Living in the Midwest, I often feel like the folks on the West coast have all the fun. After all, there are an abundance of warm weather destinations in addition to all of the fantastic ski destinations.
I am here to tell you, that there is fantastic skiing to be had, right in our own neck of the woods. There are many fantastic ski resorts in West Virginia!
For my family, it is just about a 6 hour drive from our home in Louisville, KY. Atlanta is just shy of a 9 hour drive, and Nashville clocks in at 8 hours and 40 minutes.
Popular Ski Resorts in West Virginia:
Snowshoe Mountain
Location: Snowshoe, WV
The Snowshoe Mountain area is made up of different types of lodging, from full service resorts to condo rentals and cabins. We focused on the full service resort segment of lodging. Personally, when my family and I first visit an area, we like to stay in a traditional resort first so that we can get a lay of the land, then decide for a return visit if we’d rather venture out to a condo.
Allegheny Springs
This hotel is located right next to the slopes, so you won’t have to travel far at all! this hotel offers skiing at the Snowshoe Mountain Resort.
Guests of Allegheny Springs can enjoy use of an outdoor pool, hot tub and ski storage. Additionally there is a fitness center and library available guests to use. Some rooms have a kitchenette set up.
As far as dining is concerned, the Sunset Cantina is located onsite.
Corduroy Inn
The Corduroy Inn is located right next to the Powder Monkey chairlift, and across the street from Snowshoe Mountains famous Western Territory. The Corduroy Inn is Snowshoe’s only upscale boutique hotel.
So, a stay at the Corduroy Inn means that you are never very far from the best slopes all while receiving fantastic service that you would expect from an upscale hotel.
On-site there is also a upscale restaurant as well as a pizza restaurant.
Rimfire Lodge
Located in the heart of the Village and steps from Ballhooter Lift, Rimfire offers mountaintop convenience and luxury all in one. The Rim Fire Lodge offers ski storage, heated outdoor pool, sauna and a fitness center.
Winter activities are Snowshoe:
Of course when you think of Showshoe skiing and showboarding come to mind and for good reason, the slopes are world class!
That being said there is so much more to do in the winter when visiting like: snowmobiling, off road RZR tours, adventure dining and sleigh rides.
Make sure not to miss the Coca Cola Tube Park. Experience the thrills and excitement of our 6-story, 8 lane tubing hill at Silver Creek.
There are no shortage of dining choices at Showshoe, the biggest problem that you will have is choosing what you want to eat!
Canaan Valley Resort
Location: Davis, West Virginia
With 160 rooms, 23 cabins, and 34 campsites, the resort provides lodging for any occasion. There is no shortage of fantastic skiing to be had with 47 slopes and trails.
The cabins are offered in 2,3 and 4 bedroom configurations. Additionally, the cabins also have access to the resort dining, pool and fitness center, and the golf course. If you are planning a stay in the summer it is important to note that the cabins do not have air conditioning. So if you are coming during the warmer months this might be something that will factor into your decision.
In addition to skiing, if you are hoping to try your hand at another activity the offer snowshoeing, snowboarding, snow tubing, cross country skiing and ice skating.
From the Canaan Valley Website about their skiing:
“Learn to ski at Canaan Valley Resort, a premier family ski destination with ideal terrain for those new to skiing or snowboarding! We’ve dedicated more than 30 percent of our terrain to beginners including:
- Critters Crawl: a dedicated beginner area perfect for first time sliders. Critters Crawl features a magic carpet surface lift making getting back up the slope a breeze.
- Timber Trail: wind scenically down the mountain on this 1.25 mile guest favorite.”
There are several dining options are Canaan Valley Resort:
The Main Lodge Dining Room is called the Hickory Dining Room and offers breakfast, lunch and dinner every day
The Laurel Lounge is a full service bar that also offers wings, pizza and other heavy appetizers, they open each day at 5pm.
If you are looking for something on the lighter, healthier side the Seasons Cafe is where you’ll want to head. Serving breakfast and sandwiches they are open each day.
Hungry on the slopes? Quenchers Pub is a slope side bar that has sandwiches and snacks to tide you over until your next full meal.
This is an all season resort with lots of family friendly activities to be had even when the ski season is over!
OgleBay Resort
Location: Wheeling, WV
The Wilson Lodge offers the type of accommodations that you would expect from a high end resort. The cabin options also offer up to 8 bedroom accommodations sure to fit everyone traveling in your group.
Both guests in the lodge as well as the cabins have access to the same amenities like the pool, fitness center, fitness classes and the game room.
Activities at Ogle Bay Resort
Skiing and snowboarding at the Nutting Winter Sports Complex
Schenk Lake offers paddle boats for rent, fishing (no license required!), playground and mini golf course.
Walking and Hiking trails, you can stay on the resort’s 4.5 miles of paved walking trails or go on a hike on one of the unpaved trails.
Winterplace Ski Resort
Location: Ghent, WV
Winterplace offers cabins on site and each cabin can accommodate up to 15 people, breakfast is included in each stay.
Snow activities at Winterplace Ski Resort:
Snow tubing: Each session lasts 1 hour and 45 mins and advance reservations are highly recommended as they do tend to sell out. The tubes are provided and even better there are two super carpet lifts so you don’t even have to walk back up the hill each time!
Skiing: Winterplace Ski Resort offers great skiing options as well as equipment rentals, ski lessons and much more.
Timberline Mountain
Lodging:
The Tiimberline Mountain Hotel is open year round, so you can visit even when there isn’t fresh snow on the ground. The hotel has 20 guest rooms that can sleep from 4 – 8 people. Some of the 20 rooms are family suites which feature bunk beds.
Skiing:
Timberline is known for its wide slopes and changing terrain, but it is also home to the southeast’s longest ski slope the Salamander. The Salamander is an easy two-mile green trail which winds down the mountain.
No matter where you end up in West Virginia skiing, you are bound to make tons of memories with your family and hopefully have some laughs along the way!