What is a good ski resort which is beginner friendly and around 7-8 hours driving from DC area? We would like to go during the Xmas break with our college aged son (unfortunately only possible time). We are beginners (or maybe advanced beginners) who have skied in places like White Tail but would like to go to a proper resort with decent snow

Snowshoe might work. Whatever you do, take lessons. You could probably go up into Massachusetts.

If you decide to go to Mass, look at Jiminy Peak in Hancock. There has not been a lot of snow yet so it may be worth another 2 hours or so to head to at least Mount Snow in Vermont.

Go on to Vermont or N.H, provided you can get a reservation this late. Lake Placid is another place with a good chance of natural snow.

About 7 3/4 hour drive to either Mt. Snow or Stratton, Vermont - good beginner/novice friendly skiing at both places.

Thanks a lot for the suggestions. Will look into VT/NH

You do need to make a decision right now in order to get reservations--and New England would be great. BUT if there is enough cold weather, all the closer areas will be making snow. So you might still look closer.

Another good place for beginners is Bretton Woods in New Hampshire. It's a large resort and also offers tubing, sleighing and dog sledding. It's about two hours from Boston and next to the grand old Mount Washington Hotel where you can have a nice dinner or spa treatment. Or a nice, albeit pricey, stay.

http://www.brettonwoods.com