This winter, West Virginia’s Canaan Valley Resort will unveil a new activity: Airboarding. Similar to bodyboarding on snow, airboarding is gaining popularity at ski resorts. Canaan Valley Resort will become the sixth area in the nation to welcome the new sport, and the first ski area in the country to offer a terrain park specifically designed for Airboarding.

“First you had traditional skis, then snowboards, now we’ve got Airboards,” said Kevin Fish, General Manager of the resort.

Airboards are inflatable and have grooves on the underside that allow riders to turn and stop quickly.

“This is a high-tech twist on traditional winter sled riding and guests are going to love it,” said Fish.

The Airboarding terrain park will have low-to-the-ground features including jumps and burms. Guests will be required to take a one-hour lesson on the Airboard before taking off on their own.

“Kids and adults alike can do this, and unlike skiing or snowboarding, you can get pretty good within an hour of getting on it,” said Fish.

Traditional skiers and snowboarders will also find several enhancements at Canaan Valley Resort this winter.

Night skiing and tubing is being expanded from two nights to four nights a week during prime season, from Thursday through Sunday nights until 9 p.m.

Chilndren 12 and under will be able to stay, eat, and ski free when staying with their parents at the Canaan Valley lodge during the ski season.

And West Virginia residents will find a bargain on Thursdays throughout the season. By showing their drivers license, West Virginia residents will be able to purchase a lift ticket on Thursdays for $13. College students will receive a 50% discount off the cost of a lift ticket every Friday by showing their college ID.

Canaan Valley Resort has also significantly overhauled its web site this winter, unveiling a brand new site in mid-October. Now, visitors will be able to check room availability and make reservations from the new web site, or virtually explore Canaan Valley’s new interactive trail map.