By Katie Allie
These are my stories from the road and hard-won guidance from a thoughtful traveler. If I’m making you curious about getting lost and finding the good stuff in this great big world we all share, then I’m doing something right.
I can’t blame you for wanting to curl up with your family when the mercury drops in West Virginia—there’s nothing like watching the snow come down on the weekend. As much as I enjoy shutting off the outside world for a while, eventually I get the itch to step out and enjoy what our great state has to offer, no matter the season. In an effort to give you the best of both worlds, I’ve compiled a list of what’s happening at our resorts and ski havens this winter. From workshops to dinners, live music to beer festivals and everything in between, there is room for you to kick back by the fire and explore what’s outside the doors of these resorts when you’re ready. Be sure to check their web sites for full details, booking information and special deals.
Canaan Valley Resort State Park
Thanksgiving Celebration
November 23-27
Celebrate the holiday with your loved ones in the mountains of West Virginia. Enjoy a traditional buffet dinner on Thursday, November 24, in the Hickory Dining Room.
Paint and Sip
November 25
Spend the evening learning how to paint and creating your very own masterpiece while sipping your favorite wine.
Gourmet Wine Dinner
November 26
Enjoy this gourmet five-course dinner with accompanying wines while dining in the Aspen Room. Seating is limited, so advanced reservations are required.
Introduction to Falconry
November 26
December 3 & 17
Learn about the history, equipment and techniques of the sport of falconry from Master Falconer Paul Fowler. Paul will explain how the sport started thousands of years ago and evolved into its modern practice. Meet Freya, the red-tailed hawk and newly added Barred Owl.
Opening Day for the Ski Area
December 10
New Year’s Eve Bash
December 31
Ring in the New Year at Canaan Valley!
The Greenbrier
Thanksgiving Day Feast
November 24
The Greenbrier’s award-winning culinary brigade serves up a lavish feast featuring a cornucopia of holiday fare as well as southern favorites.
Gobbler Gala Dinner Party
November 25
This year, the Greenbrier family invites you to join their Thanksgiving table at the annual Gobbler Gala Dinner Party, a festive and scrumptious buffet feast designed for the whole family!
Pamela Gatens Trunk Show
November 25-26
December 23-24
Come to the Carleton Varney Gift Gallery and watch artist Pamela Gatens as she demonstrates her impressionist style of painting. Her acrylic and watercolor collections include florals, abstracts, colorful cats, landscapes, roosters and farm friends, watercolor paintings, small works and more.
Roberto Coin Trunk Show
December 9-10
Roberto Coin’s jewels are an exclusive mix of fantasy, intuition, creative exuberance and aesthetic sensitivity.
Ring in ‘17
December 29-January 1
Ring in the New Year at America’s Resort with assorted events, including a Champagne Toast and Ball Drop, Casino Club Party, Kids Big Night Out Dinner Party, “Z” Night Party for teens and a New Year’s Day Breakfast.
Oglebay Resort
Winter Festival of Lights
November 11-January 8
This annual holiday light show is one of the nation’s largest, covering more than 300 acres over a six-mile drive through the resort. Every Friday during the festival, visitors can enjoy the Festival of Lights Buffet from 5-9 p.m. Reservations are strongly recommended.
Pipestem Resort State Park
Chief’s Challenge Bonfire & Hiking Tales
December 2-4
Enjoy a bonfire, hiking, tall tales and roasted marshmallows!
Winter Ballroom Dancing Weekend
December 9-11
A weekend of ballroom dancing with instructors Alicia Clark and Steve Prowse includes two nights of instructional time, with open dancing and dinner on Saturday.
Eagle Survey of the Pipestem Area
January 7
This is an annual survey of the skies and waterways for golden and bald eagles in the Pipestem area. From 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., volunteers are assigned stations at various areas to watch and record sightings.
Gift Buyer Marketplace
January 29-February 1
The Best Little Gift Show in West Virginia is held at Pipestem Resort State Park. Open to retail businesses, this three-day marketplace is the one-stop shopping place for retailers.
Snowshoe
Ski Season Begins!
November 23
Demo Days
December 3-4
The biggest names in the snowboarding business will be here on the mountain all weekend long, letting you test drive the latest gear. Open to the public.
