

[NOVAmtneer82]

All are just under three hours driving distance and have similar type ski conditions / mountain atmosphere. Canaan is a run by the state of WV as it is part of the state park system so it has less snowmaking capabilities but they have been getting plenty of natural snow this year. Timberline is under new ownership and I've heard nothing but great reviews. Wisp is perfectly fine as well. Honestly you are going to find more similarities than differences. I find Wisp gets more crowded as it is also within an easy day drive of Pittsburgh but all will be jammed if on a holiday weekend.

[Hudlander]

So I went to Timberline.

-I was impressed by the snow itself, BUT the trails themselves were disappointing.

-Very small, not a big drop, not long



I have snowboarded at Whitetail, and then mainly at Windham in the Catskills, and Killington.

I thought going in the high country here would be like the Catskills but not even close.

So I am wondering, what do you recommend for me?

I snowboard, I am an upper mid (high blue, maybe 1 black diamond).

-After the Catskills Whitetail is a no, what about Blue Knob? Snowshoe too far.

[Flamingo13]

I thought I heard last weekend was the last for several places.

[NOVAmtneer82]

Originally Posted by Hudlander

So I went to Timberline.

-I was impressed by the snow itself, BUT the trails themselves were disappointing.

-Very small, not a big drop, not long



I have snowboarded at Whitetail, and then mainly at Windham in the Catskills, and Killington.

I thought going in the high country here would be like the Catskills but not even close.

So I am wondering, what do you recommend for me?

I snowboard, I am an upper mid (high blue, maybe 1 black diamond).

-After the Catskills Whitetail is a no, what about Blue Knob? Snowshoe too far.

Blue Knob in central PA is a good option but you better check in advance- as a State Park they rely heavily on natural snow and most places in the mid-Atlantic (with the exception of maybe Snowshoe) generally stop making snow in late February. I can't imagine many of their trails are still open. but it's about three hours away. Wisp- the trails there are a bit wider and I'd say a little longer in most cases than Tline. It's a little under 3 hours. Seven Springs PA is about 3 and some change. Honestly Snowshoe is the one I would recommend the most but you said it is too far. As Flamingo said most places are likely going to be ending their seasons either this weekend or next given the temps.

[Hudlander]

Oh I'm talking next year, if I want something more like the Catskills I can do in a day and back from NOVA, what options?
Snowshoe is an overnighter.

[NOVAmtneer82]

Originally Posted by Hudlander

Oh I'm talking next year, if I want something more like the Catskills I can do in a day and back from NOVA, what options?
Snowshoe is an overnighter.

Blue Knob, Wisp and Seven Springs- they are in the 3ish hour range from my home in Arlington assuming no traffic. Not sure if you tried Canaan but it's a good option as well (near Timberline). None will compare to Killington though! I love that place but quite a hike from here.

I also agree on Snowshoe- did a day trip there once and will never again. Something about that extra hour to hour and a half drive compared to the others just made for a really long and tiring day. Funny thing is if you google 'Snowshoe Mountain' the search result for their website says 'A Ski Resort in WV Near DC.' I guess it's good marketing but 'near' is not a word I would use to describe the proximity to DC area.

[Hudlander]

Are Blue Knob, Seven Springs, WISP like Windham/the Catskills or more like Whitetail and Timberline?

[NOVAmtneer82]

I've only skied Hunter in the Catskills and found it ok but nothing overly impressive so I probably am not best to compare. We usually use the 'local' ski areas I mentioned for either day trips or a weekend then do a week long trip each year to Utah or Colorado.