Scott is Editor and founder of DCSki. He writes the articles, takes the photographs, designs the pages, programs the site, pays the bills, and occasionally catches a wink of sleep. In addition to DCSki, Scott works full time as a researcher and computer scientist.
Scott loves outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, travel, skiing, kayaking, and mountain biking. He is an avid photographer and writer, and also plays keyboards and drums. Scott grew up in Colorado and currently resides in Maryland. (That's right - he went from Colorado to Maryland - what was he thinking?!) Scott maintains a personal weblog at www.mscottsmith.org.
Scott has written 933 stories for DCSki since 1997.
For the past 75 years, the arrival of a new Warren Miller ski film has served as the unofficial announcement that winter is coming. Since 1949, these films have captured footage of thrilling ski lines, pristine powder, and the exhilarating beauty of the mountains. The latest film, 75, is being shown at locations in Washington D.C., Maryland, and Pennsylvania.
By M. Scott Smith | November 14, 2024 News
Winterplace Ski Resort in West Virginia is launching a two-year, multi-million dollar improvement project with USDA grant support, enhancing snowmaking, energy-efficient lighting, and guest amenities, while also introducing a new terrain park, remodeled dining options, and expanded clinics for the upcoming ski season.
By M. Scott Smith | November 12, 2024 2 What's New
The Indy Pass is back on sale with over 230 independent ski resorts across three continents, adding 30 new locations, including Bear Creek Resort in Pennsylvania. Offering skiers an alternative to larger corporate passes, the Indy Pass emphasizes smaller, local destinations and is expected to sell out quickly for the 2024-2025 winter season.
By M. Scott Smith | October 28, 2024 2 News
Seven Springs Mountain Resort has debuted an exhibit in its Main Lodge celebrating its history, featuring vintage artifacts and photos in partnership with the Pennsylvania Snowsports Museum and Vail Resorts. Showcasing its transformation from a family farm to a renowned Mid-Atlantic ski destination, the exhibit will be regularly updated with new displays.
By M. Scott Smith | October 27, 2024 2 News
Maryland's only downhill ski area has made a number of enhancements across the property in preparation for the upcoming ski season, including new snowmaking pipe and guns, a new conveyor lift for the tubing area, and upgrades to the lodge.
By M. Scott Smith | October 16, 2024 What's New
Whitetail Resort plans to auction off 30 vintage ski lift chairs and 17 trail signs on October 12-13, 2024, with proceeds benefiting the EpicPromise Foundation, which offers hardship relief grants and academic scholarships to Vail Resorts employees. The auction precedes the upcoming removal of the Jib Junction double chairlift, which has been out of service in recent years.
By M. Scott Smith | October 1, 2024 News
Vail Resorts is gearing up for the winter season by rolling out new programs and enhancements across its eight Pennsylvania ski areas, including expanded children's lessons, women-focused initiatives, and improved snowmaking capabilities. Photo by Haley Mowery, Roundtop Resort.
By M. Scott Smith | September 1, 2024 4 What's New
Blue Mountain and Camelback Resorts are preparing for the 2024-2025 winter season with notable upgrades, including the new Peak-to-Peak Poconos Pass for unlimited access to both resorts. Blue Mountain is enhancing its snowmaking capabilities, while Camelback is focusing on tech-driven visitor experiences.
By M. Scott Smith | August 31, 2024 What's New
Located in the scenic Laurel Highlands region of Pennsylvania, Seven Springs Mountain Resort provides a wide range of summer activities, keeping the fun going long after the snow melts. Throughout the summer, Seven Springs will host several festivals, in addition to providing daily recreational opportunities from May 24 through Labor Day.
By M. Scott Smith | May 19, 2024 News
Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer, and also the last day to lock in the lowest prices on Epic Passes for the 2024-2025 winter ski season.
By M. Scott Smith | May 18, 2024 1 News
Virginia's Massanutten Resort is currently offering ski, WaterPark, and mountain bike season passes, in addition to annual golf memberships. Ski season passes will go up in price after May 31, 2024, providing an incentive to buy early.
By M. Scott Smith | May 17, 2024 News
The snow may have melted, but Pennsylvania's Liberty Mountain Resort plans to stay busy through the summer season with a variety of on-mountain events including a wine festival and weekly music series.
By M. Scott Smith | May 16, 2024 News
Vail Resorts has begun selling its line of Epic Pass products for the 2024/2025 winter season, even as lifts continue running at many of its properties across the U.S. A range of passes is available to Mid-Atlantic skiers and boarders including the Epic Pass, Epic Local Pass, Northeast Value Pass, and Epic Day Pass.
By M. Scott Smith | March 21, 2024 3 News
The ski slopes may have recently closed at Virginia's Massanutten Resort for the 2023-2024 winter season, but the fun never really stops at the four-season resort, which offers a range of year-round activities such as golf and an indoor WaterPark. Earlier this month, the resort unveiled details on the first phase of a multi-year master plan that will see Massanutten further enhance its year-round offerings, adding a new hotel and WaterPark expansion.
