A mountain coaster winds through the forest, and riders use handbrakes to control the twists and drops. That’s the kind of surprise waiting at this Maryland mountain resort, where outdoor fun continues well beyond ski season.
You can ride a scenic chairlift, try aerial adventure courses, or explore mountain trails when the weather warms up. Winter brings skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing.
For an overnight stay, the resort has a slopeside lodge with guest rooms, an indoor pool, and convenient access to dining.
I’d be tempted to start with the chairlift views and save the coaster for later. It’s easy to build a weekend around one big adventure, then add a quieter afternoon nearby.
The attraction isn’t the promise of doing everything. It’s having several very different ways to spend time outdoors without turning the trip into a complicated itinerary.
A Cow Pasture Grew Up to Become Maryland’s Four-Season Playground
Back in the winter of 1955 to 1956, a man named Helmuth M.G. Heise opened a small ski hill called Marsh Mountain.
The land had been a cow pasture, which is a pretty humble start for a big resort.
Today that hill is Wisp Resort, and it carries a special title. It’s Maryland’s only four-season ski, golf, and recreational destination resort.
That means the fun doesn’t pack up when the snow melts. Winter brings skiing and tubing, while warmer months bring golf, zip lines, and disc golf.
The resort sits in Western Maryland, close to the shores of Deep Creek Lake. It’s less than half a mile from the lake, so mountain views and water views come as a pair.
I love a good underdog story, and this one checks every box. A pasture that once held cows now holds 172 acres of skiable terrain and a whole menu of adventures.
Pacific Group Resorts, Inc. owns the resort today. The name changed and the slopes grew, but the original idea still feels clear.
People come here to play outside. Honestly, the cows probably would have enjoyed the view too, if anyone had asked them.
You Will Want to Ride the Mountain Coaster More Than Once
Only a handful of rides like it exist in the United States, and Wisp has one. The Mountain Coaster mixes a roller coaster with an alpine slide, then drops it into a forest.
The track runs about 3,500 feet downhill. Along the way, it drops roughly 350 vertical feet through twists and turns between the trees.
Here’s the fun part. You control your own speed with the brakes, so cautious riders can cruise and bold riders can let it fly.
That makes it a smart pick for mixed groups. Grandparents, teens, and that one friend who screams at everything can all ride the same track their own way.
The coaster is a year-round attraction, which is rare for an outdoor ride. In winter, it feels a bit like a bobsled zipping past snowy woods.
Like any mechanical ride, it can close for maintenance. Checking with the resort before your trip is a smart move, especially if the coaster is your main reason for visiting.
Plan for a second lap. One run usually just teaches you where you should have braked less.
Slopes That Stay Lit Long After the Sun Goes Down
Snow season turns Wisp into Maryland’s go-to spot for skiing and snowboarding. The mountain offers 34 slopes and trails across 172 acres.
A 700-foot vertical drop gives you plenty of room to build speed. Trails range from easy beginner runs to expert terrain, so nobody gets left at the lodge.
Night skiing is where things get really cool. Lights cover about 90 percent of the terrain, so your ski day can keep going after dinner.
That’s a big deal for weekend trips. Arrive Friday afternoon, and you could still squeeze in runs under the lights that same evening.
New to the sport? The resort runs a ski and snowboard school during winter.
A rental shop is on site too, so you don’t need to haul gear from home.
The Lodge at Wisp also offers ski-in, ski-out access. Walking out your door and straight onto the snow beats a long, cold parking lot hike.
Bring layers and good gloves. Mountain air in Western Maryland can bite, even when the sky looks friendly.
Twelve Snowy Lanes and Zero Ski Lessons Needed
Not everyone wants to learn how to ski, and that’s totally fine. Bear Claw Snow Tubing Park opened at Wisp in 2001 for exactly those folks.
The park has 12 groomed lanes built for sliding. You sit in a tube, push off, and let gravity handle the rest.
The best part might be the trip back up. Conveyor lifts carry riders uphill, so you skip the tiring climb while dragging a tube behind you.
Tubing works well for families with little ones. It also fits groups where some people ski and others would rather laugh their way down a hill.
Want something calmer? Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are offered in areas like Sundown Village when natural snow allows.
Those quieter trails trade speed for scenery. You get the soft crunch of snow and a slower look at the woods.
Between tubing, snowshoeing, and the slopes, winter here offers plenty of variety. Dress warmly, though, because sliding in snow is much more fun when your socks stay dry.
