More Resorts in WV Open for the season

/in /by

Greetings –

The mountains of West Virginia have received over a foot of natural snow since the beginning of this week, as two more resorts, Timberline in Tucker County and Winterplace in Raleigh County open for the season this Saturday, December 8. Snowshoe Mountain in Pocahontas County has been open since November 21 and is opening additional terrain daily. Canaan Valley Resort is planning to open its cross-country and snowshoeing trails on Saturday and drop the ropes on its ski terrain on December 22.

The temperatures in the higher elevations have been perfect for snowmaking operations, allowing West Virginia areas to provide the most open terrain in the mid-Atlantic and southeast regions beginning this weekend. The snowmakers at all of the resorts began to work around the clock when temperatures dropped, allowing the industry’s unsung heroes to create the excellent early season conditions. When snowmaking conditions were at their best this week (in the low teens), over 10,000 tons of snow was being produced in West Virginia per hour, enough snow to cover 20 football fields with a foot of snow each hour. That’s a manmade blizzard for skiers, snowboarders and snow tubers to enjoy in the mountains of West Virginia.

The mountain state’s resorts annually attract over 800,000 skier visits and that number is again attainable since the start of the season is coming at a tradition time. The top states providing skiers and snowboarders visiting West Virginia slopes are Virginia, North Carolina, Ohio and Florida.  The ski and snowboard season traditionally, weather permitting, continues 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.

See you on the slopes for the first turns of the season.

West Virginia Mountains Get Hit With Seasons First Snow Storm

/in /by

Greetings –

Finally, the season’s first true snowstorm occurred in the mountains of West Virginia this week. Snow fell from Tucker County to the north to Raleigh County in the south. The Canaan Valley area received snowfall of over a foot hitting the ground by Wednesday morning. In Pocahontas County reports of another foot were confirmed by skiers and snowboarders enjoying the fresh powder on the slopes at Snowshoe Mountain. In Raleigh County, four to six inches of snow was reported as the storm picked up some punch as the front traveled south. Mother Nature is expected to drop some more of her velvet fluff through Wednesday night, which will only enhance the trails that are currently open at Snowshoe Mountain and the trails that will soon be open at the state’s other winter resorts.

Along with the natural snowfall came much needed subfreezing temperatures as the thermometer dropped into the teens at the higher elevations. Those temperatures were perfect for snowmakers at Timberline Resort in Tucker County and Winterplace in Raleigh County  working hard to cover the slopes as both resorts plan to open on Saturday, December 8. Weather permitting Canaan Valley Resort in Tucker County will open its tubing hill, also on December 8. It is recommended to call ahead to all of the resorts for up to date conditions and opening day news.

The fresh snow from above has also been great news for cross-country skiers and those who enjoy snowshoeing. The powder conditions have allowed the folks at White Grass Touring Center in Tucker County to open their trails again. If you head that way, whatever Laurie is cooking up that day in the Café is well worth trying, believe me. The word from Elk River Touring Center in Pocahontas County is that folks are making tracks on the Scenic Highway and on nearby National Forest Land.

Opening weekend at Timberline will be Military Appreciation Weekend, with discounts available for those who are serving in the armed forces. At Snowshoe Mountain it is Demo Weekend, a time when you can try out the latest skis and snowboards. Just make sure you have a lift ticket and photo id and see one of the manufacturers that will be set up on Skidder Slope Saturday and Sunday.

Here is a reminder about an opportunity in Tucker County this season for skiers and snowboarders. Canaan Valley and Timberline Resorts have joined forces for the 2007-2008 ski season to offer guests the ability to ski both mountains for one price. Guests taking advantage of the Ski The Valley Pass will have 76 trails and four terrain parks, when the resorts are fully open and the option of skiing the two mountains when and how they want.

The Pass will be sold as a two-day lift ticket and can be purchased at the lift ticket windows of both ski areas. The cost for the pass is: $40 for a two-day pass during Value Season (Dec. 14-24; Mar. 17-23); $65 for a two-day pass during weekdays in Prime Season (Jan. 1-Mar. 13); and, $95 for a two-day pass during weekends in Prime Season (Jan. 4-Mar. 16). The ticket will not be available during the Christmas (12/25-12/31), Presidents Day or Martin Luther King Day holidays.

It looks like there is a continued chance of snowmaking conditions and natural snow for most of this week in the higher elevations of West Virginia’s Allegheny Mountains. So get out there and make some early season turns.

