Ski areas across the Mid-Atlantic have spent the offseason upgrading snowmaking systems, expanding terrain, modernizing lift and guest-service infrastructure, and improving on-mountain facilities. These investments reflect a continued focus on reliability during variable weather, enhanced operating efficiency, and stronger early- and late-season performance. Below is a state-by-state summary of improvements announced for the 2025–26 winter.

Maryland

Wisp Resort is continuing a large multi-year snowmaking modernization effort, adding 28 new snow guns this year for a total of 78 new guns since 2019. Significant work is underway on Grouse Way, Possum, and Sunset Boulevard, including installation of new pipe, pits, electrical and communication lines, plus trenching for automated snowmaking controls. Grouse Way also received terrain adjustments, including tree-island removal to create a more direct connection with Squirrel Cage and The Face.

The expanded system is expected to improve early-season reliability, strengthen base depths in marginal conditions, and enhance snow quality across multiple routes. These projects accompany continuing updates to lodging and guest facilities as the resort works toward improved winter operations. Mission Affordable passes and 4-Packs remain part of the resort’s winter product lineup.

Pennsylvania

Bear Creek has expanded its snowmaking system with 10 fully automated snow guns designed to adjust output based on weather conditions. More than 4,500 feet of new snowmaking pipe have also been installed to support improved coverage and consistency. Resort officials expect these upgrades to enhance trail reliability and help maintain surface quality during fluctuating temperatures.

Several new food and beverage options debut this winter, including a Snack Shack near Kodiak and Black Bear, a new coffee and hot-chocolate stand in the former Polar Bar, and the return of the Waffle Cabin. Season passes remain available as the resort finalizes preparations for winter operations.

Blue Knob has made substantial snowmaking upgrades, replacing approximately 3,500 feet of water pipe and 700 feet of air pipe across multiple trails. The resort also installed 30 TechnoAlpin stick guns, 22 additional stick guns, and a new TechnoAlpin fan cannon, with improvements spanning the Snow Drop beginner area, Mambo Alley, Expressway, Deer Run, Jack Rabbit, Shortway, and Run Out. Chairlift motor rooms also received new roofing and siding.

Guest-facing improvements include additions to the rental inventory and the introduction of a seasonal rental program for children 12 and under that includes a choice of a midweek or full-season pass. The upgrades support both operational reliability and accessibility for families.

Blue Mountain has focused its off-season work on strengthening snowmaking and night-skiing infrastructure. New TechnoAlpin fan guns and expanded underground piping on several trails improve water flow and production efficiency. The resort has also replaced 380 trail lights with new LEDs, enhancing visibility on high-traffic runs such as Challenge, Razor’s Edge, and Dreamweaver.

Additional improvements include The Spud Truck, a new mobile dining option at the base. Blue Mountain continues to offer a full slate of lesson programs and participates in both the Ikon Pass and Peak-to-Peak Poconos Pass.

Camelback completed several snowmaking and lift-system enhancements this offseason. The high-speed Stevenson Lift received mechanical and electrical upgrades, while snowmaking capacity increased through new high-pressure feed lines, summit supply improvements, and installation of 32 HKD Klik auto hydrants and 32 HKD Impulse stick guns.

Dining options have also been refreshed with the addition of Alta Vida at the base, updates to Trails End Pub & Grille, and an expanded Thirsty Camel Patio featuring outdoor fire pits. Camelback continues to offer a wide range of lesson programs and participates in the Ikon and Peak-to-Peak Poconos Pass programs.

Seven Springs, Hidden Valley, and Laurel Mountain—operated by Vail Resorts—report a variety of infrastructure improvements ahead of the season. Seven Springs installed 1,600 feet of new snowmaking main, completed lift and lighting upgrades, and introduced new dining offerings, including The Rolling Chopstick. Hidden Valley added four TechnoAlpin TR8 fan guns, renovated its rental shop, and improved accessibility around the base area.

Laurel Mountain implemented sustainability-focused snowmaking upgrades, added a new grooming unit, and performed selective glade clearing to improve trail flow. All three resorts are available through Epic Pass products, which include multi-resort access and benefit options.

