Scott is Editor and founder of DCSki. He writes the articles, takes the photographs, designs the pages, programs the site, pays the bills, and occasionally catches a wink of sleep. In addition to DCSki, Scott works full time as a researcher and computer scientist.
Scott loves outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, travel, skiing, kayaking, and mountain biking. He is an avid photographer and writer, and also plays keyboards and drums. Scott grew up in Colorado and currently resides in Maryland. (That's right - he went from Colorado to Maryland - what was he thinking?!) Scott maintains a personal weblog at www.mscottsmith.org.
Scott has written 941 stories for DCSki since 1997.
Vail Resorts has opened early sales for its 2024-2025 Epic Passes, offering discounted access to its ski resorts with multiple pass options and perks like discounted lift tickets for friends.
By M. Scott Smith | March 14, 2025 News
DCSki's Editor snuck away on Friday to spend a few hours skiing at Pennsylvania's Liberty Mountain Resort. He found perfect snow conditions to complement the beautiful pastoral views Liberty offers.
By M. Scott Smith | January 18, 2025 Firsthand Report
In DCSki's Interview Series, we take a look at interesting people who have a connection to the mountains. We recently interviewed Pete Tolsdorf, who created a resource called SkiTripPlanner.com that helps match skiers with the perfect resort.
By M. Scott Smith | January 16, 2025 2 Interview Series
DCSki's Editor made his first local turns of the season at Whitetail Resort. Recent sub-freezing temperatures and natural snow have made Whitetail's slopes look and ski more like a western ski area. He describes his visit in this story.
By M. Scott Smith | January 9, 2025 3 Firsthand Report
After years of warm winters hindering snowmaking and natural snowfall, Mid-Atlantic ski resorts are set for a turnaround in January 2025, with frigid temperatures, ample snowmaking opportunities, and an impending snowstorm promising exceptional skiing conditions. Above, Virginia's Omni Homestead Resort opens for the season on January 9, 2025.
By M. Scott Smith | January 5, 2025 News
The majority of ski resorts in the Mid-Atlantic region are now open for the 2024-2025 winter season, with a variety of trails available for early-season skiing and snowboarding. Additional resorts are set to open in the coming days, supported by snowmaking efforts and natural snowfall. Above, Pennsylvania's Roundtop Mountain began its 60th season on December 14, 2024. Photo provided by Haley Mowery / Roundtop Mountain.
By M. Scott Smith | December 16, 2024 News
An arctic air mass has brought ideal snowmaking conditions to the Mid-Atlantic, enabling resorts across the region to prepare for their winter season openings, with many planning to open in early December. Resorts like Seven Springs, Wisp, Snowshoe, and Timberline Mountain are leading the charge, while others are building their bases for upcoming announcements. Photo by Heidi Lews / Hidden Valley Resort.
By M. Scott Smith | December 1, 2024 2 News
Vail Resorts offers a variety of Epic Passes - providing unlimited, multi-day, or single-day skiing at ski resorts across the country - but the opportunity to buy one of these passes will soon come to an end when they go off sale on December 2, 2024.
By M. Scott Smith | November 22, 2024 News
For the past 75 years, the arrival of a new Warren Miller ski film has served as the unofficial announcement that winter is coming. Since 1949, these films have captured footage of thrilling ski lines, pristine powder, and the exhilarating beauty of the mountains. The latest film, 75, is being shown at locations in Washington D.C., Maryland, and Pennsylvania.
By M. Scott Smith | November 14, 2024 News
Winterplace Ski Resort in West Virginia is launching a two-year, multi-million dollar improvement project with USDA grant support, enhancing snowmaking, energy-efficient lighting, and guest amenities, while also introducing a new terrain park, remodeled dining options, and expanded clinics for the upcoming ski season.
By M. Scott Smith | November 12, 2024 2 What's New
The Indy Pass is back on sale with over 230 independent ski resorts across three continents, adding 30 new locations, including Bear Creek Resort in Pennsylvania. Offering skiers an alternative to larger corporate passes, the Indy Pass emphasizes smaller, local destinations and is expected to sell out quickly for the 2024-2025 winter season.
By M. Scott Smith | October 28, 2024 2 News
Seven Springs Mountain Resort has debuted an exhibit in its Main Lodge celebrating its history, featuring vintage artifacts and photos in partnership with the Pennsylvania Snowsports Museum and Vail Resorts. Showcasing its transformation from a family farm to a renowned Mid-Atlantic ski destination, the exhibit will be regularly updated with new displays.
By M. Scott Smith | October 27, 2024 2 News
Maryland's only downhill ski area has made a number of enhancements across the property in preparation for the upcoming ski season, including new snowmaking pipe and guns, a new conveyor lift for the tubing area, and upgrades to the lodge.
