Where do Washingtonians go to escape the daily drumbeat of crises, politics, and congestion of the Nation’s Capital? One of the nicest areas is Liberty Mountain Resort, about an hour and 15 minute drive from Washington. It is also close to Baltimore and many other bustling areas. It is a great escape!

You know the golf season may be drawing to a close, and the snowsport season approaching, when the Fall Festival is held. It is one of our favorite events of the year, heralding lots of exciting snowsports ahead. For this year’s Festival, held on October 16, 2011, the sun was shining, the weather was warm and perfect, and the Liberty golf course was well utilized. Soon visitors may experience the mixture of golf on one side of the mountain, and skiing and snowboarding on the other.

During the Festival, there were free chairlift rides to the top of the mountain. The fields and farms spread out like green velvet below. In addition to farms, many of the fields of the Civil War battles were visible. Above us, in the clear blue skies, hawks competed for space with gliders. It is ironic, we were there on the day the Martin Luther King Memorial was dedicated in Washington D.C. We truly “have been to the mountain!”

Connie Lawn poses with “Dude” at Liberty Mountain Resort. Photo provided by Charles Sneiderman.

Back on the ground, there was delicious food in the outdoor barbecue, and live music by the Kelly Bell Band. There was a chili cook off, microbrew beer tasting, a climbing wall, scarecrow building and other activities for the children, and a swap or sale of ski, snowboard, and golf equipment.

When the cold weather comes, there will be more snowmaking, thanks to a 1.3 million dollar snowmaking upgrade. There is a loading carpet to speed things up at Alpine Quad, new digital signs on the mountain to update trail conditions and events, and other new improvements.

There are also 99 rooms available in the hotels for slopeside guests. President and General Manager Eric Flynn told us 100 weddings were held over the summer, and more events are expected this winter.

Eric Flynn, President and General Manager of Liberty Mountain Resort. Photo provided by Charles Sneiderman.

Liberty hopes to open for snowsports by the first weekend in December, but can spring into action by Thanksgiving, if it is cold enough to make snow. Until then, check out Liberty’s website at libertymountainresort.com. And keep getting your bodies and equipment ready for the snow!