West Virginia Ski Free Day
December 10
Snowshoe is offering free lift tickets to all residents of West Virginia with proof of residency.
Winter Brew Fest
December 17
Sample more than 50 beers from local favorites to nationally recognized award winners, all while enjoying the funky sounds of Optimus Riff and Lewisburg’s own The Spanglers.
Beats on the Basin Series
December 23 & 30
January 6, 13, 20 & 27
February 3, 10, 17 & 24
Beats on the Basin offers live music from 10 p.m. to midnight.
New Year’s Eve Celebration
December 31-January 1
Enjoy Early Bird, Late Night and All Night Celebrations; Little Tyke’s New Year’s Eve; New Year’s Eve Split Rock Pool Party; New Year’s Eve Bash at the Connection or New Year’s Eve at the Comedy Cellar.
World’s Largest Ski and Snowboard Lesson
January 6
Help Snowshoe set a new world record as they attempt to create the world’s largest ski and snowboard lesson!
Burton Women’s Snowboard Camp 10th Anniversary
January 6-8
Ride with pro snowboarders and coaches who will help build your skills or just let you enjoy the ride.
College Winter Break
January 6-8
How about a snow trip in between semesters? Snowshoe offers great student deals, vibrant nightlife and unbeatable conditions.
Subaru Winterfest
January 14-15
February 11-12
Visitors can demo the latest equipment from Nordica and LibTech and grab some great giveaways and hot chocolate. Free parking for Subaru owners.
Head Women’s Ski Camp
January 27-29
The third annual ski camp for women is back with several days of events!
Cupp Run Challenge
February 6
One of Snowshoe’s oldest traditions, conquer the steeps of the legendary Western Territory in this giant slalom race. Multiple classes are offered for ski and snowboard.
Burton Kids Camp
February 11-12
This camp is dedicated to the little shredders who want to expand their skills. With a supervised Kids Night Out pizza party, ice cream social and goody bags, they’ll never want this weekend to end.
Snowshoe Foundation Ice Dinner
February 24
The foundation dinner includes food and drink, live entertainment and silent and live auctions that benefit the Snowshoe Foundation in its work serving communities in Webster, Randolph and Pocahontas counties. Tickets must be purchased in advance!
West Virginia Open
February 25
The annual slopestyle competition has returned! Compete in Snowshoe’s premier terrain park for cash prizes, gear and more.
Stonewall Resort
Thanksgiving
November 24
The resort will be “serving a delicious spread from crisp salads and farm table bounty, to your favorite holiday desserts!” Reservations required.
Get Outside Day
November 25
Stonewall Resort State Park is offering free admission from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Black Friday in an effort to encourage family activities and exercise.
Stonewall Resort Light-Up Night
November 25
Head over to the lodge entrance lawn for a Christmas Sing-a-Long as Stonewall flips the switch on its holiday outdoor décor. Enjoy complimentary holiday cookies, hot cocoa and cider.
Model Train Show
November 25-26
Gain free admission to the model train display, provided by the Clarksburg Area Model Train Club.
Family Paint Workshop
December 3, 10 & 17
Hosted by The Starving Artist, these art classes are for the whole family. Reservations requested.
New Year’s Eve Celebrations
December 31
With two different packages to choose from and incredible deals on your stay, you can party your way into 2017.
New Year’s Day Comedy Show
January 1
This package deal includes an overnight stay and a West Virginia comedy troupe to show you a good time.
Timberline Four Seasons Resort
Opening Day for Skiing!
December 16
Telemark Clinic for Beginner, Intermediate & Expert Skiers
December 16
Sign up for either a half or whole day clinic to improve your skills on the slopes.
Telemark Festival
February 25-26
Enjoy full-day ski clinics and an après ski party in the evening with races on Sunday.
Snowy Luau
March 10-12
Timberline goes all-out for their end of season get-down: a lava parade, fireworks, races, costume contests, a pig roast and more!
About the Author
Katie Allie is a West Virginia native who holds degrees in English and elementary education. A teacher by trade, she spent years in a classroom before branching out as a travel consultant and writer. With five continents under her belt and an affinity for noodle soup, it should come as no surprise that she loves to write about food and talk adventure. She may be reached at hello@acrossthelinetravel.com, and you can read more about her adventures at www.wvexecutive.com/category/executive-exclusives.
