Need help deciding where to visit regularly (from Pittsburgh)

[Campgottagopee]

Horse shit I say

 

[Warp daddy]

I will present a situation that occurred

Driving on a moonless night late in the fall in a pouring rain after working all day and then going to graduate courses till 10 pm and encountering an Amish buggy on the downside of a crested hilly road is NOT a fun experience.

This damn near caused an accident . I think the Amiah need more than a very small candle lit lantern and a small reflector IF they are going to be out after dark.

JUST SAYIN ! They pay no license fees and Are a potential hazzard at night or in really foul weather . Prudence is a good thing . Had i been speeding it could have been ugly as i had to swerve to avoid them .Scared the crap outta me

 

[Ripitz]

TikTok - Make Your Day

www.tiktok.com

 

[Ripitz]

Some of them shred

 

[gorgonzola]

Not sure of what your lake criteria is but my wife has family just Northwest of Pittsburgh and, although we have yet to do it, talk about meeting up in Ellicottville / Holiday Valley / Alleghany SP area. We camped at Alleghany SP a few seasons ago and liked the vibe (and beer!) in E-ville. Although I haven't ski'd Holiday Valley I've seen some nice trip reports come from there and it on the hit list. Looks on par with Greek Peak with a cool town and a hell of a lot closer to the 'burgh. The Alleghany reservoir offered nice paddling but if you're looking for motor sports may not cut it.

btw there's no way in hell i'd drive 7 hours for a weekend at Elk Mt., Greek Peak et al or even the Catskills but that's just me. I'd either do closer for small areas or make the trek worth it - Go Big or Go (Stay?) Home!!!

 

[gefiltephish]

I feel like the Canaan Valley / Dolly Sods area is worth mentioning again... Not too far of a drive. Canaan Valley and Timberline ski resorts, Whitegrass XC area. I've really enjoyed closeby places like Dolly Sods and Blackwater Falls in non-ski seasons. It was unexpected how much the 'Alleghany Highlands' around there resembles upstate NY forests and geology, also with unique Bog areas and tannin-rich streams. Driving east thru Seneca Rocks and George Washington National Forest into VA's Shenandoah Valley also beautiful, big mountains with recreation abound.

I suspect the NY areas discussed likely have way more nearby amenities, and I suspect the skiing quality is similar to Catskills, at best. But depending on what you're into, a cool option

 

[Brownski]

If it were me, I think I’d explore the area around Ellicottville first. Gore and CNY just require so much more driving. That’s a lot of additional windshield time for a weekend trip.

 

[gorgonzola]

I feel like the Canaan Valley / Dolly Sods area is worth mentioning again... Not too far of a drive. Canaan Valley and Timberline ski resorts, Whitegrass XC area. I've really enjoyed closeby places like Dolly Sods and Blackwater Falls in non-ski seasons. It was unexpected how much the 'Alleghany Highlands' around there resembles upstate NY forests and geology, also with unique Bog areas and tannin-rich streams. Driving east thru Seneca Rocks and George Washington National Forest into VA's Shenandoah Valley also beautiful, big mountains with recreation abound.

I suspect the NY areas discussed likely have way more nearby amenities, and I suspect the skiing quality is similar to Catskills, at best. But depending on what you're into, a cool option

Whitegrass looks so cool

 

[MarcP]

I grew up, and still am, a lake/ski guy. I’m not sure I would ever plan a weekend trip for 5+ hours driving to CNY to go skiing. I’m the biggest homer as anyone and yes it does dump snow here, but it’s often a case of getting after it whenever it’s there, rather than waiting for the weekend. We get the all to common snow to rain to snow storm tracks that really mess up the conditions. Sure you can ski it, but driving that far to ski in the rain, cause it’s your only day free, would suck.

Prime example, this past week. Sure, dumped on Friday night thru Saturday night, but that was not really forecast more than 36 hours out. Say you didn’t figure it out in time and couldn’t make it. So you figure, we’ll get up there next weekend. Meanwhile the locals who could get out on Monday and Tuesday were stoked (my kid night skied Tuesday and said it was superb). Then we had days of sun, 40+ temps, and now rain both days this weekend.

 

[Benny Profane]

Not sure of what your lake criteria is but my wife has family just Northwest of Pittsburgh and, although we have yet to do it, talk about meeting up in Ellicottville / Holiday Valley / Alleghany SP area. We camped at Alleghany SP a few seasons ago and liked the vibe (and beer!) in E-ville. Although I haven't ski'd Holiday Valley I've seen some nice trip reports come from there and it on the hit list. Looks on par with Greek Peak with a cool town and a hell of a lot closer to the 'burgh. The Alleghany reservoir offered nice paddling but if you're looking for motor sports may not cut it.

btw there's no way in hell i'd drive 7 hours for a weekend at Elk Mt., Greek Peak et al or even the Catskills but that's just me. I'd either do closer for small areas or make the trek worth it - Go Big or Go (Stay?) Home!!!

France!