First Time to Snowshoe?
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Snowshoe Mountain is the perfect winter destination for adventure filled vacations in West Virginia.
Snowshoe covers a total area of 11,000 acres in the Appalachian Mountain Range, and includes the second highest point in the state at 4,848’ elevation. Snowshoe was named to the Top 20 ski resorts in the East by SKI Magazine in 2016. In addition to terrific outdoor winter recreation,
Snowshoe offers extensive lodging options, gourmet dining, shopping, wedding and convention areas, and a luxurious spa. Snowshoe Mountain Resort is part of a family of 13 resorts plus CMH Heli-Skiing & Summer Adventures. rich-text -
Preparing for your day on the mountain
Clothing Eye Protection Skin Protection Stay Hydrated A lot of people make the mistake of wearing the wrong clothing their first time skiing or riding. Whatever you do, don't wear jeans, trust us it’s a bad idea. The secret to staying comfortable is staying dry and wearing layers Sun glasses may seem like an okay alternative to goggles but ultimately you will want to have a decent pair of goggles. They will reduce the glare of the slope, protect your eyes, and keep your face much warmer. It may be winter, it may be cold, and heck it might even be cloudy but sunscreen is always a must on the slopes. While UV rays are weaker in the winter you are getting blasted from not only the sun but the reflection of UV light off of the snow. One of the most important things to remember when you are on the mountain is to stay hydrated. It’s easy to become dehydrated while skiing or snowboarding so make sure to drink a lot of water so you can keep your performance in tip top shape and stay on the slopes longer.
You’ll burn a ton of calories skiing or snowboarding so it’s crucial that you prep your body with some fuel before, during, and after your adventure on the slopes, fortunately for you we have plenty of delicious options here at snowshoe for you to do just that! We have some classic Snowshoe sit down options such as the Junction and we have added some brand new options this year. One of our new options, The White Rabbit, will feature some grab’n’go options with a craft sandwich shop, as well as a deli and gourmet grocery store.BOOK EARLY
Find savings of up to 60% off advance purchase lift tickets as well as bundled lift ticket/rental equipment packages anytime at the Snowshoe lift ticket store!LESSONS
Not only do we have group lessons, we also have one-on-one lessons for those who seek more direct attention from an instructor. While we cater to those who are starting out we also have lessons and camps for every skill level because there's nothing better than improving your skill with something you love to do! We don't want you to beat yourself up your first day on the slopes, we want you to learn on comfortable terrain, feel in control on your skis or board and most of all have fun while doing, that’s why we provide terrain based learning. Terrain based learning features sculpted snow features that creates intuitive learning terrain that moves guests through balance, sliding, stopping and turning in a natural fashion, while keeping speed low and incline gentle.
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Snowshoe History
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Timeline 1973 Development of Snowshoe began 1974 December: Snowshoe opened attracting some 26,000 skiers with Cupp Run Slope giving Snowshoe a vertical drop of over 1500’ 1983 Silver Creek established as separate resort 1993 Developed 18-hole Gary Player signature course 1995 Intrawest Corporation acquired Snowshoe (November 1995) 1997 Ballhooter Lift replaced with detach quad, Night Skiing, Tubing Hill and Terrain park developed at Silver Creek, Camp 4 Phase I - 17 units (1st Intrawest Development) 1998 Western Territory Lift replaced with detach quad, added Shay’s Revenge, 25 acres, to Western Territory ski terrain, Shaver’s Lake Expansion from10 to 40 acres & gallons from 10 to 109 million 1999 1st phase of Village Construction Begins- Rimfire Lodge 141 units, New employee housing built, Ravenswood 2000 2 phase of Village construction - Highland House and Brigham Center 2001 Split Rock Pool opens 2002 Allegheny Springs constructed with 145 units & added Terrain Park at Snowshoe 2004 10 acres of trail widening, Mountain Bike Park Opens, Biking and Walking Path completed 2005 Sprung Structure-Expo purchased, Expedition Station Rental Shop opened, Challenged Athletes of WV built new facility in conjunction with SS for Ski Patrol @ SC, St. Bernard Chapel built by Roman Catholic Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston 2006 Detachable Quad Lift-Soaring Eagle Express purchased. 2007 10 acres of skiing developed on SE of Soaring Eagle Express. 2017 Snowshoe joins a family of 13 resorts plus CMH Heli-Skiing & Summer Adventures.
