PHOTO: ADOBE STOCK

After years of seemingly warm-ish Decembers, the snow has arrived pre-Christmas in the greater Pittsburgh region this year. 

The freezing temperatures, plus the recent flakes, have me thinking about ski season, or rather, it’s gotten my husband thinking about it. While he’s an avid skier himself, our elementary school-age daughters (who are now fearless after several years of skiing) are following right in his footsteps, er, um, snowtracks. 

To keep up with the rest of the family, I reluctantly learned how to ski a few years ago, although I still enjoy the “apres” part of the experience the most. 

We’ll definitely be taking a few weekend ski getaways this winter. If you’re planning to do the same, here are some of the best places, from condo-style amenities to a luxury chalet, for an overnight winter stay — all within a 3-hour drive of Pittsburgh.

For Ski Beginners

Hidden Valley

PHOTO COURTESY VRBO

Take it from someone who knows, Hidden Valley Resort in the Laurel Highlands — which, along with fellow nearby ski destinations Seven Springs and Laurel Mountains, is owned by Vail Resorts — has some of the most beginner-friendly slopes around. This spacious four-bedroom cabin, which sleeps up to 12 guests, has a ski-in/ski-out location to one of the resort’s beginner slopes. Other amenities include two living rooms with gas fireplaces, a dart board and an outdoor firepit. In the warmer weather, the cabin is only a few minutes drive from the resort’s outdoor pool and golf course.

Price: $518 per night

For Advanced Skiers

Seven Springs

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Ideal for couples are small families thanks to its jack-and-jill bathroom, this hotel-style, two-bedroom condo in the Stoneridge community of Seven Springs has direct access to the slopes, among them the Avalanche and Goosebumps slopes, as well as the Corkscrew and Boomerang trails. Shuttle service is available and there are lockers for equipment inside the building.

Price: $250 per night

For a Luxurious Large Gathering

The Laurel Highlands

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Located minutes from Seven Springs and Hidden Valley, the elegant stone-and-timber Sundance at Fern Mountain, located in the Laurel Highlands, has six bedrooms and four full bathrooms, plus a spacious great room with a gas fireplace and large windows overlooking the wooded outdoors. Designed for family gathering and corporate retreats, the cabin, which sleeps up to 12 people, also has a separate media room with surround sound for movie and game nights.

Price: $1,143 per night

For the Ultimate Family-Friendly Experience

Southwind at Seven Springs

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This well-appointed, three-story townhome in Southwind community of Seven Springs was used by the owners for years as their personal family vacation spot. With the family unable to make it this year, the owners have put the four-bedroom townhouse, which sleeps up to 14 guests, on the rental market for the first time. Besides a ski-in/ski-out location on the resort’s Southwind Slope, the townhouse also has an outdoor hot tub. Not a skier? The owners recommend sled riding in the backyard or taking the free Seven Springs shuttle to the resort lodge.

Price: $1,06 per night

Step Inside History

Lincoln Boutique Hotel at Holiday Valley Resort

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One of the area’s oldest roadside motels, the completely refurbished Lincoln Boutique Motel at the edge of the Holiday Valley Resort is located just over the Pennsylvania border in Ellicottville, New York. The upper-level King Room features a vaulted ceiling with the original beams as well as locally sourced lumber and custom-built, live-edge furniture alongside luxurious bedding. It’s also steps away from Pour Taproom, which is opening later this winter.

Price: $252 per night

A Heavenly Experience 

Deep Creek Lake

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Winter is a great time to get a group together to spend a weekend at picturesque Deep Creek Lake in Maryland. Located in the North Camp Community, Heaven on Seven is a luxurious seven-bedroom retreat that’s just steps away from Wisp Resort’s Chair 7 and the Ace’s Run slopes. All seven bedrooms are suites with attached bathrooms. There’s also an expansive covered deck and cozy patio with gas fireplaces as well as a private hot tub. In the lower level game room are ping pong, pool and air hockey tables, plus ample ski storage.

Price: $1,245 per night

Slopeside Digs

Wisp Resort

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Adjacent to Wisp Resort in Maryland, the two-bedroom Slope Side retreat offers ski in-/ski out access. Recently updated, the roomy main level and primary suite both have views of the ski slopes. Other amenities include a gas fireplace, a theater room and a hot tub. Being adjacent to Wisp Resort means a lot of opportunities for outdoor recreation are within easy reach, including golf, skiing, snow tubing, ziplines, the mountain coaster and disc golf, depending on the season.

Price: $138 per night 

For Outdoor Adventurers

Altitude Adjustment at Snowshoe Mountain Resort

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Nestled in the Appalachian Mountains near West Virginia’s Snowshoe Mountain Resort, Altitude Adjustment is also a great home base for all kinds of outdoor adventures, including exploring New River Gorge National Park, Seneca Rocks and White Sulphur Springs. Watoga State Park in nearby Marlinton also was recently named a Dark Sky Park by the International Dark-Sky Association, meaning it’s one of the best places for some stargazing. The charming three-bedroom log cabin also has a hot tub and an outdoor fire pit that’s perfect for s’mores.

Price: $589 per night