West Virginia is one of the East Coast’s premier destinations for skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts. The state’s ski resorts have some of the most challenging trails in the nation, making it the prime location in the southeast for these winter sports. It tends to be one of the first states to accumulate snowpack, allowing for a luxuriously long ski season.
Although it has challenging trails perfect for even the most experienced skier, many West Virginia ski resorts are also beginner-friendly, with beginner slopes and lessons from certified instructors.
If you plan to go skiing here, remember to pack warm clothing, gloves or mittens, a hat, a ski jacket and pants, a water bottle, sunglasses, a small backpack, and sunscreen. You can usually buy these items at the resort shops, but they will be more expensive.
Here’s my list of the best ski resorts in the Mountain State for your next ski trip.
Snowshoe Mountain
Snowshoe Mountain Ski Resort is located at an elevation of 4,848 feet and offers 56 trails for skiers of all experience levels. Its Western Territory Area has a vertical drop of 1,500 feet spread over 1.5 miles of downhill skiing. Don’t miss the Silver Creek Area, a very popular place for expert skiers to get in some night skiing.
My first time snowboarding at Snowshoe Mountain!
Apart from skiing and snowboarding, Snowshoe Mountain Resort offers other fun winter activities, including snowmobiling, sleigh rides, and even an indoor/outdoor heated pool. In the summer, you can go horseback riding, mountain biking, or even take a Segway Tour through the woods. The Raven Golf Club is popular Gary Player-designed course.
There are plenty of lodging options onsite and around the the resort, including hotels, condos, and homes, and multiple dining options to suit any taste.
Winterplace Ski Resort
Winterplace Ski Resort is located in Ghent, West Virginia, just five minutes off I-77 at Exit 28. The resort offers 27 trails and over 90 acres of skiable terrain, with a summit elevation of 3,600 feet and a vertical descent of 603 feet.
Winterplace is equipped with nine lifts, including two high-speed quad lifts, allowing skiers to spend more time on the slopes. The resort also offers the largest snow tubing park in West Virginia as well as a terrain park. Night skiing is available on all slopes except Turkey Chute.
Winterplace has a renowned ski school for beginners and offers ski accessory retail shops, restaurants, and even a day care. For lodging, the nearby Resort at Glade Springs is only about 15-20 minutes away and popular with Winterplace visitors.
Canaan Valley Ski Resort
Canaan Valley Ski Resort is a full-service ski area located in Tucker County, West Virginia. The resort offers 47 exciting ski trails for skiers and snowboarders of all ages and experience levels, with Ramble being a popular run. The resort has an elevation over 4,000 feet and receives an average of 150 inches of snowfall per year, making it a great location for winter sports.
After a day on the slopes, be sure to check out the Hickory Dining Room for some fine dining and wrap-around views of the valley.
Lodging options include a resort with 160 rooms, 23 cabins, and 34 campsites. Visitors can enjoy exciting “escapes,” such as ice skating, an indoor pool, a health club, and a game room, all offered at the Lodge.
Timberline Mountain
Timberline Mountain is a popular skiing destination located in Davis, West Virginia. The resort is home to Timberline Ski Resort, which boasts 1000 acres of skiable terrain and over 40 trails. The resort’s backcountry terrain is particularly challenging, making it a hit with advanced skiers and snowboarders. The stunning views of the Monongahela National Forest from the top of the mountain are an added bonus. This resort also has a good number of runs for intermediate skiers.
If you’re looking for an extended stay, Timberline Mountain also offers the Timberline Hotel, which is conveniently located at the base of the resort. The hotel features comfortable hotel rooms, some with their own hot tub, making it the perfect place to relax after a long day on the slopes. In addition to skiing, Timberline Mountain also offers wedding packages, making it a popular choice for couples looking for a unique and picturesque location to tie the knot.
Love skiing? Telluride, Colorado is one of the best places in the country to catch some snow. Check out Avant Ski’s guide to Telluride, featuring insider tips from Southeast Travel Guide.
Monongahela National Forest
Image by tkcomp19 from Pixabay
Monongahela National Forest is a paradise for advanced skiers seeking thrilling backcountry skiing experiences in the Allegheny Mountains. The forest spans over 900,000 acres in West Virginia and boasts some of the most challenging ski terrain on the East Coast. The forest has numerous trails that offer a mix of steep slopes, challenging moguls, and deep powder that will test even the most experienced skiers.
