Ski and tubing slopes got their first snow Nov. 7 as resort employees began the layering process of building a snow base for winter sport at Canaan Valley Resort in Davis. The anticipated opening date for downhill skiing at Canaan is Nov. 29. “We’re getting a jump on winter so folks can take advantage of great skiing,” said Cary Sponaugle, director of sales and marketing at this Tucker County destination.
US Hotel and Resort manages the state park operations and plans new amenities and outdoor recreation options in addition to introducing visitors to the new 160-room lodge, food services, new beginners slope and “magic carpet” at the Tubing Park and ski slopes.
Canaan Valley features 43 slopes and trails with a summit elevation of 4,280 feet and a vertical drop of 850 feet. There are five lifts, a free-style Terrain Park, 8-lane Tube Park, and a covered outdoor ice skating rink. The resort has snow making capabilities on 75 percent of the trails and can produce up to 500 tons of snow a day.
“Early snow making, combined with naturally colder temperatures in the area, allow the mountain crew to create and maintain a good snow depth for great winter recreation at Canaan Valley Resort State Park,” according to Mike Chaney, Mountain Manager. “It’s the snow that makes Canaan Valley Resort a top winter destination. When the rest of the East is hindered with icy slope conditions, Canaan Valley consistently offers some of the best powder in the Mid-Atlantic region due to high valley altitude, natural mountain range protection and lake-effect snow storms.”
The resort will be featuring new menus and après-ski opportunities at the various lounges this winter. Shuttle service from Canaan Valley Lodge to the slopes has improved and new events with NASTAR and the newly dedicated Terrain Park add to the winter extreme experience.
The state park website www.canaanresort.com includes a webcam, operational hours, accommodations, events and dining information. Information is available at 304-866-4121.
