By Maggie Matsko
Photo by West Virginia Tourism Office.
When the temperature drops and the snow begins to fall in West Virginia, not only does the scenery become more beautiful but the list of available activities becomes more extensive. Every winter, the Mountain State plays host to a variety of unique winter sports for anyone up for an outdoor adventure. Grab your coat and gloves and get ready to explore all the winter wonders West Virginia has to offer.
Cross-Country Skiing at Elk River Touring Center
For those who are looking for the adrenaline and adventure of cross-country skiing, Elk River Touring Center is your destination. The center is nestled in the heart of the Monongahela National Forest, surrounded by rolling hills and a vast wilderness. This prime spot creates a wild wonderland for cross-country skiers.
With an annual snowfall of 150-200 inches, the Elk River Touring Center offers some of the best cross-country skiing in West Virginia. The on-site trails available to cross-country skiers intersect Highland Scenic Highway 150, which peaks at an elevation of around 4,700 meters. The downhill skiing at nearby Snowshoe Mountain peaks at 4,848 meters, making for two of the highest points in the Mountain State. For just $20 a day, guests can rent skis, boots and poles to create an unforgettable experience.
Ice Skating at The Greenbrier
With all of the unique amenities at The Greenbrier, it should come as no surprise that America’s Resort also has its own outdoor ice skating rink. Open November to March, the 70×140-foot rink is open daily for overnight guests of all ages to enjoy and features state-of-the-art ice making capabilities, lights, music and a rink-side firepit. With more than 400 pairs of top-quality skates that are sharpened constantly, rentals are available at an hourly and daily rate for any guests who want to take a spin on the ice.
“Families in particular love the ice rink here at The Greenbrier,” says Stephanie Orton Lynch, vice president of marketing. “It’s mostly for adults who want to relive their youthful memories or families who want to do a last-minute activity together on departure day.”
There are no reservations required to skate outdoors, and unlimited complimentary hot chocolate is served to all skaters. The hours of operation are Monday-Thursday, 3-8 p.m.; Friday, 3-10 p.m.; and Saturday, Sunday and all winter holiday periods, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Night Skiing at Winterplace Ski Resort
Located in Ghent, WV, Winterplace Ski Resort is the perfect destination for those who enjoy running the slopes under the stars. With 26 slopes open until 10 p.m. seven days a week beginning in December, visitors will never be short on nighttime skiing excitement.
For the past 32 years, Winterplace has gained popularity with its night skiing sessions, particularly with those who work full time. For this niche market, the resort’s night-only season passes are a treasure.
“People love that we offer night skiing,” says Tom Wagner, executive vice president of Winterplace Ski Resort. “Many of our guest have been taking advantage of night skiing for years as it fits perfectly with their busy work schedules.”
The resort’s slopes, which are perfect for both beginner and advanced skiers, combined with a vertical drop of more than 600 feet and more than 90 skiable acres, make Winterplace the ideal place to plan your next nighttime adventure.
Snowboarding at Timberline Four Seasons Resort
Timberline Four Seasons Resort, situated on the beautiful Herz Mountain in Davis, WV, is home to the Salamander, the longest ski trail south of Vermont. Perfect for the beginning snowboarder or the veteran looking for a long, scenic run, the Salamander is split into the Upper Salamander and Lower Salamander and stretches more than 2 miles down the mountainside. Once snowboarders have reached the end of the Salamander, they can take a break at one of the three dining venues located at the bottom of the mountain.
The resort’s 37 slopes and trails are open Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. With an annual average snowfall of more than 150-200 inches, Timberline Four Seasons Resort is a snow lover’s dream.
Snowmobiling at Snowshoe Mountain Resort
While Snowshoe Mountain Resort is popular with snow enthusiasts of all ages because of its wide array of winter activities like skiing and tubing, its snowmobile tours are reserved exclusively for those seeking the ultimate winter weather adventure.
Since 1996, Snowshoe’s guides have been leading guests on unforgettable journeys through the backcountry of Pocahontas County. “A large portion of our guests come from areas generally southeast of us, and usually they’re wanting to try snowmobiling for the first time,” says Shawn Cassell, PR manager for Snowshoe Mountain Resort. “In most cases, they are hooked from the very first ride. Our guides see a lot of repeat customers year after year, and for some families, it has now become a tradition to take a snowmobile tour when they come to Snowshoe.”
Snowshoe Mountain Resort offers a variety of day, night, solo and group snowmobile tours, including an evening snowmobile tour, a daytime backcountry adventure tour and a daytime backcountry family tour. These tours are offered seven days a week as well as on holidays.
Snowshoeing at Blackwater Falls State Park
Blackwater Falls State Park is known far and wide for the beautiful amber waters that cascade over the mountainside, but the beauty of the falls isn’t the only draw to this area. When winter sets in, guests make their way to the 2,500-acre park for snowshoeing, where an average of 150 inches of snow falls every year.
“The park’s trails that are open to snowshoers lie primarily above the canyon,” says Matthew Baker, superintendent of Blackwater Falls State Park. “That means they are fairly easy to travel and don’t have very much elevation change.”
Blackwater Falls State Park offers 25 miles of trails, and some of the more popular winter trails include Lindy Point, Shay Trace and Red Spruce. Snowshoeing is available on weekdays for $11 per person and $16 per person on the weekend. Guests who are feeling more adventurous have the option to rent snow shoes for a 24-hour period at just $20 per person on weekdays and $31 per person on weekends.
Snow Tubing at Canaan Valley Resort and Conference Center
Snow tubing has been one of the most popular attractions at Canaan Valley Resort and Conference Center for the past 25 years. At 1,400 feet, this multi-lane tube park is one of the longest in the Mid-Atlantic. A magic carpet lift brings guests back up to the top of the course after each ride so they can get the most out of their two-hour tubing session.
“Our guests really enjoy their tubing experience here,” says Samantha Haverty, director of sales and marketing. “We have even had guests come all the way from South Africa to tube here after watching our daily mountain report on social media.”
Tubing is fun for all ages, and no experience is needed. The tube park is open to the public Sunday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Friday-Saturday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
