ABOUT WISP
Tucked away in the mountains of Western Maryland lies Wisp Resort, Maryland’s only 4-season ski, golf, and recreational destination resort.
Wisp’s 132 acres of ski terrain provide snow sports enthusiasts of all levels with a stellar winter playground. Non-skiers and boarders won’t be left out – Wisp Resort and the Deep Creek Lake area offer a mountain coaster, shopping, dining, and more.
Three other seasons offer just as much adventure!
Swing, splash, paddle, zip, glide, ride, and more!
An almost endless list of recreational activities provides families, adventure seekers, and nature lovers a respite to disconnect from everyday life and reconnect with mind, body, and spirit.
Come splash in our waters, play on our mountain and fly through the crisp mountain air with Wisp’s land, water, and aerial adventures. From three different canopy tours to the Mountain Coaster, 36 holes of golf, whitewater rafting to flatwater kayaking, the list goes on.
We welcome you to discover Wisp Resort, Maryland’s premier mountain resort.
70 Years On-Snow
This winter, Wisp celebrates its 70th season on-snow. From the original Poma lift to 33 slopes and year-round, four-season fun, we’re honoring the evolution of Wisp Resort and the man who made it all possible, Helmuth “Ace” Heise.
As Wisp Resort celebrates its 70th season, members of the community, including the son of founder Helmuth “Ace” Heise, Martin Heise, reflect on how the resort has evolved over the years. From Marsh Mountain to Wisp, “Making of Maryland’s Ski Resort – Tribute to a True Pioneer” tells the story of the man who brought meaning to the winters in Garrett County.
MEDIA RELATIONS
- Maryland Office of Tourism: 2023 Wisp Resort #13 of 25+ Top Maryland Attractions
- Onlyinyourstate.com: 2023 15 Unique Day Trips in Maryland That Are An Absolute Must-Do #12 Wisp Resort
- Snowpack.com: 2022-23 The 6 Best Ski Resorts Near Washington, D.C.
- Washingtonian Magazine:
- 2022-23 The 8 Best Places to Ski Near Washington, D.C. – Most Family-Friendly
- 2020-21 The 9 Best Ski Resorts close to DC – Best for Beginners
- GolfWeek Magazine: 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 Lodestone Golf Course Ranked #2 Public Golf Course in Maryland
- Blue Ridge Outdoor Magazine: Top Adventure Towns 2023, McHenry MD top 100 Tiny towns
- Golfstyles Magazine: Fantasy Valley Golf Course 100 Must-Play Courses in the Mid-Atlantic
- WeddingWire.com: 2020 Couples Choice Awards
- Smart Meetings Magazine: 2018 Smart Stars Award, Most Exceptional Venues in Best Boutique/Lifestyle Hotel Category
- Liftopia:
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- 2019 Best in Snow Awards Southeast Region, (#2 of 10) Best Overall Resort, (#3 of 10) Most Challenging, (#3 of 10) Least Crowded, (#3 of 10) Best Value
- 2018 Best in Snow Awards Southeast Region, (#9 of 10) Beginner Friendly Resorts, (#9 of 9) Family Friendly, (#9 of 9) Most Challenging, (#10 of 10) Best Value, (#8 of 8) Snow Consistency & Quality
- 2017 Best in Snow Awards Southeast Region, (#7 of 10) Beginner Friendly Resorts, (#8 of 8) Most Challenging, (#9 of 10) Best Value, (#8 of 8) Snow Consistency & Quality
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- Winter 1955-1956 A cow pasture owned by a local farmer becomes a makeshift ski area as Mr. Heise forms Wisp by offering skiing on Marsh Mountain. A one-room hut with a pot-bellied stove serves as the first Lodge and the bed of a pick-up truck operates as the first Rental Shop. The Face is the only slope serviced by a rope tow.
- Winter 1956-1957 Wisp first attempts to make snow by using equipment resembling
lawn sprinklers which emit frozen pellets of water.
1965 The first double chairlift, Chair 1, is installed. For the first
time, skiers are able to ski from the top of Marsh Mountain.
1969 The addition of lights on the slopes allows Wisp to offer night
skiing.
1971 – 1979 Wisp expands to 16 trails and adds snowmakers, more lights, and two additional chairlifts. The first motel, The Village Inn, opens at the base of the ski mountain. The snowmaking system is converted to an airless system, increasing power and efficiency.
1981 Wisp opens its 18-hole golf course, and is now officially recognized as the only four-season resort in the State of Maryland.
1985 – 1986 The Village Inn Motel is renovated. Now transformed into a Condo Hotel, it is renamed the Wisp Resort Hotel.
Winter 1987-1988 The East Ridge Trail & Lift System is added featuring five new
trails and two new triple chairs.
2001 DC Development, LLC purchases Wisp from Mr. Heise and begins a major capital improvement project. Chair 5 is extended, Chair 4 is relocated, and Highline Trail is added. Bear Claw Snow Tubing Park opens. Wisp launches a summer activities program known as Outdoor Adventures featuring a skate park, paintball and mountain biking program.
2003 The Lodge undergoes renovation and is expanded by 11,000 sq. ft. Triple chairs replace the double chairs of Chairs 2 & 3 and a conveyor carpet replaces the rope tow on Belly Flop to enhance the beginner skier / boarder experience.
2004 A state-of-the-art $3 million dollar snowmaking system housed in The Pumphouse begins operation. The fully automated pumphouse increases snowmaking capacity by 18%. Wisp assumes management of the slopeside Wisp Resort Hotel. Summer operations continue to grow adding guided ATV tours, and a disc golf course.
