There are so many wonderful activities to explore in Deep Creek in the wintertime! Whether you’re an avid skier or you’re interested in discovering other activities besides skiing, you’re in for a delightful trip.
What is there to do, you may ask? Well, you’re in the right place. Our Railey Vacations Team knows the area better than anyone else, and we’re here to help you have a truly outstanding trip. Follow along as we detail our favorite things to do near Deep Creek in the winter!
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In this blog:
- How Cold Does it get in Deep Creek in the Winter?
- Where are the Best Places to Ski Near Deep Creek?
- Does Railey Have Ski-In/Ski-Out Rentals?
- Snow Tubing
- Hiking
- Ice Fishing
- Book Your Winter Trip to Deep Creek Directly with Railey Vacations!
How Cold Does it get in Deep Creek in the Winter?
Due to our higher elevation, Deep Creek often is 10-20 degrees cooler than the surrounding areas! Average temperatures will vary from 15-30 degrees during the winter months. Remember that wind chill can make it feel colder! We suggest packing layers for cold weather, everything from base layers to sweaters to winter coats. We find that the weather outlook is most accurate 3-5 days out in the winter months – so make sure to check the weather conditions and temps before you finish packing!
Where are the Best Places to Ski Near Deep Creek?
Did you know Deep Creek is home to Maryland’s ONLY Ski Resort?! That’s right – Wisp Resort is Maryland’s only ski resort, and it’s located right on the shores of Deep Creek Lake. Wisp Resort is a fantastic ski area offering 35+ trails, 7 lifts, a terrain park, a beginner area with a magic carpet, a spacious lodge, and slopeside yurts! Wisp offers a variety of terrain, with an almost even distribution of green (beginner), blue (intermediate), and black slopes (advanced). Most of the slopes are groomed nightly, too! Wisp also offers night skiing!! Rates for night skiing are typically cheaper than day passes, plus there’s less slope traffic. Even on a holiday weekend, night skiing usually has open tickets and less people.
PRO TIP – If you’re visiting over a holiday weekend, make sure to purchase your ski tickets in advance! Wisp Resort is known to sell out on holiday weekends. If all day passes are sold out, check to see if night slots are open! Even on a sold-out day, night skiing is usually always available and much less crowded.
If you’re visiting for a few days and want to maximize your ski time, there are three other ski resorts within an hour of Deep Creek! In nearby Davis, WV, you’ll find Timberline Mountain – offering some of the best elevation in the Mid-Atlantic region, plus a high-speed lift! Timberline has fantastic black and double black slopes down the face of the mountain. There are plenty of blues, too! Timberline does have green slopes, but is skewed more towards intermediate and advanced skiers and boarders. Just down the road from Timberline is Canaan Valley Resort, which offers a great selection of skiing for all skill levels! Canaan Valley is much like Wisp Resort, offering an even distribution of greens, blues, and blacks – making it a great choice for the whole family. North of Deep Creek in PA, you’ll find Seven Spring Resort. Seven Springs is part of the Vail family and accepts Epic passes. Seven Spring boasts 35+ slopes, several glades to ski through, and an expansive layout.
Can We Take Ski Lessons?
Don’t worry, you don’t have to be a seasoned skier to have a fantastic time on the slopes! Wisp Resort offers several options for ski lessons, from private to group to beginner packages! Lessons are available for all skill levels and ages 5 and above. There’s even a full-day option for kids 5-12 years! There are instructors for both skiing and snowboarding, too.
Does Railey Have Ski-In/Ski-Out Rentals?
Yes! We have a wide selection of ski-in/ski-out rentals to choose from. It can be hard to know the best spots on the mountain to stay, but don’t worry, we’ll break it all down here! Many of our mountaintop communities are also just minutes to the top of the slopes if you need to start off on an easier slope!
Ridge Run– Homes in Ridge Run will have direct access to green (beginner) slopes and easy access to the rest of the mountain via Chair 6. These homes are directly in front of Chair 7 and also have access to local favorite Ace’s Run (blue), Whipsaw (blue), and Over the Edge (black).
