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Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing
at Backbone Ski Farm - 530 Lynndale Road, Oakland, MD
21550
Backbone
Ski Farm in Oakland, a town in the Maryland western panhandle (301-334-5633,
www.backbonefarm.com)
is located in the Pleasant Valley area near Deep Creek Lake that boasts
150 inches of annual snowfall. There are 520 acres of field and forest
at the base of Backbone Mountain. XC skiers and snowshoers have 15 km
of maintained trails and 8 km of groomed trails. The farm is a unique
chemical free produce "food share" entity in the summer months
where subscribers pay the farm in advance for veggies, eggs, dairy,
fruit, baked goods, sharing the risk of the farmer. It is a "horse
and heart powered" cooperative, where they work with nature to
raise healthy food.
The Backbone Ski Farm trail fee is $6 per day and there is a ski shop that has Karhu and Alpina products for xc skiing, snowshoeing, backcountry, and kids. The shop services also include repair and ski waxing.
Rental
equipment is $14 for xc skiing adults and $8 for kids for the full day
or take advantage of a unique offer for rental gear at $6 per hour.
Snowshoes are $12 per day or $6 per hour. Reservations are accepted
for pickup by 9:30 AM for full day rentals.
The instructors at Backbone Ski Farm have combined for more than 50 years of teaching experience. Group lessons are available on Sat, Sun, and holidays at 10 & 11 AM and 1 & 2 PM for $15 per person. Private lessons by reservation are $25 per hour per person. A package that includes the trail fee, rentals, and a lesson is offered at $30.
Guided tours for 2 hours are $20 per person and there are also special backcountry tours available. These backcountry adventures feature telemark skiing on more than 1,000 foot of vertical drop, powder stashes, trees, steep, lunch, and a shuttle ride.
Directions:
From Baltimore-Washington DC area, take I-70 west to I-68 to Exit 14
(Route 219). From Ohio, Pittsburgh, and points west take I-79 to I-68
to Exit 4 (Route 42) and go 8 miles to merge on 219 south.
Take Route 219 South to Oakland for 4 miles. Turn left on Paul Friend
Road. Go one mile to Pleasant Valley Road and 1.25 miles to Lynndale
Road and turn left. Go about a half mile and turn right at the brown
wood fence and look for the Backbone sign.
For more info about accommodations, dining, and shopping in the Garrett County area click here Visit Deep Creek. CCSAA member