Critters Crawl, Valley Vista, and Face are names for the fun and challenging trails for folks who are tubing, snowboarding and downhill skiing at Canaan Valley State Park. The Canaan Valley Tube Park officially opened January 11. Winter ski season began December 29.
Canaan Valley Resort’s ski area has 42 trails and reports are posted daily online about the number of trails open and if trails have natural snow or are enhanced with snowmakers. Lift hours are 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and holidays. Night skiing is every Friday and Saturday and January 20 and February 17 holidays.
The new Canaan Valley Tube Park is 1,200 feet of gliding fun on 10 lanes. Tube Park sessions are 9-11 a.m.; 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.; and 2 – 4 p.m. midweek, with additional hours of 4:30-6:30 p.m. and 7 – 9 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and holidays. The rates are $18 mid-week and $25 on weekends.
“The resort staff is very proud of the new beginner’s ski area and learning school,” said Lisa Ratliff of Canaan Valley Resort State Park. “The redefined area allows for better instructional slope and access. Like the tube park, there is a Magic Carpet that conveys skiers for quicker access to skiing facilities and less time spent trudging to or from an area. Ski school classes are at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. We recommend the 10 a.m. time slot so students can maximize their time on the slopes. Come to Canaan, put on your ski pants and winter wear and have a great time.”
Winter recreation at Canaan is not limited to downhill skiing and tubing. The resort also features ice skating on the rink located near Canaan Valley Lodge, snowboarding and airboarding. Airboarding lessons are offered at the ski school. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are popular and equipment rentals are available at the Nature/XC ski center. There is no charge to use cross country trails and the sport is weather dependent.
New in 2013 is horse-drawn sleigh rides offered Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. “It’s a treat to bundle up and have real horse power pulling a sleigh,” said Ratliff. Sleigh ride passengers meet the driver at the Tube Park warming station.
Canaan Resort is a four-season, year-round destination. Ski season yields to golf play, camping, hiking and a wobble clay range that will open after ski season in 2013. The lodge and cabins are popular any time of the year for vacations, getaways and group functions. An indoor pool, sauna and fitness center are located at the lodge. Information about winter sport and year-round recreation at Canaan Valley Resort, lodging, ski lessons, group services and dining options are on www.canaanresort.com website or phone 304-866-4121.