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When Thomas “Doc” Brigham laid his eyes on the Cheat Mountain and Back Allegheny in 1972, he saw more than just a couple of mountains that had been logged barren. His vision was Snowshoe Mountain, a resort that over the years, since it’s opening in 1974 has become one of the East Coast’s top resorts for winter fun.
Much has changed here at Snowshoe Mountain since opening day on December 19th, 1974. Today our beautiful village has just about everything you could need up here on the mountain, but back then there were only a couple of buildings. The Shaver’s center, the old pump house, a water treatment plant, and dorms for employees. At that point there wasn’t a place for guests to stay, and the closest spot to lodge was over forty minutes away in Marlinton. Ed Galford, now our Vice President of Operations, was here back then in the 74/75 winter season as a snowmaker.
“That was the thing, we had a great resort but nowhere for guests to stay.” Galford said.
In 1976 a local businessman, Fred Burford, took over the business and changed everything with projects that focused on the importance of lodging and the importance of expanding ski areas. rich-text“We had a big growth year, we built the Powder Monkey lift, we expanded the water facilities for making more snow, we built Timberline and Spruce Lodge, which are both gone now,” Galford said, “We built Shamrock, Treetops, and Leatherbark, which are all still on the mountain today. All of that appeared within a one and half year period.”
But interest rates were high back then, and in the mid 80’s the resort went back to the bank for a couple of years. When Japanese developer, Tokyo Tower Development Company Limited, purchased the resort in 1990 they had bought Silver Creek, once a rival resort from across the mountain. They built the golf course, they bought the inn at the bottom of the mountain and most importantly they brought skier visits up to 450,000 a year.
Real change began when Intrawest purchased the resort in 1995. They added snow tubing and night skiing at Silver Creek, and built the first terrain park. Intrawest began phase one of Village construction and opened Rimfire Lodge in 1999. After that the Village expanded rapidly into what it is today. Now we’re embarking on another exciting time for the resort, as we enter into new ownership yet again. Snowshoe and our sister Intrawest resorts became part of an even larger family of mountains in 2017 and the buzz at 4,848 feet is that the future of Snowshoe Mountain is brighter than ever. rich-text -
Visitors to Snowshoe are often baffled by the names of the slopes and condominiums. With names like Powder Monkey, Widowmaker, & Hootenany you begin to wonder just who it was that made up these strange names. In order to set the record straight, some details are needed on the Mountain’s history.
The land on which Snowshoe now stands had previously been home to loggers and railroaders. 1901-1910 and 1945-1950 were periods of intense activity. A steep railroad up Cheat Mountain from Cass was graded in order to log the virgin forests on the mountain for the West Virginia Pulp and Paper Company. A special 40-ton Shay locomotive was developed to negotiate the steep grades of 5 to 10 percent. The Cheat River was so named because its wilderness reaches many miles downstream, and has cheated many a man of his life. The same was true of Cheat Mountain Logging.
The railway up Cheat, three Shay locomotives, some cars and the old Cass repair shop were later purchased by the State of West Virginia. By 1963 trains were running again-this time as the Cass Scenic Railroad. With the logging and railroading history, the developers of Snowshoe in the ‘70’s naturally turned to these memories for names throughout the resort.
rich-textBallhooter – A man who rolls logs down a hill to a skid road or landing.
Choker – A loop of cable used in skidding logs with a steam skidder.
Cross Cut – Typical big toothed two-man saw used to cut trees, usually six feet long.
Cupp Run – Small stream named for the family that owned this valley years ago.
Dinkey – A small locomotive
Gandy Dancer – A man who lays and maintains railroad track
Gangway – The incline plane up which logs are moved from the mill pond into the mill.
Grab Hammer–Hammer with a pointed end or ends used to knock out grabs or couplers from logs.
rich-textHoot-Nanny – A small device used to hold a crosscut saw while sawing a log from the underside.
J-Hook – A special type of grab or coupler used on steep slopes. This type of grab permits the skidding teams to step aside (jay off) become disengaged and stand while the logs continue down the slope.
Knot-Bumper – Man who cuts limbs from a felled tree. This work is done with a double-bitted or pole axe.