Highline, Boulder Ridge, Kendall Camp – These three communities are located at the top of the mountain with easy access to Main Street (black). You can also easily hop onto Chair 4, which takes you across the mountain to the rest of the resort. However, to get ‘home,’ you’ll need to be able to ski a blue slope – so keep that in mind! These communities are located on what we call “East Ridge” and the slopes on this side are mostly black, with only one blue slope (Down Under). These communities are less than ½ mile from the top parking lot and access to the top of the slopes and green slope options.
Villages of Wisp – These townhomes border either Main Street (black) or Down Under (blue). Once you ski to the bottom, you can take Chair 5 to the top of East Ridge, then Chair 4 across the top of the mountain to the rest of the resort. Like the other communities on this side, you do need to be able to ski a blue slope if you want to ski your way back home. Depending on which side you’re staying on, you’re less than a mile from the top or the bottom of the resort where you can park and get on easier slopes.
If you don’t need to be on the slopes, but want to be close, you can also browse our ski area homes, which are within one mile of Wisp Resort.
Check Out These Ski/In Ski Out Rentals in Deep Creek, MD
Ace’s High Lodge
14 Beds, 10 Bath Rental, Includes Indoor Pool & 2 Hot Tubs
Boulder Creek Lodge
7 Beds, 5 Bath, 2 Half Bath, Includes Home Movie Theater, Hot Tub, and more amenities
Tips Up
4 Beds, 4 Bath, 1 Half Bath, Includes Pool Table & Hot Tub
Stay Awhile
4 Beds, 3 Bath, Includes Hot Tub and Fireplace
Snow Tubing
Head over to Wisp Resort to enjoy snow-tubing in their tubing park! Complete with groomed lanes and two magic carpets to get you to the top, it’s a fun and easy way to enjoy winter fun for the whole family! Tubing sessions on the weekend are blocked in 2 hours, and during the week tubing is open in the evening for 4 hour sessions.
PRO TIP – Make sure to book your tubing sessions for Saturdays and Sundays ahead of time – weekends and holidays sell out 5-7 days in advance.
Hiking
You might not think winter is a great time to hike.. put we can promise the chill is worth the view! Our spectacular state parks are even more beautiful with a blanket of snow. Not to mention Muddy Creek Falls – Maryland’s tallest free-falling waterfall located in Swallow Falls State Park – usually freezes solid in the winter, creating an unforgettable scene. Deep Creek Lake State Park and Herrington Manor State Park are other great winter hikes. In nearby Davis, WV, you can visit West Virginia’s top waterfall destination in Blackwater Falls State Park.
Ice Fishing
Fishing in Deep Creek Lake yields great results any time of year, but many folks find great success ice fishing in particular! There are a few local guides who provide full ice-fishing experiences for those hoping to try it out! Make sure to check ice depths prior to venturing out on the frozen lake, and remember that the ice is thinnest on the shoreline.
Want to discover more wintertime activities that don’t involve skiing?
Read Our Blog on Non-Skier Winter Activities in Deep Creek
Book Your Winter Trip to Deep Creek Directly with Railey Vacations!
Winter in Deep Creek has a way of capturing your heart—from snowy adventures to those peaceful moments that make a getaway truly special. Whether you’re exploring the outdoors, skiing down exciting trails, or simply enjoying time with family in your vacation rental, this season brings a kind of magic you won’t find anywhere else.
And when the day winds down, nothing beats heading back to a warm, inviting place to relax. Choosing a Railey Vacations rental means enjoying the best accommodations in the Deep Creek area. Our homes are thoughtfully designed with your comfort in mind, and we offer a variety of amenities to make your stay exactly what you want it to be. Bring your dog along to a pet-friendly rental, cozy up in a quiet cabin, or treat yourself to the best views around in a lakefront rental.
If you’re already picturing your perfect winter escape, now’s the time to make it happen. Browse our Deep Creek vacation rentals and book directly with Railey Vacations for your next unforgettable wintry getaway.
Browse All Available Deep Creek Rentals