Flying Through the Treetops Beats Any Gym Workout
Seven zip lines and two bridges. That’s the lineup on the Flying Squirrel Canopy Tour, and the name fits it perfectly.
You glide from platform to platform high above the forest floor. It gives you a bird’s-eye look at the mountain that you just can’t get from a trail.
Climbers have their own playground too. The Spider Monkey Adventure Course is an elevated ropes course that tests your balance and focus.
Younger kids aren’t left out. The Chipmunk Challenge Course is designed just for small adventurers, so they can climb without facing grown-up heights.
Notice the animal theme here? Squirrels, spider monkeys, and chipmunks all seem right at home in a forest resort.
These courses work your arms, legs, and brain at the same time. You’ll think about where to step while your heart thumps a little faster.
Wear closed-toe shoes and comfy clothes that can move with you. Leave dangly items behind so nothing ends up as a souvenir for the forest floor.
Rapids on a Mountaintop Sound Made Up Until You See Them
Rivers usually run through valleys. Over at Wisp, someone decided rapids belong on top of the mountain instead.
The Adventure Sports Center International, often called ASCI, sits up there. It’s about 2 miles from the resort and is known as the world’s only recirculating whitewater course.
Recirculating means the water gets pumped around in a loop. So the rapids keep flowing, even without a natural river feeding them.
The course is used for rafting and kayaking. It has also hosted competitions, which tells you the water means business.
I think this is one of the most surprising things in all of Maryland. You get real whitewater thrills with forest and sky all around you.
Rafting with a group can build some fun teamwork. Everyone paddles, everyone gets splashed, and everyone has a story by the end.
Pack a change of clothes and a towel. Plan to get wet, because the rapids rarely let anyone stay dry.
Golfers Get Lake Views With Every Swing
Skis aren’t the only gear worth packing. Wisp Resort has two 18-hole golf courses, Fantasy Valley and Lodestone.
Fantasy Valley sits at the base of the mountain. It weaves into the natural forest and hilly ground, so the trees become part of the challenge.
Lodestone sits up on top of the mountain. Professional golfer Hale Irwin designed it, which gives it some serious bragging rights.
GolfWeek has ranked Lodestone among the top public golf courses in Maryland. That’s a nice nod for a course that also comes with a view.
And what a view it is. You can look out over the surrounding mountains and Deep Creek Lake between shots.
That might distract you a little. Then again, a missed putt feels better when the scenery is this good.
Having two different courses means you can play one each day of your weekend. The forest feel of one and the mountaintop look of the other make for a nice change of pace.
Cozy Cabins Turn Nights Into the Best Part
Some travelers want a lodge, while others want trees outside every window. The area around Wisp Resort is packed with private cabin rentals for that second crowd.
Many cabins sit just a short drive from Wisp and Deep Creek Lake. Some are right on Wisp Mountain, while others are only a few miles away.
Rental amenities often include hot tubs, game rooms, and fire pits. Those details turn a cold evening into the coziest part of the trip.
Cabins also give families and friend groups more space to spread out. Nobody has to fight over one bathroom mirror, at least in theory.
Staying in the woods gives the whole trip a calmer, slower rhythm. You can spend the day zipping and sliding, then come back to quiet trees.
Each rental is different, so read the details before you book. Check the number of bedrooms, kitchen setup, and drive time to the slopes.
Winter roads in the mountains can get snowy. A vehicle that handles hills well will make those cabin drives much less stressful.
The Lodge Keeps the Slopes, Pool, and Dinner Close Together
Right at the base of the mountain, The Lodge at Wisp puts you steps from the action. It’s at 296 Marsh Hill Road in McHenry, Maryland, connected to the main ski lodge.
The hotel has 102 suites and 67 guest rooms. Rooms come with minifridges, coffeemakers, ski lockers, Wi-Fi, and flat-screen TVs.
Some rooms add pull-out sofas or kitchenettes. Suites include extra bedrooms or living rooms, which helps when your group is bigger than your patience.
An indoor pool and hot tub are on site, along with a fitness center. The pool area looks out toward the front slopes, so you can soak while watching skiers.
Food stays close too. Hearth and Hops Tavern and Last Chair Bar and Bistro are both here, plus cafes and a food court.
Outside, warmer months bring scenic chairlift rides, disc golf, archery, mini golf, and gem mining for kids. The resort is also pet-friendly and kid-friendly, with free parking.
A weekend with this much packed in starts to feel like a full vacation. Your legs may even ask for one more day.
