Luxury Skiing in West Virginia: Guide to Snowshoe Mountain

Intro

Whenever you find your East Coast soul pining for a little West Coast powder, look no further than Snowshoe Mountain, voted one of the “Top 5 Places to Have a White Christmas” by the Washington Post. Perched on Cheat Mountain at an elevation of nearly 5,000 feet, Snowshoe is West Virginia’s equivalent to Shangri-La, a modern day utopia isolated from the outside world by rural woodlands. Snowshoe is an exciting escape, whether you are a first-time skier or a seasoned snowboarder.

Places to stay at Snowshoe range from vast lodges to cozy cabins, but Rimfire Lodge’s spectacular sunset views make it a favorite. Grab a slice from Cheat Mountain Pizza before really relaxing at The Spa at Snowshoe.

What Makes It Great

Snowshoe has the biggest drops and most diverse terrain in the state. With 3 distinct areas: Snowshoe Basin, Silver Creek, and the Western Territories, novices have space to learn and experts can really challenge themselves. If you are from out of town, you may not know that East Coast snow tends to be wetter than western slopes. While there may be somewhat of a learning curve, experience in different conditions will only make you a more prepared and well-rounded skier or snowboarder.

Snowshoe Basin, where you’ll find Snowshoe Village, has 38 trails. In addition to advanced runs such as Widowmaker and Choker, you’ll also find intermediate runs like Skipjack and Gandy Dancer, as well as easier terrain for beginners.

Silver Creek is great for families and beginners, with the Coca-Cola Tube Park, Kid’s World, and Snowshoe Ski and Snowboard School. There are also 12 trails here for night skiing.

Things get serious in the Western Territory, an area of Cheat Mountain that even the once-plentiful logging companies of the 20th century were hesitant to explore. This section has a 1,500-foot vertical drop and 1.5 miles of downhill. Its crown jewels are Shay’s Revenge and Cupp Run, a slope designed by Olympian Jean-Claude Killy.

One of the most unique things about the resort is that its village is at the mountain’s peak, rather than its base. All your dining, shopping, and lodging are done at 4,848 feet.

Who is Going to Love It

Snowshoe really is a great location for everyone. The 38 trails are split fairly evenly among beginner, intermediate, and expert levels, and Silver Creek is especially family-friendly.

One of the best things about Snowshoe is its secluded location. In fact, because it is so close to the Green Bank Observatory in Green Bank, the area is known as a National Radio Quiet Zone, so cell phone service will be spotty. But it’s a unique opportunity to truly unplug and take a break from reality. But don’t worry, most accommodations have phones and wireless internet.

Directions, Parking, & Regulations

Snowshoe Mountain Resort is at 10 Snowshoe Drive in Snowshoe, WV.

Parking gets very crowded. The easiest solution is to park at “Top of the World,” just beyond the Village, and take a shuttle back. Shuttles are free throughout the resort, as is parking at “Top of the World.” Silver Creek does have a fee.

To avoid lines, buy your tickets on Snowshoe’s website before you get there, or check out the season pass.

Written by Angela Sundstrom for RootsRated in partnership with West Virginia and legally licensed through the Matcha publisher network. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@getmatcha.com.