Mid-Atlantic/Southeast skiing (PA, NJ, DC, MD, VA, WV, NC, TN) for 2025-26

[marzNC]

It may seem a bit early, but could be worth starting to think about the 2025-26 snow season for skiing/boarding in North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and southern New York. The lowest season pass rates are ending soon.

NC: Sugar, Beech, Appalachian, Hatley Pointe*, Cataloochee*
TN: Ober Mountain*
VA: Bryce*, Massanutten*, Wintergreen*
MD: Wisp*
WV: Snowshoe***, Canaan Valley*, Timberline, Winterplace*

PA, western: Blue Knob*, Seven Springs**, Hidden Valley**, Laurel Mountain**
PA, closest to DC: Liberty**, Roundtop**, Whitetail**
PA, eastern: Elk, Montage, Jack Frost/Big Boulder**, Blue***, Camelback***, Bear Creek*, Shawnee*

NY Catskills: Belleayre, Hunter**, Windham***, Plattekill

* - Indy Pass
** - Epic
*** - Ikon

If you would like to discuss Big SNOW in NJ, which is an indoor slope open year round, that's fine.

What's new for the above list is that Montage is no longer on the Indy Pass. I added Shawnee because not only is it on Indy, it's one of the Learn To Turn resorts. Blue Knob has been on Indy, but I missed that in the regional thread for last season. Hatley Pointe managed to open the slopes in 2024-25 so seems to be real going forward.

Here's the Mid-Atlantic/SE discussion for 2024-25:

Mid-Atlantic/Southeast skiing (PA, NJ, DC, MD, VA, WV, NC, TN) for 2024-25

It's past time to start thinking about the 2024-25 snow season for skiing/boarding in North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and southern New York. The lowest season pass rates are long gone. If you want to discuss Big SNOW in NJ that has an...

www.theskidiva.com

 

[marzNC]

The price for a season pass at Massanutten goes up after August 31.

Mnut was a founding member of Indy. Only the Full pass qualifies for an Indy Add-on. It's been my home mountain for almost 20 years.

With Bryce, Massanutten, Wintergreen, Canaan Valley, Wisp, and Blue Knob on Indy, someone who lives in NoVA/DC has plenty of choices for making good use of the pass.

 

[marzNC]

Snowshoe is gearing up for the upcoming season. Opening date is Nov. 26, the day before Thanksgiving. I've seen a few pictures of the new Shaver's Center. Looks impressive.

Pretty sure the idea of kids skiing free during early season is new.

August 18, 2025

Ski Season In West Virginia Just 100 Days Away

The countdown to winter has officially begun at Snowshoe Mountain. The Resort plans to kick-off the season 100 days from now on Wednesday, November 26th, weather permitting. Headlining the mountain’s...

www.skisoutheast.com

Excerpt:

 

[marzNC]

As of Sept. 3, the Indy Pass is still on sale. Sales re-opened on August 28. Indy Base for ages 13+ is $449. The line-up for the MidA/SE is pretty impressive.

Blue Knob, PA
Bear Creek, PA
Shawnee, PA
Wisp, MD
Bryce, VA
Massanutten, VA
Wintergreen, VA
Canaan Valley, WV (very close to Timberline)
Winterplace, WV
Ober Mountain, TN
Hatley Pointe, NC
Cataloochee, NC

Hatley and Cataloochee are near Asheville, NC. Even though it's far south, Cat is often one of the first to open because their snowmaking is amazing.

 

[marzNC]

For folks in the DC/NoVA area . . .

Ski Center LTD is continuing their summer sale. Their ski swap will be Sunday, Oct. 19, 9am-3pm. Proceeds will benefit the Liberty Ski Patrol.

 

[marzNC]

Pro-Fit Ski & Mountain Sports in Leesburg, VA will be holding their Ski Swap on Sunday, November 16, 2025 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., benefitting the Whitetail Ski Patrol. Sellers register online, then bring in their stuff either Fri or Sat, Nov. 14-15.

Pro-Fit is having a Trade-In Event Sat and Sun afternoons, Oct. 4-5. There will be a rep from Sideline Swap assessing stuff and coming up with the trade-in quote. If someone accepts the offered amount, they will get store credit on the spot that can be used that day or convert it to a gift card. Can bring in gently used gear, clothing, and even stuff for some other sports besides snowsports that was originally more than $100.

@BlizzardBabe: did you know about the Trade-in Event?



