Recent Wisp experiences

[Anonymous]

It’s been about 6 years since I’ve been skiing and slightly longer since I’ve been to Wisp. Does anyone have any recent experiences/tips re: ski lessons or snow tubing at Wisp, particularly for a young kid (5 year old)? I can’t decide whether to start ski lessons for her yet (and I’d need a refresher too!) or to stick with tubing. I see the tubing cut off is 4 years old so we’re good there, but do they allow a kid to ride with an adult or must they go down by themselves? My memory is that Wisp was fun but crowded, and that you could easily be taken out by a tuber coming down behind you. My other memory was that the lifts and slopes could get pretty crowded but I never did lessons or was aware of an area for small kids there.

Any experiences more recent than mine would be really helpful— or just experience with taking young kids skiing/tubing!

[Anonymous]

We were there over NYE. Tubing was fun, your child can go down on their own in their own tube. We never ran into anyone on the runs, it is manned by staff that keep order at the top and bottom. About 12 of the ski runs were open when we were there and were well groomed. With the cold weather I’d expect them to be more open now, and their blues are nice and long. The ski school is organized and the one child in our group that needed lessons was happy. It can get crowded but I find it much less so than Liberty or Seven Springs.

[Anonymous]

Thanks this is really helpful!

Is there anything else you’d suggest in the area— activities, restaurants, etc?

[Anonymous]

We love the BBQ at Archie’s. Also Brenda’s and Mountain State Brewing Co are great family restaurants.

[Anonymous]

There is not a whole lot else to do there, which is part of the appeal imho. The BBQ place recommended above is good, and there is a brewery with good food (kids there are fine).

[Anonymous]

We were there before Christmas. Based on past visits to the area, brought most of the food we ate in, but we did eat at JGs Pub in Swanton and got some needed items at the Arrowhead Market (good selection of beer/wine and vegetables, freshly baked breads and I did not think outrageous prices). I did see folks carrying food out at Arrowhead...

My husband and two kids went to WISP on two-one day tickets. My son (12) took lessons as it's been a while, and did well - was able to get to some actual skiing quickly. Husband and Daughter did fine on the slopes. They did say there were limited runs open, but they were actively making snow and said the food on site was basic but adequate for their needs during the day. We rented equipment and a locker and all went smoothly. We did have to keep the rentals in our car overnight (brought the boots in so they did not freeze) but that was easy (and made getting going the second day easier).

The ski lift pass is a hard card (think Hotel card) and everyone put it in their left hip pocket - I guess you just "hip" in to get on the slopes. Passing that along! Another tip - they made snow all day, so we bought the long (24"?) gaiters for everyone and all had ski goggles - that first day was a bit unpleasant with the constant spraying.

[Anonymous]

Going over MLK weekend. I know it will be a busy weekend but hopefully not overloaded. It is where I learned to ski, but haven’t been in 10 years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is not a whole lot else to do there, which is part of the appeal imho. The BBQ place recommended above is good, and there is a brewery with good food (kids there are fine).

This. If you want a ski village-like atomosphere, try Snowshoe, or better yet go West.

In Deep Creek, everything revolves around the mountain in the winter, and the lake/boating in the summer.

You’re not going to be wowed by food. Brenda’s, Mountain State, Archie’s are fine. Firewater and Pawn Run are nice for apres ski cocktails (not really kid-friendly). I like the take out at Arrowhead.

My kids like Fun Zone. I feel like it would be more pleasant to just light a hundred dollar bill on fire in the parking lot.

[Anonymous]

It has been a few years, but with tubing, whether or not kids can go with parents depends on the conditions. If it is really icy, they will not let people double up, even with a kid and a smaller adult. This caused some problems with kids that were scared. Just wanted to warn you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We were there before Christmas. Based on past visits to the area, brought most of the food we ate in, but we did eat at JGs Pub in Swanton and got some needed items at the Arrowhead Market (good selection of beer/wine and vegetables, freshly baked breads and I did not think outrageous prices). I did see folks carrying food out at Arrowhead...

My husband and two kids went to WISP on two-one day tickets. My son (12) took lessons as it's been a while, and did well - was able to get to some actual skiing quickly. Husband and Daughter did fine on the slopes. They did say there were limited runs open, but they were actively making snow and said the food on site was basic but adequate for their needs during the day. We rented equipment and a locker and all went smoothly. We did have to keep the rentals in our car overnight (brought the boots in so they did not freeze) but that was easy (and made getting going the second day easier).

The ski lift pass is a hard card (think Hotel card) and everyone put it in their left hip pocket - I guess you just "hip" in to get on the slopes. Passing that along! Another tip - they made snow all day, so we bought the long (24"?) gaiters for everyone and all had ski goggles - that first day was a bit unpleasant with the constant spraying.

Before Xmas it was really warm - so it's likely much better more open now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It has been a few years, but with tubing, whether or not kids can go with parents depends on the conditions. If it is really icy, they will not let people double up, even with a kid and a smaller adult. This caused some problems with kids that were scared. Just wanted to warn you.

This is helpful info, thanks. When I was there (but several years ago), I thought it was kind of chaotic as an adult and so wondered if it would be stressful taking a small kid. We will see what they say when we get there.

[Anonymous]

I did not like tubing when it was icy. The speed was too high for my enjoyment. (My middle schooler was okay though. A five year old…maybe not?)