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M. Scott Smith

Scott is Editor and founder of DCSki. He writes the articles, takes the photographs, designs the pages, programs the site, pays the bills, and occasionally catches a wink of sleep. In addition to DCSki, Scott works full time as a researcher and computer scientist.

Scott loves outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, travel, skiing, kayaking, and mountain biking. He is an avid photographer and writer, and also plays keyboards and drums. Scott grew up in Colorado and currently resides in Maryland. (That's right - he went from Colorado to Maryland - what was he thinking?!) Scott maintains a personal weblog at www.mscottsmith.org.

Scott has written 919 stories for DCSki since 1997.

Blue Mountain, Camelback Resorts Announce New "Peak to Peak" Poconos Pass

Pennsylvania's Blue Mountain and Camelback Resorts have just announced a new season pass product that will provide unlimited skiing across the two areas for the 2024/2025 winter season.

By M. Scott Smith | February 22, 2024 News

Firsthand Report: Liberty Mountain Resort

DCSki's Editor visited Pennsylvania's Liberty Mountain Resort on February 21, 2024, finding great snow conditions, sunny skies, and a friendly vibe. He filed this Firsthand Report.

By M. Scott Smith | February 21, 2024 3 Firsthand Report

News Briefs: Camelback Celebrates 60 Years; Vail Resorts Meets Energy Efficiency Goal

Pennsylvania's Camelback Resort will be celebrating its 60th Anniversary with an event on January 27, 2024; Vail Resorts provides an update on its environmental and social responsibility efforts.

By M. Scott Smith | January 24, 2024 News

Interview Series: Ted McDowell, General Manager of Roundtop Mountain Resort

In DCSki's Interview Series, we take a look at interesting people who have a connection to the mountains. We recently interviewed Ted McDowell, who joined Pennsylvania's Ski Roundtop as General Manager last season.

By M. Scott Smith | January 19, 2024 1 Interview Series

The Skeptical Skier: Convincing a Friend to Try Skiing for the First Time

In this story, we take a look at six barriers of entry for new skiers and snowboarders. If you're trying to convince a friend to try skiing for the first time, understanding -- and being empathetic to -- these reservations will go a long way towards easing their concerns.

By M. Scott Smith | January 15, 2024 7 Feature Story

Firsthand Report: Early Season Skiing at Vail, Colorado

DCSki's Editor took a gamble by booking an early-December ski trip to Colorado's Vail Resort. In this detailed Firsthand Report, he describes how the gamble paid off, as Vail's open terrain surged during his three-day visit.

By M. Scott Smith | January 7, 2024 8 Firsthand Report

Winter Driving Tips

A potential snowstorm is brewing for later this week, which might bring measurable snow across the Mid-Atlantic region -- perhaps a foot or more in mountain regions. Since the Mid-Atlantic region doesn't experience snowstorms too often, we thought we'd refresh you on some tips for driving safely in the snow, in case you encounter snowy roads in your pursuit of some turns.

By M. Scott Smith | January 2, 2024 5 Feature Story

Avoiding Altitude Sickness when Traveling West

With warmer weather and rain putting a damper on early-season skiing in the Mid-Atlantic, you might find yourself browsing airline web sites in search of cheap fares out west. If your plans take you to higher elevations, it can take awhile for your sea level-calibrated lungs to adapt to the thinner air. We capture some tips on how to avoid altitude sickness.

By M. Scott Smith | December 28, 2023 4 Feature Story

Vail Resorts Appoints New GM of Jack Frost/Big Boulder

Vail Resorts recently announced that Tony Santora will be taking the helm as General Manager of Pennsylvania's Jack Frost and Big Boulder Resorts on January 1, 2024.

By M. Scott Smith | December 26, 2023 News

Hidden Valley and Roundtop Mountain Resorts Set to Open Friday, December 22, 2023

The steady beat of Mid-Atlantic resort openings continues this week as Pennsylvania's Hidden Valley and Roundtop Mountain Resorts plan to kick off their winter season on Friday, December 22, 2023.

By M. Scott Smith | December 21, 2023 News

Laurel Mountain, The Omni Homestead, and Whitetail Resort to Open Saturday, December 23, 2023

Pennsylvania's Laurel Mountain and Whitetail Resorts will both begin their winter season at 9 a.m. on Saturday, December 23, 2023, just after Hidden Valley and Roundtop Mountain Resorts open for their season on Friday. Virginia's Omni Homestead Resort will also open its ski slopes on Saturday.

By M. Scott Smith | December 21, 2023 1 News

Additional Resorts Set to Open

More Mid-Atlantic resorts are set to begin their 2023-2024 winter seasons as Seven Springs, Big Boulder, Wisp, and Wintergreen drop the ropes on Friday, December 15, 2023. Canaan Valley Resort will open on Saturday, December 16. Above, Seven Springs begins grooming slopes on December 12 in preparation for its opening. Photo provided by Seven Springs Mountain Resort.

By M. Scott Smith | December 15, 2023 News

Tips for your First Runs of the Season

Skiing is a seasonal sport. Unless you have a private jet and can easily toggle between hemispheres, you probably only hop on your skis or snowboard for a few brief months out of the year, followed by an unpleasantly long stretch away from the snow. So, as we approach the 2023-2024 winter season, your skiing skills might be a bit rusty. We've put together a set of tips to help you prepare for your first runs of the season.

