The winter season made a sharp turn this week -; back towards winter. Temperatures plummeted, and the mountain regions of West Virginia were greeted by up to 6 inches of fresh snow on Wednesday morning, January 17, 2006. The long-term forecast shows no sign of the cold abating, and more natural snow could arrive soon. The following photos were taken on Wednesday.

Snowshoe receives 6 inches of fresh snow. Six inches of fresh snow and a temperature of 4 degrees Fahrenheit greeted skiers at Snowshoe Mountain resort on Wednesday morning. “We are making snow and we’ll be expanding our open terrain soon,” writes Snowshoe’s Lindsay Kutsko. Photo provided by Snowshoe Mountain Resort.

Snowmaking Wednesday at Timberline Resort. “The resorts are pumping out the snow and the skies are like a color that only exists in dreams,” writes Laura Reed, describing conditions on Wednesday in the Canaan Valley region. Photo provided by Laura Reed.

Blanket of fresh snow in Canaan Valley. “What can I say? Mother Nature has provided one of the most beautiful winter scenes imaginable,” writes Laura Reed. “Forecast for zip code 26260 is cold and snow.” Photo provided by Laura Reed.