Virginia

Bryce Resort is completing a sizable backside terrain expansion that adds four new trails—a green, two blues, and a black—for a 33–35% increase in skiable terrain, bringing the mountain to 12 trails. The new terrain is fully supported by snowmaking and served by a new SkyTrac fixed-grip quad lift. The project was approved by resort members last spring, and trail cutting, infrastructure installation, and lift construction are now largely complete.

Complementary upgrades include a new race-timing shack, a new carpet lift for the tubing area, and a summit ski patrol shack serving both sides of the mountain. Resort officials note the expansion is intended to improve access for beginners while accommodating growing demand from more advanced skiers.

Massanutten has added a Latitude 90 all-weather snow machine at the Family Adventure Park, enabling snow production during a broader range of temperatures and supporting more consistent tubing operations. The upgrade is expected to strengthen early-season reliability and improve surface quality during marginal weather periods.

Massanutten also refreshed its rental shop ahead of winter. The update is intended to improve guest flow and reduce congestion during peak arrival times.

Wintergreen continues modernizing its large SNOWPOWER system with substantial snowmaking upgrades. The resort installed ten new concrete foundations to support a fleet of TechnoAlpin TT10 fan guns, each anchored with new TechnoAlpin W3 hydrants and updated power, communication, and water connections. The TT10 units are designed for efficient water usage and improved performance during marginal temperatures.

Additional work this season includes new piping installations, repositioning existing fan guns to improve coverage, and relocating air-water guns to more strategic locations. These enhancements support Wintergreen’s ongoing effort to strengthen snowmaking reliability across the mountain.

West Virginia

Canaan Valley Resort completed a $6 million infrastructure investment funded through the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. The most significant upgrade is a new snowmaking pumphouse designed to increase system capacity and improve efficiency, supporting quicker trail openings and more reliable conditions throughout the season. The resort also added a new snow groomer to bolster its surface-maintenance fleet.

The upgrades follow several seasons of modernization projects at nearby Timberline Mountain, and resort officials note that the improvements are intended to strengthen Canaan Valley’s long-term competitiveness while enhancing guest access to consistent terrain.

Snowshoe is nearing completion of a new base-area lodge to replace the long-serving Shavers Center, which stood on the mountain for nearly 50 years. The new facility will feature expanded seating, an outdoor deck with fire pits, and consolidated space for ski school operations, pre-ski programs, and adventure-tour staging. It is designed to improve guest flow and operating efficiency at one of the mountain’s busiest hubs.

The building will also serve year-round functions, with availability for winter group rentals and expanded capacity for weddings, meetings, and events beginning in May 2026. Snowshoe continues to operate as the state’s largest four-season mountain resort.

Timberline Mountain enters the season with a range of upgrades, including expanded parking near the lodge, additional restrooms, and a new ski school building. Terrain park offerings have increased with the addition of a rope tow and new rail features, and selective glading has expanded tree-skiing options across the mountain.

Snowmaking enhancements are concentrated on Salamander, Timberline’s signature top-to-bottom green trail. Resort officials note that the run will receive significantly increased snowmaking capacity, supporting early-season access and improving reliability on the mountain’s only easy-rated summit route.

Winterplace has completed a $2 million capital improvement program focused on snowmaking, lighting, and operational infrastructure. The project includes more than one mile of new snowmaking pipe, 20 energy-efficient snow guns, and 250 upgraded slope lights, with illumination in the Terrain Park doubled to support expanded night operations. The resort also added a mini excavator, telehandler, truck, and snowmobile to improve the efficiency of mountain operations. A new Ski Patrol Headquarters at the summit is designed to enhance guest safety and improve response times. Part of the energy-efficiency work was supported by a USDA improvement grant.

Guest-facing improvements include regraded lift ramps for easier loading, a significantly expanded tubing operation with more tubes and a covered loading area, and updated kitchen equipment intended to improve food quality and service speed. Winterplace also invested more than $100,000 in new rental equipment, part of nearly half a million dollars devoted to fleet upgrades over the past five years. Retail offerings have been expanded, and several guest buildings—including the Resort Center and Mountain House—received fresh paint and a new covered deck seating area. The upgrades continue Winterplace’s emphasis on accessibility and family-friendly operations heading into the 2025–26 season.