There’s nothing better for curing the winter blues than a day of surfing down incredible powder. Luckily, Baltimore is within driving distance to some incredible hills and resorts. All you need for your next best weekend ever is a lift ticket and your skis or snowboard. What are you waiting for? Check out our list of the 14 most amazing ski resorts near Baltimore, and then get to shredding!

baltimore skyline

The Best Ski Resorts Near Baltimore

Blue Knob All Seasons Resort

  • Distance from Baltimore: 168 miles (2 hours, 40 minutes)
  • Accommodations onsite? No
  • Experience levels? All levels

Blue Knob Resort is the perfect spot for snowboarding and skiing near Baltimore. With its immense variety of snow sports, as well as an on-site lodge, Blue Knob is a well-rounded resort where you can try all kinds of winter activities, including nordic skiing. Day use and rental fees for the nordic ski area are very affordable, giving all visitors the opportunity to try something new. You can also try your hand (or feet) at snowshoeing. Check out this apartment with ski-to-door access at Blue Knob!

Seven Springs Mountain Resort

  • Distance from Baltimore: 196 miles (3 hours, 10 minutes)
  • Accommodations onsite? No
  • Experience levels? All levels

Get some air at Seven Springs Mountain Resort, where the hill’s 33 trails include beginner-friendly bunny hills to adrenaline-inducing double black diamond runs. For the thrill-seeking skier or snowboarder, there’s also a terrain park to show off in. For beginners, there are group and private lessons available with a handful of easy slopes to practice on. There are gear rentals available as well that you can pick up at the lodge. Take a break from the hill at one of several different lodges to be found around the resort. Rest up at a ski-in, ski-out vacation rental!

Blue Mountain Resort

  • Distance from Baltimore: 167 miles (2 hours, 50 minutes)
  • Accommodations onsite? No
  • Experience levels? All levels

Adrenaline junkies, rejoice! Blue Mountain Resort is home to Pennsylvania’s highest vertical, so you can get your fix of thrills if you’re willing to make the journey from Baltimore. The resort features 40 trails and 5 terrain parks, so there’s something for every level. There are 16 lifts to service the hill and get you back to the top so you can ski your fave runs over and over. Not into skiing or boarding? Check out the tube park for Pennsylvania’s longest tubing runs! Staying the night? This holiday home is less than 10 minutes from the hill!

Ski Roundtop

  • Distance from Baltimore: 76 miles (1 hour, 20 minutes)
  • Accommodations onsite? No
  • Experience levels? All levels

For families or couples that want to ski and play, Ski Roundtop is a fantastic ski resort near Baltimore that’s home to several ski slopes suitable for all levels. At just over an hour from Baltimore, it’s easily accessible from the city center, perfect for a day trip or a short weekend getaway.

At this medium-sized resort, you’ll find several ski slopes ranging from easy, beginner-friendly bunny hills to thrilling double black diamond trails. There are also lessons, rentals, and tubing available for those who have less experience.

Ski Roundtop is also part of the 3X program, which gives a discount for a 3-visit pass that’s valid at several East Coast ski resorts. Note that there’s no accommodation on the resort’s grounds, but you can find some places to stay nearby.

Omni Homestead Resort

  • Distance from Baltimore: 252 miles (4 hours, 5 minutes)
  • Accommodations onsite? Yes, at the Omni Homestead Resort
  • Experience levels? Beginner and intermediate

If you’re the luxury-loving type looking for more of a relaxing ski getaway than an extreme winter sports adventure, the Omni Homestead Resort might be the perfect place for you to go skiing and snowboarding near Baltimore. This historic estate has hosted the likes of Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, Ronald Reagan, and several other US presidents and celebrities.

The slopes here are best suited for beginner and intermediate level skiers, as they’re mostly green and blue-rated trails. Once you’ve had enough skiing, you can relax in one of the resort’s many naturally-heated pools, wander the opulent hallways and lobbies of the hotel, or book a spa treatment.

Whitetail Resort

  • Distance from Baltimore: 92 miles (1 hour, 30 minutes)
  • Accommodations onsite? No
  • Experience levels? All levels

Located in Pennsylvania just 1.5 hours from Baltimore, Whitetail Resort is another fantastic option for those wanting to hit the slopes as close as possible to the city. Whitetail Resort is a day use recreation area with access to the slopes, gear rentals, dining, lessons, and more.

