X-Country Skiing or Snowshoeing?

[notrelatedtoted]

Is there anywhere within an hour and a half of the DC metro area that would consistently have enough snow for cross-country skiing or snowshoeing? Given the average snow fall I've seen around here the last few winters I'd guess not, but thought I would ask.

I'm thinking it would be a fun thing to do with the kids. Downhill skiing is cost-prohibitive to do more than once or twice a year.

Thanks for any info.

[burghpunk]

Its not close, but I have had tremendous fun at Laurel Ridge State Park in PA (http://www.paccsa.org/LaurelRidge.asp) It would be probably 3 hours from DC, so its farther than you are looking for, but its a good place to rent skis, and if you go through all of the official trails there are plenty more hiking trails in the area that are available. They have pretty consistent snow, but check out the conditions at the nearby resorts (7 springs, Hidden Valley).

[notrelatedtoted]

Its not close, but I have had tremendous fun at Laurel Ridge State Park in PA (http://www.paccsa.org/LaurelRidge.asp) It would be probably 3 hours from DC, so its farther than you are looking for, but its a good place to rent skis, and if you go through all of the official trails there are plenty more hiking trails in the area that are available. They have pretty consistent snow, but check out the conditions at the nearby resorts (7 springs, Hidden Valley).

Unless I was able to do an over-nighter, it'd be too far for my purposes. But, always good to have the info just in case....

[camp]

Is there anywhere... cross-country skiingOh no, you've done it now. I may never stop talking about this.....

I'll answer your question next, but first have to recommend White Grass Ski Touring (http://www.whitegrass.com/report.html) for when you do have time to drive farther. A great nordic/backcountry place.

As for local, there's Sky Meadows State Park out near Paris, Skyline Drive and the Park trails if enough snow. As for even more local, several local parks around Centreville that have smooth, rolling doubletrack with some good descents. Great Falls/Riverbend is nice too. Burke Lake and Manassas Battlefield are very populat x-c spots when it flies.

[burghpunk]

is there a place in/near shenandoah to rent equipment? my stuff is still at my parents' house in pittsburgh (thus the knowledge of laurel ridge)

[camp]

is there a place in/near shenandoah to rent equipment?I don't know of any place near there. There is (was?) a x-c shop in Harpers Ferry that rents. I think Ski Chalet rents too.

[treeskier]

Check out REI (College Park, Md) and the bike shop in Frederick (Trail Post?) for rentals.

We visit New Germany State Park (Grantsville, MD) about hours west a couple of times every winter. It's a nice park with about 7 miles of trails, half flat along a creek, and half looping up the mountainside. They have an outfitter with up to date rental equipment, a superb warming hut with fireplace, locker room, and showers. Some weekends they even have a hot food snack bar. Cosy looking cabins are also available for weekend rental.

White Grass (Canaan, WV) has rentals, a terrific cafe for lunch, and access to Dolly Sods. You can access Dolly Sods from Timberline Ski Resort as well.

Regards,
Dave

[notrelatedtoted]

Oh no, you've done it now. I may never stop talking about this.....

I'll answer your question next, but first have to recommend White Grass Ski Touring (http://www.whitegrass.com/report.html) for when you do have time to drive farther. A great nordic/backcountry place.

As for local, there's Sky Meadows State Park out near Paris, Skyline Drive and the Park trails if enough snow. As for even more local, several local parks around Centreville that have smooth, rolling doubletrack with some good descents. Great Falls/Riverbend is nice too. Burke Lake and Manassas Battlefield are very populat x-c spots when it flies.

I wondered about Sky Meadows, seems like that would be a great place. I assume the snowfall there is pretty much the same as here, though, right? And does anybody ski out at Gambril, Greenbrier, Catoctin, etc.?

[jfoley]

after a new snow i always see a lot of xc skiers out in rock creek park in the city... i've been thinking about giving it a go, just because it's so close (at least a couple times a year)

I wondered about Sky Meadows, seems like that would be a great place. I assume the snowfall there is pretty much the same as here, though, right? And does anybody ski out at Gambril, Greenbrier, Catoctin, etc.?

[burghpunk]

If you have the equipment I definitely think Rock creek would be a good place, mainly because the pathetic snow removal in DC means there should be good snow there for a few days after a storm. And since its mostly flat(ish) it would be a good place for people just learning how to xc ski

[benboarding]

White Grass Rules. Great people, rentals, lessons, and food. They also sell new and used gear. They have a wide variety of trails for novice to expert, both groomed and ungroomed. Very kid friendly. In the winter I drive out early Sunday (4.5hours from Annapolis) and spend the morning and early afternoon snowboarding at Canaan Valley. I head over to Whitegrass around 3:30 get a bowl of chili and X/C 'til dark. I Spend the night in Davis and snowboard Timberline in the morning and catch another session at WG in the afternoon before driving home.
WG is the early winter hang out of Norba Pro Sue Haywood, and it is also common to run into the Harrisonburg crew of Chris Scott and friends, not to mention the WV mountain bike regulars.
Aloha,
Mark B