Mid-Atlantic Resorts Give 2011/12 Season a Proper Send Off

It's that time of year again when the sun gets warmer, the snow gets softer and we inevitably have to hang our skis up for the summer. A handful of resorts throughout the Mid-Atlantic have already shut down their lifts, put up their "Thank You" messages on the homepage and switched their minds over to mountain biking and golf.

Maryland's Wisp Resort along with West Virginia's Timberline and Snowshoe Resorts are taking the season out with a bang. Each resort has planned a final celebration to bid farewell to winter and make the most of the spring conditions this weekend, March 16-18.

Wisp Resort closes the season with more than just a party, they throw a Beachin' Weekend. It kicks off with the Comedy Blast, a blue-collar comedy show, at Wispers Bar on Friday, March 16. ($22 includes Hors d' oevres and a 90-minute show, cash bar). Then on Saturday, things get creative as Duct tape designers compete in the Cardboard Box Derby at the Bear Claw Adventure Park. Registration opens at 1 p.m, judging from 1-1:30 p.m and the race starts at 3 p.m. Sunday the fun continues with music and games in the Bear Claw Adventure Park from 11 a.m-2 p.m. More information at wispresort.com.

At Timberline Resort, the Snowy Luau is a Hawaiian-themed, year-end tradition. It includes two jam-packed days of food, friendly competition and of course, fireworks. Saturday, March 16 hosts the Lahaina Triathalon in the morning, a pig roast for lunch, then a full schedule of on-snow events including Nastar race, rail jam, children’s obstacle race, synchronized skiing contest, Hawaiian Derby and more. The evening warms up with an apres ski bonfire, before the Lava Light Parade (torchlight parade) and fireworks at 8:30 p.m.

The Rail Jam Series takes the season out with style. Photo Courtesy of Timberline Resort.

Sunday continues in full-tilt party mode, starting off with a snow sculpting contest and costume parade. After Hawaiian lunch specials it's time for more on-snow competition in the slopestyle, Nastar and bump/short radius events. The weekend wraps up with an awards ceremony and coronation of the Snowy Luau Kahuna. More information at timberlineresort.com.

Snowshoe Resort is taking the season out with the Last Hurrah, a weekend full of activities including a "Best Beach Apparel" Costume Contest, Tutti Frutti Competition, Moonshine Survivor Party, and of course the favorite, Pond Skim Contest. This year there are some big prizes on the line along with the medals and bragging rights, including 2012/13 season passes, lift tickets and ski lessons. More info at snowshoemtn.com.

No celebration would be complete with Torchlight and Fireworks. Photo Courtesy of Timberline Resort.