Complete with 23 ski trails for all levels, beginner to advanced, as well as a terrain park, there’s no shortage of activities at Whitetail Ski Resort. And, because it’s so close to Baltimore, it’s perfect for a day trip! Want to get away for a weekend? There are plenty of accommodations nearby.

Ski Baltimore

Liberty Mountain Resort

  • Distance from Baltimore: 63 miles (1 hour, 20 minutes)
  • Accommodations onsite? Yes, at Liberty Mountain Resort
  • Experience levels? All levels

Clocking in at less than 1.5 hours from the city, Liberty Mountain Resort is a perfect option for ski resorts near Baltimore. Because it’s so close to Baltimore, you can take a day trip to the resort or stay the night at the resort’s beautiful lodge.

Aside from being one of the most convenient ski resort to access from Baltimore, they also have fantastic specials to encourage you to return over and over again. One of its most popular offerings is the 3X deal, which is a steep discount on lift passes and (optional) rentals for one price. What’s even better is that this 3X deal is good for many different resorts, including a few on this list.

Like others on this list, Liberty Mountain offers beginner lessons, rentals, and packages, so don’t sweat it if this is your first time on the slopes! The resort will make sure you’re in good hands to learn how to ski or snowboard with ease.

Wisp Resort

  • Distance from Baltimore: 182 miles (3 hours)
  • Accommodations onsite? Yes, at The Lodge at Wisp
  • Experience levels? All levels

As one of the few ski resorts near Baltimore located in Maryland, Wisp Ski Resort is a fantastic place to learn how to ski. Like the other resorts in this section, there are many lessons and packages available to new skiers and snowboarders, and the resort is welcoming of those who have never set foot on a slope before. Within the resort, there are slopes ranging from very easy to “black diamond” difficult, meaning the resort attracts a wide variety of experience levels.

Even though Wisp Resort caters to all levels of skiers and snowboarders, we’ve included it here because it has one of the widest selections of easy/beginner-friendly slopes on our list. With 10 trails rated as green and another 14 with a blue/intermediate rating, there’s a LOT of skiing and snowboarding you can do here, even if you’re new to winter sports! Relax after a long day at the hill at the onsite accommodations, The Lodge at Wisp.

Massanutten Resort

  • Distance from Baltimore: 161 miles (2 hours, 55 minutes)
  • Accommodations onsite? Yes, at Massanutten Resort
  • Experience levels? Beginner and intermediate

For families wanting to learn to ski together, Massanutten Resort is one of the most well-rounded and fun ski resorts near Baltimore for beginners. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, it’s a great place to learn to ski or snowboard in a beautiful and accessible place. There are 3 beginner-friendly ski slopes and 6 intermediate ski slopes, meaning those new to snow sports can keep coming back again and again as they learn. Aside from skiing, the resort also has tubing, an indoor water park, and a spa – perfect for the whole family!

Wintergreen Ski Resort

  • Distance from Baltimore: 192 miles (3 hours, 30 minutes)
  • Accommodations onsite? Yes, at Mountaintop Lodge
  • Experience levels? Beginner and intermediate

If you’re a beginner skier looking for a fairly accessible set of slopes in a comfortable resort setting, Wintergreen is a great ski resort near Baltimore. Located outside of Charlottesville, VA in Nellysford, Wintergreen Resort is a smaller, family-friendly ski resort located in the Blue Ridge Mountains. On the premises, there are ski trails, a large lodge with a few restaurants, and a spa.

With daily group classes, ski and snowboard rentals, and a wide variety of easy to intermediate slopes, Wintergreen is a fantastic place to go snowboarding or skiing near Baltimore for beginners. Their Discover Ski/Snowboard programs include three days of rentals, classes, and lift tickets at very affordable rates. Wintergreen Resort also offers night skiing, a different, interesting alternative to your average daytime slopes.

Snowshoe Mountain Resort

  • Distance from Baltimore: 258 miles (5 hours)
  • Accommodations onsite? No
  • Experience levels? All levels

To many, there is perhaps no more beloved ski resort near Baltimore (and on the East Coast) than Snowshoe Mountain. Home to beautiful mountain condos, this family-friendly ski hideaway is a place many families come back to year after year.

The largest ski area in the resort is Snowshoe Basin, which houses almost all of the beginner-friendly slopes in the area. For more experienced and adventure-seeking snowboarders and skiers, the Western Territory is where you’ll find several of the black diamond and double black diamond slopes. After you’ve flown down each slope, there are 10 lifts around the park to take you back up to the top for another round, or to call it a day at one of the many beautiful condos and lodges nearby.

