Whitetail Resort
Overview
Located near Mercersburg in south-central Pennsylvania, Whitetail Resort is a popular day-trip destination for skiers and snowboarders from the Washington, D.C., and Baltimore areas. The mountain offers 23 trails and 935 feet of vertical, with a high-speed detachable quad serving its main slopes. Its proximity to major population centers can mean busy weekends and holidays, while weekdays often offer a more relaxed experience.
Whitetail was designed with a progressive layout: beginner slopes occupy the left side of the mountain, intermediate terrain is concentrated in the center, and steeper advanced and expert runs descend the right side. The expert section includes Bold Decision, Exhibition, and Far Side. All 23 trails have snowmaking coverage and lighting for night skiing, making evening visits a practical option for local skiers and snowboarders.
The resort opened in 1991 and has expanded its terrain and facilities over the years. It became part of Vail Resorts in 2019 following the acquisition of Peak Resorts and participates in the Epic Pass program. The base area includes rental facilities, a ski and snowboard school, dining, and a separate snow tubing facility. Lodging is available in the adjacent Whitetail Mountainside Village, although the ski resort itself is primarily geared toward day visitors.
Photo by M. Scott Smith.
Mountain & Resort Details
Mountain
- Vertical Drop
- 935 feet
- Base Elevation
- 865 feet
- Peak Elevation
- 1,800 feet
- Skiable Acres
- 120
- Longest Run
- 1 mile
- Trails
- 23
- Trail Mix
- 26% beginner 48% intermediate 26% expert
Skiing & Amenities
- Lifts
- 9 (1 high-speed quad, 3 quads, 2 doubles, 3 magic carpets)
- Night Skiing
- Yes, on all 23 trails.
- Terrain Park
- Two terrain parks.
- Tubing Park
- Separate snow tubing area with its own lodge and conveyor lift; check resort for operating dates and hours.
Contact & Links
- Address
- 13805 Blairs Valley Road
Mercersburg, PA 17236 - Phone
- (717) 328-9400
- Directions
- Get directions →
- Website
- Official resort website
Summer Activities
Whitetail is primarily a winter recreation destination. The resort offers its facilities for meetings and private events during the spring, summer, and fall. Whitetail Golf Resort operates nearby, but visitors should check its separate schedule and offerings rather than assume that ski-area activities are available during the off-season.
Trail Map
Getting There
Weather
Weather near Whitetail
| Humidity: | 49% | Visibility: | 10.00 |
| Wind Speed: | 6 mph
 |
Sunrise: | 6:38 a.m. |
| Barometer: | 30.46 in | Sunset: | 5:12 p.m. |
| Dewpoint: | 37 °F |
Weather supplied by the National Weather Service. Errors or reporting delays may be possible.
Recent Whitetail News
Whatever Happened to the Halfpipe?
Once a familiar sight at Mid-Atlantic ski resorts, halfpipes have largely disappeared. DCSki looks back at their heyday, the challenges of maintaining them, and a recent revival at Seven Springs.
From Controversy to Commonplace: How Ski Helmets Became the Norm
DCSki looks back at how helmets went from a source of heated debate to standard equipment for more than nine in ten skiers and snowboarders.
Three Big Changes That Reshaped Mid-Atlantic Skiing
DCSki examines how megapasses, improved snowmaking, faster lifts, and year-round investments have changed Mid-Atlantic skiing since the turn of the century.
A History of High-Speed Chairlifts in the Mid-Atlantic
From Whitetail’s pioneering high-speed quad to today’s six-passenger lifts, explore the history of detachable chairlifts at Mid-Atlantic ski resorts.
You Had to Do What? Skiing's Little Annoyances That Technology Left Behind
DCSki looks back at the snow phones, paper tickets, film cameras, fixed-grip lifts, and other ski-day inconveniences that technology has largely left behind.
Mountain Matchup: Liberty vs. Whitetail
DCSki compares Liberty and Whitetail, weighing longer runs and faster laps against varied terrain, short steeps, and a different mountain personality.
Whitetail in the Forum
Recent DCSki discussions mentioning Whitetail.
New DCSki Launching Soon - Could be briefly glitchy
Status of Hotel At Hidden Valley
Resorts Dreams - What might have been
Ski Swaps 2026
Big trips for 2026?
Mogul Sightings
Nearby Resorts
Other ski areas closest to Whitetail.
Liberty Mountain Resort
Blue Knob All Seasons Resort
Roundtop Mountain Resort
