Anyone know anything about this?

I was looking at some maps for a place for my scout troop to stay near snowshoe, and I ran across this satellite image. I'm no expert but this looks like someone wanted to open a ski area. Lift peak is about 4100' with an 800' vertical drop. Potential problems? It's in the middle of nowhere, 30mi sw of snowshoe, and a lot smaller. I can't find any online record of a proposed ski area there. What else could this be ?

I can't remember where it was mentioned (here, NELSAP, TCS) but there was a refernce to a private ski area somewhere in that area. "Laurel creek" rings a faint bell. I zoomed in on maps.google.com and see Laurel Creek Club rd just to the north, so I think that might be it. Looks overgrown and no sign of a lift.


Looks like it was previsouly mentioned on dcski in the comments to the Bill Bright's Almost Heaven article. looong discussion with Laurel Creek Club mentioend.

Good find, that must be it, but not much info: mid-80s, real estate scam, abandoned. Same pattern as Tory, it seems. Shame not to add a double chair, but oh well.

There is mention of a story at this lost web address:
http://www.wvagency.com/wvoutdoors/skiing/skihistorystory.html

looking at the internet archives finds the page with this text:

"The 1980s was a pivotal decade for the ski industry in West Virginia. In the early 1980s, downhill ski resorts Silver Creek, Timberline and Winterplace opened, and cross-country specialists Elk River and White Grass opened. Snowshoe and Canaan Valley expanded with trails, slopes and lifts. There were plans to open two downhill ski areas that never made it past the development stages: Tory Mountain in Randolph County, and later, The Laurel Creek Club in Pocahontas County."
-http://web.archive.org/web/20040327190736/http://wvagency.com/wvoutdoors/skiing/skihistorystory.html

Yeah I think that's Laurel Creek. I remember seeing ads for it in the West Virginia skiing magazine out in the mid-80s, maybe even an ad in the East Section of Ski Magazine. Was supposed to eventually have a 1,400 foot vertical. I saw it once from the Highlands Scenic Highway. Almost drove off the road I was so surprised to see an old ski area sitting out there.

The one I've been trying to find is an old ski area that never got finished down in NC, near the Boone/Banner Elk area. Randy Rogers mentioned it in his book "Southern Snow." Apparently the trail/s were cut in the early 1980s, and had a 1,700 foot vertical. I haven't seen anything yet that stands out as a ski trail in the area.

I am quite excited to read about potential new resort developments, especially 2400 vertical feet.

The good news...the potential for a fantastic ski area is there!@
The Bad News...between the economy and landowners refusing to sell critical parcels, don't hold your breath!
However....letters to the WV small business admin, the unemployment commission, the govenor (who recently purchased a home in Canaan Valley), the economic development folks, and anybody else you can think to bug about this great opportunity just awaiting a state nudge and somebody's deep pockets. Supposed the folks that own Wisp bought Tory Mt., and the gentlemen that owns Winterplace bought most of the land needed to develop Mount Porte Canyon.
Hey, fish, why did we not start such a writing campaign some time ago? If PA can find money for ski area development, why can't WV?
AND OVER 1199 I GO!!!
The Colonel

small business? in WV? BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
In WV, SBA would be the group to make sure it is as hard as possible to start a new business without knowing the right people and greasing the right palms.

Why should WV do anything to create more competition for its crown jewel of winter recreation, Canaan Valley Ski Area?

BITE YOUR TOUNG!!! CV is scheduled to open on the 19th. Funny that they aren't making snow yet, or if they are they are hiding it well. They used to open on the Wed before Thanksgiving. WHOT HAPPENED? Maybe they want to be listed on the list of lost ski areas. Another season like last year and they may get their wish.

Can you really see it from the Highway? That might mean it's in the Mon. NF and accessible for skinning for turns?

You are looking for this: Diamond Ridge

I remember reading the teaser article in Ski mag way back in the day. Looks like it was more like 1000' vert and west facing which is bad. Nice idea, but I suspect it was more of a real estate scam and/or just created by people who did not know what they were doing. Now pretty much real estate junk like so much of that beautiful unfortunate region.

pagamony,

I cant locate the same image on google maps that you displayed.
Can you (or anyone) walk me through it?
I goto google maps and search for Woodrow, WV and zoom in and out etc and I dont see the same image.

sometimes google maps will pick up another woodrow, wv place name. If You are having trouble, try this.
1. Enter in Marlinton, WV.
2. follow 219/55 North to Edray.
3. Scroll west. The ski area is SW of Woodrow

Right, not only that, google maps now provides a <link> button that produces this: Map of that ski area that never opened.

enjoy!

Also, snowslider, I would not get too geeked about new ski areas opening. It's not likely anywhere, anytime soon, but will have to happen one day I believe. Probably not where we expect either.

I know that is the reality of it, but fun to ponder and feel like my region will somehow turn into another SLC or Frisco, CO or Tahoe equivalent where I'm surrounded by opportunity, and I only need the time and the ticket.
One can dream.
God can move mountains cant he? Well, lets get going!

oh, and thank you for the link, that helped.

Thanks for the link to Diamond Ridge! Isn't that on the backside of Hawks Nest?

Oh, and also- Wolf Laurel of all places has been expanding their terrain. New lift and trails serving a housing area (yawn, but hey it's new terrain anyway) with more in the plans.