Last winter, a third high-speed quad was installed at the far edge of West Virginia’s Snowshoe Mountain Resort, and this winter, that lift will service three new trails. On March 27, 2007, Snowshoe announced that it is partnering with the Sawmill Village residential development company to invest $1 million in construction for the new trails. The trails will be adjacent to Sawmill Village and the existing Widowmaker slope. Originally, Snowshoe planned to cut two trails, but decided to add a third one in August. The three trails will be rated expert.

“The development of new terrain is something that our guests and homeowners have been asking for and this is a great opportunity for us to deliver,” said Bill Rock, vice president and general manager of Snowshoe Mountain.

Trail construction began this spring and will continue throughout the summer to ensure opening with the 2007-2008 winter season. This represents the first trail expansion at Snowshoe since 2004, when a few trails were widened. Prior to that, the last major trail addition was in 1998, when Shay’s Revenge was cut to give the previously-lone Cupp Run trail a neighbor in the Western Territory. That year also marked the installation of Snowshoe’s second high-speed lift, the Western Express.

Located in the main basin area of Snowshoe, the three new trails will have a vertical drop around 800 feet. The trails have been named Camp 99, Sawmill, and Sawmill Glades. Sawmill Glades will provide Snowshoe’s first glade skiing.

Last season, Snowshoe partnered with the Soaring Eagle Lodge to construct a new high-speed chairlift, replacing the older fixed-grip Widowmaker lift.

“We feel that it is critical to provide our investors an experience that warrants their desire to build custom homes at the top of Snowshoe Mountain Resort,” said Tom Tretheway, Sawmill Village’s developer and general contractor. “By forming this partnership, we feel our development will continue to grow alongside Snowshoe, and our investors will benefit in terms of increased resort amenities, such as trails, snowmaking, lifts and events.”

Three new trails will join Snowshoe Mountain Resort for the 2007-2008 winter season. Image provided by Snowshoe Mountain Resort.