Our family (not expert skiiers by any stretch) typically goes to HV or 7S. We were passholders at HV for a few years before #2 arrived. We live in Pittsburgh, have an 8yo and 3yo, and have demanding and unpredictable work schedules so sticking nearby works well. However, we're actually trying to plan ahead to do a long weekend with friends/family over MLK weekend. Having not ventured outside of the Pittsburgh-area resorts, I'm not sure where the best places are to look.

Relevant facts:
There will be 6 adults and 4 kids.

One couple is coming from DC, so we're looking to possibly head for a mid-point btwn Pgh and DC.

One family has never (or not for a very long time) skied - they will have 2 adults, a 5yo and a 3.5yo. At the least, they want to get the 5yo on skis (although I'm lobbying them hard for the little one as both of ours started at 3).

There is one aduly snowboarder in our group.

We typically put our 8yo in ski school but that's not vital. This will be the first year getting our 3yo on skis (we got a big fail at skiing last winter), so good instruction for her would be great (we're much better parents than ski instructors.......).

I assume with the size of our group, we are likely looking at private rental homes. In the perfect world, we'd have ski-in/ski-out.....

I've started poking around at Wisp and Snowshoe but really have no idea whether that's the best direction to go or not.

Recommendations?

That's typically the second busiest weekend of the year. I'd suggest another weekend, either taking a 2-day weekend or one coinciding with the 8 yo's school vacation, teacher workshop, etc.

Timberline, WV and Blue Knob, PA, are two good bets for minimizing (but not avoiding) holiday crowds, but the ski area infrastructure at both places (Blue Knob in particular) is somewhat lacking. Both are relatively convenient to Pitt and DC.

Snowshoe and Wisp get real crowded on holiday weekends.



The world can be perfect if you have enough money. I doubt you find any ski-in/ski-out bargains on a holiday weekend.

You might check out Canaan Valley Resort and ski area. It's right next to Timberline so there would be a good variety of skiing for the group. Canaan Valley ski area would be one of your better choices in the region for moderate crowds on a holiday weekend. Another one would that would be good for that and a group of newbies is Bryce Mtn in VA. It would be over 4 hours from Pittsburgh, but easy for the DC people to reach.

Assuming that MLK Weekend is a given, consider Massanutten. The SlopeSiders program for kids is stellar in my opinion. Was very good when my daughter was starting out at age 4 back in 2004-05. Then got better with the upgrades to the two beginner lifts to add capacity and conveyor loading. The ski school also has a separate magic carpet for kids, so the adult and snowboarding beginners have their own area that's a little longer and a bit more pitch. The ski school senior staff have been there a long time.

An 8yo can do a 90-min clinic if don't want to do full-day (9:30-2:30) ski/board school.

There are plenty of houses to rent at Mnut of all sizes. That's in addition to the resort condos.

Although Mnut is much smaller than Snowshoe or Wisp, it has the advantage that better skiers/boarders go elsewhere. For an advanced intermediate or advanced skier, there is never a lift line on Lift 6. That services two black runs with about 850 vertical. Believe it or not, Mnut has more vertical than anywhere in PA or VA. Also, all runs have lights. So adults who want to get in a little more skiing once the little ones are settled in can do so. Night skiing is included if you buy multi day lift tickets.

Like Wisp, Mnut has other things to do besides ski. The indoor waterpark being the most unique feature. The downside is that a car is needed to get around. It's a pretty big place and there isn't any shuttle service. Check out the website.

Not sure where there is a ski school that takes a 3yo in the Mid-Atlantic. Mnut starts at 4. Mnut does have accredited day care at the resort.

Seems like when we met friends from Pittsburgh at Mnut one summer, the drive was not much more than 4 hours. 2.5 hours from DC, assuming not stuck in traffic on I-66.

Snowshoe would be a long drive from Pittsburgh with little ones. Pretty long from DC too. For that type of place, Wisp seems more reasonable as a place to meet.

Canaan Valley is finishing up major upgrades that sound like it will be much nicer for families.

Thanks for the input all.

MLK weekend is non-negotiable as one of the couples are college coaches for spring sports and January is it for them in terms of time off campus. I know crowds can be an issue, but I think having three days is worth it.

For the 3yo, I was looking for good private instruction. When our 8yo was that age, we would get him a 2-hr private lesson every weekend that we went. It was amazing how much more capable he was for the instructor than for us! HV was great in this regard - we were even able to schedule him with the same instructor several consecutive weekends.