Leatherbark – A shrub, once common along the creek of this same name of the Cass side of Cheat Mountain.
Powder Monkey – A dynamiter
Skidder–a machine with winches for skidding logs from the stump to a landing beside a railroad.
rich-textSpruce – 1. Red Spruce, the dominant evergreen tree on the highest ridges in West Virginia. Very common in the forests of Eastern Canada. 2. The now-abandoned pulp mill town just north of Snowshoe.
Stemwinder – A Shay or other geared railroad locomotive
Tall Tree – In steam skidding, the tree at the end of the skid road to which the rigging used in skidding logs in attaches.
Timberline – Height on a mountain above, which no trees can grow. No West Virginia Mountains are quite that high.
Widow-Maker – A broken limb hanging loose in the top of a tree.
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Amenities
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Snowshoe
Mountain
Amenities
Whatever you're looking for, let us help you out on the mountain! See what amenities we offer here at Snowshoe. rich-textATMs
Shaver’s Centre – Citizens Bank of WV
Village, next to the Mountain Adventure Center – Citizens Bank of WV
Grocery Store
Wildcat Provisions – next to St. Bernard Chapel
Locker Rental
Locker space is available for an additional daily charge at the following locations:
- Expedition Station Rentals, in the Village
- Silver Creek Lodge, next to Silver Creek Ski and Snowboard Rental shop
- Top of the World Complex, next to the Tool Shed
MAIL
Outgoing mail may be taken to the Shavers Center Post Office, located on the lower level, or dropped at any Front Desk location.
If you have questions regarding UPS or FedEx shipping and receiving, please call Central Receiving at ext. 5625. Guests expecting mail should have it addressed with their Name, ReservationNumber, Lodging Complex, 10 Snowshoe Drive, Snowshoe, WV 26209.
Lost and Found
If you come across an item that doesn't appear to have an owner, we ask that you help us get it back to the right person by delivering it to the Depot or any front desk location. If you're looking for a lost item, check to see if it's been turned in to the Lost and Found by calling 304.572.5982 or 304.572.5464.
Shuttles and Parking
From Top of the World to Silver Creek to the Inn, our experienced shuttle drivers will get you to your on-mountain destination.Click here for details about shuttle operations and parking options.
rich-textSaint Bernard Chapel
Located high atop Snowshoe Mountain, Saint Bernard Chapel is a worship center that is jointly operated by the Catholic and Episcopal Churches of West Virginia. St. Bernard offers Catholic and non-Denominational worship services on weekends throughout the winter and summer months and on most Religious Holidays.
Catholic Mass is held on Saturday evening at 5:30pm.
Protestant Services are held on Sunday at 10am.
For information about weddings click here.
MEDICAL FACILITIES
Snowshoe Ski Patrol Clinic – Shavers Center (lower level)
RECYCLING
Containers are located at:
- Allegheny Springs – Conference Level
- Highland House – Basement Level tunnel by the elevators
- Mountain Lodge Conference Center – Lower Level
- Mountain Top Check-In Lobby
- Rimfire – Garage just north of the North Elevator
- Shavers Center Food Court Lobby
- The Inn @ Snowshoe in Hallways
THE SPA AT SNOWSHOE
As part of your full resort experience, step into the Spa at Snowshoe for a warm, calming atmosphere of luxury that will soothe and rejuvenate your sorest parts
Learn More
TOURIST INFORMATION CENTER
Pocahontas Visitors Center at Snowshoe Mountain, Located in The Depot
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Local
Area
Amenities
If it's not on the mountain, check out what our local area has to offer. rich-textMEDICAL FACILITIES
Big Springs Clinic – Slatyfork, WV (Base of mountain)
Community Care of Green Bank (30 mins)
Davis Medical Center – Elkins, WV. (1 hr 15 mins)
Pocahontas Memorial Hospital – Marlinton, WV (1 hr)
PHARMACIES
Rite Aid – Marlinton WV (30 min)
Green Bank Pharmacy – Green Bank WV (20 min)
TOURIST INFORMATION CENTER
Pocahontas County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Marlinton, WV
GUESTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
Incase of emergency, your safety is our primary concern. Please inform the Front Desk upon check-in if there is a guest with special needs in the unit.
