Winter’s cold, dry weather is finally upon us and Garrett County, Md. is taking notice.
With seven inches of fresh snow earlier this week and several more inches of snow being made, Maryland’s only ski resort is hoping to welcome hundreds of skiers and boarders this weekend. Lori Zaloga, director of marketing at Wisp Resort, says that the cold, dry conditions have really helped prepare the mountain for the weekend.
“Everybody has been on their ‘A’ game getting ready for the big holiday weekend,” Zaloga said. “Conditions have been improving since December, which was not so good, so we’re bouncing back.”
Wisp Resort has 17 of 34 trails open as of Friday, including some iconic black diamond trails – The Face, Squirrel Cage and Main Street.
Crews have been taking advantage of the weather to get the mountain covered. Wisp Resort is unique in that it has almost unlimited snow making capability, as long as the temperatures cooperate. Wisp's snow making water source is Deep Creek Lake, Maryland’s largest natural lake.
Related: Md. Skiers can finally hit the slopes close to home
If skiing isn’t your thing or you’re brand new and need some instruction, Wisp Resort has you covered.
The Mountain Park is in full operation – which includes snow tubing, ice skating and Maryland’s only mountain coaster. Plus, the Stage Wisp Concert Series offers free concerts every Friday night in January and February.
A new learning center for adults and children offers lessons for skiers and snowboarders of every age and skill level. For beginners, all-inclusive packages include a lift pass, rentals and 90 minute group lesson.
Wisp Resort is about a three hour interstate drive from Baltimore/Washington D.C., but after the trip you'll be able to ditch your car.
“Everything is on site. Once you drive the three hours, you never have to get back in your car until you’re ready to leave,” Zaloga said.
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