If the recent snow has inspired you to get out on the slopes, there are plenty of ski and snowboard areas close to the DC metro area ready to welcome you. With action-packed days and cozy evenings, a short getaway with family and friends is a great way to refresh.

If you don’t want to head to the mountains, check out our recent post about Ice Skating Around The DMV. Many of the outdoor ice rinks are still open! Or, if you’re looking for something more competitive, you could try curling, one of the oldest sports in history and it doesn’t involve flying down a mountain.

We hope these ideas will prompt you to don your favorite cold-weather gear, warm up with a hot drink, and head to one of our favorite winter spots during these snowy winter days.

winter sports washington dc

Skiing, Snowboarding, & Tubing

Pennsylvania

An area favorite, Liberty Mountain Resort is a beautiful resort eight miles southwest of Gettysburg. They offer snow tubing, skiing, snowboarding, and ice skating. You can take lessons, rent equipment, or just drop the kids off at the child center to have some fun of their own. The Highland Lodge is a wonderful option to turn your day trip into a weekend getaway.

With the Epic Pass, in addition to Liberty, you’re able to travel from one resort to another including Whitetail Resort, Roundtop Mountain Resort, Hidden Valley Resort, Laurel Mountain, and Seven Springs Mountain Resort.

Maryland

Tucked away on the edges of Deep Creek Lake, Wisp Resort is Maryland’s only four-season ski resort with skiing, snowboarding, and tubing. Don’t miss the Mountain Coaster – a gravitation hybrid of an Alpine Slide and a Roller Coaster!

West Virginia

Only one hour from Washington, DC, the closest snow tubing is at Snow Riders Tubing Hill in Harpers Ferry. It’s the longest tubing slope on the East Coast and offers up to 12 lanes! Fun for the whole family.

Snowshoe Mountain Resort offers three unique areas including the charming Alpine Village, 60+ trails and glades, four terrain parks, and activities like snowmobiling, tubing, swimming, and backcountry adventuring.

In addition to trails, Timberline Mountain has two terrain parks that challenge all levels of skiers and riders to build their skills.

Canaan Valley Resort is located within a State Park and receives around 180 inches of snowfall annually. In addition to skiing, snowboarding, and tubing, they also offer cross-country skiing and snowshoeing with 35 kilometers of marked and ungroomed trails.

Virginia

Massanutten Resort, just off Interstate 81 in Rockingham County, offers skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing, and ice skating. It also boasts an indoor water park with water cannons, body slides, a surfing pipeline, and hot springs, making it popular for all ages.

Bryce Resort offers all the winter activities, plus golf, tennis, swimming, and more when weather permits. Since Bryce is located near Shenandoah National Park, there are tons of additional recreational activities, historical sites, wineries, and vineyards. Bryce is a member-owned resort with all activities and facilities open to the public with additional perks for members.

A bit further south, Wintergreen Resort is also a year-round destination for outdoor activities with additional amenities for relaxation. Maybe plan a getaway with your Valentine.

winter sports washington dc

Curling

You may have seen curling during the Winter Olympics, but you don’t have to be an Olympian to give it a go. Learn to curl with the Potomac Curling Club in Laurel, Maryland, or the Loudoun Curling Club in Leesburg, Virginia. Make new friends by joining one of their leagues and watch out – it can be fiercely competitive.

If you’re looking for something more laid-back, The Wharf in Southwest DC features Curling & Cocktails on select days throughout the winter season. It’s also a perfect location to follow in customary curling etiquette – after the match winners buy the losing team a round of drinks.