Our family has never skied in this area (only out west and Vermont). Where is a good place to go for a weekend trip (not that far 4 hrs. max) that would give you a feel for a ski resort? Kids ski blue trails (out west) Also have some beginners and need a kids program for a 4 year old. Also need to have a house (2 families, 12 people in all)

Check Deerfield Resort in West Virginia. It's located between Canaan Valley and Timberline Resorts (they're about 5-6 miles apart). Reservations 800-342-3217. It's a really nice place with shuttles to both ski resorts. The Deerfield places have fireplaces, kitchens, balconies, whirlpool tubs, etc. Canaan is a great resort for novice and intermediate level skiers and Timberline has more slopes geared for intermediate to advanced level skiers. Both resorts are about 3.5 hours from D.C. and they both have websites you can access from the resort links on DCSki.

Hope this helps and pray for snow!!!

You may also want to try Seven Springs out in Southern PA below Pittsburgh. It's about 3 to 3.5 hours away off the PA turnpike. Lots of on site amenities and good terrain. I also believe they have been getting decent weather for snow.

Ditto on Canaan Valley and Deerfield. We have stayed at Deerfield the last 2 years and have been pleased. We are going to try a house at Windwood this year, which is just behind Deerfield. Avoid Timberline on the weekends! Too many people and not enough lifts.

We just skied Hidden Valley this weekend and enjoyed it, however the runs are shorter and my kids were complaining about that. But overall we had a good time and it was family oriented.

It takes us about 4 hrs to get to Canaan from Southern Md. Be aware that if you go from Va out 66 you will cross 2 mountains and that most of the trip is on 2-lane roads. Kids started to get car sick before we finally got back on the interstate.

The choices others have mentioned are all fine. The most "resortish" midatlantic area would be Snowshoe WVa (7 Springs Pa close second), lots of trail and restaurant choices and good snow right now at Snowshoe, but it's about 5 hours from DC and you might have to stay in a large condo vice a house. The Canaan Valley, WVa area also includes the Timberline ski area. I stayed there once in a slopeside house called "Black Diamond" with just about the same kind of group you have and had a ball with hot-tub and 2 mile beginner slope for little kids. (I believe Deerfield resort mentioned by someone else is about a mile or two from those slopes.) Blue Knob, Pa, 3 hrs away, has some slope side homes for rent and has challenging terrain when conditions are right, but few resort amenities. Bryce Mtn is about 2 hours away, has only easy trails and is small, but good for little kids and has slopeside condos and maybe a few houses, may be too easy for older kids who ski blue out west.