Wintertime in Western Maryland can be brutal, bringing about harsh weather conditions that banish you to the confines of an indoor setting. But it’s also when you can enjoy some of the region’s wildest recreational offerings. There are, of course, all those conventional classics you know and love so well, like sleighing, snowtubing, and snowboarding. Then you have those lesser-known pursuits you may not have ever heard of but would like to learn more about.
Skiing
On a more conventional note, skiing is a popular wintertime pursuit in many northern, mountainous regions, including those throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Western Maryland in particular. Still, many folks are inclined to overlook the outdoor options awaiting adamant skiers. There are obvious venues, like Deep Creek’s popular Wisp Resort, for example. Other profuse possibilities can be found in New Germany State Park, Herrington Manor State Park, Savage River State Forest, Potomac-Garrett State Forest, and many others. It’s no accident that the moniker “Mountain Maryland” has become synonymous with Western Maryland terrain.
Snowmobiling
Likewise, many state parks and forests throughout Western Maryland make for optimal snowmobile opportunities when conditions are just right. Some of the best snowmobiling terrain can be found at Wolf Den Run State Park, Savage River State Forest, Potomac-Garrett State Forest, and Deep Creek Lake State Park. By extension, much of the land encompassing Deep Creek Lake Natural Resource Management Area is premium for such an endeavor. This includes Deep Creek Lake itself when the ice is thick enough.
Snowshoeing
Winter hiking through the snow via snowshoe is another awesome cold-weather possibility to pursue. While snowshoes may be harder to come by, many locations offer guided snowshoeing walks and provide rentals as part of the deal. All Eco Tours is one such consideration, as is Highland Sporting Clays.
While many locations are excellent for snowshoeing, Western Maryland highlights include New Germany State Park, Savage River State Forest, Potomac-Garrett State Forest, Swallow Falls State Park, and Herrington Manor State Park.
Ice Fishing
Many places throughout Maryland are perfect for ice fishing. Even the East Coast and Southern Maryland have their callouts. In Western Maryland, particularly, it’s Deep Creek that takes the cake. Lake Habeeb in Allegany County is another exceptional spot to consider.
Ice Boating
You’ll be forgiven if you haven’t heard of ice boating before. With origins rooted in Europe, most Marylanders have little or no knowledge about this unique sport in which sailboats glide across frozen, ice-packed lakes and other bodies of water. The private Deep Creek Yacht Club at Turkey Neck, however, is renowned for leading ice boating events and activities. Their team even boasts one of the fastest-growing fleets in the world.
Winter Camping
Camping isn’t just for spring and summer. Whether you want to brave the blustery weather via an old-school tent setup or opt for a comfy cabin, camping is a can-do, even during the colder months.
Many state parks and forests throughout Western Maryland offer full-service cabin and campsite rentals that operate year-round. Some options include Savage River State Forest, Potomac-Garrett State Forest, Green Ridge State Forest, New Germany State Park, Herrington Manor State Park, and others.
This is just a sampling of exceptional winter recreations to pursue in Western Maryland. Take note that there are many other activities to consider in other parts of the state and throughout the greater Mid-Atlantic.