West Virginia’s first commercial ski area continues to focus on family activities while staying on the cutting edge of winter recreation
Davis, West Virginia (Winter 2006-2007) – West Virginia’s first commercial ski area turns 35 this year! Canaan Valley Resort & State Park, which helped establish skiing as the extremely popular industry that it is today in West Virginia, will continue its focus on family-centered activities while staying on the cutting edge of winter recreation upon opening for the season on Friday, December 8, 2006.
Troy Cardwell, General Manager for Canaan Valley Resort & State Park, said, “This is a truly special time for Canaan Valley Resort and the State of West Virginia, as we reflect on where we started and how far we’ve come. Our goal remains, and has always been, to create an environment of fun and relaxation for the entire family.”
In celebration of the ski area’s 35th anniversary, Canaan Valley Resort will host a special birthday party marking the occasion and offer numerous promotions throughout the season.
“Our 35th Anniversary Celebration Weekend will be held December 8-10,” Cardwell announced. “The weekend will be a fun-packed extravaganza of games, music, ski and snowboard events and special discounts, like $35 lodging, $35 lift ticket/ski rental combinations and .35 cent food and beverages.”
Additionally, children of guests staying at the lodge will stay, eat and ski for free throughout the season (certain restrictions apply).
Canaan Valley Resort is also leading the charge in providing guests with the latest in cutting edge winter recreation. The resort added snow body boarding to its slopes last season and due to its popularity, has increased its fleet of Airboards (the product name of the snow body board that Canaan uses) to meet demand.
Snow body boarding is similar to riding a body board in the ocean. The difference is that the Airboard is inflatable and has grooves on the underside that allow riders to make sharp turns and stop quickly.
“Kids and adults alike can do this, and unlike skiing or snowboarding, you can get pretty good within an hour of getting on it,” Cardwell said. “Guests are required to take a fun, one-hour lesson on the Airboard before setting off on their own.”
Canaan Valley Resort, only the sixth resort in the country to introduce Airboards to their slopes, will also have a dedicated snow body boarding area and terrain park. Separated by snow fencing from skiers and snowboarders, Airboarders will have acres of terrain – from mid-station down – in which to play.
The terrain park – a truly unique addition to the sport of snow body boarding – will have low-to-the-ground features such as jumps and burms. “Those brave enough will be able to catch major air and allow them to try their hand at the barrel roll,” Cardwell added.
While the introduction of snow body boarding on Canaan’s slopes may be the most unique enhancement to the resort’s winter lineup, they also have added more features to their two ski/snowboard terrain parks and enhanced the times guests can tube and night ski.
The resort will offer night skiing on Friday and Saturday evenings until 9 p.m. Night tubing will be offered Friday and Saturday evenings during prime season with the last session ending after 9 p.m.
Lift tickets prices for Value Season (Opening-Dec. 22 & Mar. 3 – 25) are $27 for adults and $21 for children. Prime season (Jan. 1-Mar. 2) midweek day (9-4:30, Mon.-Fri.) rates are $34 for adults and $25 for children. Prime season (Jan 6 – Feb 25) day (8am-4:30pm) weekend rates are $52 for adults and $28 for children. The cost of a two-hour tubing session is $13 midweek / $15 weekends for adults and children. Snow body boarding is $35 and includes a 1-hour lesson, 2-hour session and Airboard rental.
Special ski promotions will be offered every weekday throughout ski season. These include:
• Monday – 35th Anniversary Promotion; $35 lift ticket/rental combo;
• Tuesday – Ladies Day; $15 lift ticket;
• Wednesday – Military Day; $15 lift ticket;
• Thursday – West Virginia Day; State Residents can ski for $15;
• Friday – College Day; College Students can ski for $15.
Season Ski Passes are available and West Virginia residents can purchase one for $275, if done so by Nov. 30.
Additionally, the resort will offer the Valley Passport Card, which will provide significant discounts off lift tickets, lodging, tubing, food and beverage and at the resort Gift Shop. The cost for the Valley Passport is $49 for adults, $29 for juniors (ages 6-12) and $139 for a family of four.
Canaan Valley Resort, located in Davis, WV, named “10 Coolest Mountain Towns in North America: Best-Kept Secret” in the November 2005 issue of Men’s Journal, is a “one-tank trip” from most east coast metropolitan areas – 3 ½ hours from Washington, DC, 4 hours from Baltimore, 3 hours from Pittsburgh, and 3 hours from Charleston, WV. For additional information or reservations, contact Canaan Valley Resort at 1-800-622-4121, or visit the new EXTREME Winter Web site at www.CanaanResort.com .
Canaan Valley Resort State Park, by Guest Services, Inc., is a 250-room lodge, which is Mobil Three Star Rated. In addition to the lodge rooms, the resort boasts 23 cabins and cottages, and 10,000-square fee of conference space, comprised of 10 meeting rooms. You can access the resort’s web site at: www.CanaanResort.com . For reservations, please call 800-622-4121.