Well first let me start by saying what a great site this is!!!! A big pat on the back to the admin of this site.

Now onto my dilemma...As always I have waited to the last minute to make lodging reservations. I am new to the area and by reading many posts I think the best all around resort is Snowshoe, in this area. Also, it's owned by the same company as my all-time favorite resort, Whistler. Now I have called and it seems everything is booked for this weekend. What should I do? Should I stay in a nearby town, like Elkins, or go somewhere else?

Try Spruce Realty at sprucerealty.com. Great folks, great lodging

Thanks bud...I tried...SOLD OUT!

You could also try Misty Mountain for on or off-mountain lodging at 877-572-2210. You could also try Elkins, Durbin or Marlington if you don't mind a 30+ minute drive.

Have several others that you may want to check. This is not an indorsement, although I've been to some and they are beautiful.

Appalachian Sport Lodge: Marlinton, efficiencies and lodge: http://www.appsport.com/

Brazen Head Inn, Mingo. Excellent place and run by an Irish guy that has made the place the center for Celtic/Bluegrass music in the area:
http://www.brazenheadinn.com/

Buffalo Run Lodge in Arborvale:
http://www.bbgetaways.com/buffalorunlodge/

Carriage House Inn in Marlinton:
http://wvweb.com/www/carriage_house/index.html

Cranberry Mountain Lodge: Spectacular views
http://www.cranberrymountainlodge.com/

Elk Mountain Outfitters: Two apartments above the store at Snowshoe
http://www.elkmountainoutfitters.com/

The Inn at Elk River Touring Center:
http://www.ertc.com/

Morning Glory Inn: About 10 mins away
http://www.morninggloryinn.com/

Mt Airy B&B and Art Gallery
http://www.mtairybnb.com/

Old Clark Inn: Marlinton
http://www.oldclarkinn.com/

Pleasant Valley Inn, Slatyfork
http://www.pleasantvalleyfarms.net/

Snowshoe Private Rentals (this guy owns several condos throughout the mountain)
http://www.snowshoeresort.com/

Snowshoe TriSki Condos (another particular who owns property)
http://www.triski.com/

Rentals by vacation.com: This is an independent web page
http://www.ivacation.com/index/city-vr-767.htm

The Sweet Thyme Inn: A Vegetarian B&B in a gorgeous mansion
http://www.sweetthymeinn.com/

The Current B&B at Hillsboro: Birthplace of Pearl Buck
http://www.currentbnb.com/

The Jericho B&B: Thet also have a chalet at Snowshoe:
http://www1.neumedia.net/%7ejericobb/

Thank you...I ended up in Elkins. I know it's a bit of a drive, but it's the best I found for what I was looking for. I didn't want a B&B, which there were tons of in Marlinton.

The benefit of Elkins is that you will have a wider restaurant selection and also you may have better chance at not having to make an hour-and-a-half line to wait for a table this weekend such as the folks who will be at Snowshoe's topside...

Wow Ibotta, you sure know how to add a silver lining to a dark cloud. All I could think about was the 1.5h drive each way everyday, but the restuarant thing is very true and makes a lot of sense. Well, I need another bit of advice. B/c of all the winter weather heading our way, should I rent a car, or am I fine in a front wheel drive luxury sedan? Is it really necessary to have an SUV or a 4WD car? how good do they keep the roads b/w Elkins and Snowshoe?

My suggestion would be to rent a 4WD if you can. We came down off the mountain this last Tuesday (after having to extend our stay because of the snowstorm Monday) and it wasn't a whole lot of fun. We had our truck in 4WD and still found ourselves doing a lot of sliding. You should take into consideration that WV doesn't plow the secondary roads until way after the interstates are under control. If we get 1/2 as much snow as is being predicted in the DC area, its gonna be powder heaven!

This link ... http://www.wvdot.com/14_roadconditions/14_roadcond.cfm#Ski%20Resort%20Areas ... is a great help in sussing out the state of WV roads and highways.

Well I tried thru priceline to break a good deal, but I couldn't get it. So I'm going to take the chance and go with my car. Wish me luck.

I can't wait!!!!

You'll be just fine with a FWD car. I have a civic with REALLY bad in the snow tires (High Performance = CRAPPY snow traction by the way) and I did just fine last weekend after the storm. The roads were covered and it was snowing but i did just fine. Slow driving was a small price to pay for the WONDERFUL snow. Oh, and make sure you go to Western Territory early and Silver Creek in the afternoon. Untouched powder on Flying Eagle and Bear Claw when everything else was getting packed down. Later