Gregg’s Knob

North of Terra Alta, West Virginia

DCSki reader Matthew Kavlick writes:

“I uncovered a lost ski area north of Terra Alta, West Virginia. Gregg’s Knob operated from 1955 to 1961 and was located on Gregg Knob, one of the highest peaks in Preston County. Using the northeastern face of Gregg Knobb Mountain, the quarter-mile slope had two tows. The daily tow fee was $1.50.”

“Two new skiing slopes will be opened in the Upper Monongahela Valley during the coming winter, the Upper Monongahela Valley Assn. announced today.

“A 1,420-foot rope tow plus a small warming hut will be ready for use at Weiss Knob, about one mile from the Cabin Mountain Ski slope in Canaan Valley…

“Another slope, at almost 3,300 feet on a northeast exposure on Gregg Knob, one of the highest peaks in Preston County, is also scheduled to be opened soon. Two tows will be provided at this slope which is about 8 miles north of Terra Alta off the Cranesville Road.

“Three Morganton men, John Garlow, Wayne W. Bowen, and Roy Williamson, have been working on the project.”

On March 8, 1958, the Morgantown Post included a story referencing skiing at Gregg’s Knob:

“Skiing on the north slope of Gregg’s Knob near Terra Alta will begin this afternoon and will continue tomorrow, the Mountaineer Winter Sports Club announced this morning.

“The tow up the wide slope will be in operation from 1 p.m. until desk both today and tomorrow. The wide Preston County slope normally maintains a good snow cover until mid-April and drifts are reported at up to 20 feet.”

By 1961, hard times were beginning to fall on West Virginia’s ski areas. The October 5, 1961 issue of the Morgantown Post documented a lack of skiers, which were threatening the existence of ski areas. The newspaper reported that the Weiss Knob and Bald Knob ski areas would be open for the 1961-1962 winter season, but not Gregg’s Knob.

Matthew Kavlick provides the following TerraServer topographic map indicating the location of Gregg’s Knob.

Topographic map showing location of Gregg’s Knob. Image provided by TerraServer.

DCSki Sponsor: Canaan Valley Resort

Reader Comments

C Minor (Terra Alta, WV)

November 18, 2007

The name of the newspaper cited is the Charleston Daily Mail, not Charles.

We live in a resort community (with another lost ski slope) very near Gregg's Knob and I did not know there was a ski slope there. I will research this locally and pass on any additional information I find.

logan j

January 28, 2009

i never knew that that there was a ski slope there