The perfect getaway for a wintertime adventure
By WP BrandStudio
In the mountains of W.Va. lies a family-friendly resort with something for everyone—from skiing and snowmobiling to decadent food and shopping.
It’s easy to appreciate the mountain lifestyle at Snowshoe Mountain Resort, a West Virginia destination with an unusual configuration. The heart of the property, a charming village aglow with outdoor fireplaces, offers spectacular views of the Appalachian Mountains from an elevation of nearly 4,900 feet.
“At most resorts, you have to take the lift up to get the big panoramic view. Here, you just look left or right,” said Caroline Conner, assistant director of Snowshoe’s ski and snowboard school.
And there are 257 skiable acres to explore, with terrain that ranges from easygoing beginner-level to black-diamond slopes, coated with some of the fluffiest snow on the East Coast and featuring the region’s steepest vertical descent. Along with superb conditions and trails, Snowshoe offers indoor and outdoor alternatives to skiing and snowboarding, like snowmobiling and a kids’ activity center, as well as a full-service spa and restaurants that showcase the mountain setting.
Best of all, families and thrill-seekers alike from the D.C. area can get to Snowshoe in about four hours, then settle in for a winter getaway that feels “as [different from] a metro area as could possibly be,” said Shawn Cassell, the resort’s public relations manager. “It’s such a breath of fresh air.”
Terrain for all abilities—and snow that rivals the Western U.S.
West Virginia lacks the long lines found at ski resorts out West and in the Northeast, but it offers just as much scenery and adrenaline-packed adventure. The resort’s 4,848-foot elevation is the second-highest point in West Virginia, making it colder and snowier than the rest of the state. As a result, Snowshoe often has optimal conditions for skiing: a fresh dusting or several inches of snow with low moisture content, known as powder. At Snowshoe, the snow is often “so light and dry that you can almost take a breath of it,” said vice president of mountain operations Ken Gaitor, who added that going down the mountain feels “like riding on air.”
The three distinct areas of the resort each offer something different. Silver Creek welcomes beginners with wider trails, the fewest crowds, night skiing until 9 p.m. and a place to “grab some food, a beer or hot cocoa down at the bottom,” said Gaitor. More experienced athletes will appreciate the Basin, home to steep black-diamond trails, terrain parks with man-made jumps and lots of blue trails for intermediate skiers. For expert-level visitors, there’s the 1,500-foot vertical drop of the Western Territory.
“If you’re an advanced skier or snowboarder, there’s nothing like it in our region,” said Cassell.
Any level of athlete can benefit from a lesson at Snowshoe’s ski and snowboard school. The Terrain Based Learning approach incorporates man-made speed bumps that slow beginners down, so they can experience the feeling of sliding across snow without having to worry about braking, said Conner. All Mountain Clinics move at a faster pace and focus on quick tips for more experienced students, and Mommy and Me classes teach kids to ski or snowboard while teaching parents how to foster their child’s development on the slopes. Skill-building is crucial, said Conner, but she also wants to give students a new appreciation for winter sports and being in the mountains overall.
“The heart of the lesson with us is about the fun, the freedom and the experience of it. The skills, they fall in line,” she said.
A taste of the mountain lifestyle off the slopes
Much of the fun at Snowshoe can be found through alternatives to skiing and snowboarding. Hikes through the spruce forest after a fresh snowfall are enchanting, for example, and Silver Creek transforms into a snow-tubing destination with multicolored LED light displays and music at night. There are also family snowmobiling excursions that culminate at an 80-foot fire tower with views across the rolling hills and mountains to Virginia, according to adventure and activities director Mikey Valach.
Most participants have never been on a snowmobile before, Valach said, and because it requires at least two feet of natural snow, snowmobiling can be difficult to access elsewhere in the region. More experienced snowmobilers can join a faster-paced Backcountry Adventure Tour. Guests can also switch things up with an Offroad Adventure Tour in a four-wheel all-terrain vehicle—a journey that leads to a log cabin with an escape room and gourmet dinners.
“It’s one of the best meals you’re going to get at Snowshoe. And it’s in a very interesting setting,” said Valach.
Ambitious skiers can enjoy a pint at Arbuckles Cabin, reached by skiing down the Western Territory’s black-diamond terrain. And there are more restaurants to try in the village, serving up everything from sushi to pizza to hearty pub fare. Elsewhere in the village, boutiques sell ski and snowboard gear, casual winter clothing to fend off the chill, and eclectic gifts. A full-service spa also offers a welcome respite from the cold, whether it’s with a hot-stone massage or hydrating body wrap—complete with self-heating mud booties. Yoga classes welcome guests of all skill levels in need of a quiet moment. And parents can also relax with a glass of wine at the Big Top activity center, while the kids explore the inflatable obstacle course, climbing wall and arcade games.
“The Big Top is the go-to spot for family fun,” said Cassell.
For families from the D.C. area, the fun of a trip to Snowshoe can begin well before they even arrive. Part of the adventure is driving the winding roads of West Virginia, where old farms gradually give way to mountain scenery and cooler temperatures, creating an unmistakable shift in atmosphere that reaches a crescendo when the resort finally appears.
For Cassell, arriving at Snowshoe feels “like going back in time.” And for many visitors, that’s a feeling they want to experience again and again.
“Once you go there, you’ll be back,” agreed Gaitor. “It’s that kind of special.”
