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1st Trip to Snowshoe
Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2023 12:05 pm
by WVULINK
Super excited for my first family trip to Snowshoe next weekend. Before y'all start.....Yes I know its Presidents Day weekend. Yes I know it will be packed. Yes I know lift lines will be ridiculously long. Yes. I know everything will be more expensive. So spare me all that... I'm trying to focus on all the positives right now. I am packing my patience and hoping for a good time. Anyone else on here going to be there?
So for all you SS veterans, what should I make sure I do/see on our first trip. Ski Advice?.....Food/Drink Advice?.. Best place for Après-ski?.... Non-skiing activities?
4 days/3 nights....Driving in Friday...Staying at Mountain Lodge. Lift tickets purchased for Saturday and Sunday. Renting equipment from Ski Barn-SnowCreek. Departing SS Monday, morning.
Re: 1st Trip to Snowshoe
Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2023 9:04 am
by theKENDOG
In terms of ski advice, make sure you hit rope drop. Be at the top of Ballhooter at 8:55am. Lap it a few times before it gets packed. Then migrate to Soaring Eagle, Western Territory, or Silver Creek.
In terms of food and drink, I am a huge fan of Old Spruce everything. If you like beer, the draft house in the village and the actual brewery at Silver Creek are the places to go. Their beer is good. I love ending the day with a beer at the draft house. They also have Old Spruce Tavern in the village which I personally think has the best food on the mountain.
If you can get some tickets, I think the tubing is pretty fun as well and is a good family activity. Make sure it's not rainy or warm as the hill will be very slow. That and get a nighttime slot. They call the night tubing "cosmic" or something like that but it's kind of cool under the lights.
Re: 1st Trip to Snowshoe
Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2023 2:57 pm
by spydeeTJB
I agree with KDog and add that, if skiing Cupp & Shays are our thing, then one day get rope drop at Western and lap for an hour or 2 then get back to family (if they're not up for Western). Best way from ML, before ropes drop, is to ski down to where Shavers Center used to be and take the short walk path next to parking lot to top of powder monkey lift and then to Western.
One clarification...Old Spruce Brewery is not at Silvercreek, it's located at the start of Slivercreek Rd. Lots of free parking or you can use bus but waiting for bus can be inconvenient.
To avoid crowds I encourage skiing at Silvercreek after your basin or western rope-drop laps. Use the bus to get there/back.
Avoid eating lunch in the village and avoid eating lunch at noon anywhere.
Ski team will likely have Widowmaker or Camp99 closed for practice until 1130am Sat, Sun & Mon. Always check morning reports.
Re: 1st Trip to Snowshoe
Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2023 8:42 am
by davidski
Hey Spydee, can I join the ski team? I finally got some narrow skis, 98mm
Not mentioned but a must do in my books is night skiing at Silver Creek, although as mentioned the bus ride esp. on weekends may involve a wait. Offer a third vote for old spruce and also the bar over on top of the world side, Hoot's?
Re: 1st Trip to Snowshoe
Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2023 3:23 pm
by spydeeTJB
davidski wrote: ↑Wed Feb 15, 2023 8:42 am
Hey Spydee, can I join the ski team? I finally got some narrow skis, 98mm
Not mentioned but a must do in my books is night skiing at Silver Creek, although as mentioned the bus ride esp. on weekends may involve a wait. Offer a third vote for old spruce and also the bar over on top of the world side, Hoot's?
Sorry Davidski but 98mm still qualifies you for the Snowboard category LOL
Hoots - yes at top-of-world
OP - If it's a sports bar you're craving/needing, meaning a ton of TVs, then check out The Lockerroom on the ground floor of Silvercreek Inn.
Re: 1st Trip to Snowshoe
Posted: Thu Feb 16, 2023 9:22 am
by WVULINK
spydeeTJB wrote: ↑Wed Feb 15, 2023 3:23 pm
davidski wrote: ↑Wed Feb 15, 2023 8:42 am
Hey Spydee, can I join the ski team? I finally got some narrow skis, 98mm
Not mentioned but a must do in my books is night skiing at Silver Creek, although as mentioned the bus ride esp. on weekends may involve a wait. Offer a third vote for old spruce and also the bar over on top of the world side, Hoot's?
OP - If it's a sports bar you're craving/needing, meaning a ton of TVs, then check out The Lockerroom on the ground floor of Silvercreek Inn.
Good to know.....maybe I'll head over to Silver Creek on Saturday at noon to catch the WVU basketball game.
Re: 1st Trip to Snowshoe
Posted: Thu Feb 16, 2023 9:25 am
by WVULINK
spydeeTJB wrote: ↑Mon Feb 13, 2023 2:57 pm
I agree with KDog and add that, if skiing Cupp & Shays are our thing, then one day get rope drop at Western and lap for an hour or 2 then get back to family (if they're not up for Western). Best way from ML, before ropes drop, is to ski down to where Shavers Center used to be and take the short walk path next to parking lot to top of powder monkey lift and then to Western.