*SidelineSwap WILL Accept:

• Items in good working condition
• Purchased within the last 5 years
• Original retail value of $100 or more
• Most sports and outdoor categories including: Snow Sports, Hockey, Baseball, Softball, Golf, Lacrosse, Basketball, Racquet Sports, Camping and Hiking, Fishing, Premium Outerwear, and Coolers

*They Will NOT Accept:

• Damaged, stained, mildewed, or heavily worn items
• Items purchased more than 5 years ago
• Items with an original retail value of under $100
• Knock-offs, generic store brands, and counterfeits
• Large, heavy items like kayaks, bikes, treadmills, and free weights

 

[marzNC]

The Alpine Ski Shop is having their swap Oct. 25-26 at the Sterling location. In the FAQ, a guideline for pricing is 25-30% of the MSRP. They can help with pricing when items are bought in. Any items not sold and not picked up after the sale is over will be donated to the Timberline Ski Patrol.

Alpine Ski Shop, 21999 Shaw Rd, Sterling, VA:

 

[tinymoose]

Interesting that Montage left the Indy Pass. Doesn't mean much for me as we buy direct passes at Montage, but curious nonetheless. Wonder what that will mean for crowds this year, if anything.

 

[marzNC]

Interesting that Montage left the Indy Pass. Doesn't mean much for me as we buy direct passes at Montage, but curious nonetheless. Wonder what that will mean for crowds this year, if anything.

That turned out to be temporary. Just announced this week that Montage will be on Indy for 2025-26.

Indy sales end Sept. 18.

 

[marzNC]

For folks who live near Wisp and are interested in getting never-ever people, ages 8 and up, onto the slopes . . .

Wisp has a 3-lesson program called Ace's Learn to Ski/Ride Program. First lesson must be in Jan-Feb 2026. After completing 3 lessons, can get a season pass for $69 for the rest of the season. Could also get a discounted season pass for the next season.

PGRI (owner of Wisp) has a similar program at Powderhorn in CO and Ragged in NH. Each program is named in honor of someone important to the history of that particular resort.

Ace's Free Learn-to Ski + Snowboard Program - Wisp

Wisp Resort’s mission to make skiing and riding affordable for everyone continues with the introduction of the 2024-25 Ace's Free Learn to Ski Program, designed specifically for first-time skiers or boarders ages 8 and up.

www.wispresort.com

 

[marzNC]

The swap sponsored by Willi's at Seven Springs is scheduled for Nov. 8, 12:00-3:00pm. The Mons Valley Ski Club--based at 7Springs--will benefit from the proceeds.

 

[marzNC]

Bryce has updated their trail map to show the trails off the new lift on the backside. Bryce is on the Indy Pass. For people who live in DC/NoVA, it can be a fun day trip for a few hours of skiing. Their snowmaking is stellar. The food in the sit-down restaurant is pretty good and not too pricey.

 

[BlizzardBabe]

My parents, dragging 13yo me along with them, visited Bryce in 1972, but ended up buying in Massanutten that same year. That is the only time I've ever been to Bryce. All dirt roads and staked property boundaries. Back then it was a private resort - skiing for property owners only. I'm not sure when that changed. I'd really love to see it now.

 

[marzNC]

I'd really love to see it now.

I didn't go to Bryce until I had the Indy Pass. Did a day trip from Massanutten. Thoroughly enjoyed the vibe. The new lodge had been completed relatively recently. Later on I met up with a friend from DC. He really liked Bryce, especially since he tends to do day trips from home. I took my NC friend who learned to ski at Mnut at the same time as her kids. She liked Bryce, partially because it was emptier on the blues.

There was a day I went to Bryce in the morning, then skied an hour or so at Mnut after lunch. I wanted to compare snow conditions on the same day. Bryce has very good snowmaking. Heard that it's in a "cold sink" so often can make snow when Mnut can't.

 

[marzNC]

Massanutten is hoping to encourage season pass holders to pick up their 2025-26 passes early. Instead of waiting until the Passholder preview day just before they open some time in December, they are holding special events mid-November. I would guess most pass holders are local, or at least leave within day trip distance.

Showing the 2025 Warren Miller film could be a draw for some people.

The annual ski swap is Sat, Nov. 15, 10am-2pm.

Looks like the plan is to make enough snow for a few park features for a Rail Jam exhibition on Saturday afternoon.

 

[marzNC]

Blue Knob may have turned the corner. The current ownership group took over in 2017 based on signing a 29 year lease. The pandemic probably slowed down plans to upgrade and update facilities and snowmaking infrastructure. The lifts needed updating and better maintenance, but are sufficient for the type of people who enjoy BK. The terrain can be good fun for intermediates and advanced skiers when there is enough natural snow and help from Mother Nature for snowmaking to provide a good base for the groomers.

