For 70 winters, Wisp Resort has been part of the Deep Creek Lake story.
In the early 1950s, original owner Helmuth Heise and his wife Evelyn operated a small roadside motel and cabins along Route 219, now known as Will O’ the Wisp. One cold February, when the accommodations brought in barely enough income to keep the lights on, the pair realized something had to change.
Heise had an idea to lease land from the Brenneman family, where Wisp now stands, and traveled to New Hampshire to buy a used rope tow, laying the foundation for what would become Maryland’s premier ski area. Early snowmaking was improvised with hoses spraying water into the winter air. Not very efficient, but overall, the idea worked. The resort expanded, and a single Poma lift followed, pulling skiers uphill by a small disc tucked between their legs.
From those humble beginnings, Wisp steadily grew. Heise, along with snowmaking innovator Bob Yaste and local partners with the Beitzel Corporation, helped pioneer advances in snowmaking technology, eventually earning patents that shaped modern systems still used today. Over time, Wisp developed a snowmaking operation so refined that industry professionals from around the world came to Deep Creek Lake to study it.
Today, that same spirit of ingenuity lives on in a four-season resort with 33 slopes, advanced snowmaking, modern amenities, and multiple dining options to relax and refuel.
This January, Wisp is celebrating that legacy in a big way.
The resort’s 70th Anniversary Weekend, happening January 9–11, is both a look back and a celebration of what’s still ahead. With throwback pricing, live music, historic film premieres, après gatherings, and a full slate of on-snow specials, the weekend is designed to bring longtime locals, first-timers, families, and visitors together on Marsh Mountain.
The official celebration kicks off Friday, January 9, with an all-day $19.55 Platinum Day Lift Ticket, a nod to Wisp’s founding year of 1955. Après music from Herb & Hanson fills the Last Chair Bar + Bistro in the early evening, followed by a historical movie premiere at McHenry Lodge that highlights Wisp’s evolution over seven decades.
On Saturday, January 10, the party continues with a birthday cake cutting by Charm City Cakes, Platinum Après on the Beer Garden Deck, a second showing of the historic film, and a crowd-favorite Torchlight Parade returns to the base of Squirrel Cage (in front of the Lodge).
The weekend wraps on Sunday, January 11, with a $70 Learn to Ski or Ride Platinum Package, making it one of the most accessible days of the season for newcomers. A Time Capsule Ceremony at McHenry Lodge will be a fun and meaningful closing note, marking this milestone year for future generations.
To honor its roots, Wisp is offering a series of Platinum Deals tied directly to its 1955 beginnings:
- Friday, January 9 – $19.55 Day Lift Tickets
- Saturday, January 10 – $19.55 Night Lift Tickets
- Sunday, January 11 – $70 Learn to Ski/Ride Package
The celebration continues beyond the anniversary weekend with 2025–26 Winter Season Platinum Deals, including:
- Wednesday Night Lift Tickets for $19
- Thursday 4-Hour Tubing Tickets for $24
Note, quantities are limited, and holiday blackout dates apply.
For those looking to turn the celebration into a full mountain escape, Wisp is also offering a Platinum Lodging Package starting at $287 per person (based on double occupancy) on non-holiday winter weekends during the 2025–26 season.
The package includes:
- A 2-night slopeside stay at the Lodge at Wisp
- 2-day lift tickets per guest
- 2-day ski or snowboard rentals per guest
- A $30 resort dining gift card
- A 70th anniversary gift
Reservations can be made by calling 800-462-9477.
Seventy years in, Wisp Resort remains an integral piece of the Deep Creek Lake landscape. Whether you’ve been skiing here for decades or never clicked into bindings before, the 70th Anniversary Weekend offers a chance to be part of Wisp’s lasting legacy.