Best Places to Live in Pittsburgh if You Love to Ski
When most people think about ski towns, places like Denver, Salt Lake City, or Burlington come to mind. Pittsburgh probably isn’t on that list—but maybe it should be.
As both a full-time Pittsburgh real estate agent and a Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA-AASI) Education Staff member, I spend a lot of time helping people discover that Western Pennsylvania offers far more skiing than they expected. Whether you’re looking for quick evening laps after work, weekend trips with the family, or a home that keeps you close to some of the region’s best skiing, Pittsburgh offers a surprising number of options.
Within about 90 minutes of downtown Pittsburgh, you’ll find five ski areas, and within about four hours you can reach more than a dozen ski resorts across Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, New York, and Ohio. That means you can enjoy an active winter lifestyle while taking advantage of Pittsburgh’s affordable housing, great neighborhoods, and exceptional quality of life.
One of the unique advantages of living in the Pittsburgh area is that where you choose to live can make a real difference in your drive time to the mountains. If skiing is one of your passions, choosing the right community can mean more days on the snow and less time in the car.
Boyce Park – After-Work Skiing
For many Pittsburgh skiers, Boyce Park is where it all begins.
Located in eastern Allegheny County, Boyce Park is a county-owned ski area offering skiing, snowboarding, terrain parks, night skiing, snowmaking, and one of the area’s best learn-to-ski programs. While it’s smaller than the destination resorts, it’s the perfect place to get in a few runs after work, introduce children to skiing, train for racing, or simply keep your ski legs in shape between weekend trips.
If after-work skiing is important to you, these nearby communities offer excellent access to Boyce Park while still providing an easy commute into Pittsburgh:
- Plum
- Monroeville
- Penn Hills
- Murrysville
The Laurel Highlands – Pittsburgh’s Home Mountains
About an hour east and southeast of Pittsburgh lies the Laurel Highlands, home to Pennsylvania’s best-known ski destination.
Here you’ll find three resorts owned by Vail Resorts and included on the Epic Pass:
- Seven Springs Mountain Resort – approximately 1 hour 15 minutes
- Hidden Valley Resort – approximately 1 hour 20 minutes
- Laurel Mountain Ski Resort – approximately 1 hour 30 minutes
Just a little farther east is Blue Knob All Seasons Resort, about two hours from Pittsburgh. Home to Pennsylvania’s highest skiable mountain, Blue Knob is famous for its challenging terrain, glade skiing, and some of the state’s best natural snow. While it isn’t as close as the Laurel Highlands resorts, many advanced skiers consider it one of the best skiing experiences in Pennsylvania.
Many avid skiers intentionally choose to live east of Pittsburgh. Not only does it shorten the drive to the mountains, but it also avoids the Fort Pitt Tunnel and much of the city traffic on busy winter weekends. Saving even 20 to 30 minutes each way adds up over an entire ski season.
Great Communities for Skiers
If you want to balance an easy commute into Pittsburgh with quick access to the mountains, communities along the Pennsylvania Turnpike and Parkway East are excellent choices.
Some of my favorites include:
- Oakmont
- Fox Chapel
- Monroeville
- Murrysville
- Trafford
- Irwin
- Greensburg
These communities provide convenient access to downtown while making weekend ski trips to the Laurel Highlands much easier than if you lived on the opposite side of the city.
Living Even Closer to the Mountains
For buyers who spend nearly every winter weekend skiing—or who dream of owning a mountain getaway—you may want to consider living even closer to the slopes.
Communities including:
- Greensburg
- Latrobe
- Ligonier
- New Stanton
- Donegal
offer some of the shortest drives to the Laurel Highlands while remaining within a reasonable commute to Pittsburgh for many professionals.
Another option is resort real estate.
Both Seven Springs and Hidden Valley offer condominiums, townhomes, and single-family homes on or near the mountain. Whether you’re looking for a primary residence, vacation home, or investment property, mountain living offers the opportunity to walk, shuttle, or take a short drive to the lifts instead of spending your weekends on the highway.
South Hills Skiers
Living south of Pittsburgh opens up even more skiing opportunities.
Communities such as:
- Peters Township
- Canonsburg
- Washington
offer quicker access to resorts in Maryland and West Virginia.
Wisp Resort, located near Deep Creek Lake, is about two hours from downtown Pittsburgh and even closer from the South Hills, making it an easy day trip or weekend getaway.
Continue a little farther south and you’ll reach Timberline Mountain in Canaan Valley, West Virginia, approximately 3 to 3½ hours from Pittsburgh. Timberline has become one of the Mid-Atlantic’s best-kept secrets thanks to its long vertical drop, modern lifts, and consistently excellent snowmaking. Many Pittsburgh skiers also combine a Timberline trip with nearby Canaan Valley Resort or continue on to Snowshoe Mountain for longer ski vacations.
North Hills Skiers
Residents of Pittsburgh’s northern suburbs often point their cars in a different direction.
Communities including:
- Cranberry Township
- Zelienople
- Butler
provide easier access to western New York’s ski country.
From Cranberry Township, Holiday Valley Resort in Ellicottville is approximately 3 to 3½ hours away. Holiday Valley is widely regarded as one of the premier ski resorts in the East, offering outstanding grooming, excellent snowmaking, and one of the best ski town atmospheres in the region.
Located next door is the private HoliMont Ski Club, North America’s largest private ski club, which is open to non-members during the week and features amazing groomers.
Approximate Drive Times from Pittsburgh
| Ski Area | Approximate Drive Time |
|---|---|
| Boyce Park | 25 minutes |
| Seven Springs | 1 hour 15 minutes |
| Hidden Valley | 1 hour 20 minutes |
| Laurel Mountain | 1 hour 30 minutes |
| Blue Knob | 2 hours |
| Wisp | 2 hours |
| Timberline Mountain | 3–3½ hours |
| Holiday Valley | 3½ hours |
| HoliMont | 3½ hours |
| Snowshoe Mountain | About 4 hours |
Finding a Home That Fits Your Lifestyle
Most real estate websites will tell you about school districts, taxes, commute times, and home prices. Those things matter, but so does your lifestyle.
If skiing is an important part of your life, where you choose to live can make a significant difference. Living on the right side of the city could mean dozens of extra ski days over the years simply because getting to the mountain is easier.
As both a Pittsburgh REALTOR® and a PSIA-AASI Eastern Examiner, I understand those decisions from both perspectives. Whether you’re relocating to Pittsburgh, looking for easier access to the slopes, or considering resort real estate in the Laurel Highlands, I can help you find a home that supports the way you want to live.
Pittsburgh may not be the first city people think of for skiing—but for those who know the region, it’s one of the East’s best-kept secrets.