2005 Wisp Resort celebrates 50 years of skiing in Maryland. North Camp, a $9.1 million terrain expanse, opens adding over 30% more skiable terrain including 10 new trails, 2 fixed Quad chairlifts and 126 new snowmaking guns. Wisp Outdoors Nordic Center opens offering guided snowmobile tours, cross country skiing and snowshoeing.
2006 The Outdoor Adventure summer program is re-branded and expanded to include an Orvis endorsed Fly Fishing Outfitter operation and water sports such as waterskiing/wakeboarding.
2007 Wisp installs the Mid Atlantic’s only Mountain Coaster which operates year-round. The Bear Claw Snow Tubing Park receives a conveyor carpet and 5,000 sq. ft. Sprung Structure for ticketing, retail and dining. Ground is broken on the signature Hale Irwin Lodestone Golf Club.
2008 Bear Claw Snow Tubing Park receives second conveyor carpet to carry tubers up the hill. A loading carpet is added to Chair 2 to enhance the beginner experience. Wisp partners with Burton Snowboards to offer four Learn-to Ride Programs. Wisp Outdoors summer operations adds off-road Mountain Buggy Tours, Pontoon Boat Tours, flat-water kayak rentals and delivery. Wisp Resort Golf Course goes through renovations by removing 4 holes from the original routing and adding 4 new holes in Fantasy Valley.
- Lodestone Golf Club opens front 9 holes. Wisp Outdoors adds off-road Segway Tours to their summer offerings. Garrett County’s only Ice Skating Rink is added to the Bear Claw Adventure Park. Wisp Founder, Helmuth ‘Ace’ Heise passes on the eleventh day of August.
- Lodestone Golf Club opens all 18-holes.
- The Flying Squirrel Canopy Tour is installed at the Adventure Park. Paddleboarding is added to the water sports menu at Wisp Outdoors.
- Wisp adds a smaller canopy tour/zip line adventure course known as the Chipmunk Challenge Course along with the Squirrel’s Den Play Area to the Adventure Park. In December 2012, Wisp Resort is purchased by the Park City based the Pacific Group Resorts.
- Wisp installed a third canopy tour, the Spider Monkey, which will fall in the middle adventure level between the Flying Squirrel Canopy Tour and the Chipmunk Challenge Course. Plans for Winter 2013 / 2014 include 20 plus acres of glade skiing and boarding terrain, two new designated mogul runs (1 under Chair 2/3 & 1 under Chair 5), new retail ski and board shop, new food and beverage outlet at the bottom of Chair 5 and upgraded ski rental fleet. Resort announces Jerry Geisler as General Manager.
- Sundown Village opened winter 14.15 and features 8 50’ yurts to function as an adult’s learning center, kids learning center, Nordic center and café during winter and golf operations, café and group function space in the spring, summer and fall seasons. 2 new beginner trails open in the Sundown Village beginner area – Sunset Blvd and Easy St. serviced by 3 conveyor carpets. A
- Wisp celebrates 60 years of skiing in Maryland during the 15.16 winter season. The Wisp Resort Hotel begins $3 million renovation.
- The Wisp Resort Hotel is rebranded as The Lodge at Wisp and completes $2 million of the $3 million renovation project. The Rossignol Concept Shop and Demo center debuts at Wisp Resort.
- Spring: Launched Mission: Affordable for 17.18 season passes Summer: Add ResortBoards to Mountain Park summer offerings and added Wisp Escape Games for a year-round activity. Winter: Introduced 3 Free Learn-to Ski/Snowboard Program
- Spring: Added a second game to Wisp Escape Games. Fall: $3.7 million renovation on The Lodge at Wisp complete with final phase of the Lobby.
- Summer: New General Manager announced July 2019. Mr. Ron Hawkes. Added 5 new Techno Alpin TR8 snow fan guns. Introduced RFID ticketing and gates.
- New mobile app with online food ordering, interactive trail map, trail conditions, GPS friend-finding and tracking, and more mountain information to keep guests informed.
- 4 New TechnoAlpin snowguns installed on Squirrel Cage trail
- X New TechnoAlpin snowguns installed on Squirrel Cage trail
- New outdoor summer play, Gilligan’s Island – The Musical Experience, Mini Golf Course added to the Mountain Park
CORPORATE PARTNERS
Wisp Resort is proud to be associated with these quality brands. Wisp Resort guests can be confident of the products’ quality, value, and commitment to continued excellence. We invite you to enjoy their products while visiting the resort and to learn more about Wisp Resort’s Corporate Partners by visiting their websites.
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GIFT CARDS
Wisp Resort gift cards are valid for on-site purchases at the resort including lodging, dining, shopping outlets, and recreation.
Wisp gift cards are not valid for online purchases of products.
DRONE POLICY
Our top priority is safety for guests, employees, and resort property, as well as concerns for individual privacy. Wisp Resort prohibits the operation or use of remote aerial systems or drones by the general public – including recreational users and hobbyists – without the prior written authorization from the Resort. This prohibition includes drones used for filming or videotaping and any drone use by media or journalists operating above or within 100 ft of Resort boundaries.
This prohibition on drone operations or use extends to any drone launched or operated from Resort property and drones launched from private property outside the Resort boundaries.
Please contact Lori Zaloga, [email protected], if you have questions or need prior authorization to operate aerial drones. FAA rules and regulations may govern any authorized operation of aerial drones, local law enforcement, and policies separately established by this Resort, including certification, training, insurance coverage indemnification requirements, and waivers or releases of liability.
Any violation of this policy may involve suspension of your skiing or snowboarding privileges, or the revocation of your season pass, as well as confiscation of any drone equipment, and may subject violators to any damages, including, but not limited to, damages for violations of privacy and/or physical or personal injuries or property damage, as well as regulatory fines and legal fees.
