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Firsthand Report: Whitetail Great Outdoors Festival
By Connie Lawn, DCSki Columnist

October 23, 2011 — It was starting to feel like winter on October 22, 2011 at the 11th Annual Great Outdoors Festival at Whitetail Resort. The two-day Festival, held at Whitetail near Mercersburg, Pennsylvania, brings hundreds of families to the magnificent area known for its long, wide ski trails. The view takes my breath away, every time we approach it.

Sales of season passes and Advantage Cards were brisk. Inside the resort, and outdoors on the lawn, guests enjoyed a variety of great food and exhibits. There were pony rides, rock climbing, blacksmith exhibits, chainsaw carvers, reptile displays, a falconry exhibit, and much more. Music was provided by Moondog Medicine Show and Hicktown.

It is truly wonderful to come to this huge resort and be known by so many old friends. Thousands visit Whitetail each year, but like its sister resort Liberty, it is one big family, built around people who love the mountains and snow.

Whitetail is about a 90 minute drive from Washington, DC and Baltimore, but is a world away in atmosphere. It has a vertical drop of nearly 1,000 feet, with 23 trails, serving all levels of skiers and snowboarders. General Manager Don MacAskill told us they had 94 days of skiing last season, and hope to equal it this year. He said there are many new improvements, including lighting of the Fanciful Trail, more snowmaking guns, a new loading carpet on the EZ Rider Quad, a new patio and fire pit, and more.

My husband Charles and I talked to some of the ski instructors, including Andrew Davis, who heads the ski and snowboard school. His wife Jenine also teaches. Other expert instructors include Bill Dietrich, who heads the Adaptive sports program (called the Two Top Mountain Adaptive Sports Foundation), Bruce Rankin, Martin White, and others. They say the rental office has new, improved skis and boots which should help everyone perform better. Since I plan to ski, despite the hip I broke in March, I will try out the equipment and let you know if it helps.

The instructors say they plan to enhance their Wounded Warrior and Adaptive Sports Programs this year. They instructed 150 warriors last season, and 170 adaptive skiers. Some of them suffered from autism, cerebral palsy, or blindness but they were able to enjoy the sports and the mountains. Many of the adaptive lessons are free or given at a discount rate. They can be offered because of contributions and the dedication of the instructors.

We will try to follow many of these programs and give you further reports as the season gets underway.

Related Links:

• Whitetail Resort

Related DCSki Stories:

Firsthand Report: Whitetail Resort (January 4)
A midweek escape to Pennsylvania’s Whitetail Resort on Thursday revealed the perfect skiing trifecta: plenty of sun, plenty of snow, and no crowds. DCSki’s Editor provides this Firsthand Report from his first turns of the season.
(3 reader comments)

Mid-Atlantic Ski Season Gains Momentum (December 27, 2012)
A shot of cold air and some natural snow has helped launch the 2012-2013 winter season in a big way. Find out the status of Mid-Atlantic ski areas.

The Weekly Altitude (November 18, 2012)
The Weekly Altitude provides a look at what’s happening in the Mid-Atlantic ski and snowboard scene. In this week’s issue: Wisp Resort to change hands; Wintergreen’s “Snow License Program” offers free skiing to 5th and 6th graders; Thanksgiving Eve Pub Crawl at Bear Creek; and Whitetail pledges $10,000 to the MPMC Project.

Firsthand Report: Liberty and Whitetail (February 5, 2012)
In recent days, Connie Lawn and Charles Sneiderman visited Pennsylvania’s Liberty and Whitetail Mountain Resorts. On Saturday, they experienced a snow squall at Liberty, which added a layer of snow across the resort. They provide this Firsthand Report.

Firsthand Report: New Ski Technology for Whitetail Rentals (January 28, 2012)
Connie Lawn and Charles Sneiderman visited Pennsylvania’s Whitetail Resort this past week, where they tried out new ski technology available across Whitetail’s rental fleet.
(2 reader comments)

Whitetail’s Buddy Hauk Passes Away (January 17, 2012)
On Sunday, January 15, 2012, long-time Whitetail Ski Resort mountain host Buddy Hauk passed away. Buddy was 63.
(1 reader comment)

AT&T Expands Cell Service at Whitetail Resort (January 14, 2012)
A recent tower upgrade at Whitetail should deliver solid 3G cell coverage to AT&T cell phone subscribers visiting the Pennsylvania resort.

Firsthand Report: Whitetail Great Outdoors Festival (October 23, 2011)
Connie Lawn filed this report from the first day of Whitetail’s 11th Annual Great Outdoors Festival.

What’s New for 2011: Whitetail Resort (August 13, 2011)
The Fanciful trail is getting some love for the upcoming season at Whitetail Resort. $2.8 million in capital enhancements will see lighting added to the intermediate trail, as well as snowmaking improvements, a new deck area, and a loading carpet on the EZ Rider Quad.
(2 reader comments)

Firsthand Report: Special Times at Whitetail (February 19, 2011)
Connie Lawn recently made two visits to Pennsylvania’s Whitetail Mountain Resort. She provides this combined Firsthand Report.

Lodging Near Whitetail (extracted from the DCSki Lodging Finder):

• Buck Valley Ranch
• Slopeside Town Home at Whitetail Resort

About the Author

Connie Lawn is an avid skier. In her spare time, she has covered the White House as a reporter since 1968. To read other articles by Connie, click here.

 

 

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