When you find yourself in the Steel City you won’t have to travel far to hit the slopes. The snowy Allegheny Mountains run right through Pennsylvania, Maryland, and West Virginia, where you’ll find resorts to suit every type of skier and snowboarder. Check out our top six to discover which is going to be best for you!
6. Seven Springs Mountain Resort
Distance from Pittsburgh - 60 mi (1 hour drive)
Why Ski Seven Springs Mountain Resort
Are you searching for a mountain jam-packed full of awesome freestyle features? Look no further than Seven Springs. Few other ski resorts in the East come close to this place when comparing terrain parks. There are six in total, serving up everything from beginner rails to professional big air kickers, plus a 22 ft superpipe that sees the U.S. Revolution Tour visit each year. Non-skiers can have a blast here too, whether it’s touring the mountain by snowmobile or going for a sleigh ride through the forest. And for more good times don’t miss the slope-side Foggy Goggle bar and late-night Matterhorn club!
5. Snowshoe Mountain
Distance from Pittsburgh - 193 mi (4 hour drive)
Why Ski Snowshoe Mountain
When you spend your ski vacation at Snowshoe, you’ll be staying at the top of the mountain not the bottom of it! This picturesque resort sits upon a natural alpine ridge, so you can ski straight down a perfectly groomed slope before riding a chairlift back up. Expect high-quality ski gear stores, refined restaurants, and cozy taverns all within a short walk of the base lodge. While Snowshoe isn’t the easiest resort to reach from Pittsburgh, being deep in the mountains and surrounded by natural splendor means you’ll feel a million miles from city life.
4. Wisp Resort
Distance from Pittsburgh - 87 mi (2 hour drive)
Why Ski Wisp Resort
Welcome to the only ski resort in Maryland, where you’ll be schussing down tree-lined slopes with Deep Creek Lake as your backdrop. Almost half of the 33 trails here are cruisey blues, making it a favorite among intermediate skiers, but it’s also a great ski area for first-timers. The large beginner area makes it easy to learn, thanks to its three tiered surface lifts that let you take on higher points of the slope at your own pace. You can also score a great deal on accommodation next to the lake, as many places regard the winter as the off-season!
3. Blue Knob
Distance from Pittsburgh - 93 mi (2 hour drive)
Why Ski Blue Knob
Blue Knob is one of the few Pennsylvania ski resorts where you’ll find a deep-powder bowl, steep glades, and double back diamond bumps. Luckily the advanced terrain is neatly segregated from the beginner and intermediate trails, so staying on terrain suited to your ability is simple. If you fancy a day off from downhill skiing, your other activity options include a woodland snowshoeing adventure and fun slides in the Snow Tube Park! What’s more, when you stay in one of the resort condos you’ll have a whole bunch of leisure facilities at your disposal, including hot tubs, saunas, and swimming pools.
2. Boyce Park
Distance from Pittsburgh - 18 mi (25 minute drive)
Why Ski Boyce Park
There’s no other ski area closer to Pittsburgh than Boyce Park and despite its small size, it is also the most budget-friendly ski destination on this list. It’s possible to stay in the city and make the short drive here each day to ski, with the wide mellow slopes and easy-going terrain parks also staying open after dark. The straightforward base lodge provides essential amenities like ski and snowboard rental, lockers, and restrooms, plus there’s a snowsports school where both 1-on-1 and group lessons are available. For the absolute best deal on a lift ticket come here on a Wednesday to enjoy 50% off the regular price!
1. Hidden Valley Resort
Distance from Pittsburgh - 58 mi (1 hour drive)
Why Ski Hidden Valley Resort, PA
Boasting a 2,875 ft summit and 110 ac of skiable terrain, Hidden Valley Resort enjoys a prime spot in the Laurel Highlands. Being roughly an hours’ drive from Pittsburgh makes it easy to reach, and you can expect all 26 trails to be expertly groomed every day. The resort also does its best to cater for skiing families, which includes providing an impressive kids ski school program and serving a children’s menu at their slope-side eateries. Try the Clock Tower Restaurant for lunch with a mountain view and after a long day skiing unwind with a massage at Trillium Spa!