You're not going to find much challenging terrain close to Pittsburgh. Maybe check out Holiday Valley near Buffalo? It's a bit of a hike, but when my son was in college (State College, PA), the guys would try to get to Holiday Valley a few times and had fun. And if you're staying there, there's no commute to worry about.
I'm not looking for challenging terrain, per se. I take trips out West for big mtn skiing (heading to Beaver Creek tomorrow!) This trip is more about family spending time together skiing, cooking, eating, talking, and bringing my daughter into the sport my sis & I enjoy!
Here's what we're looking for:
A
variety of trails so sister & I not looping the same 2 all day. Greens & blues are fine!
Somewhere for my kid to have
2 half-days of lessons, preferably a rental/lift tix/lesson package (or the combo of those three not costing a zillion $.)
And finally,
slopeside lodging w kitchenette and dining area for meals together. I think it's easier for my daughter to be motivated to get to her lesson if getting there is as easy as possible.
We were thinking near Pittsburgh so we can spend some time at my daughter's apartment and then shoot over to wherever w groceries for meal making, and my sister can meet us at whatever condo we rent.
She's (sister) is driving from Philly area. Trying to keep the driving to a minimum. Neither of us have much time we can take off work (we both work part time at small companies w no "vacation" per se.) This will be a 2 or 3 night trip.
To Seven Springs or Timberland, for example, is 4+ hours for her. If she wanted to start from the PGH apt with us on Saturday (to see my kid's neighborhood, etc.) then another hour or so would be ideal. It will be her call. She may not join us at all, in fact, if she can't get the time off or has other obligations w her kids, etc.
TBH if it's more than a 2 /2.5 hour drive, I'd rather just fly somewhere. Which is something my daughter and I would totally do, but my sister is not keen on flying, (esp w Covid.)
I started my inquiry here bc I found out lodging at Seven Springs was $$$ That is OK bc we can afford it if we are splitting 2 ways, and we won't have costs like addl airfares, rental cars, meals, etc. But it was a tad bit of sticker shock! LOL.
Blue Knob on the other hand is VERY inexpensive for lodging, lessons, etc. but I've taken note of the comments here about conditions, etc.
Wisp that
@marzNC mentioned might fit our needs, too.
I really appreciate the suggestions/info!!! It's been ages since I skied in PA.
One nostalgic sidebar: one winter break, (circa 1990-ish?) my dad rented a house for the whole family near the defunct Alpine Mountain in the Poconos. The house was kinda run down, and Alpine was not fancy ( compared to prior family trips to Killington & Mnt St Anne) but we kids had a BLAST! I think fondly on that ski trip often!