Snowboarders will want to check out Wisp this season: Maryland’s only ski resort is adding a new “Super Pipe” with vertical walls up to 15 feet. Wisp claims the Super Pipe will be the largest in the Mid-Atlantic, with a smooth transition 54 feet from wall to wall and a length of 400 feet. The pipe will be carved out of the snow with a state-of-the-art Piston Bully Super Magician.

There should be plenty of snow, despite the summer’s drought, according to resort officials.

Expansion of the McHenry House is underway. Photo provided by Wisp Resort.

“This summer’s drought will not affect us as it might other ski resorts for the coming ski season,” explained Jerry Geisler, Vice President of Operations and Guest Services for the resort. Wisp’s snowmaking infrastructure includes 12 ponds that are replenished with water from nearby Deep Creek Lake. Wisp’s 100% airless snowmaking system supplements an average annual snowfall of 100 inches. When Wisp’s snowmaking operation is in full gear, six thousand gallons of water are pumped from the ponds through snowmaking guns every minute.

The Bear Claw Snow Tubing Park, which debuted last year, will see the addition of two new lanes. The McHenry House Lodge is being expanded by 11,000 square feet to create a better experience for guests. The ski and board rental shop will also become 85% bigger, offering 1,700 sets of shaped ski rentals and over 400 snowboards plus snowbikes, snowshoes, and helmet rentals.