Wisp Resort is the only four-season downhill ski resort in Maryland. It is located near

Deep Creek Lake Deep Creek Lake is the largest inland body of water in the U.S. state of Maryland. It covers approximately and has of shoreline. Like all lakes in Maryland, it is man-made. The lake is home to a wide variety of aquatic life, such as freshwate ...

in the town of McHenry in

Garrett County, Maryland Garrett County () is the westernmost county of the U.S. state of Maryland. As of the 2020 census, the population was 28,806, making it the third-least populous county in Maryland. Its county seat is Oakland. The county was named for John Work ...

, near the border of

West Virginia West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian, Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern regions of the United States.The Census Bureau and the Association of American Geographers classify West Virginia as part of the Southern United States while the Bur ...

and

Western Pennsylvania Western Pennsylvania is a region in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, covering the western third of the state. Pittsburgh is the region's principal city, with a metropolitan area population of about 2.4 million people, and serves as its economic ...

Pittsburgh Metropolitan Area Greater Pittsburgh is a populous region centered around its largest city and economic hub, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The region encompasses Pittsburgh's urban core county, Allegheny, and six adjacent Pennsylvania counties: Armstrong, Beaver, ...

. It is located almost 10 miles northwest of

Oakland Oakland is the largest city and the county seat of Alameda County, California, United States. A major West Coast port, Oakland is the largest city in the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area, the third largest city overall in the Bay A ...

, 32 miles west of

Cumberland, Maryland Cumberland is a U.S. city in and the county seat of Allegany County, Maryland Maryland ( ) is a state in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It shares borders with Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its s ...

, 2 hours from

Pittsburgh Pittsburgh ( ) is a city in the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, United States, and the county seat of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Allegheny County. It is the most populous city in both Allegheny County and Wester ...

, and 3 hours from

Baltimore Baltimore ( , locally: or ) is the List of municipalities in Maryland, most populous city in the U.S. state of Maryland, fourth most populous city in the Mid-Atlantic (United States), Mid-Atlantic, and List of United States cities by popula ...

and

Washington, DC ) , image_skyline = , image_caption = Clockwise from top left: the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall, United States Capitol, Logan Circle, Jefferson Memorial, White House, Adams Morgan ...

. The ski slopes are located on Marsh Mountain. The closest ski resorts to Wisp are

Seven Springs Mountain Resort Seven Springs Mountain Resort is an all-season resort located in the borough of Seven Springs, Pennsylvania. It has a relatively high elevation for a Pennsylvania ski area, at above sea level. Activities include biking, canopy touring, ziplining, ...

, about 48 miles North, and

Hidden Valley Resort (Pennsylvania) Hidden Valley Resort is a ski resort in the Laurel Highlands, near the village of Hidden Valley, Pennsylvania Hidden Valley is an unincorporated community that is located in Jefferson Township, Somerset County, Pennsylvania, United States. Hi ...

, around 50 miles North of Wisp. Wisp Resort was founded by Mr.Helmuth M.G. Heise and is currently owned by Pacific Group Resorts, Inc.

History

Wisp Resort first opened up in the winter of 1955-1956 and is still one of the earliest southern ski areas to exist. In the winter of 1966-1967, the first snowmaking was active on the mountain. From 1971 to 1979, Wisp resort added 16 slopes, more lights, and more snowmakers. A hotel was also added during this time period at the base of the slopes. In 2001, Deep Creek Development purchased Wisp Resort. The Bear Claw Snow Tubing Park was added in 2001. In 2003, the Main Lodge was renovated and expanded by 11,000 feet. In 2007, a white water rafting course was added. Since DCD purchased the resort in 2001, there have been over $30 million in renovations and capital investment added to the Resort. The newly remodeled hotel in 2016 features 102 suites and 67 guest rooms and is a non-smoking establishment. It is a four-season establishment and offers recreational activities year-round including 2 18-hole golf courses; Lodestone Golf Course and Fantasy Valley Golf Course. The resort is located near three state parks and three state forests within 30 miles. These include Deep Creek Lake, Swallow Falls and Big Run State Parks, and Garrett, Potomac, and Savage River State Forests.

Other Seasons

Wisp Resort is Maryland’s only four-season ski resort. Wisp has different activities for each season. Summer activities include: 3 canopy tour zip lines, kayak and paddleboard rentals, mountain biking, segway tours, archery, and orienteering. The resort also includes a Mountain coaster which is a hybrid of an alpine slide and a roller coaster. Coaster cars go 3,500 feet downhill over 350 vertical feet on the eastern side of Wisp Mountain.

The Mountain

Wisp Resort is seasonal and receives on average 100 inches of snow each year; however, they do make their own snow in order to make the season last longer. Offering different trails for each skill level, Wisp is accessible to all people of all skiing and snowboarding abilities, even offering lessons to beginner skiers and snowboarders. Night skiing is also available on 90% of the terrain Tuesdays thru Saturdays. According to DCSki.com, Wisp was voted runner-up in the category "best year-round resort in the Mid-Atlantic."

Slopes

Wisp Resort has a total of 34 slopes and trails. The Front Side Trails include five trails marked "easy", ten trails marked "more difficult", and five trails marked "most difficult." East Ridge Trails include one "more difficult" trail and five "most difficult" trails. North Camp Trails include five "easy" trails, three "more difficult" trails, and one "most difficult" trail. The resort also includes a tubing park, an ice skating rink, a nordic center, and a mountain coaster.

Snowfall

Wisp Resort receives a decent amount of snowfall throughout the season, and in recent years the heaviest snow has begun around January and has ended late, near mid-March. The base of the slopes is made by snow machines, along with touch-ups throughout the season and making slopes skiable for those on the mountain. Onthesnow.com shows total snowfall, maximum base depth, largest snowfall, total snowfall days, and average base depth at Wisp resort; the website includes a calendar view to show daily snowfall data for the current ski season.

Runs

Wisp has one bowl, Bobcat Bowl, which opens according to natural snowfall.

References

{{Reflist

External links

Wisp Resort

Ski and golf

Wisp ski area

Wisp profile

Ski areas and resorts in Maryland Buildings and structures in Garrett County, Maryland Tourist attractions in Garrett County, Maryland Sports venues in Maryland 1955 establishments in Maryland