Major Snow Storm Benefits State Ski Industry

Charleston, WV – This week’s natural snowfall has benefited the state’s entire ski industry, as for the first time in recent memory, every ski resort, cross-country area and snow tubing park that make up the West Virginia Ski Areas Association are open and greeting visitors.

The National Weather Service in Charleston reports that over a foot of snow has occurred in the last seven days in the state’s mountainous regions.

In addition to the abundance of natural snow, this week’s cold temperatures have allowed the resorts’ snowmakers to work around the clock.  These snowmaking efforts on top of the natural snowfall have allowed the resorts to open additional terrain daily.

The alpine resorts that are now open include Winterplace Ski Resort in Raleigh County, Snowshoe Mountain in Pocahontas County, Canaan Valley Resort and Timberline Mountain in Tucker County and Oglebay Resort in Ohio County. For Cross-Country and snowshoeing enthusiasts White Grass Touring in Tucker County and Elk River Touring Center in Pocahontas County have miles of trails available.  The Snow Riders Tubing Park in Jefferson County is also providing downhill tubing fun.

The ski and snowboard season traditionally, weather permitting, continues from now through early April. The five-month long ski season in West Virginia has an estimated economic impact of over $250 million and 5,000 jobs at the resorts and other related companies.  For more information on skiing and snowboarding in West Virginia go on-line at goskiwv.com or skisoutheast.com.