By M. Scott Smith | December 6, 2023 2 Feature Story

To Snow or Not to Snow: Predicting Winter Weather in the Mid-Atlantic

To snow, or not to snow. That is the question. That is the question that haunts Mid-Atlantic skiers and snowboarders as each winter season approaches. Will we have a snowy season? Or at least a cold season, so local ski resorts can dial their snowguns up to 10? DCSki takes a look at some of the ways one might try to predict what kind of winter we have in store.

By M. Scott Smith | December 4, 2023 Feature Story

What's New for 2023: The Omni Homestead Resort

Located in the Allegheny Mountains of Virginia, the historic Omni Homestead Resort recently completed a $150+ million dollar property-wide renovation project.

By M. Scott Smith | December 1, 2023 1 What's New

A Wave of Mid-Atlantic Ski Resorts to Open in Coming Days

The recent stretch of cold temperatures has enabled robust snowmaking across the Mid-Atlantic region, and as a result, a handful of ski resorts across Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia plan to open in the coming days. In North Carolina, two ski areas have already opened for the season. In this story, we provide a look at official opening day plans shared by resorts as of November 29, 2023.

By M. Scott Smith | November 29, 2023 1 News

Cue the Snowguns

The sound of snowguns began ringing out across the Mid-Atlantic region in recent days, as post-Thanksgiving temperatures dipped below freezing. With the nighttime mercury dropping into the 20s in the coming days, the symphony of snowguns should continue as local resorts prepare for their season openings. DCSki provides a gallery of snowmaking photos from across the region and explains how the technology works. Above, snowguns begin to blanket the slopes of Seven Springs Mountain Resort on November 25, 2023.

By M. Scott Smith | November 26, 2023 News

What's New for 2023: Vail Resorts' Pennsylvania Properties

DCSki profiles the latest enhancements at Vail Resorts' eight Pennsylvania ski areas, including Laurel Mountain, Hidden Valley, Seven Springs, Liberty Mountain, Roundtop Mountain, Whitetail, and Jack Frost/Big Boulder Resorts.

By M. Scott Smith | November 24, 2023 2 What's New

What's New for 2023: Camelback Resort

Pennsylvania's Camelback Resort becomes the first ski resort in the nation to incorporate Amazon's Just Walk Out technology in a resort shop.

By M. Scott Smith | November 22, 2023 What's New

What's New for 2023: Blue Mountain Resort

Significant snowmaking enhancements highlight improvements at Pennsylvania's Blue Mountain Ski Resort this winter.

By M. Scott Smith | November 17, 2023 What's New

Epic, Ikon Pass Prices Set to Increase

Epic and Ikon Passes are both set to rise in price October 11 and 12, 2023, respectively.

By M. Scott Smith | October 8, 2023 1 News

Going Further Afield: The Swiss Transport Museum in Lucerne, Switzerland

Graced by the majestic Alps, Switzerland is anything but flat. Steep mountains rise up to the sky across the landlocked European country, creating breathtaking vistas. And climbing all of those hills and mountains can also be breathtaking. To ease that burden, a variety of cable-based transport mechanisms have been installed across Switzerland: cable cars, gondolas, and chairlifts. Located in Lucerne, the Swiss Transport Museum has a detailed exhibit that provides a fascinating look at aerial, cable-based transportation.

By M. Scott Smith | September 9, 2023 2 Feature Story

Interview Series: Matt Knott, Owner of Snow Riders

In DCSki's Interview Series, we take a look at interesting people who have a connection to the mountains. In early February, 2022, a new snow tubing park opened in scenic Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, providing day and evening tubing sessions throughout the week. We chatted with Matt Knott, President and Owner of River/Snow Riders, to learn more about this exciting new addition to the Mid-Atlantic winter sports scene.

By M. Scott Smith | February 9, 2023 Interview Series

The January Blues

Temperatures have been on a wild roller coaster so far this winter, frustrating Mid-Atlantic skiers. But after a warm spell in early January, nighttime temperatures are finally about to dip back into snowmaking range.

By M. Scott Smith | January 5, 2023 3 News

Mid-Atlantic Ski Season Begins

Below average temperatures in November have enabled a variety of ski areas across the entire Mid-Atlantic region to open for the season, giving skiers one extra thing to be thankful for this Thanksgiving.

By M. Scott Smith | November 27, 2022 4 News

What's New for 2022: Blue Mountain Resort

Pennsylvania's Blue Mountain Resort has made significant investments this past summer to enhance skiing this winter. A new lift, a re-imagined snow tubing experience, and enhanced snowmaking highlight some of the capital improvements visitors will notice.

By M. Scott Smith | November 16, 2022 News

What's New for 2022: Camelback Resort

Guests to Pennsylvania's Camelback Resort will notice a wide range of improvements this winter. Chief among them: the Black Bear 6, a brand new 6-person high-speed lift

By M. Scott Smith | November 15, 2022 News

An Annual Conundrum: When to Begin Snowmaking

This time of year is a tricky one for ski area managers in the Mid-Atlantic region. To make snow, or not to make snow? A large number of variables factor into each resort's decision.

By M. Scott Smith | November 14, 2022 3 Feature Story

Snow Sports Museum of West Virginia Charts Out Summer Events

Dedicated to capturing and preserving the history of snowsports in WV, the Museum recently announced upcoming events.

By M. Scott Smith | May 6, 2022 3 News

An Ikonic, Epic Battle: For 2022, Season Pass Options Abound

It is once again Spring, which means it's time to consider purchasing a season pass for the 2022-2023 winter season before prices begin to inch up. DCSki breaks down the choices and factors Mid-Atlantic skiers should consider as they explore available pass options.

By M. Scott Smith | April 25, 2022 9 Feature Story

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