Snowmaking Everywhere In West Virginia

/in /by

Greetings – 

The overnight subfreezing temperatures in the mountains of West Virginia have allowed all of the winter resorts to start covering the slopes as additional resorts open for the season, joining Snowshoe Mountain, which opened November 21. At this time, Snowshoe Mountain is providing the most available open terrain in the region as the veteran snowmakers and groomers at the Pocahontas County resort have been working hard since early November.

Even though the ski slopes will not be open, Canaan Valley Resort is scheduled to open its tubing hill this Saturday, December 1, weather permitting. Other resort openings remain on schedule and that includes Timberline on December 6 and Winterplace on December 7 and Canaan Valley (ski terrain) on December 22 (earlier if weather allows).

Don’t miss out on this great skiing and snowboarding opportunity in Tucker County this season. Timberline Four Seasons Resort and Canaan Valley Resort have joined forces for the 2007-2008 ski season to offer guests the ability to ski both mountains at their leisure for one price. Guests taking advantage of the Ski The Valley Pass will have 76 trails and four terrain parks at their disposal, when both resorts are 100 percent open and the option of skiing the two mountains when and how they want.

The Pass will be sold as a two-day lift ticket and can be purchased at the lift ticket windows of both ski areas. The cost for the pass is: $40 for a two-day pass during Value Season (Dec. 14-24; Mar. 17-23); $65 for a two-day pass during weekdays in Prime Season (Jan. 1-Mar. 13); and, $95 for a two-day pass during weekends in Prime Season (Jan. 4-Mar. 16). The ticket will not be available during the Christmas (12/25-12/31), Presidents Day or Martin Luther King Day holidays.

Only a handful of the Wet Virginia Mountain Passes are still left from the West Virginia Ski Areas Association. The pass provides 30 passes to each resort in the state and 10 passes to the two Nordic areas. The cost of the Mountain Pass booklet is $2500 and the passes are interchangeable. For more information call 304-720-5466.

It looks like there is a continued chance of snowmaking conditions and natural snow later this week in the higher elevations of West Virginia’s Allegheny Mountains. This week’s snowmaking will be critical for resorts scheduled to open next week.

WINTER FUN BEGINS IN WEST VIRGINIA

/in /by

Greetings –

The sound of snow guns have been heard recently in the mountains of West Virginia. Since early this month, the veteran snowmakers at Snowshoe Mountain have been making snow whenever Mother Nature has allowed, over 150 hours worth of covering the slopes with man made white stuff. Thanks to the snowmakers and groomers efforts, alpine skiing in West Virginia will commence for the 2007/08 season, this Wednesday at Snowshoe Mountain. Nordic skiing actually got underway this past Friday, November 16 at White Grass Touring Center in Tucker County, due to natural snowfall in the West Virginia Mountains.

Mother Nature has allowed Snowshoe Mountain’s snowmakers to produce nearly 200 hours of man made coverage on the slopes. When the ropes drop Wednesday morning at the Pocahontas County resort, six trails will be available serviced by three lifts. A great way to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday. Even though the ski slopes will not be open, Canaan Valley Resort will be offering family activities such as guided nature hikes, turkey bowling on ice, pie eating contest and much more. Other resort openings include Timberline December 6 and Winterplace December 7 and Canaan Valley on December 22 (earlier if weather allows).

Timberline Four Seasons Resort and Canaan Valley Resort have joined forces for the 2007-2008 ski season to offer guests the ability to ski both mountains at their leisure for one price. Guests taking advantage of the Ski The Valley Pass will have 76 trails and four terrain parks at their disposal and the option of skiing the two mountains when and how they want.

The Pass will be sold as a two-day lift ticket and can be purchased at the lift ticket windows of both ski areas. The cost for the pass is: $40 for a two-day pass during Value Season (Dec. 14-24; Mar. 17-23); $65 for a two-day pass during weekdays in Prime Season (Jan. 1-Mar. 13); and, $95 for a two-day pass during weekends in Prime Season (Jan. 4-Mar. 16). The ticket will not be available during the Christmas (12/25-12/31), Presidents Day or Martin Luther King Day holidays.

Speaking of passes, the West Virginia Ski Areas Association is again offering The West Virginia Mountain Pass. The pass provides 30 passes to each resort in the state and 10 passes to the two Nordic areas. The cost of the Mountain Pass booklet is $2500 and the passes are interchangeable. For more information call 304-720-5466.

It looks like there is a chance of snowmaking conditions and natural snow later this week in the higher elevations. This week’s snowmaking will be critical for resorts wanting to open within the next couple of weeks. For daily news and action photo, go to www.westvirginiaski.com .