LIBRARY
Linwood Community Library – Slatyfork, WV (Base of mountain)
LIQUOR STORE
Liquors & More – Marlinton, WV (40 min)
Par Mar #45 – Huttonsville, WV (40 min)
GROCERY STORE
Par Mar & Exxon – Slatyfork, WV (Base of mountain)
rich-textAirports & Amtrak
Amtrak – White Sulphur Springs, WV (2 hrs)
Greenbrier Valley Airport – Lewisburg, WV (1hr 30min)
Car Rentals
Avis – Lewisburg, WV (1 hr 30 mins)
Enterprise – Elkins, WV (1 hr 15 mins)
Greenbrier Valley Limo Service – White Sulphur Springs, WV (2 hrs)
Florist
Flower Garden – Marlinton, WV (30 min)
Judy’s Flowers & Gifts – Bartow, WV (45 mins)
Rennix Florist – Valley Bend, WV (1 hr)
Garage/Vehicle Repair
Back Mountain Service – Marlinton, WV (30 min)
Eddie’s Service Center and Wrecker Services – Marlinton, WV (30 min)
Johnny's Garage – Marlinton, WV (30 min)
Murphy’s Wrecker Service – Durbin, WV (1 hr)
Pocahontas County CVB
The Pocahontas County Convention & Visitors Bureau offers guides to attractions, events and activities. Explore nature's mountain playground. Visit their website for more information.
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Area Attractions
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Green bank Observatory
The Green Bank Observatory designs, builds and runs the world's most sophisticated radio telescopes for scientists, including the Green Bank Telescope, the largest steerable telescope in the world.
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Cass Railroad
Cass Scenic Railroad State Park features an era when steam-driven locomotives were an essential part of everyday life. Trips to Cass are filled with rich histories of the past, unparalleled views and the sights and sounds of original steam-driven locomotives. The park’s 11-mile long heritage railroad and authentic company town are some of the state’s most popular tourist attractions.
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Monogahela National Forest
Monongahela National Forest, in the northcentral highlands of West Virginia, is a place where visitors can enjoy breathtaking vistas, peaceful country roads, gently flowing streams, and glimpses of the many plants and animals that live here. This special place was established in 1920 and encompasses one of the most ecologically diverse areas in the United States, with elevations from just under 1,000 feet to 4,863 feet above sea level. The Monongahela is a ‘working’ forest, which provides timber, water, grazing, minerals and recreational opportunities. Explore your Forest!
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Greenbrier River Trail
The Greenbrier River Trail is a 78-mile former railroad now used for hiking, biking and horseback riding. It is the longest trail of its kind in West Virginia. The trail provides many breathtaking views as it passes through several small towns, crosses 35 bridges, goes through two tunnels and cuts through some of West Virginia’s most remote areas. The Greenbrier River Trail is one of 50 Millennium Legacy Trails in the United States, and was rated one of the top 10 hiking trails in the country by Backpacker Magazine. Part of the Greenbrier River Trail lies within a National Radio Quiet Zone so cell phones do not work.
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Getting Here
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Where are you coming from? rich-textCharlotte, NC - 6 hours
Charlottesville, VA - 3 hours
Columbus, OH - 5.5 hours
Lexington, KY - 6 hours
Pittsburgh, PA - 4 hours
Raleigh, NC - 6.5 hours
Roanoke, VA - 3 hours
Richmond, VA - 4 hours
Washington, DC - 4.5 hours rich-text -
What's the best way to get to Snowshoe? That depends on where you're coming from, who you ask, and your road-trippin' style. There are several possible routes from every direction, so you can choose between scenic back roads, midway historic points of interest, or just getting here and getting on with the fun. The main thing to remember is that our rugged location can make GPS and smartphone maps less reliable than you might be accustomed to and cell service is limited, so you'll want to do some pre-road-trip planning and trust those turn-by-turn instructions. rich-text
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Not sure what to expect on your beautiful drive to Snowshoe? Make sure you are prepared, no matter where you're coming from. rich-text
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The Greenbrier Valley Airport in Lewisburg, WV, is less than an hour and a half from the top of the mountain.
Currently they offer daily, nonstop round trips from Chicago and daily one stops from Washington DC. Check out flight options today and maybe you can steel a few extra hours on the slopes!
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