Take a snow day skiing at Roundtop. Many in the area still have not visited the sister resort of Liberty and Whitetail. Roundtop is a bit further away from the DC metro area by 30 minutes, but offers less crowded slopes and hardly any lift lines. Roundtop is accessible by Route 15 and I-83. The mountain is laid out left being the hardest, blues in the middle including lower lefts and the greens to the right. Roundtop has the Fireside Pub and Grill, and a full blown separate Tubing Lodge, which has a great view of the racing slope.

For trails there are a few tight ones, like Barrett’s Trail and Patriot. Ramrod (shown below), Gun Barrel, Lafayette’s Leap, and Recruit usually have bumps laid out on part of the slope.

Photo provided by Ed Fowler.

Roundtop has a park with jumps and features. Snowmaking and grooming is state of the art just like their sister resorts. Roundtop is similar to Liberty in some ways but does not offer lodging on slope. Lodging is located within 10 miles.

Roundtop is usually the last resort to close in the season as it is further north. Susquehanna (shown below) and Lower Lafayette’s Leap are meandering trails with character. During my recent trip February 3-4, 2013, the snow was an “A” on Saturday and an “A+” on Sunday. Still a few thins about or ice, but not a rock in sight. By Sunday it was perfect. Saturday snow was made in selected areas. Roundtop is 100% open with a solid base.

Photo provided by Ed Fowler.

NASTAR racing is held on weekends, holidays, and Friday night per their schedule. Cost is $1 pay to race, $6 for 2 runs, $10 unlimited NASTAR. The race course can be observed by the Exhibition quad lift. If you are an intermediate skier or snowboarder, give it a try sometime. Roundtop hosts MAAS Snowboard GS and SL Racing February 23 and 24.

If you’re looking for a laid back place to ski or ride, a little bit more elbow room, or need a place to compete in racing, come on up to Roundtop. ASRA GS race photo catches Dave Monroe at the gate. He is a member of ZARDOZ Renegades who are always looking for new racers, ski or snowboard.

Photo provided by Ed Fowler.

On Sunday the Troegs Challenge Cup Race was held. Gee Kalasky presented an award for Outstanding Race Venue to Jeff Beinhaur (photo below), Race Director for Roundtop. His team puts on a great race every time and has for fifteen years. Somebody has to set the gates, the fences, Starter person, Timer person/ announcer. Jeff is racing the hardest race in his life, maybe you can help.

Photo provided by Ed Fowler.