My wife is set on spending a long weekend at Wisp. I was trying to talk her into Timberline, but lodging seems more expensive there. But my kids and I feel like Wisp will give you one day of skiing before we are totally bored. Whitetail is our usual day trip location, spending most of the time on intermediate and expert trails. I had an idea to stay at Wisp and drive down to Timberline (never been there) for one of the days. Google maps says it's about an hour. Seems like a lot nicer place to ski.

What is the drive like from Wisp?

Your approach is not a bad option. The road is fine, standard two way. The weather is the issue. Since you are already up on the front you will be at 2000 feet or above the whole drive, so if the roads are bad at DCL they WILL BE worse as you head towards the valley. Then again, if its dumping at Wisp, it won't be boring.

DCL to Timberline is probably the best bad weather route to Canaan Valley, though it is not a picnic when it's dumping (esp at night.) I know Denis recommends it when things get nasty. IIRC, pretty much nothing (and I mean nothing) between Oakland and Davis, WV.

I agree, not a bad strategy to get some skiing variety.

If you ski T-Line on a Sunday, I'd recommend heading back to DC area from T-Line, versus driving back up to Wisp. Edit: But I just Googled Hanover and you're close to Balmer. Dunno on the most direct route home.

Good point by JohnL on Sunday. If you are heading home from Timberline, go north on 93 at Davis, drop off the front and take 93 north to 50/220 to Keyser and then I-68. I would do this even in bad weather to get lower faster. Except for the section from the power plant down to Scherr it is all valley roads.

Even with what they have done with Corridor H, I still think this is the best Balmer route.

So what are you saying about Thomas? They did finally beat Davis in the annual kickball game this summer, and have the live music goin for em, so they deserve a little recognition

No Chaga, you and JohnL are both off----

Smallest Church

and, you've got windmills and watering holes... what do you mean nothing?????

Us Flatlanders generally lump Davis and Thomas together. I forgot that you pass through Thomas first heading from that direction.

Dissing the Purple Fiddle too?

I take US 219 to WV32. This is a very scenic drive and they keep it pretty clear since alot of trucks use this roadway. The climb from the Potomac up to the WV highlands can be a little scary if it is snowing or foggy.It does take about an hour.
Oakland is on the way so you can stop there for a bite to eat or a beer.

Rt219 to Rt32 is by far the easiest route into the Valley from the North, East, & South. Going up and over Back Bone Mtn is a drive in the park compared to trying to come up Rt93/42 from Scherr to the wind mills or coming up RT33/32 from Seneca Rocks in the snow.

I've driven Rt219 in the summer and in the winter during some major storms (including the one that shut down Whitetail ) with no real issues. Rt 219 cuts through some farmland so its pretty exposed in places. I've seen 15'+ snow drifts along side the road, but they do a great job clearing the roads.

KeithT - Thanks for the link. I've always wanted to stop by the World's smallest church, but I've always been in too much of a hurry to get to the freshies or the Ride@5 to stop.

Chaga & David want to ride on Tuesday?

I can't more than an hour before dark or so cuz of work, but I will say it looks like tomorrow could be the last day of the sweetest week of weather in a while!

The route I take from Pittsburgh has me pass Wisp on my way to Timberline. The drive is easy if you're used to mountain roads, or back roads in general.

I've driven it in a few storms and the worst section of road seems to be the Forest Service section in WV, it's easily passable you just need to slow down some. The road is usually the worst right after or during a storm, usually a day after and everything is clear again.

The trip is about 1hr so it's feasible to stay in Wisp and drive to Timberline. If you're looking at doing that I'd suggest looking at Oakland MD, it's maybe 15m to Wisp and 45m to Timberline, there are a lot of hotels in the area, and I think it's a bit cheaper than Deep Creek proper.