Sustained cold temperatures have allowed Mid-Atlantic ski areas to ramp up snowmaking and begin opening for the 2025–26 winter season, with several resorts launching operations in the first week of December. Additional terrain and activities are expected to come online soon as snowmaking continues across the region. Above, an aerial view provided to DCSki by a skiing pilot shows snowmaking underway at Maryland's Wisp Resort on December 1.
By M. Scott Smith | December 4, 2025 4 Feature Story
Resorts across the Mid-Atlantic have spent the offseason upgrading snowmaking systems, expanding terrain, improving lifts, and refreshing guest facilities in preparation for the 2025–26 winter season. These enhancements aim to deliver more reliable early-season openings, improved snow quality, and a better overall experience for skiers, riders, and families. DCSki provides a summary of key enhancements across the region in this feature story.
By M. Scott Smith | December 2, 2025 Feature Story
Drawing from 58 consecutive winters on skis, Jim Kenney explores what it takes to sustain a lifelong passion for skiing -- balancing fitness, finances, and friendships with a dose of humility and humor. From cherry-picking sunny Utah spring days to embracing shorter ski sessions and age-based lift discounts, he outlines how older skiers can adapt while keeping the sport fun. His core advice: stay active, ski with friends, and make your own luck to keep the turns coming deep into retirement.
By Jim Kenney | November 12, 2025 Feature Story
An early-season cold snap brought the first real signs of winter to the Mid-Atlantic, covering higher elevations with natural snow and giving ski areas across West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania the chance to fire up their snowmaking systems. The drop in temperatures allowed resorts to run tests, train crews, and begin early preparations for the 2025 winter season. Some areas also saw natural snow, marking the region's first widespread taste of winter weather. Above, natural snow falls at Hidden Valley Resort. Photo by Heidi Lewis.
By M. Scott Smith | November 11, 2025 Feature Story
As part of his Going Further Afield series, Robbie Allen explores Eagle Point Resort in Utah's Tushar Mountains -- a once-abandoned ski area reborn under skier Shane Gadbaw's ownership. With 650 acres of terrain, backcountry access, and $35 lift tickets, the resort offers a laid-back, uncrowded alternative to Utah's high-profile ski destinations.
By Robbie Allen | November 3, 2025 2 Further Afield
For more than 30 years, DCSki has documented the stories of abandoned ski resorts across the Mid-Atlantic region through its Lost Areas archive, which features detailed histories and community recollections. Lost Areas was recently expanded to include additional areas in New Jersey, courtesy of reader Samuel F.
By M. Scott Smith | September 25, 2025 Feature Story
Positioned as an alternative to the mega passes, the Indy Pass -- good at small and mid-sized independent resorts -- is now back on sale, but only for a limited time. The Indy Pass now provides two lift tickets each at 271 resorts across 4 continents, including numerous areas in the Mid-Atlantic region.
By M. Scott Smith | August 28, 2025 2 News
Vail Resorts will introduce simplified "Friend Tickets" for the 2025-26 season, giving Epic Passholders six to ten discounted lift tickets -- each at 50% off -- to share with friends. The tickets can also be applied toward the purchase of a future Epic Pass, a move aimed at easing costs for newcomers and growing the sport's participant base.
By M. Scott Smith | August 12, 2025 1 News
When ski season ends, the call of the mountains doesn't fade -- it shifts seasons. Trading a tent for a cozy camper van, DCSki's Editor recently embarked on a scenic road trip from Maryland to Utah, capturing the beauty of the journey through photographs of national parks and wild landscapes.
By M. Scott Smith | June 2, 2025 9 Feature Story
DCSki Columnist John Sherwood had initially hoped for an adventurous 2024-2025 ski season across multiple destinations, including Europe and the American West, but shifting family plans and financial prudence led to a winter spent entirely at Timberline Mountain in West Virginia. Despite the change in plans, he enjoyed over 30 days of varied and satisfying skiing, appreciating the simplicity, affordability, and unpredictably dynamic conditions of a single-resort season.
By John Sherwood | May 28, 2025 3 Feature Story
