As the cost of skiing continues to climb at many resorts, two Mid-Atlantic ski areas are emphasizing a different strategy for the upcoming winter.
Maryland’s Wisp Resort and Virginia’s Wintergreen Resort have announced their 2026-2027 “Mission Affordable” offerings, part of a broader initiative by their owner, Pacific Group Resorts (PGR), aimed at keeping skiing and snowboarding within reach of more families.
PGR says the philosophy has guided its resorts since 2016, influencing everything from season-pass pricing to free learn-to-ski programs and transferable ticket products. In addition to Wisp and Wintergreen, the company operates Jay Peak in Vermont, Powderhorn in Colorado, Mount Washington on Vancouver Island, and SilverStar in British Columbia.
For DCSki readers, however, Wisp and Wintergreen are the two closest to home - and both are offering several noteworthy deals this winter.
Wisp Resort
At Wisp Resort in western Maryland, the standard Mission Affordable Season Pass provides unlimited skiing and snowboarding along with four buddy tickets, reciprocal privileges at participating PGR sister resorts, and summer discounts.
Adult passes have been offered for $579 during the resort’s early pricing period, with junior passes for ages 6-22 and senior passes for ages 65-74 priced at $519. Skiers age 75 and older and children age 5 and younger are eligible for an Honorary Age Pass with a $29 processing fee.
College students can purchase a $299 Mission Affordable College Pass through October 12. Wisp is also offering a $299 Military Pass through October 12 for qualifying active-duty and retired military members, National Guard members, and registered dependents.
One option that may appeal to occasional visitors is returning later this fall. From October 14 through December 1, Wisp plans to sell a $279 four-pack containing four unrestricted, shareable lift tickets valid during the 2026-2027 season.
Wisp will also continue Ace’s FREE Learn to Ski & Ride Program. Designed for first-time skiers and snowboarders age 8 and older, the program includes three lessons, rental equipment, and limited lift tickets at no charge.
And bargain hunters willing to ski midweek will have some particularly inexpensive options beginning in January 2027. Wisp plans to offer $19 Wednesday night lift tickets, $24 Thursday night snow tubing, and $19 Thursday College Night lift tickets.
Wintergreen Resort
Wintergreen Resort in Virginia is following a similar playbook.
Its Mission Affordable Season Pass includes unlimited skiing and snowboarding, four buddy tickets, resort perks, and reciprocal benefits at participating PGR sister resorts.
Wintergreen’s early-season pricing has included a $579 adult pass and $519 passes for children and seniors. College and qualifying military passes are $299 through October 12 before increasing to $399.
Like Wisp, Wintergreen will offer a Mission Affordable 4-Pack for $279. The package includes four transferable and unrestricted lift tickets with no blackout dates and will be available for purchase from October 14 through December 1.
Wintergreen is also continuing its Fuller Experience FREE Learn to Ski & Snowboard Program, named for longtime Wintergreen team member Rick Fuller. The program provides first-time skiers and snowboarders with two-hour group lessons, beginner-area lift tickets, and beginner rental equipment.
Participants who complete the program can take another relatively inexpensive step into the sport: graduates are eligible to purchase a $99 Rookie Season Pass. Wintergreen also offers graduates access to a special Rossignol equipment package and a discounted “Sophomore” Season Pass.
A Broader Push for Affordability
While the specific deals vary from mountain to mountain, PGR says Mission Affordable is intended to address one of the ski industry’s perennial challenges: the expense of getting into - and staying in - the sport.
That philosophy is visible in several of the programs being offered at Wisp and Wintergreen. Free beginner programs remove much of the financial risk for someone who isn’t sure whether skiing or snowboarding is for them, while unrestricted four-packs provide an alternative for skiers who visit often enough to seek a discount but not often enough to justify a full season pass.
The transferable nature of those four-packs is also significant. Rather than tying discounted tickets to one person, they can be shared among family members and friends - a welcome bit of flexibility in an industry where many discounted products come with restrictions.
PGR has expanded the Mission Affordable concept across its six ski resorts, with each mountain tailoring the program to its market. Elsewhere, that includes inexpensive night skiing, discounted family nights, flexible multi-ticket packages, and free beginner programs.
For Mid-Atlantic skiers, though, the most relevant result is closer to home: another winter of relatively inexpensive ways to get onto the slopes at Wisp and Wintergreen.
