Hi, new to this board as of 5 minutes ago. Looking for some advice. Live in DC, wife and I (both have not skied in 25 years)looking to take the kids 4 & 7 on their first trip skiing. Looking to go midweek to avoid crowds but want a place that is not to challenging where starting skiers are not getting in the way of experienced ones and a place that had a good instrucitonal program, expecially for the kids. Heard good things about Wisp, is this this a good place or are there some betters recs. Any replies are much appreciated.

Sorry if this has been adressed somewhere else, as I said I am new.

THANKS!

I'd say that Wisp would be a good place for beginners to learn. They have a fair amount of beginner trails all over the mountain, so you aren't stuck in just one place the whole time. They also have fairly nice amenities.

As for there ski school, I'm clueless. I've talked to a few of them before and they seem to have a decent program. BUT, that's just the vibe I got from them. Definitely not a sure thing. I don't see why it wouldn't be good though.

Hope this info helps. I'm more of a Timberline/Canaan Valley local, so my knowledge of the workings of Wisp is somewhat limited. If you have any questions about CV then fire away. There are tons with plenty of knowledge about the area. You'll get more info than you will ever remember!!

Good luck and have FUN!! ...oh yeah, and welcome to the board!

Are you planning a day trip or several days. If you are going for more than 2 days, I would say defitely go to snowshoe instead. Midweek they have absolutely no crowds and usually some great deals. Also, the beginner terrain at snowshoe involves much longer runs and blows wisp out of the water. They also have some great off snow activities for kids as well. Wisp doesn't compare in that department and for me i can't see myself spending more than a day there. If not snowshoe, do timberline/canaan. Regardless of your choice midweek is awesome. NO lines, good ticket prices, mountain to yourself. Good learning for the kids no matter where you go.

Was planning 2 full days......arrive Tues evening...ski Wed & Thur....leave Friday. I know one of my kids will love it, the other is always a toss up so don't want to go too crazy for the first time. 5 hour drive from DC for Snowshoe is at the outer limits for such a short time trip even though SS looks great.

By the way, thanks to both poster for their rapid advice, it is much appreciated!

I would recommend Ski Liberty. It won't be crowded mid week. Liberty has an excellent ski school and very good terrine for beginners. Plus, you save two hours + driving time vs going to Wisp. The only downside is accommodations. I don't think Liberty has any ski in / ski out lodging, they do have a Hotel close to the slopes.

I would not recomend Wisp for never-evers age 4-7. My daughter, then 6 did not have a good experience in the ski school (her impression compared to the Snow Time resorts). Also, while Wisp does have some good long beginner slopes, they are a little advanced in the sense that they require a lift ride up and basic skills to get down. Their bunny slope is not conducive the learning basic skills as it too short, steep and crowded. This is a GREAT place to take the kids once they can snow plow effectively, but not for first timers IMHO.

I like Wisp and usually do a weekend or two there every year. They do have other activities for kids, such as the coaster, rink and snow tubing all centrally located, but for skiing this would not be my first choice based on my experiences with my now 9 year old.

I agree with Godog. Ski Liberty is geared towards families and has quite a bit of terrain for first time learners. The ski school is very large and well-established. There is also plenty to challenge you on the backside of the area as well. Liberty has a hotel right on premises, albeit a bit steep in price. Gettysburg (and all its hotels, shops, sights, etc.) is only about 30 minutes away. There is also Emmitsburg, which you pass on the way to Liberty from DC. That's about 10 minutes from the slope and has a Sleep Inn on the far side of that town. The great thing about Liberty is that its a 90 minute drive and crowds tend to be thin on weekdays.

In the interests of full disclosure, I am a patroller at Liberty, but I also have skied Wisp, Seven Springs, Whitetail, CV and Timberline. I still think Liberty is the most friendly and why I picked it for patrolling.