By M. Scott Smith | October 16, 2024 What's New
Whitetail Resort plans to auction off 30 vintage ski lift chairs and 17 trail signs on October 12-13, 2024, with proceeds benefiting the EpicPromise Foundation, which offers hardship relief grants and academic scholarships to Vail Resorts employees. The auction precedes the upcoming removal of the Jib Junction double chairlift, which has been out of service in recent years.
By M. Scott Smith | October 1, 2024 News
Vail Resorts is gearing up for the winter season by rolling out new programs and enhancements across its eight Pennsylvania ski areas, including expanded children's lessons, women-focused initiatives, and improved snowmaking capabilities. Photo by Haley Mowery, Roundtop Resort.
By M. Scott Smith | September 1, 2024 4 What's New
Blue Mountain and Camelback Resorts are preparing for the 2024-2025 winter season with notable upgrades, including the new Peak-to-Peak Poconos Pass for unlimited access to both resorts. Blue Mountain is enhancing its snowmaking capabilities, while Camelback is focusing on tech-driven visitor experiences.
By M. Scott Smith | August 31, 2024 What's New
Located in the scenic Laurel Highlands region of Pennsylvania, Seven Springs Mountain Resort provides a wide range of summer activities, keeping the fun going long after the snow melts. Throughout the summer, Seven Springs will host several festivals, in addition to providing daily recreational opportunities from May 24 through Labor Day.
By M. Scott Smith | May 19, 2024 News
Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer, and also the last day to lock in the lowest prices on Epic Passes for the 2024-2025 winter ski season.
By M. Scott Smith | May 18, 2024 1 News
Virginia's Massanutten Resort is currently offering ski, WaterPark, and mountain bike season passes, in addition to annual golf memberships. Ski season passes will go up in price after May 31, 2024, providing an incentive to buy early.
By M. Scott Smith | May 17, 2024 News
The snow may have melted, but Pennsylvania's Liberty Mountain Resort plans to stay busy through the summer season with a variety of on-mountain events including a wine festival and weekly music series.
By M. Scott Smith | May 16, 2024 News
Vail Resorts has begun selling its line of Epic Pass products for the 2024/2025 winter season, even as lifts continue running at many of its properties across the U.S. A range of passes is available to Mid-Atlantic skiers and boarders including the Epic Pass, Epic Local Pass, Northeast Value Pass, and Epic Day Pass.
By M. Scott Smith | March 21, 2024 3 News
The ski slopes may have recently closed at Virginia's Massanutten Resort for the 2023-2024 winter season, but the fun never really stops at the four-season resort, which offers a range of year-round activities such as golf and an indoor WaterPark. Earlier this month, the resort unveiled details on the first phase of a multi-year master plan that will see Massanutten further enhance its year-round offerings, adding a new hotel and WaterPark expansion.
By M. Scott Smith | March 20, 2024 1 News
Pennsylvania's Blue Mountain and Camelback Resorts have just announced a new season pass product that will provide unlimited skiing across the two areas for the 2024/2025 winter season.
By M. Scott Smith | February 22, 2024 News
DCSki's Editor visited Pennsylvania's Liberty Mountain Resort on February 21, 2024, finding great snow conditions, sunny skies, and a friendly vibe. He filed this Firsthand Report.
By M. Scott Smith | February 21, 2024 3 Firsthand Report
Pennsylvania's Camelback Resort will be celebrating its 60th Anniversary with an event on January 27, 2024; Vail Resorts provides an update on its environmental and social responsibility efforts.
By M. Scott Smith | January 24, 2024 News
In DCSki's Interview Series, we take a look at interesting people who have a connection to the mountains. We recently interviewed Ted McDowell, who joined Pennsylvania's Ski Roundtop as General Manager last season.
By M. Scott Smith | January 19, 2024 1 Interview Series
In this story, we take a look at six barriers of entry for new skiers and snowboarders. If you're trying to convince a friend to try skiing for the first time, understanding -- and being empathetic to -- these reservations will go a long way towards easing their concerns.
By M. Scott Smith | January 15, 2024 7 Feature Story
DCSki's Editor took a gamble by booking an early-December ski trip to Colorado's Vail Resort. In this detailed Firsthand Report, he describes how the gamble paid off, as Vail's open terrain surged during his three-day visit.
By M. Scott Smith | January 7, 2024 8 Firsthand Report
A potential snowstorm is brewing for later this week, which might bring measurable snow across the Mid-Atlantic region -- perhaps a foot or more in mountain regions. Since the Mid-Atlantic region doesn't experience snowstorms too often, we thought we'd refresh you on some tips for driving safely in the snow, in case you encounter snowy roads in your pursuit of some turns.
By M. Scott Smith | January 2, 2024 5 Feature Story
With warmer weather and rain putting a damper on early-season skiing in the Mid-Atlantic, you might find yourself browsing airline web sites in search of cheap fares out west. If your plans take you to higher elevations, it can take awhile for your sea level-calibrated lungs to adapt to the thinner air. We capture some tips on how to avoid altitude sickness.
By M. Scott Smith | December 28, 2023 4 Feature Story
