Travel and Dish

As the weather turns colder, there are still plenty of outdoorsy things to do in the region. These Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia resorts and outfitters offer family friendly winter activities a short drive from Washington DC.

Try Ski School

Seven Springs is thrilled to announce a series of enhancements aimed at elevating the guest experience for the upcoming season. In addition to its already impressive offerings—on-site hotel, indoor pool, arcade, bowling, and snow tubing—the resort is expanding its family-friendly amenities with new full and half-day children’s group lessons. Professional instructors, specially trained to work with kids, will help young skiers and snowboarders build confidence and master new techniques. https://www.7springs.com

Go ATV Riding

ATV riding is a year-round sport. You don’t need snow, just lots of room to roam. Appalachian Adventure in Luray, Virginia has ATV rentals and miles of trails. Experienced guides can teach you how to drive the ATV, then when you’re comfortable, navigate on your own through hilly landscapes. If you want a quieter activity, take their guided horseback ride. Appalachian-Adventures

Snowboarding, Tubing and an Indoor Waterpark

Massanutten is a four season resort, but best known for its winter skiing, tubing and snowboarding park. If you’re tired of the cold, go warm up in the indoor waterpark. There’s no place closer to Washington DC that provides more winter adventure than Massanutten Resort in the Shenandoah Valley. Massanutten Resort

Snow Tubing for Every Age

Snow tubing tracks are not created equal. Liberty Mountain Resort’s Bubly Tube Park has a 10 lane track where you can race your friends. They make snow throughout the winter, so if it’s cold, they’re likely to have tubing. They also offer kiddie tubing and an arcade where you can go warm up. The full service moving carpet makes it easy to ride dozens of times.  Liberty Mountain Resort

Four Season Resort with Skiing, Snowboarding, Ice Skating

This small but mighty resort is nestled in the mountains of Shenandoah County, Virginia. Known for its renowned Horst Locher Snowsports School, it’s the perfect place to learn to ski for all ages and caters best to beginners. Bryce has a wide range of accommodations, but also plenty of dining options to enjoy apres ski, including Carter’s Hütte with live music and friendly atmosphere. https://bryceresort.com

Winter Hiking

Catoctin Mountain State Park’s Cunningham Falls cascades 78-feet and sometimes freezes in the winter, turning it into frosty icicles. From there, you can hike to the top of three overlooks to see vistas of Frederick County. It’s perfect hike for you and your dog looking for a moderately challenging elevation and boulder climbing. It’s beautiful in every season, but nearly deserted in the winter. Stop in the Catoctin Mountain Visitor Center to warm up or pick up a map .  Catoctin Mountain National Park

Drive a High Powered Jeep Off-Road

Off road driving enthusiasts will love cavorting over the deep ravines, rocky outcrops and shallow rivers while learning to drive a state-of-the-art Jeep Rubicon. After thorough instruction, you can learn to navigate water pits while enjoying views of the thick woods on scenic trails. Go warm afterward, in the indoor arcade playing games or go bowling. Nemacolin Resort’s Lodge serves s’mores at the roaring outdoor fire pit.  Nemacolin Resort in the Laurel Highlands

Ice Fishing on a Frozen Lake

Ice fishing requires a thick coating of ice on a frozen lake, so you need to travel to the highlands of Maryland to try this entertaining experience. Stay at the 4-Diamond Rocky Gap Casino & Resort in the Allegheny Mountains. Along with fishing, rent cross country skis for the moderate hiking trails surrounding Lake Habeeb. Rocky Gap State Park is a state wildlife preserve so you’re bound to catch sight of the many wild creatures who live in these woods. The resort has a casino, indoor pool and fitness center. Rocky Gap