Cross Country Skiing and Snowshoeing in West Virginia

West Virginia is called “wild and wonderful” and that is evident in the range of cross country skiing terrain that you find in the state. Throughout the higher elevations and wilderness areas, you’ll find guides, outfitters, and private cross country areas that will doubtlessly make your cross country trip great. Literally thousands of miles of trails cut throughout the Monongahela National Forest near the Canaan Valley and Snowshoe Mountain resort areas. Most West Virginia parks and forests in mountainous regions provide cross country equipment.

Before we provide you with some guided scenarios…you may also want to visit: http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/mnf/rec/xcountryski.html to see the THOUSANDS of miles of cross country skiing terrain within the Monongahela National Forest.

Name Nearest City Length Comments
Alpine Lake Resort & Conference Center
304-789-2481 or 800-752-7179
Terra Alta 9 Miles Nine miles of cross country skiing trails encircle Alpine Lake and ascend into the surrounding Allegheny Mountain forest. The smallest of the popular cross country skiing areas in West Virginia, Alpine Lake, is a preferred getaway for enthusiasts in search of new and unexplored Nordic trails. Cross country equipment rentals are available at the resort’s 35-room lodge. A drive of fewer than 25 minutes from Wisp Ski Resort, in Maryland, Alpine Lake is located in a popular winter vacation area.
Blackwater Falls State Park
304-259-5216 or 800-225-5982
Near Canaan Valley Resort 10+ Miles More than ten miles of cross country skiing trails are groomed and maintained at Blackwater Falls State Park, just west of the Canaan Valley. The park’s full-service cross country skiing and snowshoeing center offers lessons and equipment rentals from mid-December through March 15. Overlooks of Blackwater Falls and Blackwater Canyon are among the many trail highlights. Park accommodations include 26 deluxe cabins and the 54-room Blackwater Lodge. A quarter-mile sled run, with tow, is groomed and maintained when snow is sufficient.
Canaan Valley Resort State Park
304-866-4121 or 800-622-4121
Canaan Valley Resort 19+ Miles More than 19 miles of marked, ungroomed cross country skiing trails journey through the meadowlands and forests of Canaan Valley Resort State Park. Lessons, ski rentals, snowshoe rentals, and guided cross country tours are available through the park’s cross country skiing center. Among West Virginia’s chief winter getaways, Canaan Valley also provides an ice-skating rink, a snowboarding terrain park, a five-lane snow tubing park, and a 34-slope downhill skiing area. Park amenities include lounges, restaurants, 23 deluxe cabins, and a 250-room lodge.
Elk River Touring Center
304-571-3771 or 866-572-3771
Base of Snowshoe Mtn. 25 Miles More than 25 miles of cross country skiing trails, including five miles of machine-groomed trail, extend through the wooded acreage of the Elk River Touring Center and climb into the encircling mountains of the Monongahela National Forest. Lessons, guided tours, and ski, sled, and snowshoe rentals are available through the center’s touring shop. Elk River is close to dozens of popular pubs, night clubs, and restaurants at Snowshoe Mountain, only five miles away. On-site amenities include a pub, two inns, a restaurant, and four private cabins.
Pipestem Resort State Park
304-466-1800 or 800-225-5982
Pipestem 15 Miles Fifteen miles of cross country skiing and snowshoeing trails course through highland fields and forests at Pipestem Resort State Park. A half hour’s drive south of Winterplace Ski Resort, Pipestem is located in a popular winter vacation area. Skiing highlights include the park’s large and friendly deer population and overlooks of the gorge of the Bluestone National Scenic River. Ski, sled, and snowshoe rentals are available. Park amenities include an indoor pool, two restaurants, twenty-five rental cottages, and a 113-room lodge and conference center.
Timberline Resort
304-866-4777 or 800-766-9464
Davis 9.5 Miles More than 9.5 miles of ungroomed cross country skiing trails trace through the mountain woodlands at Timberline Resort in the northern Canaan Valley. Access to Nordic trails is afforded by lifts that otherwise serve the ski area’s 36 downhill slopes. Ski lessons and cross country skiing and snowboarding rentals are available through Timberline’s lodge and ski school.
Snowshoe Mountain
304-572-5982 or 866-851-4585
Snowshoe Mtn. 25 Miles 25 miles plus of marked cross country skiing trails twist through the highland forests at Snowshoe Mountain, which is among the most popular winter vacation destinations in the eastern United States. Though located in a remote mountain area, Snowshoe is a major U.S. winter-vacation destination, and countless pubs, shops, nightclubs, restaurants, and lodging facilities are located on the mountain and nearby.
Whitegrass Ski Touring Center
304-572-5982
Davis 12.5 Miles More than 12 miles of groomed cross country skiing trails are yours to explore within the Whitegrass Ski Touring Center in the Canaan Valley of eastern West Virginia — one of the most popular Nordic skiing destinations in the eastern United States. Private vacation rentals account for the larger part of lodging near Whitegrass. The ski area is located in the Canaan Valley vacation area, so many shops and restaurants are located nearby. Whitegrass also conducts tours of the adjacent Monongahela National Forest and Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge.