By: Mike Kennedy March 1st, 2008 Category: Deep Creek Lake Real Estate, Wisp Ski Resort

Some more quality exposure for Deep Creek Lake and Wisp Ski Resort. It’s nice to see the area getting the attention of a national publication and a Baltimore television station as of late. Here is a link to an article about the area that appeared in the Spring 2008 issue of Luxury Living Magazine.

It is interesting to note that the author of the article lives in Park City, Utah - which is another resort area with a much larger ski area than the Wisp. The author really has nothing but good things to say about the area and favorably compares the lifestyle and activities offered at Deep Creek Lake to those found at the larger western resorts. 

The author does touch on a few real estate items in the article. She notes that a brand new home at Deep Creek Lake that costs $1.3 million would be considered a “steal” in Park City - where $1.3 million would only you buy a 2 bedroom fixer upper. Sure Park City and some of the other bigger resorts are larger than the Wisp - but Deep Creek Lake is much more accessible and easy to get to for someone from Baltimore, Washington D.C., or Pittsburgh.

We have many clients who own vacation homes here and in other resort areas - and speaking with them they always tell us they spend more time here at their Deep Creek Lake house than at their other vacation homes in other resort areas. When you factor in ease of accessibility, the lifestyle offered, and what you can get for the money - there is no doubt buying a second home at Deep Creek Lake is a great value compared to other resort areas.

By: Mike Kennedy February 28th, 2008 Category: Deep Creek Lake Activities, Deep Creek Lake Area Things To Do, Wisp Ski Resort

Deep Creek Lake and Wisp Ski Resort were featured this morning in this short video segment that aired on WBAL Channel 11’s newscast. WBAL is Baltimore’s NBC affiliate.

By: Mike Kennedy February 25th, 2008 Category: Deep Creek Lake Activities, Wisp Ski Resort

In what was probably the narrowest margin of victory in the history of this race, Eric Recker, a local real estate agent here in our office at Railey Realty, won the 2008 Maryland Men’s Governors Cup Ski Race held this past weekend at held at the Wisp Ski Resort. Eric, who has won the past two Governor Cup races as well, edged out runner-up Derick Berger by just .03 seconds overall in this years race. The Deep Creek Lake Winter Sports Team coordinates and runs this annual race which consists of two timed Slalom runs on Saturday on the Wisp’s Squirrel Cage slope and then two timed Giant Slalom runs the following day on the Main Street slope. All four timed runs are then added up and the lowest total time determines who wins the Governors Cup.

In the women’s division, Danielle White (pictured above with Eric Recker), a local skier won the Women’s Governors Cup. In the Junior Divisions (racers under 15 years old), local skiers Jake Vernon won the Junior Boy’s Governors Cup and Kara Stough won the Junior Girl’s Governors Cup.

Another Railey Realty agent, Kellyann Green finished in first place in both the Women’s (over 20 years old) Slalom and Giant Slalom Events.

By: Mike Kennedy February 12th, 2008 Category: Wisp Real Estate, Wisp Ski Resort

We had a meeting with one of the main real estate developers at Wisp Ski Resort this morning. Here are some of the notes from that meeting and what we can expect to take shape over the next few years;

Signature Hale Irwin Lodestone Golf Course

Construction is underway on the golf course and a projected finish date is late 2008 or mid-2009.

• After completion they are also planning on building an outdoor swimming pool and indoor fitness center.
• For a limited time existing Villages of Wisp owners and property owners in the other subdivisions atop Wisp - like Boulder Ridge, Deep Creek Highlands, and North Camp - can purchase a Lodestone Golf Membership. It’s not cheap….a full Lodestone Golf Membership is $40,000 - one half is due now and the other half will be due when the facilities are complete. However, there are options should someone want to transfer their membership in the future.

Why should think about buying one if you already own a property at Wisp? Well, in a nutshell, at some point in the future they will stop offering these memberships AND their will be options to transfer these memberships to a future purchaser. It may make your property more appealing should you ever decide to sell.

Wisp Mountain Village

• In late 2008 or early 2009 they plan to start their next residential building phase. It was reported it will consist of about 130 single family units - probably town homes of some sort.
• In 2009 they also plan to start construction on an Alpine Club and Skier Services building.
• This will be followed by additional residential buildings, a spa, general store, boutique retail, and other restaurants.

Ridge Run Town Homes

• These units are nearly identical to the Kendall Camp town homes.
• Two units per building - all are end units.
• They will be located next to Chair #7 right beside the new slopes in North Camp.
• Non-binding reservations are being accepted now and they will probably release the units for sale at the end of March, 2008.

Skiing in 2007/08

• The new Polecat snowmaking machines were placed on Squirrel Cage which allows them to make snow at a higher temperature than in years past.
• There is a 5 year plan to replace all snowmaking equipment on the mountain.
• Wisp Resort is officially “green” now. Recycling bins are everywhere.
• Inter-connecting trails will be built after the golf courses are completed.

For how warm this winter has been thus far, the Wisp has done an incredible job making snow and keeping their entire mountain open. While other eastern resorts such as 7-Springs and even Killington have had trouble holding events their have been no such problems at Wisp. This is due primarily to the Wisp’s ability to draw water out of Deep Creek Lake to make snow and also investing in the latest and greatest snowmaking equipment.

Remember we can assist you with any property currently for sale at Wisp - whether it’s one of their new projects and releases like the ones mentioned above or a resale property. Please don’t hesitate to contact us about any property for sale at Wisp. We invest quite a bit of time staying abreast of the current happenings atop the mountain to better assist our clients.

By: Mike Kennedy February 8th, 2008 Category: Deep Creek Lake Area Things To Do, Wisp Ski Resort

Check this out…here is a video from YouTube that takes you down the new Mountain Coaster attraction at Wisp Ski Resort. The ride is about 1 minute and a half long.  This roller coaster type ride is actually open year round and it costs $9.50 for a single rider or $15 if you have two riders. Kids must be 3 years or older to ride. Kids under 7 years old and under must ride with an adult. This is another example how the Wisp continues to improve and add things to do in the Deep Creek Lake area. All vacationers and second home owners continue to benefit as Wisp Ski Resort improves the area amenities.