Canaan Valley Resort

  • Distance from Baltimore: 216 miles (3 hours, 40 minutes)
  • Accommodations onsite? Yes, at the Canaan Valley Resort Lodge
  • Experience levels? All levels

While there are several fabulous ski resorts near Baltimore, we’ve included Canaan Valley on the list because it’s a beloved, well-rounded option for all levels of skiers in the East Coast region. With 48 ski and snowboard trails with a vertical drop of 850 feet, Canaan Valley draws in new and repeat visitors from all over the East Coast year after year.

Complete with a year-round resort, as well as a spa, fitness center, and several dining options, Canaan Valley Resort is a perfect spot to enjoy winter in West Virginia. Even if you’ve never skied before, there are plenty of options to rent gear and take lessons. More advanced skiers can take advantage of the several black diamond-rated trails and the economic season passes.

Photo Credit: MarLeah Cole (Flickr CC)

Camelback Mountain Resort

  • Distance from Baltimore: 195 miles (~3 hours)
  • Accommodations onsite? Yes, at the Pocono Mountains Hotel Resort
  • Experience levels? Beginner and intermediate

For beginners to intermediate skiers that want to gain more experience on the slopes, Camelback Mountain is a fantastic option for ski resorts near Baltimore. Many of slopes at Camelback Mountain are beginner-friendly, even the ones that start at the top of the mountain, so you can try your hand at some of the longer trails even if you’re just getting started on skis or a snowboard. When you’re not skiing, they’ve also got an indoor water park that makes for some fun and family-friendly apres-ski activities!

Timberline Mountain

  • Distance from Baltimore: 210 miles (3 hours, 40 minutes)
  • Accommodations onsite? No
  • Experience levels? Beginner and intermediate

High up in the Alleghany Mountains of West Virginia, you’ll find Timberline Mountain. The mountain has wide slopes and varied terrain, and you’ll get a beautiful view of the surrounding area from the 4268-foot summit. The mountain also boasts the southeast’s longest ski slope, so the fun never ends! Adrenaline junkies can also test their skills at one of three terrain parks. Stay overnight at one of many local lodges or cabins.

What You Need to Know Before Heading to a Ski Resort Near Baltimore

What to Pack:

  • Waterproof outerwear – Possibly the most critical pieces of clothing for your ski trip packing list is durable, waterproof outerwear. Burton and Helly Hansen are famous ski brands for having best-in-class clothing that will keep you warm in the coldest, snowiest conditions. Click here to shop ski jackets and compare prices.
  • Thermal layers – Thermal baselayers are absolutely critical for a smooth skiing experience, as these will keep you warm and dry underneath your outerwear. The best kinds of thermal baselayers are made of Merino wool, which is moisture-wicking and comfortable. Our favorite brand of thermal layers is SmartWool – their tops and leggings are soft, lightweight, but warm and durable for all kinds of outdoor activities, including skiing. Click here to shop thermal tops and leggings and compare prices.
  • Ski goggles – No ski trip packing list would be complete without a pair of fog-resistant ski goggles, especially if you’re going somewhere that makes artificial snow. Ski slopes often have snow blowing into the air several times a day and it can be hard to keep freezing snowflakes out of your eyes, even during clear days. We use and recommend these ski goggles. However, you can shop ski goggles and compare reviews/prices here.
  • Waterproof outerwear – Possibly the most critical pieces of clothing for your ski trip packing list is durable, waterproof outerwear. Burton and Helly Hansen are famous ski brands for having best-in-class clothing that will keep you warm in the coldest, snowiest conditions. Click here to shop ski jackets and compare prices.
  • Thermal layers – Thermal baselayers are absolutely critical for a smooth skiing experience, as these will keep you warm and dry underneath your outerwear. The best kinds of thermal baselayers are made of Merino wool, which is moisture-wicking and comfortable. Our favorite brand of thermal layers is SmartWool – their tops and leggings are soft, lightweight, but warm and durable for all kinds of outdoor activities, including skiing. Click here to shop thermal tops and leggings and compare prices.
  • Ski goggles – No ski trip packing list would be complete without a pair of fog-resistant ski goggles, especially if you’re going somewhere that makes artificial snow. Ski slopes often have snow blowing into the air several times a day and it can be hard to keep freezing snowflakes out of your eyes, even during clear days. We use and recommend these ski goggles. However, you can shop ski goggles and compare reviews/prices here.

Related Links: