Maryland Open Ready To Rock At Wisp Resort Feb. 26

Wisp Resort in McHenry, Md., is hosting the Maryland Open Saturday, Feb. 26.

The event will determine the top freestyle skier and snowboarder in the Mid Atlantic region after a day-long competition in slopestyle, big air, and terrain park.

Contestants will be judged on style and amplitude.

The Maryland Open is just that, an open event for freestyle skiers and snowboarders, with competition in various classes depending on the number of participants.

The competition will take place in the Pro Park. Other details are still being worked out.

Wisp Resort in Western Maryland's Garrett County is an easy-going drive of less than three hours from Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Annapolis, and points in between. Wisp has a long season, averaging 121 days, usually running from Thanksgiving into late March. The resort's world-famous snowmaking system, which covers 90 percent of terrain, accounts for the length and reliability of that season. Wisp has a fully automatic snowmaking system that relies on TechnoAlpin fan guns controlled by computers that monitor weather stations around the mountain.

Skiers and riders have 32 slopes and trails spread over 132 acres, with a comfortable 700-foot vertical of a 3,115-foot-tall summit. Wisp is weighted toward beginner runs, with 41 percent of terrain ranked as green, including Possum, a trail that stretches from the top of three chairs for 1.5 miles, covering more than 10 acres. Intermediate terrain makes up 28 percent of the offerings, with the remaining 31 percent advanced.

Night skiing is offered on 90 percent of the mountain.

More information. Or call 301-387-4911.