for a family... even up in Canada... we can drive or fly... but want to stay closer to home (PHL) as it is just too long of a trip to go to Aspen (our ussual) for a weekend.... 2 kids, one boards... husband just likes great restaurants (i.e. Aspen... and I am a bunny hill skier.... we need luxury accomodations as well.... so high maintanance!... help!

Hard to pick which one is best but we like:

Killington, VT
Mount Snow, VT
Mt. Stratton, VT
Stowe, VT
Whiteface Mountain, NY

Well I don;t know that driving to VT for a weekend makes sense - it can be interminable, even from NYC - never mind Philly.

Perhaps better to fly to Canada.

I just checked how long the driving distances are from Philly to good areas in the northeast and okemo looks like your best bet at just under 6 hours. If you woud not mind the extra hour drive I would say that whiteface is the best mountain in the east especially if they have a lot of snow. The glades are amazing and it has the most vertical meaning that the runs down take a few minutes longer than at most ski resorts.

It has been years since I've skied but there were a couple of places in Pennsylvania we visited from Maryland.

We went to 7 Springs but that may be too far west from Philly. Here's a link that might give you some ideas:

http://skicentral.com/pennsylvania.html

I've read that if you can ski on the East Coast, anywhere is possible!

Best on east coast: Killington, Stratton, Stowe

I can't disagree Happy, but close to Philly they aren't!

Check the weather, oztravelz!

I wasn't aware that PA had ANY snow. Yes, I know they can make snow - but on a base of nothing and when the temp is above freezing?

And not sure about luxury accommodations. And it doens't sound like you really want to ski much either.

Sugarloaf in Maine is a bit off the beaten path but imho it is undoubtedly the finest skiing in the east. It's now the largest in terms of terrain and is the only above tree line skiing in all of the east. Very laid back vibe and our kids love it. Family friendly but tons of steeps to keep the experts happy. Haven't found anything better in all of Maine, NH or Vermont. Worth the trip!!

Fly to Albany, ski Stratton, Bromley, Killington,VT
Fly to Burlington, ski Stowe, VT

I think Manchester gets flight service which ought to be close to some of those.

What is best for you?? If you mean big vertical, look for Sugarloaf in ME, Cannon in NH, and Jay or Stow/Sugarbush in VT. Other criteria, like lots of shopping, eats, kid activities nearby, then a lot of choices.

We've drove to Mt. Snow from Philly - it's not THAT far.
I'm not sure Mt. Snow has the luxury accommodations. It was the first time we've stayed slopeside so we thought that was luxury!

And I skiied on New Years Day in the Poconos. They have pretty good snow making capabilities.

Mount Tremblant