Over the past three years I have started six of my seven grandkids skiing (this year ages 8+,6+,5,5,3,and 3. The two three year olds had a great time learning, one actually "skiing" to the bottom of the basin at Snowshoe. I put the two young one in private lessons each day, after all they were only 39 months old. One is now a ski "nut" and can't wait to go again. The 8 and 6 year olds were in their third year and enjoyed 1/2 day ski school lessons, both can now ski the black diamonds on the basin side of Snowshoe. The two 5 year olds were in ski school and a private lesson, on skis for their second year (usually only ski one or two trips per year for a total of 5+ days). Both could ski the greens and some blues to the bottom at Snowshoe.
Their parents were thrilled and amazed by their new ski partners!!
The point of this is to caution you that your primary goal with the kids is for them to have fun and want to get back on the snow again and again. They will tire easily. Be sure to put them in ski school, perhaps with the younger having a private lesson each day and the older one in with his peers in the half or full day ski program.
The advantage of going mid week is fewer small ones learning to ski, sometimes a class lesson turns into a private or semiprivate lesson simply due to a lack of other learners.
A potential disadvantage to midweek at some of the farther resorts, such as CV, Timberline, Wisp and the Shoe is a lack of instructors. After the crowd left from MLK weekend my grandkids had things pretty much to themselves and we found two absolutely fantastic instructors: for the 3 year olds all five private lessons were with XXXX and she was great, especially with two clingee kids who are rarely away from their parents. After the first day they were really looking forward to their time with XXX. The two five year olds met an instructor named "Goncho" and he also related well to them, making them very excited about skiing.
In other words be picky, tell the ski school director exactly what you are looking for from the lessons, any problems your kids might have, etc. Rely on the director to get the best available for your kids, and if they do not, let them know it. If they do, then really let them know how pleased you are. Be prepared to shell out some coin, but in the short and long run it will be well worth it.
NOW...WHERE TO GO!?!
I recommend Wintergreen which is about 2.5-3 hours away and has a separate and well known childrens ski school. One stop shopping...equipment, lessons, lift ticket all in one place.
A beautiful setting with a great snow adventure park (Ridgelys) where the kids can play (WAIT...it is not open mid-week)...have tubing hill, pool, good restaurants, etc.
Secondly, I recommend Snowshoe despite the driving distance.
Third...well perhaps Seven Springs with an excellent school, and a myriad of things for kids to do when not skiing (if you stay there, and I recommend you do if going to Seven Springs), and others...Liberty, Camelback, and Jack Frost in PA.
If you want to hear more of my experiences (I started all my kids at 3-4 years of age) and my experiences with my grandkids, send me an PM with your phone number and I will be glad to give you a call.
AGAIN...for the young never evers...let it be FUN for them. By the way, the 7 year old should start off learning to ski before trying snowboarding (should this subject come up).
ENJOY and take care,
The Colonel

To clarify from my earlier post, I was in no means trying to put down WISP. In my med school days in Morgantown I would log at least 10-15 days a season at Wisp. It is a great mountain to spend an day/afternoon on. And during midweek the specials and prices at wisp can't be beat. I was just saying that for multiple days there is no comparison. The coaster and ice skating are nice but the experience of staying at wisp doesn't hold a candle to snowshoe village or even canaan lodges.

Colonel makes some good points and another one to add is that learning to ski is much easier on more reliable surface conditions. Bad weather/ice can affect every resort in this region. The most consistent resorts in this region that will provide a quality surface are snowshoe and timberline based solely on the fact that they have colder weather and more natural snow. 7springs and Wisp have great snowmaking as well and are also very reliable. Wintergreen can be hit or miss.

A drive to snowshoe can be done in a bit less than 4 hours from DC, well if you drive quite fast non-stop.

4 hours???? Please.....You'd have the kids puking before they even got to WV.

My kids love Wisp and they have great deals on lodging during the week. Lots of long beginner trails. My kids haven't enrolled in ski school at WISP, so I can't comment on it.

