Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2010 9:39 pm
A fellow by the name of Howard Naylor played a large role in starting ski areas in Garrett County, including Marsh Hill, which later became Marsh Mountain and, eventually, today’s Wisp Resort.
In the 1940’s, and after serving in the Navy during World War II, Howard installed a portable rope tow on Sweeney’s Hill, which had a vertical drop of 50 feet. Howard could take that portable rope tow to any hill that had a patch of snow and was “in business.”
The first commercial ski slope in Garrett County was the Deep Creek Ski Trail on Hoop Hole Ridge. Two other ski slopes were in operation at the time as side attractions for restaurants. Howard installed a 1,000-foot long rope tow on Hoop Hole Ridge in 1947. This provided skiing on the Deep Creek Ski Trail, and was also lit for night skiing.
The Garrett County/Deep Creek Lake Promotion Council began the process of building a ski hill on Marsh Mountain around 1950. This area later became Wisp Resort, which continues to operate to this day.
If you have any information or photos about this ski area, post here or drop us an email at [email protected]. This portion of the messageboard was implemented so that those who have skied or played at any of the closed ski areas can share their experiences and discuss "old times". Understand that the content shared may not be 100% accurate.
In the 1940’s, and after serving in the Navy during World War II, Howard installed a portable rope tow on Sweeney’s Hill, which had a vertical drop of 50 feet. Howard could take that portable rope tow to any hill that had a patch of snow and was “in business.”
The first commercial ski slope in Garrett County was the Deep Creek Ski Trail on Hoop Hole Ridge. Two other ski slopes were in operation at the time as side attractions for restaurants. Howard installed a 1,000-foot long rope tow on Hoop Hole Ridge in 1947. This provided skiing on the Deep Creek Ski Trail, and was also lit for night skiing.
The Garrett County/Deep Creek Lake Promotion Council began the process of building a ski hill on Marsh Mountain around 1950. This area later became Wisp Resort, which continues to operate to this day.
If you have any information or photos about this ski area, post here or drop us an email at [email protected]. This portion of the messageboard was implemented so that those who have skied or played at any of the closed ski areas can share their experiences and discuss "old times". Understand that the content shared may not be 100% accurate.