Wisp Ski Resort
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| Wisp Resort | |
|---|---|
| Location | Garrett County, Maryland |
| Nearest major city | McHenry, Maryland |
| Vertical | 700 ft - (213 m)[1] |
| Top elevation | 3115 ft - (950 m) |
| Base elevation | 2415 ft - (736 m) |
| Skiable area | 132 acres (0.53 km2) |
| Trails | 32 |
| Longest run | 1.5 miles (2.4 km) |
| Lift system | 12 chairlifts |
| Lift capacity | 12,600 / hr |
| Snowfall | 100 in. - (254 cm) |
| Night skiing | 90% |
The Wisp Ski Resort is located next to Deep Creek Lake in the town of McHenry in Garrett County, Maryland. The resort is near the border with West Virginia and Western Pennsylvania/Pittsburgh Metropolitan Area. It is located 32 miles from Cumberland, Maryland, 2 hours from Pittsburgh, 3.5 hours from Washington, DC and 4 hours from Baltimore. The Wisp Resort is the only full ski resort in Maryland. The ski slopes are located on Marsh Mountain which was purchased by Recreational Industries, Inc. formed by Mr.Helmuth M.G. Heise.
History
The Wisp Resort first opened up in the winter of 1955-1956. In the winter of 1966-1967, Recreational Industries made snow for the first time. From 1971 to 1979 the Wisp resort added 16 slopes more lights and more snow makers. A hotel was also added during this time period at the base of the slopes. In 2001 DC industries purchased Recreational Industries and the Wisp Resort. Bear Claw Tubing Park was added in 2001. In 2003, The Lodge was renovated and expanded by 11,000 feet. In 2007, a white water rafting course was added. Since DC industries 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 2003 features 102 suites and 62 guest rooms and is a non-smoking establishment. The resort also offers 3 mountain top rental homes. These homes can be seen from the slopes and are steps from the ski lifts. It is a four season establishment and offers recreational activities year-round including an 18-hole golf course. The resort is located near 2 state parks and 3 state forests within 30 miles. These include 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: bonfires, day camps, skate parks, kayak tours, paintball, and more. Water activities consist of the Greg Rouse Water Sports Center. The center includes water-skiing, Slalom skiing, barefoot / snow skiing, wakeboarding, knee boarding and tubing. This summer Wisp came up with guided mountain buggy tours in an oversized dune buggy or an all-terrain go-cart. The resort has a skate park, paintball field and disc golf. A person can participate in group and private activities at the resort. Groups can go on a zip line tour that lets participants fly over the slopes and through the woods covering the mountain. Group activities include building a mini golf course, building a boat and a scavenger hunt. Winter activities include snow tubing, ice skating and snowmobiling along with skiing and snowboarding. Snowmobiling across the icy slopes provides a lot of fun filled family activities for all ages. The resort also includes the Mountain coaster which is a hybrid coaster car going 3,500 feet downhill over 350 vertical feet on the eastern side of Wisp Mountain.
The Mountain
The Wisp Resort is seasonal and receives on average 100 inches of snow each year; however, they do create their own snow in order to open early. Offering different trials for each skill level, the 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. According to DCSki.com, Wisp was voted runner up in best year-round resort in the Mid-Atlantic.
References
- ^ "DCSki Resort Profile: Wisp Resort". Dcski.com. Retrieved 2012-05-15.