If you decide to come to West Virginia and kids lessons are a priority, Timberline.

We've got programs for kids 4-7 and 8-12. Kids under four can only be accommodated by a private lesson with a Qualified, Certified, AWESOME Childrens Instructor.

One little quirk is that you cannot reserve in advance.

from Timberline's website vvvv

TIMBER ADVENTURE

Open to children 4 to 7 years of age. This all day, full service program provides coaching with specially trained instructors, ski equipment, lift pass, lunch and lots of supervised ski time in an all day format. Timber Adventure sessions last from 10:00am to 3:00pm, freeing parents to enjoy a day of skiing on their own.

This program runs Friday through Monday and Holiday Season.

One Day: $108.00
Two Day: $168.00
Three Day: $238.00


MOUNTAIN SAFARI

This all day program is targeted to 8 to 12 years of age. Mountain Safari groups emphasize a more intensive ski experience designed for the older child. Both experienced and beginning skiers are welcome in Mountain Safari. Enrollment includes all day coaching, ski equipment, lift pass and lunch. Mountain Safari sessions last from 9:30am to 3:30pm. This program runs Friday through Monday and Holiday Season.

BTW, if slopeside accomodations are a priority it's a no brainer in either Wisp or Timberline. Timberline gets the nod due to the quality and proximity of houses if with young ones. Don't let the snow fall before you make reservations for a slopeside house because they will go FAST for a holiday weekend. I suggest that you consider booking a house on Winterset if possible. That's a snowmaking priority trail for homeowners and the houses are large and well appointed. The ski school is excellent as well.

MLK Monday after noon is a ghost town at Timberline. And I agree with Kwill. Winterset is the way to go. Don't forget some Siriani's pizza while you're in the Valley. It's my 2nd favorite thing about ski season!!

I finally was able to log on and thus provide a response to your email. Over the past few years I have started all my grandchildren skiing at about age 4. Last year my youngest started at Snowshoe at age 3+. All seven grandchildren started their ski lives at Snowshoe, and on holiday weeks or weekends. Yes it is crowded, but the kids are in an excellent ski school, so no big deal. I strongly suggest private lessons, especially for the youngest ones. Rent your equipment directly from the resort. Give them a private lesson in the morning, and if it goes well, then again that afternoon if they want, or the next morning. A two hour private is best. After the lesson be sure to ski with them so they can show off to you. Perfaps even take a green trail to the bottom with them. Be sure to have good waterproof clothing and gloves, rent a helmet. The key is that they enjoy skiing.
Now my Grandchildren are ages 11, 9, 7. 7. 5. 5. and 4. All can ski to the bottom on the basin side of Snowshoe on blue trails, and all but three can ski the black trails. The four oldest can ski the Cup Run network of trails!
I have also taken all of them to many other mid-atlantic resorts. I recomend Snowshoe, Wintergreen, and Seven Springs. All have excellent children's ski schools, and Wintergreen and Seven Springs schools are all inclusive, just take them to the reserved class and they are fitted for equipment and lessons. And all day lessons include lunch and hot chosolate breaks. I do not recommend Canaan Valley, they "lost two of my grandkids, and one instructor did not know their names since they had traded them off between instructors several times. Same type of thing happened there when my 3 kids started skiing at age 4. The Canaan instructor was telling them to ski parallel to the slope etc. No they did not tell him they had no idea what he was talking about. I have had no experience with Timberline childrens ski school, but I understand it is excellent. Only problem I see is that you can not reserve a spot in advance, and their having the correct and best rental equipment is probmathical on a holiday weekend.
Speaking of rentals and children's lessons, be sure to reserve these well in advance.
Enjoy,
The Colonel

Haha I was wondering what happened with your Grandkids that weekend, we were really looking forward to meeting them at Timberline.

RE:rentals, the rentals for our kids programs are dedicated to that program and pretty nice. Lots of people rent at the Ski Barn out on Route 32 rather than at the Timberline Rental Shop. I'd suggest bumping this thread closer to your trip to see if that's still the best way.

I am quite sure that the quality of the local hills kids programs change year to year, as well as with the generations. when my kids were starting I chose the Roundtop half day program which included 1.5 hrs or so of on slope instruction and the remainder indoor supervised play. It was a while ago, they started at 4 and 3, respectively, and are now 42 and 38, both very good and very enthusiastic skiers who are passing it on to their kids. The most important things are to make sure they are having fun and to do your own fact finding to make sure they are in a good program. Good, safe equipment and showing enthusiasm for what they have learned is important too.