The new Sunrise Backcountry Cabin offers an alternative lodging option. Photo provided by Snowshoe Mountain Resort.

With natural snow covering the mountain, Snowshoe Mountain Resort’s new Outdoor Adventure Program is now in full gear, providing a number of winter activities beyond the slopes including snowmobiling, horse-drawn sleigh rides, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing.

A new destination awaits backcountry visitors at Snowshoe: the Sunrise Backcountry Cabin, modeled after the mountain huts of New England and Colorado. Located in the woods along the Cheat Mountain Ridge trail, this cabin is accessible via hiking, snowshoeing, or snowmobiling trails. The cabin provides a great view of Allegheny sunrises, but visitors needn’t give up modern conveniences to get in touch with nature. A full-time caretaker prepares breakfasts and dinners and makes sure private and shared rooms are stocked with linens and blankets. The cabin can sleep 12-14 and can be booked by calling the resort at (304) 572-5477. The cabin remains open year-round.

40 kilometers of cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails are maintained at Snowshoe, and are especially popular after fresh snowstorms. Snowshoe receives an average annual snowfall of 180 inches, making cross-country skiing available through most of the season.

One and two hour guided snowmobile tours are available, using Snowshoe’s fleet of 10 snowmobiles. A quieter and more romantic ride can be had on a sunset horse-drawn sleigh ride.