Washington Area Ski Resorts Vying for Chance to Be King of the Hill by Christine CubÈ Thereís a slight chill in the air. For many, thatís all it takes to signal a long hibernation bundled up indoors. For others, itís their cue that the winter sports season has begun as they search for recreation atop those cold, white powdery slopes. And ski buffs in the Washington area and across the United States are getting much more sophisticated and demanding in their search for the ultimate ski experience, according to Greg Ditrinco, executive editor of SKI magazine. ìSkiing used to be just about skiing,î Ditrinco said. ìThis holds true more for destination resorts than commuter resorts or day resorts. [It used to be about] good skiing, good snow, good lifts. Now theyíre looking for fine dining, day care, non-ski activities, shopping experiences and first-class lodging. Itís much more than just putting your skis on a hill and making a few turns.î Ditrinco said the industry is vastly maturing, with ski resorts now competing against beach resorts and destinations such as Disneyland to earn the family vacation dollars. The Washington area may not be Coloradoówith its majestic mountains and deep white bowls suitable for just about any level of ski or snowboard enthusiastóbut it certainly holds its own, and within a few hours drive from the city, youíll be amazed by how many winter getaway options are out there. Take, for instance, western Maryland. Head out there in the autumn and youíre in for a fall foliage treat. It is the ideal time to jump aboard the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad, which takes visitors through the color-changing countryside on a variety of excursions, including daily rides and a murder mystery ride. And when the temperatures turn colder around the Frostburg/Cumberland area, youíll discover the secret that many western Marylanders already know: Thereís plenty of good skiing out there. Wisp Mountain Resort Hotel and Conference Center (www.wispresort.com) is located a half-mile away from Deep Creek Lake in McHenry, Md. Wisp offers 102 suites and 64 efficiency/deluxe rooms in a variety of styles that sleep up to six people. Guest rooms contain all of the basic amenities including a refrigerator and data port. If youíre looking for things to do around Wisp, take youíre pickóthereís skiing, bird hunting, sporting clays, basketball, tennis, racquetball, fishing, horseback riding, mountain biking, hiking around area parks, and the resortís newest feature: a spa that provides an elegant retreat and an assortment of spa packages. Youíll also find one of the mid-Atlanticís top-rated 18-hole championship golf courses surrounded by western Marylandís lush beauties. For ski beginners to thrill-seekers and experts, Wisp Deep Creek Mountain Resort (www.skiwisp.com) provides more than 20 slopes on a network of trails covering 80 acres of stunning ski terrain. The resort also offers snow tubing, snowmobiling, sleigh rides and childrenís programs. Prices vary with lifts, rentals and lessons, which are then broken down further by day vs. weekend and adult vs. child rates. Wispís peak season includes Thanksgiving Day and Dec. 18 through March 6. As long as youíre looking for the perfect winter getaway and place to ski, check out these other regional offerings: Savage River Lodge (www.savageriverlodge.com), also in western Maryland, offers the only cross-country ski resort in Maryland. Itís a classic mountain retreat complete with 18 private log cabins located on 45 lush acres. Because of the intimate size of the lodge, the Web site is frequently updated with information on the next weekend lodging availability. Cabins are fitted with a main sleeping loft, queen-size beds and main floor seating with a gas-log fireplace. The lodge provides equipment rental and access to more than 700 acres of forest and 15 miles of trails covered with snow from November to March. The lodge is known for its genuine warmth and hospitality that includes your own basket of juice and warm muffins delivered to your door each morning. Looking for a vacation package? The Savage River Lodge will let you build your own vacation getaway to include whatever it is that you want. Single occupancy costs $165 per night and double occupancy runs $190. Last August, Wine Spectator magazine awarded the Savage River Lodge restaurant its Award of Excellence for a second consecutive year. Savage River Lodge is located roughly three hours from Washington. The Homestead (www.thehomestead.com) is a historic and majestic resort nestled within Virginiaís Allegheny Mountains. The resort (circa 1766) sits in the middle of a quaint mountain town and features elegant rooms with tall ceilings and luxurious dining. It is well-known among Washingtonís business elite as a fantastic ski retreat and winter getaway for the familyócomplete with 15,000 acres of recreation including horseback and carriage rides, shooting sports, snow tubing, guided snowmobile tours, hiking, biking, fly fishing, falconry, ice skating and snowboarding. There is also a spa and three premier golf courses. Ski buffs will enjoy the Homesteadís nine downhill ski runs and its Olympic-size ice rink at the base of the slopes. Thereís also a half-pipe and snowboard park, ski shop and restaurant, and top-rated ski instruction. Adult lift tickets vary from $25 to $45 depending on if youíre a guest or day-tripper. Children range from $20 to $35. Thereís also a season pass option: A family pass costs $600, while an individual runs $375. A three-day Winterfest is coming up on Jan. 28. Activities include skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, a traditional torchlight parade and fireworks. The Homestead also offers vacation packages such as the Romance package, starting at $259 per person on the weekends, which includes a carriage ride, wine and flowers, a 50-minute Swedish massage per person and turndown service with chocolates. There is also the Classic Spa package with a starting weekend rate of $281 per person that includes a complimentary spa gift for each person, a European facial, mineral bath and a 50-minute Swedish massage. The Homestead is located 210 miles from Washington, D.C.