The breathtaking views of the snow-capped mountains and the serene wilderness make it an unforgettable adventure. Skiers can explore the remote areas of the forest and enjoy the thrill of skiing in untouched snow. So if you’re an advanced skier looking for a challenging adventure, Monongahela National Forest is the perfect destination for you.
In addition to skiing, the forest also offers snowmobiling and snowshoeing in the winter. Check out the full list of trails on the park website. You can also ski at Canaan Valley State Park and Blackwater Falls State Park, both located within the park’s boundaries. These state parks offer cabins and of course Canaan Valley is home to the Canaan Valley Ski Resort.
Oglebay Resort
Oglebay Resort is located in Wheeling, West Virginia, and is one of the best family ski resorts in the region. The resort offers a variety of ski terrain suitable for both beginners and advanced skiers. With over 15 slopes and trails, there is something for everyone in the family to enjoy. The resort also features a snow tubing park, perfect for non-skiers or those looking for a different kind of winter thrill.
In addition to skiing, Oglebay Resort offers a range of family-friendly activities such as ice skating, horse-drawn carriage rides, and a holiday light festival during the winter season. Wheeling Park, located within Oglebay, has an olympic sized swimming pool, tennis and golf, and an ice skating rink. Their zoo is a great place for the family to take a day off from skiing and is the only AZA-accredited zoo in West Virginia.
Lastly, don’t miss their spa, located within the Oglebay Wilson Lodge. It offers 5,000 square feet of relaxation, with massages, nail and facial treatments, and body treatments like their Oglebay Signature Journey.
White Grass Ski Touring Center
White Grass Ski Touring Center, originally started as Weiss Knob Ski Area in 1959, has over 50 kilometers of groomed trails for you to enjoy. This cross country ski resort sits atop the highest summit in Tucker County, Weiss Knob. Located with the Canaan Valley West Virginia Ski Area, these trails wind through over 1200 feet of elevation change from the highest trails at Weiss Knob to the trails below the cabin.
The resort features an onsite natural foods cafe to grab a bite to eat after a day of skiing. They also have 11 different warming trails set up throughout the terrain where you can grab a snack and take a break. Some even have wood stoves burning! Overall, White Grass is a cool little ski park that has affordable rates and friendly people.
Cheat Mountain Club
Cheat Mountain Club offers a unique winter experience for those who love cross country skiing. The club is located in the heart of the Monongahela National Forest, surrounded by stunning views of Mother Nature at her finest. The area is known for its challenging terrain, but also for its peaceful atmosphere and serene beauty.
Cheat Mountain Club offers an extensive network of trails for cross country skiing, with over 50 kilometers of groomed trails that wind through the forest and over the mountains. The trails are suitable for all skill levels, from beginners to experts, and offer a variety of challenges, from gentle slopes to steep climbs.
The club also offers cozy cabins that are perfect for relaxing after a day on the trails. Guests can enjoy hot cocoa by the fire, or take a dip in the hot tub while enjoying the beautiful surroundings.
In addition to cross country skiing, you can enjoy other winter sports here, including snowshoeing, ice skating, and sledding. Outside of winter sports, this is a great place for horseback riding, mountain biking, fly fishing, and more.
Omni Homestead Resort
The Omni Homestead Resort is a grand historic hotel located in Hot Springs, Virginia, and is one of the best places to stay for those who love winter sports. While not technically in West Virginia, we included it on this list because it’s very close to the WV border – only about a 30-minute drive. So if you’re planning on going to West Virginia or are already there, you may want to look at this one too.
The resort is home to a ski area that offers trails for beginner skiers, making it an ideal destination for those who are new to skiing. The ski area also has a ski school where guests can take lessons and learn from experienced instructors. There are not really trails for intermediate or advanced skiers here, but it is a great place to learn to ski.
Apart from skiing, the Omni Homestead Resort offers a variety of activities for guests to enjoy. The resort’s world-renowned golf course is a must-visit for golf enthusiasts. The dining options at the resort are also top-notch. They offer a fine dining room, a wine tasting room where you can experience the wines of Virginia, a pub called Jefferson’s Taproom, and Kober’s at the Mountain Lodge, which serves up a variety of barbecue options.
And for those looking to relax and rejuvenate, the resort’s spa offers a range of treatments designed to help guests unwind and feel refreshed.