By M. Scott Smith | March 20, 2024 1 News
Pennsylvania's Blue Mountain and Camelback Resorts have just announced a new season pass product that will provide unlimited skiing across the two areas for the 2024/2025 winter season.
By M. Scott Smith | February 22, 2024 News
DCSki's Editor visited Pennsylvania's Liberty Mountain Resort on February 21, 2024, finding great snow conditions, sunny skies, and a friendly vibe. He filed this Firsthand Report.
By M. Scott Smith | February 21, 2024 3 Firsthand Report
Pennsylvania's Camelback Resort will be celebrating its 60th Anniversary with an event on January 27, 2024; Vail Resorts provides an update on its environmental and social responsibility efforts.
By M. Scott Smith | January 24, 2024 News
In DCSki's Interview Series, we take a look at interesting people who have a connection to the mountains. We recently interviewed Ted McDowell, who joined Pennsylvania's Ski Roundtop as General Manager last season.
By M. Scott Smith | January 19, 2024 1 Interview Series
In this story, we take a look at six barriers of entry for new skiers and snowboarders. If you're trying to convince a friend to try skiing for the first time, understanding -- and being empathetic to -- these reservations will go a long way towards easing their concerns.
By M. Scott Smith | January 15, 2024 7 Feature Story
DCSki's Editor took a gamble by booking an early-December ski trip to Colorado's Vail Resort. In this detailed Firsthand Report, he describes how the gamble paid off, as Vail's open terrain surged during his three-day visit.
By M. Scott Smith | January 7, 2024 8 Firsthand Report
A potential snowstorm is brewing for later this week, which might bring measurable snow across the Mid-Atlantic region -- perhaps a foot or more in mountain regions. Since the Mid-Atlantic region doesn't experience snowstorms too often, we thought we'd refresh you on some tips for driving safely in the snow, in case you encounter snowy roads in your pursuit of some turns.
By M. Scott Smith | January 2, 2024 5 Feature Story
With warmer weather and rain putting a damper on early-season skiing in the Mid-Atlantic, you might find yourself browsing airline web sites in search of cheap fares out west. If your plans take you to higher elevations, it can take awhile for your sea level-calibrated lungs to adapt to the thinner air. We capture some tips on how to avoid altitude sickness.
By M. Scott Smith | December 28, 2023 4 Feature Story
Vail Resorts recently announced that Tony Santora will be taking the helm as General Manager of Pennsylvania's Jack Frost and Big Boulder Resorts on January 1, 2024.
By M. Scott Smith | December 26, 2023 News
The steady beat of Mid-Atlantic resort openings continues this week as Pennsylvania's Hidden Valley and Roundtop Mountain Resorts plan to kick off their winter season on Friday, December 22, 2023.
By M. Scott Smith | December 21, 2023 News
Pennsylvania's Laurel Mountain and Whitetail Resorts will both begin their winter season at 9 a.m. on Saturday, December 23, 2023, just after Hidden Valley and Roundtop Mountain Resorts open for their season on Friday. Virginia's Omni Homestead Resort will also open its ski slopes on Saturday.
By M. Scott Smith | December 21, 2023 1 News
More Mid-Atlantic resorts are set to begin their 2023-2024 winter seasons as Seven Springs, Big Boulder, Wisp, and Wintergreen drop the ropes on Friday, December 15, 2023. Canaan Valley Resort will open on Saturday, December 16. Above, Seven Springs begins grooming slopes on December 12 in preparation for its opening. Photo provided by Seven Springs Mountain Resort.
By M. Scott Smith | December 15, 2023 News
Skiing is a seasonal sport. Unless you have a private jet and can easily toggle between hemispheres, you probably only hop on your skis or snowboard for a few brief months out of the year, followed by an unpleasantly long stretch away from the snow. So, as we approach the 2023-2024 winter season, your skiing skills might be a bit rusty. We've put together a set of tips to help you prepare for your first runs of the season.
By M. Scott Smith | December 6, 2023 2 Feature Story
To snow, or not to snow. That is the question. That is the question that haunts Mid-Atlantic skiers and snowboarders as each winter season approaches. Will we have a snowy season? Or at least a cold season, so local ski resorts can dial their snowguns up to 10? DCSki takes a look at some of the ways one might try to predict what kind of winter we have in store.
By M. Scott Smith | December 4, 2023 Feature Story
Located in the Allegheny Mountains of Virginia, the historic Omni Homestead Resort recently completed a $150+ million dollar property-wide renovation project.
By M. Scott Smith | December 1, 2023 1 What's New
The recent stretch of cold temperatures has enabled robust snowmaking across the Mid-Atlantic region, and as a result, a handful of ski resorts across Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia plan to open in the coming days. In North Carolina, two ski areas have already opened for the season. In this story, we provide a look at official opening day plans shared by resorts as of November 29, 2023.
By M. Scott Smith | November 29, 2023 1 News