óa gorgeous four-hour drive from the city through the Virginia mountainside. Wintergreen Resort (www.wintergreenresort.com) in Virginiaís Blue Ridge Mountains offers a massive, gated campus and unique getaway with tons of lodging options, from studio condominiums to seven-bedroom homes. The resort sits in a very private area and has been rated one of the best places to ski in the southern United States, according to Skiing magazine. Wintergreenís mountain elevation is 3,515 feet and features 23 slopes and trails; the longest run is 1.5 miles. There are also 13 lighted slopes for night skiing. Ski lift tickets range from $21 to $57 for adults. For those looking for a change of pace from skiing, Wintergreen also offers snowboarding, two snow-tubing parks, horseback riding, hiking trails and tennis courts. In addition, there is an exercise facility with yoga studio, indoor and outdoor pools, hot tubs and steam rooms on the property. Winter room rates start at $126 for a studio that sleeps two people in a dormitory-style setting, to $535 for a seven-bedroom home with the capacity to sleep 14 comfortably. Wintergreen is a three-hour drive from Washington. The Greenbrier (www.greenbrier.com) in White Sulfur Springs, W. Va., is known widely for its place in history as a retreat that has served many U.S. presidents. (For 30 years, the Greenbrier was the site of an underground bomb shelter for the U.S. Congress.) Dating back to the late 1770s, the 6,500-acre estate sits on a magnificently manicured and landscaped campus filled with towering trees, estate homes, one- to four-bedroom guest homes, and one- to seven-bedroom suites. Each lodging option comes with a hefty price tag, and the entire campus boasts its very own ìdistinguishedî dress code. Winter activities at the Greenbrier include falconry, white-water rafting, horseback riding, carriage rides, mountain biking, hiking, fishing, hunting and off-road driving. The resort offers a mid-week Winter Escape package from Nov. 1 through Dec. 31. Starting at $245 per person per night, the package includes accommodations, daily breakfast and dinner, unlimited tennis and use of the fitness center, and schedule of a spa service. During the Greenbrierís Winter Festival Weekends (Fridays and Saturdays) from November through March, the property offers a hotel tour, cocktails and hors díoeuvres during Saturdayís happy hour, indoor swimming, afternoon tea and concert, golf (weather permitting) and workouts in the fitness center. Winter Festival Weekends start from $253 to $314 per person per day for a minimum stay of two nights. The Greenbrier is a four-and-a-half-hour drive from Washington. Nemacolin Woodlands R esort and Spa (www.nemacolin.com) in Farmington, Pa., offers lodging in a variety of styles, including rooms and suites in the Chateau LaFayetteówhich was inspired by the classic hotels of Europeóas well as one- and two-bedroom townhouses, luxury homes, and guest rooms at the homey Lodge and swanky new Falling Rock properties. For snow enthusiasts, Nemacolin offers the Mystic Mountain Snow Sports Center, which features downhill and cross-country skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing. Other recreational activities include the award-winning Woodlands Spa, two golf courses, the off-road driving academy, a shooting academy, fly fishing, culinary classes, an array of art galleries and an equestrian center. Every weekend through November, Nemacolin is offering a Fall Weekend Rewards package complete with three-night luxury accommodations and your choice (for two people) of Sunday breakfast buffet, spa or golf. Prices range from $411 to $490 per night per person. Nemacolin Woodlands Resort and Spa is located roughly 180 miles from Washington. No winter getaways feature would be complete without the mention of at least some of the top-ranked ski resorts in the nation, and at the top of the list is Vail, Colo. (http://vail.snow.com). Vail Mountain ranked No. 1 in North America as the top ski resort in the country, according to readers of SKI magazine. Vail, with its monumental mountain ranges and bowls (the Sun Down Bowl, Sun Up Bowl, Tea Cup Bowl, China Bowl and Siberia Bowl, to name a few) landed the top spot for the third consecutive year. (SKI magazineís hardcore ski enthusiasts rank the top 60 resorts, choosing from more than 300 nationwide.) Vail Mountainís 2004-2004 season dates are Nov. 19 through April 17. Check out the Web site and youíll find everything from a photo gallery, ticket pricing, statistics, trail maps, history, information on ski and snowboarding schools, live mountain cams and dining options. For more information on visiting Vail, contact the Vail Valley Chamber and Tourism Bureau at (970) 476-1000. The Aspen Skiing Companyís high-tech photos and detailed Web site describing the skiing options in Aspen, Colo. (www.aspensnowmass.com) will make you want to jump into the pictures and start building snowmen. The site lists a huge amount of information and activities from dining, theater and film, nightlife, family activities, shopping services and vacation planning. It has everything youíve ever wanted to know about the mountains, and you can even send a postcard from the Web site. The Aspen/Snowmass area placed three resorts in the top 15 of SKI magazineís top 60 resort guide. These include Snowmass (No. 3), Aspen Mountain (No. 7) and Aspen Highlands (No. 13.). Resorts are ranked in 17 categories including region, snow, grooming, terrain, challenge, value, lifts, service, weather, access, on-mountain food and lodging. More than 20,000 SKI magazine subscribers are surveyed by an independent firm for the top 60 resort guideóthe most comprehensive and longest-running ski resort survey in the winter sports industry. Christine CubÈ is a freelance writer in Alexandria, Va.