7 Springs has a great ski school, it blows Snowshoe's ski school away. 7 Springs has lots of beginner terrain, plus they have minigolf, bowling, arcade, roller skating, etc. Plus I hear they have some pretty good midweek package deals on lodging. It's pretty resorty if thats what you're looking for.

If you're trying to do this trip on a budget, stay away from Snowshoe, Liberty, Whitetail, & Roundtop.

Welcome!
Wisp is closer - than say Timberline or Canaan Valley (by about 55 minutes). Mid-week in the Canaan Valley area is like having the whole place to yourself.
The kids program at Timberline is well thought of, and yields very good results (with smiles).
The teaching area at Timberline is not often matched - large and fun for the kids.
Timberlime may (on the other hand) not have all the amenities of Vail - or Wisp - no, not by far as it is independantly owned and operated.
If you want to see photos, check out the Photo Coverage on www.visitcanaan.com ----> it should give you an idea of the valley (with two ski resorts 5 minutes from one another).

Not just well thought of....the BEST!! (I'm not biased or anything though :))

Though not quite as strong as last winter.

I started my daughter at Massanutten in Slope Sliders when she was 4. I highly recommend it. I put info about Mnut ski school in the Family Skiing section. Mnut is about 2.5 hours from DC.

The second Magic Carpet and the new conveyor loading lift makes is much easier for beginners of all ages.

Recently we made friends with a mother who lives in Charlottesville. She had been taking her 8yo daughter to Wintergreen. After trying out Mnut, she bought a season pass there instead. I much prefer the layout of Mnut when skiing with kids. It's much simpler. Easier to keep track of them when they are old enough to ride lifts and ski blue runs without an adult. My 9yo and her ski buddy have had great fun on Geronimo on their own. Can even keep on eye on them from the lodge. Even easier now that they cleared trees for the new Lift 3.

I did a trip report in Local Resort Discussions about our Jan. 9-10 weekend. Plan to be up again Feb. 6-7 and for Pres. Day weekend.

Well, to be fair, on a clear day without snow or rain, 4 hours is quite reasonable drive if you drive without stopping anywhere. I did it all the time. It took us about 6+ hours in a snow storm.

Used to drive to the shoe from Culpeper in 3 and a quarter with dry roads. Throw in rain and it's an easy 3 and 45. Some white knuckle and that goes to 4+. The kids may puke anyway with the switchbacks and backs. Not to hy-jack but to give my experiences. My family learned to ski at the nut and although close by (45 min) I go to the WV Apps to get my ski fix. Better snow, by far.

As for beginner/novices the shoe is not my first choice. Maybe the silvercreek area of the shoe, but not the basin side. I taught kids there for several years and believe me, the terrain is not suitable for beginners. Novices, maybe.

Liberty, whitetail, canaan valley, (and even t-line to a certain extent) have segregated beginner areas. The downside of t-line is no kids school mid-week and you would need to book a private lesson.

Be sure to have the camera out for the road sign that says

Accident 6 miles

If you drive fast enough you can get there in 4 miles or less!

I highly recommend Wisp. Mid-weeks are perfect there, very kid-friendly. Our kids went to ski school last year for the first time, and we loved it so much we bought a townhouse there we rent out. We've been going to Deep Creek in the Summer for years. The townhouse is ski-in/ski-out (30 steps to the slopes), with hot tub and foosball table. Sleeps up to 8, great loft bedroom for the kids. We offer really nice discounts for mid-week rentals. Click on this link to take a look:
http://www.deepcreekvacations.com/rental/house.html?ID=80&User=alpha

Send me a reply message if you're interested and I'll set you up with a discounted owner rate.

Didn't see it mentioned, but the Kids Mountain Camp at Whitetail is hard to beat for first-timer kids. Staff do all the work, including getting their rentals, putting the gear on the kids, and bringing them in for snacks. Drop & Go. Downside is the town is not as interesting as the above mentioned areas to spend 2-3 days.