Hailed as the East’s answer to Utah’s Moab, West Virginia’s Pocahontas County will soon be bristling with mountain bikers. Bikers will flock to Snowshoe Mountain Resort starting Saturday, May 2, when the resort opens its extensive network of trails.

Snowshoe maintains 125 miles of trails, and the neighboring Monongahela National Forest adds an additional 900,000 acres and 800 miles of trails. Trails range from spine-tingling singletrack to old rail grades and fire roads - everything from flat to steep, for beginners to experts. If the beautiful scenery isn’t enough to tempt you, the 70-degree summertime temperatures might do the trick.

Snowshoe maintains two top-notch Mountain Bike Centers, offering guided tours, rentals, sales, and service. A 1-day trailpass is $8. An hourly shuttle is available to whisk tired bikers back up to the top of the mountain, for $5 a ride, or $20 for a day. Visitors will appreciate the traditional amenities at Snowshoe, such as a wide array of lodging and dining options. All-inclusive packages are available, including meals, trail pass, trail map, lodging, bike rental, and souvenir water bottle.

The resort will keep busy this summer with numerous events. Four sessions of the Junior Mountain Bike Camps will be held at Snowshoe, offering hands-on experience and instruction from some of the area’s top racers. Camp clinics will include singletrack riding, conditioning, mechanics, and downhill and dual slalom techniques.

From August 8-9, Snowshoe will host the NORBA American Bike Challenge. This prestigious race features cross country, downhill, dual slalom, and observed trials, with prizes totaling $10,000.