Wisp, the Western Maryland resort in Garrett County, is an easy-going less than three-hour drive from Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Annapolis, and points between. Wisp has a long season, averaging 140 days (that's long for the mid-Atlantic), usually running from before Thanksgiving into late March.
One good reason for the longevity is what amounts to one of the biggest and most efficient airless snowmaking systems in the region. The skiing and riding is spread over 100 skiable acres on a comfortable 610 foot vertical, with the biggest batch of runs designated blue for intermediates. Novice skiers and riders quickly fall in love with Possum, a trail that stretches from the top of three chairs for 1.5 miles, covering more than 10 acres.
Snow tubers can enjoy the nine-chute Bear Claw Snow Tubing Park with its own rope tows to the top of the hill.
Two new triple chairs replaced the last of the doubles and extended both to the top of the mountain. A ski carpet services the beginners area.
Over the years the resort has grown from a former cow pasture into one of the premier destinations in the Mid-Atlantic. Below are some of the many historic landmarks:
Winter 1955 - 1956: Mr. Heise forms Recreational Industries, Inc. and offers skiing on Marsh Mountain for the first time. A cow pasture owned by a local farmer becomes a makeshift ski area. 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 ski rental shop. One slope, The Face, is serviced by a rope tow.
Winter 1956 - 1957: Recreational Industries first attempts to make snow, using equipment resembling lawn sprinklers, which emitted 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: WISP offers night skiing, with the addition of lights on the slopes
1971-1979: Wisp expands to 16 trails and adds snow makers, more lights, and two additional chairlifts. The first motel, The Village Inn, opens at the base of the ski mountain. The snow making system is converted to an airless system, increasing power and efficiency.
1981: Wisp opens its 18 hole golf course, and is now recognized officially as the only four-season resort in the State on Maryland.
1985 - 1986: The Village Inn Motel is renovated and transformed into a Condo Hotel and is renamed the Wisp Resort hotel.
Winter 1987 - 1988: The East Ridge Trail and Life System are added, with 2 triple chairs.
1994: Developers purchased 2,400 acres of land adjacent to Wisp.
2001: DC Development, LLC purchases the Wisp from Mr. Heise and begins a major capitol improvement project. Chair 5 is extended, Chair 4 is relocated and Highline Trail is added. Bear Claw Snow Tubing Park opens.
2003: The Lodge undergoes renovation and is expanded by 11,000 sq.ft. Triple chairs replace the double chairs of 2 & 3 and a ski carpet replaces the rope tow.
2004: Completion of 8500 sq.ft. "State-of-the-art" pump house increases snow making capacity by 18% and is fully automated. Recreational Industries assumes management of Wisp Resort Hotel.
Winter 2005 - 2006: Projected opening of the first two phases of a four-phase ski area expansion. New beginner and intermediate terrain with 10 new trails, adding over 25% more skiable terrain and 2 quad chairlifts.
