| Vertical drop: | 935 feet |
| Base elevation: | 865 feet |
| Peak elevation: | 1,800 feet |
| Skiable acres: | 117 |
| Longest run: | 1 mile |
| Trails: | 23 |
Located in south-central Pennsylvania, Whitetail is a comfortable 90-minute jog down I-70 from D.C. and Baltimore. Skiers and boarders will find 23 trails, a 935-foot vertical, and a high-speed quad. Whitetail’s convenient location to D.C. also means skiers and boarders will often find crowds — on weekends and holidays, Whitetail’s slopes can become as crowded as the Washington Beltway during rush hour. On non-holiday weekdays, the crowds completely disappear and you’re likely to have the slopes to yourself.
Whitetail has a strong track record of continuous capital improvements. Over the past couple decades, it has added new trails, expanded its base lodge, added a snow tubing park, expanded lighting across the slopes, and made significant snowmaking improvements. Whitetail’s state-of-the-art snowmaking system can quickly take slopes from bare to skiable with just a few nights of snowmaking.
Whitetail is now part of the Vail Resorts family after a 2019 purchase. Previously, it was owned by Peak Resorts, and before that, Snow Time. Its new ownership means you can purchase a single Epic pass and ski at Whitetail, Liberty, Roundtop, Jack Frost, Big Boulder, and dozens of resorts across North America.
Skiers at Whitetail are pampered by a modern base lodge and amenities such as free ski check. Food is reasonable, with cafeteria-style food available in the Market Place. Other dining options include sit-down service at the Solstice, and brick oven pizzas at Mountain Hearth Pizzeria.
Whitetail developed a residential village that lines the Northern Lights beginner ski slope, but despite this lodging, Whitetail does not offer many year-round activities except for golf and is primarily a day resort in the winter. In 2019, Whitetail was granted its first liquor license.
Photo by M. Scott Smith.
| Resort Name: | Whitetail Resort |
| Vertical Drop: | 935 feet |
| Base Altitude: | 865 feet |
| Peak Altitude: | 1,800 feet |
| Trails: | 23 Trails:
|
| Skiable Acres: | 117 |
| Longest Run: | 1 mile |
| Lifts: | 9 (1 high-speed quad, 3 quads, 2 doubles, 3 magic carpets) |
| Night Skiing: | Night skiing on all trails |
| Terrain Park: | Two terrain parks. |
| Tubing Park: | Serviced by an enclosed magic carpet and its own lodge. |
| Address: | 13805 Blairs Valley Road Mercersburg, PA 17236 |
| Phone: | (717) 328-9400 |
| Social Media: |   |
| Webcams: | View resort webcams |
| Web Site: | http://www.skiwhitetail.com/ |
| Directions: | Via Google Maps |
| Humidity: | 89% | Visibility: | 5.00 |
| Wind Speed: | 0 mph | Sunrise: | 6:41 a.m. |
| Barometer: | 30.13 in | Sunset: | 6:07 p.m. |
| Dewpoint: | 47 °F |
Weather supplied by the National Weather Service. Errors or reporting delays may be possible.
February 27, 2026 - Looking to double his ski days this winter (from one to two), DCSki’s Editor spent a peaceful midweek day at Whitetail Resort, where light crowds and smooth lift rides made for an unhurried outing. The visit offered a chance to revisit favorite trails, reflect on early skiing memories, and enjoy late-season conditions without the usual weekend bustle.
December 27, 2025 - Seven Springs plans to replace the three-person fixed-grip Blitzen Lift with a new four-person fixed-grip chair for the 2026/27 season, pending approvals. The resort says the project would improve reliability and increase uphill capacity by 33%, reducing time in line and getting guests more time on snow.
December 18, 2025 - After an extended stretch of cold temperatures earlier this month, ski resorts across the Mid-Atlantic were able to make snow aggressively, building strong early-season base depths and opening expanding terrain. DCSki provides a comprehensive snapshot of current conditions across the region as resorts head into the end of December. Photo: Opening Day at Big Boulder, shot by Ella Muir.
December 2, 2025 - Resorts across the Mid-Atlantic have spent the offseason upgrading snowmaking systems, expanding terrain, improving lifts, and refreshing guest facilities in preparation for the 2025–26 winter season. These enhancements aim to deliver more reliable early-season openings, improved snow quality, and a better overall experience for skiers, riders, and families. DCSki provides a summary of key enhancements across the region in this feature story.
August 12, 2025 - Vail Resorts will introduce simplified “Friend Tickets” for the 2025-26 season, giving Epic Passholders six to ten discounted lift tickets — each at 50% off — to share with friends. The tickets can also be applied toward the purchase of a future Epic Pass, a move aimed at easing costs for newcomers and growing the sport’s participant base.
March 14, 2025 - Vail Resorts has opened early sales for its 2024-2025 Epic Passes, offering discounted access to its ski resorts with multiple pass options and perks like discounted lift tickets for friends.
January 16, 2025 - In DCSki’s Interview Series, we take a look at interesting people who have a connection to the mountains. We recently interviewed Pete Tolsdorf, who created a resource called SkiTripPlanner.com that helps match skiers with the perfect resort.
January 11, 2025 - DCSki Columnist Matthew Graham kicks off the season with a weekday trip to Whitetail Resort, enjoying perfect snow conditions, a nostalgic lift ride, and numerous runs, teaming up with a friend for an adventurous day. He provides this Firsthand Report.
January 9, 2025 - DCSki’s Editor made his first local turns of the season at Whitetail Resort. Recent sub-freezing temperatures and natural snow have made Whitetail’s slopes look and ski more like a western ski area. He describes his visit in this story.
December 16, 2024 - The majority of ski resorts in the Mid-Atlantic region are now open for the 2024-2025 winter season, with a variety of trails available for early-season skiing and snowboarding. Additional resorts are set to open in the coming days, supported by snowmaking efforts and natural snowfall. Above, Pennsylvania’s Roundtop Mountain began its 60th season on December 14, 2024. Photo provided by Haley Mowery / Roundtop Mountain.
