Jan. 11, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Tricia Sizemore
304-558-2003, ext. 319
psizemore@wvcommerce.org

Mountain State winter outdoor fun

Winter in the Mountain State offers plenty of downhill and cross-country skiing action to get your heart pumping outdoors. With a combination of the state’s long ski season, abundance of natural snowfall and proximity to major metropolitan areas in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast, West Virginia is the ideal spot for winter adventure.

Whether you’re a beginner or an expert skier, five premier resorts — Canaan Valley, Oglebay, Snowshoe Mountain, Timberline and Winterplace — provide unmatched fun for downhill skiers and snowboarders. Even if the weather is mild in your area, the ski resorts have snow-making capabilities to keep the slopes covered for great skiing conditions. Some ski areas and parks throughout the state also feature sled and inner tube runs and rope tows, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobile rides or snow-groomer tours.

If you would rather enjoy the scenery at a slower pace, consider cross-country skiing for a more cardiovascular-intensive experience at White Grass or Elk River Touring Center.

For more information about skiing in West Virginia, visit www.westvirginiaski.com or www.wvwintersports.com.

Canaan Valley Resort
Davis , W.Va.

This four-season destination offers an exciting experience. It features 39 trails and slopes for all levels of skiers, a vertical drop of 850 feet and the longest run is at 6,000 feet. Canaan Valley was the first ski area in the country to offer an “airboarding” terrain park in the 2005-2006 season. “Airboarding” or snow-body boarding is one of the newest winter sports crazes where riders lie chest down, as if on a sled, and shift their body weight from side to side down a mountain. Other activities include ice skating, snow tubing and snowshoeing. Specials include West Virginia Residents Day where every Wednesday residents receive a discount, College Day every Friday where students with an ID receive a discount, and a Military promotion where military personnel with an ID receive a discount. For more information, call 304-866-4121 or visit www.canaanresort.com.

Oglebay Resort
Wheeling , W.Va.

Oglebay Resort opened the ski season with new snowmaking hydrants to increase the skiing area. The resort also features improved location of the terrain park with various-sized rails, snow-made jumps, a triple chair lift with access to a 815-foot slope with a 168-foot vertical drop, new equipment rentals such as skis, snowboards and boots, and handicapped accessible facilities. Enjoy the newly renovated Wilson Lodge as Oglebay offers a ski and board package. For more information, call 800-624-6988 or visit http://ski.oglebay-resort.com.

Snowshoe Mountain
Snowshoe, W.Va.

Named one of the top ski resorts in the Southeast, Snowshoe Mountain offers a Western-style ski village with first-rate accommodations, specialty shops, gourmet eateries and excellent slopes for a range of skiing experiences. Snowshoe opened the ski season with three new trails, which brings the total to 60 trails. The resort also includes two terrain parks, two terrain gardens, 14 lifts, night skiing and snow tubing. The 1,500-foot drop stands among the biggest verticals in the area. Take advantage of midweek, weekend, March value, college or military packages. For more information, call 877-441-4FUN or visit www.snowshoemtn.com.

Timberline Four Seasons Resort
Davis , W.Va.

Timberline Four Seasons Resort offers family fun. For the winter season, this resort purchased 40 additional snow guns. The resort includes37 trails and slopes with a peak elevation of 4,268 feet, vertical rise of 1,000 feet and some of the longest runs in the South. Skiers will be able to save up to 10 percent by buying tickets and ski rentals online. In a combined effort, Timberline and Canaan Valley offer guests the ability to ski both mountains at their leisure for one price this season. Guests taking advantage of the Ski the Valley Pass will have 76 trails and four terrain parks at their disposal, and the option of skiing two mountains. Skiers will be able to purchase the pass, sold as a two-day lift ticket, at both ski areas. For more information, call 800-SNOWING or visit www.timberlineresort.com.

Winterplace Ski Resort
Ghent , W.Va.

Winterplace Ski Resort provides a winter wonderland. For the season, Winterplace offers an expanded teaching area that is eight times larger, two new super carpet lifts, top-of-the-line rental equipment and additional snowmaking equipment. This resort features 28 trails, nine lifts and 16 tubing lanes. It has a peak elevation of 3,600 feet and a vertical rise of 603 feet. Specials include college and military rates. For more information, call 800-607-SNOW (7669) or visit www.winterplace.com.

Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing

For Nordic lovers, there are plenty of opportunities for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in West Virginia at White Grass Touring in Tucker County and Elk River Touring Center in Pocahontas County. For more information, visit www.whitegrass.com or www.ertc.com.

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