It’s not too late to ski!

April may be fast approaching, but there’s still good skiing and boarding to be found. Virginia’s Wintergreen Resort plans to stay open through this upcoming weekend, closing March 28. Maryland Wisp Resort also plans to stay open through March 28. In West Virginia, Canaan Valley, Snowshoe, and Timberline Resorts all remain open. To the north in Pennsylvania, Elk Mountain plans to remain open through Saturday; Shawnee Mountain plans to remain open through Sunday; and Seven Springs also remains open.

Before visiting any of these resorts, please contact them to verify operating conditions and hours. Resorts sometimes have limited hours late in the season and may close with little notice.

Photo provided by Snowshoe Mountain Resort.

Spring skiing going strong at Snowshoe

This past Sunday, West Virginia’s Snowshoe Mountain Resort received five inches of new snow, bringing the season total to 175 inches and the total for March to 28 inches. The fresh snow will help propel Snowshoe into the month of April.

Snowshoe currently has 39 trails open with an average base depth of 34-54 inches. Snowshoe plans to remain open until Sunday, April 11. To encourage spring visitors, Snowshoe announced today that it will provide a free lift ticket to season passholders from any other resort through the remainder of the season, when the passholder books lodging through Snowshoe Central Reservations. Fun is the theme throughout the remainder of the season; from March 26-28, Snowshoe will host its annual Mountaintop Beach Party and Music Festival, including live entertainment from The Drifters.

The skiing will end eventually, and Snowshoe is prepared: on Friday, April 16, the resort’s Raven Golf Club will open. Golfweek Magazine recently rated Snowshoe’s course the “Top Golf Course in West Virginia” for the third year running. Beginning April 16, the course will be open weekends, with fulltime operations commencing on May 6 and continuing through the fall.

For more information, visit http://www.snowshoemtn.com/. Photo provided by Snowshoe Mountain resort.

Ski and Golf this weekend at Wisp

Two seasons will collide at Wisp Resort this weekend, as the Maryland resort closes out its ski season by ringing in its golf season.

The Wisp Golf Course will open on March 27, and Wisp is offering a $79 Golf, Ski, and Lodging package beginning on Saturday, March 27. The package will include one night lodging at the Wisp Resort Hotel and Conference Center, 18 holes of golf, a Saturday/Sunday lift ticket and breakfast for $79 per person. Some limitations apply; for more information on the package or to make reservations, contact Wisp at 800-462-9477.

Sunday, March 28 will be the last day of skiing and boarding at Wisp. Wisp is offering a $21 Lift, Lesson, and Rental Package and $10 Tubing Sessions at Bear Claw Snow Tubing Park.

For more information, visit http://www.skiwisp.com/.

Reprieve at Roundtop -; Filed by Connie Lawn

It was a miracle - Ski Roundtop reopened for one last weekend after it had closed for the season. But, Mother Nature said - “not so fast.” After she dumped quite a bit more snow on the region, Roundtop reopened for the weekend of March 20-21. Of course, I could not resist the chance to revisit the beautiful mountain near York, Pa.

On Sunday, the snow depth was 12 to 36 inches. 96% of the mountain was open for skiing and boarding, but the snow tubing was closed. The weather was a bit cold, and the wind was strong, but the Ramroad Lift was sheltered from the wind. Most of the runs were in fine condition in the afternoon, but got a bit icy towards closing time. The bumps on Ramrod and Gunbarrel were in especially good shape. And the acrobats on the Super Half Pipe - how do they defy gravity the way they do? Oh to be young and fearless again! Marketing Director Chris Dudding tells us the Super Half Pipe is one of the longest and deepest in the region. It is 600 feet long and 16 feet deep, and looks pretty dramatic to me.

I see John Kerry is quite graceful on the snowboard. Think we can get him away from Sun Valley to try some of those stunts next year?

In short, Roundtop had an excellent season, as did its sister resorts in the region - Liberty and Whitetail. Roundtop was open for 97 days, making this the third best season in years.

You may think the professional staff can now take off their boots and rest for a few months. That is not the case. They spend the off-season expanding the slopes and tubing areas, planning new programs, designing new brochures, and overseeing many other projects. They may also slip off for some mountain biking, fishing, or golfing. Ski Roundtop also offers paintball fields. But, it must be lonely see the ski slopes empty of crowds. As my husband and I left, the sun was shining, and the glorious colors of sunset were emerging. In the distance, the slopes were still covered with snow. It is no fair - it can’t be spring yet!

Visit http://www.skiroundtop.com/ for more information.

Final Season Thoughts on Liberty -; Filed by Connie Lawn

Liberty - you gave us the freedom to ski for another great season! Liberty Mountain Resort is part of the trilogy of terrific local areas owned by Snow Time, Inc. They include Whitetail and Roundtop. The company also owns Windham Mountain Resort in New York State, but I have yet to check that out. All four of the areas had a great season, despite the lack of much natural snow. Ironically, as I write this on the first day of spring, Windham and Roundtop are basking in the surprise snowfall!

My husband Charles and I had a delightful final day of skiing at Liberty on Saturday, March 13. The trails were well groomed, the sun was shining, and it was heaven! Sure, it was heavy spring skiing, but it could have been much worse. It is always best to be grateful that there is snow to slide on in March!

On our final day, 16 trails were open. Eastwind maintained its incredible series of bumps. White Lightning was in the best condition of all the trails we rode, since the snow was smoother. But, all were grand, and none of the sportspeople on the mountain were complaining! Bet those poor trails are lonely now.

Congratulations to Liberty’s staff, who did such a terrific job all season long. Marketing Coordinator Anne Weimer tells me that Liberty was open for 91 days this season. The resort opened on December 6 and closed on March 14. Liberty also closed a few midweek days during warm weather, to preserve the snow.

Highlight events of the season included the Verizon Luge Challenge (which I loved - hope they return!); the Girls Learn to Ride snowboard event; and the Mascot Day, which helped to earn money for the March of Dimes. In addition to skiing, the tubing hills and terrain park were a tremendous hit with the adventuresome. I really must learn to snowboard.

Now, I know a lot of skiers and boarders turn up their noses at the East, and claim we just can’t cut it. There is no doubt the West is fantastic. But, it has been a wonderful season in the East, and I thank my friends for the chance to visit their beautiful mountains, and enjoy the snow, fresh air, nature, friendship, and exercise!

Have sweet dreams about snow this summer.

For more information visit http://www.skiliberty.com.