Western Maryland is filled with mountains of fun. Do you prefer to climb them, go down them, go around them, or stay on top of them? If so, the Garrett County’s Wisp Resort will give you the ride of your life. And the breathtaking view of Deep Creek Lake is a bonus.

A chair lift or tow rope is the best way to get to the top of the 3,115-foot Wisp Mountain. 

You can get down and around the mountain in a variety of ways. Skiing or snowboarding has long been the preferred method of descending the mountain on Wisp’s 32 slopes and 132 acres of skiable terrain. From beginner trails to intermediate trails and expert trails, with names like Devil’s Drop, there is something for all levels of expertise. Wisp has a vertical drop of 700 feet.

If you prefer to stay closer to the ground as you descend the mountain, grab a friend and go tubing at the Bear Claw Snow Tubing Park. You can have an action-packed day as you twirl around and slide down the mountain. Younger children can now tube or sled in the newly dedicated children’s area. The park is lighted for nighttime fun.

Monday through Friday afternoon open sessions are $15 per person. Friday evening, weekend and holidays two-hour sessions are $20 per person. Advance tickets are recommended on weekends and holidays and can be purchased by calling 301-387-4911.

Mountain Coaster

Now there is yet another way to get down that mountain at Wisp, year round.  Just opened this summer is the Mountain Coaster. What an awesome way to come down the mountain! Even if you are afraid of traditional roller coasters, you must experience this ride.

The Mountain Coaster is a hybrid of an alpine slide and a rollercoaster. It is only the fourth of its kind in the country and the second on the East Coast. The continuous, stainless-steel track ascends 1,300 feet on the eastern side of Wisp Mountain. A motorized pulley carries the cart uphill. As the cart crests the track, the 350-foot vertical descent begins. The course twists, turns, corkscrews, dips and rolls, then ends up in the same place it began. The best part is that each cart is equipped with its own brake so you go as fast as you want — up to 26 miles per hour — or coast down the hill enjoying the scenic beauty of the area. The course is lit for nighttime operation.

Each ride is $9.50 for a single rider; $15 for a double rider. There are multi-ride packages available. Children must be at least 3 years old and 38 inches tall to ride as a passenger. Children must be at least 8 years old and 51 inches tall to drive as a single passenger.

Even though Garrett County gets an average of 100 inches of snowfall each season, don’t ever worry about the lack of snow. Wisp has a state-of-the-art snowmaking system that is capable of producing over a foot of fresh snow each day.

Other winter activities for getting around the mountain include cross-country skiing, snowshoeing or snowmobiling on a guided trail.

Don’t want to come down the mountain at all? Leave the adrenaline-pumping sports to others and pamper yourself at the Sewickley Spa. Or, visit the spa for the ultimate in relaxation and recovery after a day on the slopes. This day spa offers manicures, pedicures, facials, massages, body wraps and more. Call 301-387-7000 for information.

The Wisp Resort Hotel and Conference center has 168 guest rooms and numerous meeting rooms, along with a health club that features a heated indoor pool and hot tub and fitness center, WiFi and e-center. This summer the resort added six king luxury suites.  The slopeside hotel features a new heated entryway that melts snow on the walkway into the hotel, new luxury suites with access to the Concierge Room, and ski-in/ski-out convenience. The resort has many packages and special promotions year round. For information, visit www.wispresort.com or call 301-387-4911.

There are plenty of excellent dining choices right in the resort, from DC’s Bar & Restaurant to the Pumphouse Café and Wispers Bar. For a nightclub experience, visit nearby Black Bear Tavern. For information, visit www.blackbeartavern.com or call 301-387-6800.

Four-season fun

Don’t think Wisp is just a winter resort. They offer outdoor adventure all year round, from paintball to golf, and mountain biking to fishing, there’s always something going on. 

Mountaintop

Do you love the thrill of whitewater rafting but lack the courage? Say no more. Wisp’s next-door neighbor, Adventure Sports Center International, just opened a totally unique outdoor adventure habitat featuring the world’s premier, controlled whitewater course, where everyone can enjoy the rapids, on top of the mountain. The manmade whitewater course features pioneering wave shapers that change the course daily between Class II and IV rapids. So, if you’re ready for a wild ride or just want to kick back and relax, you will enjoy this. Best of all, there are no shuttle buses, hauling rafts or flat water paddling to contend with. Rafting trips include four to six runs down the course, amounting to a mile of continuous rapids. Rafts ride a conveyor from the finish pond back up to the start of the course after each run. The experience lasts 90 minutes. They also offer kayaking and rock climbing.

For information on rates and packages, visit www.adventuresportscenter.com or call 1-877-300-ASCI.

Horse-drawn carriage or sleigh rides

Feeling romantic? Take your honey on a 20-minute drive into Oakland, Md., for a horse-drawn carriage ride or sleigh ride. Ray and Rachel Miller welcome visitors to their Amish family dairy farm year-round for carriage rides or winter sleigh rides. Your friendly driver loves to share local knowledge as you relax on your scenic tour of the farm.  They even have a romantic Cinderella carriage.

The picturesque area known as Pleasant Valley and Backbone Mountain is the backdrop for your horse-drawn tour of the Miller Family Farm. Bring the kids and tour the agricultural facilities and learn about daily life on an Amish dairy farm. This is truly an enjoyable, educational experience for the young or young at heart any time of the year. The farm is located at 1689 Pleasant Valley Road, Oakland, MD. For information on rates or reservations, visit www.pleasantvalley dreamrides.com or call 301-334-1688.

Blind Skier Program

Wisp hosts a Blind Skier Program that brings visually impaired and other disabled kids from all over the state to the resort for a few days throughout the season. Aided by local adult and student volunteers, these skiers soar down the slopes in tandem with their instructors for an exhilarating time on the slopes. The Blind Skier program is sponsored by the Deep Creek Lion’s Club.

The 2008 season program is scheduled for students to arrive Jan. 14, 28, Feb. 4 and 11, with two days of skiing starting Tuesday mornings. Most of the skiing takes place using Lifts 2 and 3 and the less-difficult runs such as Possum and Wisp Trail.