Snowshoe Mountain Resort

Snowshoe Mountain Resort is located in the middle of West Virginia. Despite its southern location, Snowshoe receives an eye-raising average annual snowfall of 180 inches. To that, Snowshoe adds plenty of manmade snow. Snowshoe is a year-round destination resort, offering numerous lodging options, from economical to upscale. Snowshoe is also one of the few “inverted” ski resorts in the U.S.: the base facilities are located on the top of the mountain. In the summer, Snowshoe offers a range of recreational opportunities including mountain biking.

Snowshoe offers some of the best skiing south of New England and even a suprising amount of nightlife for its secluded location in the mountains of West Virginia. That seclusion makes Snowshoe somewhat difficult to get to - it is approximately a 5-6 hour drive from Washington, D.C. Those willing to make the trek are rewarded with beautiful scenery, great snow conditions, and 60 trails spread over a 1,500-foot vertical.

Snowshoe has 60 trails, and they’re usually all open by early January, with a handful opening before Thanksgiving. The trails are spread across three distinct areas: the main Snowshoe area, with 41 trails and an 800-foot vertical drop; the Silver Creek area, with 17 trails and a 660-foot vertical; and the Western Territory, with 2 trails and a 1,500-foot vertical. The Western Territory features Cupp Run and Shay’s Revenge, two 1.5-mile expert slopes serviced by their own high-speed lift. The Western Territory is just across the street from the main Snowshoe area. Silver Creek is down the road (and reached by a free shuttle), featuring tamer trails and usually less crowds. Silver Creek is home to the Ruckus Ridge tubing park, a snowboard park, and is the only part of Snowshoe lit for night skiing.

On weekends, the main Snowshoe area can become very crowded (with the base of the Ballhooter Express chairlift becoming a painful choking point), but the Western Territory and Silver Creek areas are usually less crowded. If you can swing a trip to Snowshoe mid-week, you’ll find significantly discounted prices and might have the slopes to yourself.

As a full-blown destination resort, Snowshoe doesn’t lack amenities. There are over a dozen dining establishments, including one nightclub. Snowshoe rents out over 1,400 condominium and lodge rooms, covering a variety of price points from economy to luxurious. There are also many winter activities that do not involve skis and snowboards, such as snowmobiling and snowshoeing.

Photo provided by Snowshoe Mountain Resort.