Four Great Ski Resorts in West Virginia

West Virginia offers great skiing to skiers of all levels and tastes. The state offers large, western style resorts with Intrawest's Snowshoe, resorts close together with Timberline and Canaan Valley , to the highway convenience of Winterplace.

Snowshoe

Snowshoe is one of the first ski resorts to open in the area and one of the latest to close. Snowshoe is the highest ski area in West Virginia with an elevation of 4,849 feet. Snowshoe gets plenty of natural snow and conditions are right for snow making often during the winter. Snowshoe offers the largest vertical drop in West Virginia with a 1500 foot drop.

If great snow, elevation, and large vertical drop were not alone Snowshoe is owned by ski giant Intrawest. Snowshoe offers more fine dinning, more shopping, more lodging, and more nightlife than any resort in West Virginia . Snowshoe also owns adjacent Silver Creek which offers more beginner and intermediate terrain. Snowshoe also has expert terrain including a World Cup designed trail in Cupp Run or the moguls on Shay's Revenge.

Timberline

Timberline is my favorite resort in West Virginia . It is smaller than Snowshoe and does not offer everything Snowshoe offers. However, Timberline does offer a 1,000 foot vertical and an elevation of 4268 feet. Timberline gets plenty of snow due to elevation and they still get lake effect snows. Lift tickets range between $31 and $61 which is less expensive than Snowshoe. Most of the terrain is intermediate; however they do have some nice steep expert terrain. Beginners should try out Salamander. It is a two mile easy trail which takes you from the top of the mountain to the base.

CanaanValley

Canaan Valley is located next to Timberline. It offers a smaller vertical which is over 900 feet. However, the resort is state owned which means the season is generally shorter than Thanksgiving to April. The terrain at Canaan is awesome for an intermediate skier and there is plenty for beginners as well. Canaan like Timberline gets plenty of snow.

Winterplace

Winterplace is ideal for skiers coming from North Carolina . Winterplace is located right off of interstate 77 in Ghent . It is about a three hour drive from Charlotte . Winterplace has an elevation over 3000 feet and is often open from around Thanksgiving through March. Winterplace offers a 600 feet vertical and is well groomed. Winterplace is a fun day for beginners and intermediates. Expert skiers will like the expert terrain as it is fast and steep. Also the lift lines to the expert slopes are often less than the other lines. Winterplace is a tad pricey with lift tickets ranging $31 to $60.

Sources:

Personal experience as I have skied these resorts often.