Updated October 25, 2022
While Pennsylvania may not be known as the snow sports capital of the United States, there are a surprising number of fantastic ski resorts near Pittsburgh and in the surrounding areas. If you’re itching to get outside near Pittsburgh this winter, there’s no better way to do it than by booking a weekend-long ski or snowboarding getaway! We created this guide to the best places to go snowboarding and skiing near Pittsburgh so you can plan an incredible, adrenaline-inducing adventure this winter season.
Want more outdoor activities near Pittsburgh?
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Best Ski Resorts Near Pittsburgh
Boyce Park
- Distance from Pittsburgh: 17 miles (30 minutes)
- Accommodation available? Not on site
- Experience levels: Beginner
Boyce Park is considered Pittsburgh’s local ski hill, as it’s only a half hour drive from the city. While it’s only 4 runs and 2 terrain parks, it’s by far the most accessible place for snowboarding and skiing near Pittsburgh. While there’s not much diversity here in terms of terrain, the easy runs are perfect for those wanting to learn or get a little bit more experience under their belt. Plus, with lift tickets that cost between $15-20, it’s an incredibly affordable option for beginners.
Hidden Valley Resort
- Distance from Pittsburgh: 58 miles (1 hour)
- Accommodation available? Yes, at The Inn at Hidden Valley
- Experience levels: All levels
If you are looking for an escape into the mountains, look no further than Hidden Valley Ski Resort. This ski resort is the perfect location for beginners looking to improve their skills. At 30 runs in size and several beginner trails, Hidden Valley is one of the ideal ski resorts near Pittsburgh to become the advanced skier you’ve dreamed of becoming. Lift tickets are priced reasonably, and they also participate in a local network with Laurel Mountain and Seven Spring Mountain. One ticket gets you access to all three parks in a weekend.
Seven Springs Mountain Resort
- Distance from Pittsburgh: 60 miles (1 hour)
- Accommodation available? Yes
- Experience levels: All levels
Known as one of the best ski resorts near Pittsburgh to “get some air,” Seven Springs Mountain Resort’s slopes include beginner-friendly bunny hills to adrenaline-inducing double black diamond slopes and terrain parks. For the thrill-seeking skier, there are few competitors to Seven Springs’ 33 ski trails.
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. Ten different ski lifts dot the park to help you get around from trail to trail, and there are a handful of different lodges on the resort grounds where you can grab a hot meal or take a break from the slopes.
Laurel Mountain
- Distance from Pittsburgh: 61 miles (1 hour, 22 minutes)
- Accommodation available? Not on site
- Experience levels: All levels
Located in Boswell, PA, Laurel Mountain is one of Pennsylvania’s favorite ski areas. Given its location, it’s the perfect resort for skiing near Pittsburgh on a day trip or a quick overnighter. With 20 trails ranging in difficulty, it’s best tackled on its own or alongside Seven Springs and Hidden Valley, which are both in the general vicinity of the resort. Visitors love the laid-back atmosphere of the resort, with its friendly staff and less-crowded slopes. They also rave about the adrenaline-inducing the famous double black diamond Wildcat Trail.
Mystic Mountain at Nemacolin
- Distance from Pittsburgh: 78 miles (1.5 hours)
- Accommodation available? Not on site
- Experience levels: All levels
Mystic Mountain is a tiny family owned ski resort located within the larger Nemacolin Woodlands Resort. There are 6 runs total: 2 are beginner friendly, 2 are intermediate level, and the last 2 are advanced. The resort also has a terrain park that is built to give beginners some extra help while training to transition to the advanced trails. At night, the entire ski hill is illuminated, making this destination an excellent location for nighttime skiing.
When you get tired of skiing, pop into the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort for some extra attractions and some much needed relaxation. Spend time in the spa and wellness rooms, play a round of golf, or test your luck at the casino. Nemacolin Woodlands Resort is the ideal location for skiing near Philadelphia, perfect for groups who want additional experiences after the slopes.
Blue Knob All Seasons Resort
- Distance from Pittsburgh: 91 miles (2 hours)
- Accommodation available? Not on site
- Experience levels: All levels
Blue Knob Resort is a year-round resort that offers winter sports, namely skiing and snowboarding, but we’ve included it in this section because it’s one of the few resorts that offers cross-country skiing near Pittsburgh. 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.
Day use and rental fees for the Nordic/cross-country ski area are very affordable, giving all visitors the opportunity to give this different type of skiing a try. There are also lessons available for both snowshoeing and cross-country skiing for beginners wanting to learn new skills and techniques for the sport. Of course, if you realize that cross-country isn’t your thing, you can hit the regular, downhill trails on skis or a snowboard as well!
Mount Pleasant of Edinboro
- Distance from Pittsburgh: 110 miles (1 hour, 45 minutes)
- Accommodation available? Not on site
- Experience levels: Beginner & intermediate
With 10 trails spanning mostly beginner and intermediate ratings, Mount Pleasant of Edinboro is a small, family-friendly ski resort located less than 2 hours from Pittsburgh. While it’s certainly on the smaller, cozier side, the resort is the perfect place for beginners to go snowboarding and skiing near Pittsburgh. Locals love that it’s family owned and has a more collegial atmosphere than some of the “big box” ski resorts near Pittsburgh.
Wisp Ski Resort
- Distance from Pittsburgh: 105 miles (2 hours)
- Accommodation available? Not on site
- Experience levels: All levels
As one of the most popular ski resorts near Pittsburgh, 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 the sport(s).
Whitetail Resort
- Distance from Pittsburgh: 156 miles (2 hours, 46 minutes)
- Accommodation available? Not on site
- Experience levels: All levels
Located in Pennsylvania just a few hours from Pittsburgh, Whitetail Resort is another fantastic option for snowboarding and skiing in Pittsburgh those wanting to hit the slopes as close as possible to the city. Whitetail Resort is a day use recreation area with access to ski 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.
Canaan Valley Resort
- Distance from Pittsburgh: 155 miles (3 hours)
- Accommodation available? Not on site
- Experience levels: All levels
While there are several fabulous ski resorts near Pittsburgh, we’ve decided to include Canaan Valley because it’s a beloved, well-rounded option for all levels of skiers in the East Coast region. With 47 ski and snowboard trails with a vertical drop of 850 feet, Canaan Valley Resort 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.
Snowshoe Mountain Resort
- Distance from Pittsburgh: 193 miles (3 hours, 45 minutes)
- Accommodation available? Not on site
- Experience levels: All levels
To many, there is perhaps no more beloved place to go skiing in Pittsburgh (and on the East Coast) than Snowshoe Mountain. Home to a few 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.
Additional Resources for Snowboarding & Skiing in Pittsburgh
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.
