The history of Wisp Resort goes back to 1955 beginning with Helmuth Heise’s ambitious vision for a small ski operation in Western Maryland. Wisp Resort has been part of Garrett County’s story for 70 years, and its impact on the area as a vacation destination is hard to overstate.
It has grown into Maryland’s only four-season resort and one of the region’s most important tourism anchors. From its early rope tows to today’s modern lifts, year-round recreation, and family-friendly amenities, Wisp has helped shape the identity, economy, and outdoor lifestyle of the Deep Creek area. As we celebrate its 70th anniversary, we’re looking back at how Wisp got its start, how it evolved, and why it remains such a beloved part of life at Deep Creek Lake.
Taylor-Made is fortunate to have a former Wisp Resort owner, Karen Myers, and pillar of the local community on our team. She provided some wonderful insight into the past.
History of Wisp Resort
We sat down with Karen Myers an accomplished Real Estate Broker, developer, and beloved member of the Taylor-Made family. She has been involved in Wisp Resort for many year, including as an owner of the property. She gave us some background and history of Wisp Resort – our favorite Mid-Atlantic ski area!
Q: What can you tell us about the founders of Wisp Resort?
A: The original owner of Wisp was Helmuth Heise. He actually had a couple of partners back in the very beginning, but he and his wife, Evelyn, owned a motel along Route 219 that’s now known as Will O’ the Wisp. In those days, it was just a little motel, little cabins. And he told me that the impetus behind his desire to create the ski area was in February of one year, and this would’ve been in the early ’50s, his total receipts from the motel and cabins were something like $12 or $20 maybe, not very much. And he said, “This is not working. We gotta figure something out.”
Q: That is incredible! Wisp Resort wasn’t a life long dream, but a solution to problem. That’s very Appalachian! So how did they get started?
A: Helmuth was a creative kind of guy, and they managed to lease some land, where Wisp is now located, from the Brenneman family. He brought a rope tow from New Hampshire. He went to a ski area in New Hampshire, bought a rope tow, and within a year or so, they had a little bit of an area to ski on. They reminisced that their early snowmaking was kind of like having water hoses spray water in the air. It wasn’t at all, you know, what it is now. But he kept working at it, and then as they expanded in the area that’s now called Squirrel Cage, there was a Poma lift.
Q: Wait, what’s a Poma lift?
A: It is this little disc that you put between your legs and it pulls you by the seat of your pants up the hill. I skied with the Poma lift a lot. I learned to ski here in the mid ’60s.
Q: I have never seen this. It sounds terrifying! I’m glad they have made advancements… Okay, back to it. Tell us more!
A: Helmuth kept expanding! The snowmaking, he kept studying. He had a great guy working with him, Bob Yaste, who was really interested in that. And local fellas from Beitzel Corporation also worked with him and they ended up having a patent on a couple of different types of valves and things that’s used for snowmaking.
Q: I had no idea that so much was created locally! Snowmaking is an important part of success at Wisp. What was it like when you owned the resort?
A: Over the years, Wisp has developed snowmaking to a fine art. And during the time that I was involved with ownership and operations at Wisp, we added a lot more automated equipment and so forth, and the result of that was that people were visiting here from all over the world. I mean, they were coming from China, from Russia, from wherever they’ve had Olympics. When they were learning about snowmaking, they were coming here to see what Wisp was doing because they really have a phenomenal snowmaking system here. And it’s impossible to have a ski area if you don’t have white on the ground!
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Karen Myers
Karen Myers brings a wealth of Garrett County real estate knowledge and experience to assist buyers and sellers regarding their options. She has taught the real estate pre-licensing course or trained nearly 40% of Garrett County Realtors, developed or assisted in the development of 50 subdivision communities, guided a Planned Residential Development and dealt with governmental regulations at all levels, including local, state and federal. She has also developed specific marketing plans for subdivision communities and for individual properties. While you are evaluating your decision to buy or sell, bring Karen’s experience to work for you.
Wisp Resort Today
Seventy years after Helmuth Heise first envisioned a ski area on Marsh Mountain, Wisp Resort continues to grow, evolve, and welcome visitors from near and far. Today it stands as a full four-season destination, offering year-round adventure for skiers, snowboarders, families, and outdoor enthusiasts.
Winter on the Mountain
Wisp is best known for its winter sports with more than 30 ski slopes and trails suitable for all skill levels. From gentle beginner areas to challenging expert runs, the mountain provides something for everyone. State-of-the-art snowmaking covers the vast majority of the terrain. It ensures reliable conditions throughout the season.
Beyond the Slopes
While skiing and snowboarding are at the heart of Wisp’s identity, the resort offers far more than downhill fun. Winter visitors can enjoy the Mountain Coaster and snow tubing at Bear Claw Snow Tubing Park. That makes it an easy choice for families and mixed-activity groups.
Four Seasons of Fun
As the weather warms, Wisp transforms into a hub for outdoor adventure. The resort’s summer and fall activities include:
- The Mountain Coaster, open in all seasons
- Disc golf
- Aerial adventures
- Miniature golf
- Scenic chairlift rides
- Golf at the award-winning Lodestone and Fantasy Valley courses
- Whitewater rafting at the mountaintop recirculating whitewater course
- Summer concert series
These offerings make Wisp an essential part of Garrett County’s tourism landscape, drawing visitors long after ski season ends and helping to support the county’s vibrant year-round economy.
Celebrating the History of Wisp Resort
In honor of the 70th anniversary, Wisp Resort is offering great deals on lift tickets and tubing throughout the season. Additionally, January 9-11 has been designated as the official weekend celebration with a historical movie premiere, torchlight parade, live music, time capsule cermony, and much more!
In Conclusion
As Wisp Resort marks its 70th anniversary, it remains a testament to vision, perseverance, and the special kind of magic that happens on Marsh Mountain. What started as Helmuth Heise’s bold idea has grown into one of Maryland’s most beloved destinations. It has shaped the way residents and visitors experience Deep Creek Lake in every season.
From powder days and chairlift rides to summer adventures and fall foliage views, Wisp continues to bring people together. Its evolution tells a story not just of a resort, but of a community built around a love for the outdoors.
Here’s to seven decades of memories and many more moments still to come on the slopes, trails, and scenic overlooks of Wisp Resort.