West Virginia a hot spot for skiing in the South

Reading a good book near a crackling fireplace, hearing the crunch of grass underfoot after a frost, breathing crisp air deep into your lungs — the welcome sights and sounds of winter after summer’s scorch. Occasionally you can spy ominous clouds releasing nature’s white surprise. Teens long for it, adults regress to their youth at the sight of it and children roll in it — snow, a rare feast for the senses in Alabama. 
   
Now those searching for snow are finding that West Virginia is a prime Southeastern destination. 
   
It is the southernmost state with a guaranteed winter ski/snowboard season, according to West Virginia’s Division of Tourism.
   
Matt Turner, national media manager for the division of tourism, said the state boasts five Alpine ski resorts from southern West Virginia through the mountainous Potomac Highlands and all the way to the Northern Panhandle. Canaan Valley, Oglebay, Snowshoe Mountain, Timberline and Winterplace  — each has its own charisma. For cross-country, or Nordic skiing, Turner recommended White Grass and Elk River touring centers.
   
Constant snowfall and state-of-the-art snowmaking and grooming on ski slopes enhance skiing opportunities. Additional activities such as snow tubing, snowshoeing and sleigh riding are abundant. Ice-skating and snowmobiling are also popular activities, Turner said.
   
He noted that the West Virginia ski resorts host more than 800,000 guests annually from mid-November to early spring. “West Virginia is family-friendly and safe, and we have had one of the lowest crime rates in the country for years,” Turner said. “We also offer the largest and most extensive skiing and snowboarding terrain in the mid-Atlantic and Southeast.”
   
Winterplace Ski Resort, near Beckley in southern West Virginia, is just two minutes off Interstate 77 and features the state’s largest snow tubing park with 16 lanes. The resort also has 27 trails. 
   
“Groups love Winterplace because of its easy access and nearby lodging facilities,” noted Kathy Johnson, certified tour professional  and domestic travel specialist for the division of tourism.
   
Another popular resort is Snowshoe Mountain in Pocahontas County. At nearly a mile high with 57 slopes and trails, it is consistently ranked among the best ski areas in the East. Snowshoe is an inverted ski resort, which means the main village, shops, conference facilities and lifts are on the top of the mountain.
   
“We have over 200 groups that come to our resort each winter,” said Gail Price, Snowshoe’s director of sales. “The church groups have access to our Mountain Lodge conference facility and Shaver’s Center area for group meals and time for ministry.
   
“For those who do not ski or would like to fine tune their skills, group lessons are available in the mornings, so you can hit the slopes all afternoon and into the evening,” Price added.
   
The resort also features night skiing at the Silver Creek area of Snowshoe, which has lodging, an indoor pool and tubing park. “Snowshoe Mountain is a great place to come together in faith, have fun with your friends and learn a skill that will last a lifetime,” Price said.
   
For more than 10 years, First Baptist Church, Eufaula, has made an annual trek each spring to Snowshoe Mountain. “Our parents and kids always have a great time, and it is one of the highlights of the year,” said Chris Wilkinson, youth minister at First, Eufaula. 
   
Wilkinson said the condos at the top of the mountain offer money-saving convenience for the group. “We enjoy cooking some of our own meals to save money, and all you have to do is walk out the door, put your skis on and ski,” he said. 
   
Timberline Four Seasons Resort has the South’s longest ski run — the Salamander — at two miles. The resort boasts 36 slopes and trails with top elevations of 4,268 feet. “The atmosphere at Timberline is very friendly and laid-back,” Johnson said. “It is situated within Canaan Valley, so groups can have their choice of lodging and even can take the short drive down the road to Canaan Valley State Park for another skiing option.”
   
Canaan Valley Resort & Conference Center can boast that it was the state’s first Alpine skiing facility, according to Johnson. 
   
“Canaan has long been a popular group destination and the natural area surrounding it is quite remarkable,” she said. “Even for folks who do not want to ski, the state park features beautiful hiking trails and … other activities.”
  
 Loyal fans of skiing at Oglebay Resort will be happy to know that skiing has returned after a seven-year absence. Oglebay features one 815-foot slope with a 168-foot vertical drop.
   
White Grass is renowned among the cross-country skiing crowds for its laid-back atmosphere, tasty natural-foods cafe and cozy day lodge, in addition to more than 45 cross-country trails and loads of natural snowfall, according to Bill Smith, executive director of the Tucker County Convention and Visitors Bureau. 
   
“White Grass provides a great experience for both the beginner and the advanced skier,” Smith said. “A combination of wide-open, gently sloping meadows and narrower, tree-lined trails appeals to all skill levels and keeps the winter sports enthusiasts coming back for more. 
   
“Our beginner skiers can find a certified cross-country ski school with patient instructors to get them started on the right foot,” he said.
   
Most of the resorts have “learn to ski” programs. If you decide that skiing is not for you, then try snowshoeing. Ask the resorts about gear and special techniques.