Another skiing post!?

[Mike]

The last time I went skiing, the lower half of my leg was more or less turned backwards. RJ actually saw me laying there from the lift... He laughed... I was an invalid for a few months. I vowed to never ski again, but fuggit.

The lady and are hoping to spend a 3-day weekend (vday, my bday, president's day) at a ski resort. We both suck (she's been twice and I was a beginner/intermediate when I quit 6 years ago) so the more trails that are neiophyte-friendly, the better. Also important are the quality of accommodations/the lodge. A nearby vineyard would be a plus as well. Recommendations?

Price not as important as quality. I'm ballin'!

[WRXtranceformed]

Snowshoe.

[DavidL]

First off, where are you located? Around the Northern VA area are a couple nice resorts that have good skiing and very nice "apres-ski" (dining, other activities etc). Seven Springs up in PA, Wisp out by Deep Creek Lake in MD and Snowshoe out in WV are the nicer ones that pop into my head. Snowshoe probably has the best skiing in the area, and great facilities/amenities so that would be my first recommendation.

[BLINGMW]

no recommendations on vineyards... what resort did you injure yourself on? Snowshoe is pretty much the best within a few hours from here, and has great lodging and other stuff to do, but maybe it's not so hot if you're looking for mostly easy trails. Many of their green circles are like other places blue squares. Blues like blacks, etc....

How about Canaan Valley / Timberline? It's been many years since I've been there, but they have some easy, long, enjoyable trails IIRC, and there's nice cabins (way more romantic than a hotel room), scenery, and other stuff to enjoy. They also have a lot of cross country skiing available, something neat (and less dangerous) to try if you haven't before.

[WRXtranceformed]

I will put a stamp of approval on Canaan Valley and Seven Springs. Both are pretty nice areas.

[Mike]

Thanks guys, doing a little spreadsheeting on all the options.

I busted myself at Massanutten. Icey POS.

[BLINGMW]

I busted myself at Massanutten. Icey POS.

no surprise, I've gotten going WAAaaaay faster/out of control than I wanted to there.

Just another thought on Snowshoe, for a real newb, getting TO some of the easiest trails requires going down some tougher easy trails. Dumb. I took Jess there for her first time and I remember that sucking for her. Also, though it's a nice development, it's WAY overbuilt now IMHO. It's like a little city up there, kind of ridiculous. Depends on what you're looking for, if you want to see some nature and get away from people, don't go there.

[Sijray21]

The lady and are hoping to spend a 3-day weekend (vday, my bday, president's day) at a ski resort. We both suck (she's been twice and I was a beginner/intermediate when I quit 6 years ago) so the more trails that are neiophyte-friendly, the better. Also important are the quality of accommodations/the lodge. A nearby vineyard would be a plus as well. Recommendations?

I've been to a lot of resorts here on the east coast as well as the west. I've traveled to a few on the JMU ski racing team as well.

If you want a good resort with a lot of options and you don't care about the terrain difficulty or the vertical drop then Seven Springs is a pretty good choice. It's great for beginners and there is a LOT to do off the slopes (bowling, movies, shops, restaurants, tubing, etc.).

if you want better skiing, willing to travel a bit i would look into Snowshoe. Snowshoe feels like an upscale ski village with nice restaurants, quick places to eat, nice shops, and truly a colder climate like a ski resort should feel like. I prefer Snowshoe for the terrain and the resort-like feel. It's about 5 hours away and it goes through the mountains, so if the weather is poor make sure you are equipped with snow tires, AWD/4WD, or a sufficient FWD car.

I haven't been to Timberline/Canaan Valley in quite a long time (since i was 10) so i cannot provide good input there, but i have heard good things. They have other events there like horse back riding, snowshoeing, and snow mobiling (i want to do this).

I would avoid Massanutten, White Tail, Liberty, Blue Knob and Bryce for the lack of accomodations and the value on the weekends.

Honerable Mentions: Sugar Mountain, NC; Elk Mountain, PA; Killington, VT; Wisp, MD; Wintergreen, VA; Stowe, VT; Poconos, PA

ps - Elk Mountain is near Scranton, PA so you could swing by Dunder Mifflin ;-)

[JohnC]

Another vote for Timberline / Canaan Valley - my parents have a condo out there and absolutely love it. I've been a few times and was very happy with the mix of easy/difficult trails and the quality of the amenities.

[Mike]

looks like i may have waited a bit too long to start on these plans... verything but snowshoe is pretty much booked. f.

edit: or is a bit more ballin' than i thought i was

[Sijray21]

[e]verything but snowshoe is pretty much booked.

looks like you have a good option open then :-P

[Mike]

5 hours away, Chan is a hater... I dunno.

[.RJ]

Seven springs is a good place to go - good accommodations, nice place. The last time I went to wisp and canaan valley the facilities were so-so - if you're looking for baller status lodge, that might not be it - but that was nearly 10 years ago. Look at wintergreen also, its nearby and there will be some vineyards in the area.

I dont think I've been skiing since I saw you bust your ass. Fuck being cold and wet all day.

[Evan]

Snowshoe is far and away the best ski resort within reasonable driving distance that I have been to. (never been to PA though)
Ive been to Canaan and Timberline a few times and they are better than massanutten and wintergreen, but not as good as snowshoe.
the village area at snowshoe is pretty good, nice restaurants and stuff. make sure to go to the pizza joint.

youre on your own for the fruity shit though

[balactm]

I've heard good things about Wintergreen. Haven't been. Whitetail is ok. Liberty blows, Masanutten is obviously out of the question. White tail isn't too icy depending on the hill you go on. I think that's a big factor. Generally, the easier slopes are better maintained than the harder slopes because they are geared towards beginners. So unless you're going on any black diamonds (which it sounds like you're not) Whitetail, Snowshoe, Wintergreen, they're all not bad. I've heard people swear by Wisp. Take your pick, you probably won't be disappointed.

[Madden]

I usually go to wintergreen a couple times a week, its alright nothing special. Snowshoe is definitely at the top of the list for places within a decent drive

[DavidL]

I usually go to wintergreen a couple times a week, its alright nothing special. Snowshoe is definitely at the top of the list for places within a decent drive

Why do you head over to wintergreen? Im up at Massanutten 3-4 times a week, much closer and the slopes arent terrible compared to Wintergreen!

[Madden]

my roomates grandparents have a place there, im definitely thinking about switching to masanutten next year though

[.paul]

Poconos, i'll be up there, and there is a SUPER nice restaurant in Scranton.. yes where the office is supposed to be. anyhow, lemme know if you are seriously interested.

Big Bass Lake has houses for rent, and it's nice and secluded, tree's surround you, deer walk around, its awesome.

Here is the restaurant: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.thefrenchmanor.com/">http://www.thefrenchmanor.com/</a><!-- m -->

[navin]

Also BYOB titty bar down the street from Big Bass Lake...

SHOWER ROOM Collins! cracka dance and all.