One clarification...Old Spruce Brewery is not at Silvercreek, it's located at the start of Slivercreek Rd. Lots of free parking or you can use bus but waiting for bus can be inconvenient.
To avoid crowds I encourage skiing at Silvercreek after your basin or western rope-drop laps. Use the bus to get there/back.
Avoid eating lunch in the village and avoid eating lunch at noon anywhere.
Ski team will likely have Widowmaker or Camp99 closed for practice until 1130am Sat, Sun & Mon. Always check morning reports.
Skiing with inexperienced teens on Saturday, so I'll probably not be rope dropping Western on Saturday but I may try on Sunday when I'm solo.
Re: 1st Trip to Snowshoe
Posted: Thu Feb 16, 2023 9:48 am
by spydeeTJB
WVULINK wrote: ↑Thu Feb 16, 2023 9:25 am
spydeeTJB wrote: ↑Mon Feb 13, 2023 2:57 pm
I agree with KDog and add that, if skiing Cupp & Shays are our thing, then one day get rope drop at Western and lap for an hour or 2 then get back to family (if they're not up for Western). Best way from ML, before ropes drop, is to ski down to where Shavers Center used to be and take the short walk path next to parking lot to top of powder monkey lift and then to Western.
One clarification...Old Spruce Brewery is not at Silvercreek, it's located at the start of Slivercreek Rd. Lots of free parking or you can use bus but waiting for bus can be inconvenient.
To avoid crowds I encourage skiing at Silvercreek after your basin or western rope-drop laps. Use the bus to get there/back.
Avoid eating lunch in the village and avoid eating lunch at noon anywhere.
Ski team will likely have Widowmaker or Camp99 closed for practice until 1130am Sat, Sun & Mon. Always check morning reports.
Skiing with inexperienced teens on Saturday, so I'll probably not be rope dropping Western on Saturday but I may try on Sunday when I'm solo.
If the teens are newbs or early beginners I highly recommend taking them to Silvercreek to avoid traffic and make for a better learning experience.
Re: 1st Trip to Snowshoe
Posted: Thu Feb 16, 2023 5:39 pm
by WVULINK
spydeeTJB wrote: ↑Thu Feb 16, 2023 9:48 am
WVULINK wrote: ↑Thu Feb 16, 2023 9:25 am
spydeeTJB wrote: ↑Mon Feb 13, 2023 2:57 pm
I agree with KDog and add that, if skiing Cupp & Shays are our thing, then one day get rope drop at Western and lap for an hour or 2 then get back to family (if they're not up for Western). Best way from ML, before ropes drop, is to ski down to where Shavers Center used to be and take the short walk path next to parking lot to top of powder monkey lift and then to Western.
One clarification...Old Spruce Brewery is not at Silvercreek, it's located at the start of Slivercreek Rd. Lots of free parking or you can use bus but waiting for bus can be inconvenient.
To avoid crowds I encourage skiing at Silvercreek after your basin or western rope-drop laps. Use the bus to get there/back.
Avoid eating lunch in the village and avoid eating lunch at noon anywhere.
Ski team will likely have Widowmaker or Camp99 closed for practice until 1130am Sat, Sun & Mon. Always check morning reports.
Skiing with inexperienced teens on Saturday, so I'll probably not be rope dropping Western on Saturday but I may try on Sunday when I'm solo.
If the teens are newbs or early beginners I highly recommend taking them to Silvercreek to avoid traffic and make for a better learning experience.
Is it easier to drive over to Silver Creek? Or is it better to take the bus?
Re: 1st Trip to Snowshoe
Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2023 10:31 am
by spydeeTJB
WVULINK wrote: ↑Thu Feb 16, 2023 5:39 pm
spydeeTJB wrote: ↑Thu Feb 16, 2023 9:48 am
WVULINK wrote: ↑Thu Feb 16, 2023 9:25 am
Skiing with inexperienced teens on Saturday, so I'll probably not be rope dropping Western on Saturday but I may try on Sunday when I'm solo.
If the teens are newbs or early beginners I highly recommend taking them to Silvercreek to avoid traffic and make for a better learning experience.
Is it easier to drive over to Silver Creek? Or is it better to take the bus?
There is free parking but it's 100+ yd walk to slope access so depends on your groups tolerance for walking in boots and carrying gear. You can also carry boots/gear and boot up inside the lodge (lockers available near rental area). Rope drop is 9am. If you get there before 8am, the gate for paid access is open and you can drop people/gear off near the slope access and rental shop (across from patrol bldg). I don't recommend parking anywhere other than the free area as the HOA there will boot vehicles w/o passes displayed. Bus is convenient, especially during daytime...nights can be a long wait for the return.