Snowshoe is targeting Wednesday, November 25 for opening day, giving skiers and snowboarders the possibility of hitting the slopes before Thanksgiving dinner. Whether that happens will depend on how many snowmaking opportunities the mountain receives over the coming days.
“The only thing better than seeing the snowguns in action is some natural snowfall, and today we’re enjoying both,” said Ken Gaitor, Snowshoe’s Vice President of Mountain Operations. “We’ll continue making snow as long as these cold temperatures hang around. This should be a strong start towards getting us open for skiing and snowboarding, hopefully in the next few weeks if the weather cooperates.”
At nearly 4,850 feet, Snowshoe’s summit is among the highest elevations in the Mid-Atlantic, giving the resort an advantage when colder temperatures arrive. Snowshoe has also invested heavily in snowmaking over the decades, allowing crews to take advantage of relatively brief windows of suitable weather.
Snowshoe’s snowmaking capabilities have grown considerably since Intrawest purchased the resort in 1995 and launched an ambitious expansion of its lifts, trails, and facilities. DCSki recently looked back at Snowshoe’s transformation under Intrawest, including the development of the mountaintop village and major investments that helped shape the resort as it exists today.
A New Chapter for Shavers Center
Visitors arriving this winter will also find a new main day lodge. Snowshoe expects its newly constructed Shavers Center to open November 25, offering multiple dining options, après-ski programming, and facilities for the resort’s Ski & Ride School and Pre-Ski programs.
The Shavers Center name goes back to Snowshoe’s earliest days. When the resort opened in December 1974, it had just nine trails and three lifts, and Shavers Center served as a gathering place for visitors. In a 2003 DCSki retrospective, then-Mountain Operations Director Tex Ritter recalled that accommodations were so limited during the first winter that some guests slept on picnic tables or on the floor of Shavers Center.
More than half a century later, the new building continues a tradition that dates to the resort’s beginnings.
New Ticket Options for Winter
Snowshoe has introduced a $99 Silver Creek-only lift ticket for weekends and holidays this season. The ticket provides access to Silver Creek’s beginner through advanced terrain, including two terrain parks and night skiing. Silver Creek is scheduled to open December 18, along with snow tubing.
Another option is the $259 Flex 3 Pass, which provides three non-holiday ski days during the 2026-2027 season. The days can be used separately, allowing visitors to choose their dates later. The pass must be purchased before opening day.
Snowshoe’s winter calendar includes West Virginia Ski FREE Day on December 6, the Cupp Run Challenge on February 1, and Kids Ski FREE Week March 8-14. The resort currently plans to conclude its winter season on March 21.
For now, the immediate question is how much snow Snowshoe can put down before November 25. The first natural snowfall has arrived, the snowguns are running, and the countdown to Thanksgiving skiing is underway.
Additional information and opening updates are available at Snowshoe Mountain Resort.
Reader Comments