Snowshoe Visitor Guide
Welcome to Snowshoe, West Virginia!
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Snowshoe Mountain is the perfect year-round destination for adventure-filled vacations in West Virginia.
This is Snowshoe - part pure adventure, part cushy comfort, 100% contagious happiness. Our three distinct areas all have personalities worth getting to know. With the perfect amount of vertical in all the right places. A slew of kickers, rails, and other flip-worthy features. Plenty of runs groomed with the same attention paid to top show dogs. And enough variety to keep things interesting from the first chair to last. Plus, our innovative learning program is anything but old school. And our some-say-too-generous snow guarantee always has your back. Believe it or not, things get even friendlier at our mountaintop village. From well-earned apres and lick-your-plate-clean meals to the lively dance floors and oh-so-relaxing spa, going all-in is as easily said as it is done. For a little advice, simply ask one of your smiling staff members. No one knows how to mountain like they do. And best of all, each new day is your chance to mountain even more than the one before.
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BOOK EARLY
Save time on the Mountain by booking your lift tickets, lodging and activitiesin advance.
PREPARING FOR YOUR DAY ON THE MOUNTAIN: FUEL UP AND STAY HYDRATED
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 exploring the Mountain so make sure to drink a lot of water so you can keep your performance in tip top shape and explore longer.
It's important to prep your body with some fuel before, during and after your adventures on the Mountain. Fortunately for you, we have plenty of delicious dining optionshere at Snowshoe!MOUNTAIN BIKE LESSONs
Whether you're new to mountain biking or you're a seasoned rider, we have group lessonsand private lessonsfor all.
GUIDED ADVENTURE TOURS
Segways, RZR's, E-bikes, oh my! Whether you prefer four wheels or two, we have a tour for you. Make memories with your whole crew and experience the Mountain like never before.
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Snowshoe History
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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, responsive-table“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 with Alterra Mountain Company. And the buzz at 4,848 feet is that the future of Snowshoe Mountain is brighter than ever. rich-text, responsive-table -
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-text, responsive-tableBallhooter – 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-text, responsive-tableHoot-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-text, responsive-tableSpruce – 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-text, responsive-tableATMs
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-text, responsive-tableSaint 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 11am.
For information about weddings click here.
MEDICAL FACILITIES
Snowshoe Ski Patrol Clinic – Shavers Center (lower level)
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-text, responsive-tableMEDICAL 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
The Depot located in The Village at Snowshoe.
Area visitor centers located in downtown Marlinton, Cass Scenic Railroad, Cranberry Mountain Nature Center and NRAO.
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)
IGA - Marlinton (40 min)
rich-text, responsive-tableAirports & 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
Getting Here
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Where are you coming from? rich-text, responsive-tableCharlotte, 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, responsive-table -
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, responsive-table
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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, responsive-table
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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 steal a few extra hours on the slopes!
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