I've skied BK a couple times when the DCSki forum had a long weekend gathering there a while back. There are quite a few slopeside houses for rent, as well as condos owned by the resort nearby. Since some trails are lit, possible to head out for a few runs after dinner. The first house I shared was literally on the side of a trail.

November 7, 2025

Blue Knob All-Season Resort in PA is Getting Ready For the Start of the 2025-26 Season With Exciting Upgrades - SnowBrains

Blue Knob All Season Resort is an independently owned resort has continued to make upgrades and improvements to the resort.

snowbrains.com

"Blue Knob All Seasons Resort is an independently owned resort that is going into the 2025-26 ski season with upgrades to its infrastructure and mountain. The classic Pennsylvania ski resort made improvements in its snowmaking capabilities by replacing approximately 3,500 feet of snowmaking water pipe and 700 feet of air pipe in areas on various slopes. Those include the Snow Drop Beginner Area, Mambo Alley, Expressway, Deer Run, Jack Rabbit, Shortway, and Run Out. Blue Knob also boosted its snowmaking abilities by installing 30 TechnoAlpin stick guns, 22 other stick guns, and one new TechnoAlpin cannon. “We’re looking forward to the increased capacities that these improvements will make to the mountain,” Gery Deitke, Blue Knob’s Mountain Manager, told SnowBrains in an email.
. . .

Blue Knob is located in the Allegheny Mountains and it is the highest skiable mountain in Pennsylvania at 3,146 feet in elevation. It may not be the most well-known ski resort in the East, but it should be recognized as one of those mid-sized ski resorts that you just have to check out. It has a higher base elevation than any other ski resort in the Northeast, with a base of 2,100 feet, which is higher than that of every ski area in New England besides Saddleback, which has a base elevation of 2,460 feet.
. . ."

 

[marzNC]

Since I live more than a half-day drive from the Epic resorts in PA, I haven't paid much attention to the cost of the Northeast Epic pass options. Below are the prices after the price increases in mid-October 2025. The last increase happens after Nov. 16 and sales will end in early December.

I got an Epic Day Pass for 4 days early on for $334 for a potential trip to Crested Butte. If that doesn't happen, the idea is that I'll use it in PA somewhere. I've never skied at Liberty or the trio in western PA. An advanced ticket for an Adult for a Wednesday in late January is about $100 at Liberty or 7Springs, $65 for seniors. In comparison, the prices for one day at CB would be $129/123 advanced purchase and $164/156 full price. Of course, now that Epic has 50% off Epic Friend passes, that would've made the most sense since the trip is with friends who have an Epic pass. But that option didn't get announced until the summer.

Northeast Epic Value.
$684 Adult (18-64), $513 Senior (65-79), $513 Teen (13-17)

Northeast Midweek
$513 Adult, $390 Senior 65+

Epic Day Pass, 32 resorts with blackout dates includes all Mid-Atlantic and Northeast resorts
$567 (13+) for 7 days, $357 for 4 days, $192 for 2 days

Epic Day Pass, 22 resorts with blackout dates for Mid-A and NE without Hunter, Mt. Snow, Okemo, Stowe
$349 for 7 days, $219 for 4 days, $118 for 2 days

 

[BlizzardBabe]

Timberline and Snowshoe are making snow!

 

[marzNC]

Timberline and Snowshoe are making snow!

So is Canaan Valley. Can see snow on the ground at White Grass too.

Looks like Wintergreen has snowguns out too.

Hopefully it won't melt too much this weekend. A bit iffy if it will be decent conditions for snowmaking next week.

Snowshoe intends to open on Nov. 26.

 

[marzNC]

For an overview of the start of snowmaking in the southeast and PA resorts near DC and Pittsburgh, check out Scott's article on DCSki , which includes photos from webcams. While the big resorts in CO and UT are pushing back opening dates, slopes all over the MidA/SE are likely to be open by early December. The arctic cold that brought in the snowstorm on Nov. 10 provided quite a jumpstart for getting a base built on core trails.

November 11, 2025

Early-Season Cold Snap Brings Snow and Snowmaking to the Mid-Atlantic

An early-season cold snap brought the first real signs of winter to the Mid-Atlantic, covering higher elevations with natural snow and giving ski areas across West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania the chance to fire up their snowmaking systems. The drop in temperatures allowed resorts to run...

www.dcski.com