Wisp Mountain Ski Resort

Downhill skiing is swell if you know what you're doing. And if you don't? Get over yourself! Gold medal klutzes have no excuse for sitting on the sidelines. Help is everywhere.

Not that long ago lessons were divided into three levels: beginner, intermediate and advanced/expert. Now they're packaged in permutations catering to 2-year-olds, beginners from 8 to 80, experts, and every level of clumsiness, er, expertise, in between. Packages often include equipment rentals and lift tickets. Just layer up, take a warm hat, gloves and sunscreen, and show up with your credit card.

While two dozen ski resorts are within 4 hours of central Maryland, we'll focus on the three closest. Besides downhill, they offer snowboarding, snowtubing; lessons, rentals, snack/dining options, daycare, kids' programs, and lodging onsite or nearby.

Closest is Ski Liberty in Fairfield, PA, about 60 miles from Baltimore. Whitetail is 15 miles farther in Mercersburg. Maryland's only ski resort, Wisp, is in McHenry, MD (Garrett County) and typically has the most snow. Note: no passport is needed to cross the Pennsylvania border. You can drive to Ski Liberty and Whitetail, have a full day of skiing and be home for the 10 o'clock news. If you travel to Wisp (about 150 miles from central Maryland), plan to bed down one or more nights.

Not surprisingly, lift tickets and lessons are more reasonable on weekdays and weeknights (usually from 4 or 5pm until 8pm or later). Count on higher prices at peak times such as weekends and holidays. For winter 2005, adult lift tickets are $40 weekdays($48 weekends and holidays) at Ski Liberty; $42 ($49) at Whitetail; and $39 ($49) at Wisp.

What about those of us who are past our prime or supremely challenged when coordination is required? No need to be a snowflower! There are other ways to partake of seasonal fun: make snow angels, go sledding or warm a seat by a roaring fire.

Those with the energy to press the EJECT button on their recliners are encouraged to do so. Get outta the chair and enjoy a multitude of wintertime activities within a 2- to 3-hour drive of the Washington-Baltimore metropolitan area.

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING Cross-country has wide appeal for a variety of reasons. Aficionados cite the sustained cardiovascular and fitness benefits. A great toner, it requires no special clothing. You don't need a lift ticket and it can be done on most snow-covered surfaces (No, not on the interstate). It's less risky than downhill, and you can move at your own pace. Try stopping to rest while you're careening down a Black Diamond slope. The state parks and forests in Garrett and Allegany counties are tops with cross-country skiers.

SNOWBOARDING Snowboarders share the same lifts and trails as alpine skiers, but their vehicle of choice is first cousin to a surfboard. Lessons are encouraged, especially for first timers. The more sophisticated and accomplished practitioners practice on halfpipes that resemble skateboard parks. Wisp has a halfpipe measuring 400 feet by 30 feet with high-banked walls. Picture an igloo without a roof. Instructors suggest renting equipment, before going overboard. Competitions take place regularly throughout the season.

SNOWSHOEING Imagine hiking on a thick carpet of snow. Snowshoeing is a no-brainer that offers a full aerobic workout to participants as they enjoy the beauty of the winter landscape. Walking in snowshoes requires a period of adjustment, but unlike regular shoes or boots, they don't sink into the snow. Herrington Manor State Park rents snowshoes for $11 half-day or $13 full day. And Garrett County boasts 160 miles of established hiking trails. That should keep you off the streets and out of the malls for a while.

SNOWTUBING This may be the hottest thing since hot cocoa. Wisp Resort's Bear Claw Snow Tubing Park features nine 750-foot-long chutes (lanes). The sport requires little or no skill. I love it already. The only prerequisitie: you have to be 42 inches or taller. Just plop onto the glorified inner tube and shove off. Mini-moguls (bumps) make the ride a little more interesting. No need to BYO. Wisp has 300 for rent. Tow ropes haul weary tubers to the top of the park. It's a simple matter of attaching the tow rope ring to the tube handle. Designated helpers are available for assistance. I wonder how soon before it's an Olympic event.

ICE FISHING The Savage River Reservoir and Deep Creek Lake lure ice fisherman during the prime months of January and February. It's easy (they say). Dress for the North Pole, drill a hole in the ice, drop your line and wait for a tug. If you're lucky, you'll take home enough yellow perch, walleye, northern pike, trout, pickerel, crappie or bass for dinner. The rules include: no vehicles on the ice, and no swimming or diving.

SNOWMOBILING Marked trails attract snowmobilers to state forests and parks for this sport, first popularized out West. Don't even think about trying it without a permit, available for the 4-month season (Dec. 15-March 15) at some State Park offices for $15. If you want to snowmobile on private property, you must have written permission from all involved landowners. For more information, call the Maryland State Police at 301-387-1101.

ICE SKATING If we have a hard freeze this winter and you're in Hans Brinker mode, try skating the length of the 180-mile historic C&O Canal. The canal stretches from Thomas Jefferson Street (below M Street) in Georgetown to Cumberland. Meanwhile, practice your flying camels at these Maryland rinks:
Ice World-1300 Governors Court, Abingdon, 410-612-1000.
Mt Pleasant Ice Arena-6101 Hillen, Baltimore, 410-444-1888.
Bethesda Metro Ice Center-3 Bethesda Metro Center, 301-656-0588.
Clinton Skating Center-6805 E Clinton, Clinton, 301-868-6454.
Herbert W Wells Ice Rinks-5211 Calvert, College Park, 301-277-0654.
Columbia Ice Rink-5876 Thunder Hill, Columbia, 410-730-0321.
Tucker Road Ice Rink-1771 Tucker, Fort Washington, 301-248-2508.
Gardens Ice House-13800 Old Gunpowder, Laurel, 301-953-0100.
Benfield Pines Ice Rink-I-97 & Benfield Blvd, Millersville, 410-987-5100.
Carousel Ice Skating Rink-11700 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, 1-800-641-0011.
Pinery Orchard Ice Arena-8781 Pinery Orchard Parkway, Odenton, 410-672-7013.
Arc Ice Skating Rink-50 Southlawn Court, Rockville, 301-294-8101.
Cabin John Ice Rink-10610 Westlake Drive, Rockville, 301-365-2246.
Wheaton Ice Rink-11751 Orebaugh, Wheaton, 301-649-3640.

SLEDDING If you yearn to relive a fond childhood memory, but your neighborhood is flat as a pizza, hop in the family buggy and head for the hills of Garrett County's Herrington Manor State Park, where sled rentals are $3 for 1/2 day or $6 for a full day. Concessions include restrooms, snacks and a fireplace.

SLEIGH RIDES Picture yourself ("dashing through the ... laughing all the way") blanketed snugly in a carriage drawn by a team of horses. Make it a reality this winter at Wisp or Herrington Manor State Park in Garrett County where horse-drawn sleighs glide through Courier and Ives landscapes some weekends and during special events.

RESOURCES:

Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for info on state parks and forests, (toll free) 877-620-8367, www.dnr.state.md.us.

Herrington Manor State Park, Oakland, MD, 301-334-9180, www.dnr.state.md.us.

Maryland state forests and parks, see DNR above.

Ski Liberty, Fairfield, PA, 717-642-8282, www.skiliberty.com.

Whitetail, Mercersburg, PA, 717-328-9400, www.skiwhitetail.com.

Wisp Resort, McHenry, MD, 301-387-4911, www.skiwisp.com.

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Annapolis author/writer Beth Rubin is training for the Aging Snow Bunny event to be held at the next winter Olympics.

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