Very little chatter about the Shoe this season. Once they get more open, I'll make my way down for a few midweek dates and avoid the brutal weekend Ballhooter massacre.
10 AM Tuesday DEC 9,2025
Here is a picture of the new Shaver Center that I took a couple of weekends ago. They just announced that it won't be open for a few more weeks, but they got it up quicker than I thought they would.
Have you considered staying in Elkins or Marlinton? Elkins is about 1 hour away and lodging cost is very reasonable.
pagamony wrote:
Thanks. That looks good. Might return later. The main obstacle to Shoe trips is the cost of lodging. Any lodging.
Thanks. Yep, stayed in Marlinton several times - at the eponymous motel, above the fire station, in a rental house, and in a scout camp nearer to Minniehaha that no longer exists .... Elkins is the wrong side. The economics depends on the number of people. When you have a few people or more its nice to be close enough so someone can bug out without needing a car. The new Shavers will help. I want a nice 2 star motel right in Slatyfork :)
PS - anyone here old enough to remember the old Spruce lodge at Snowshoe ?
fosphenytoin wrote:
Have you considered staying in Elkins or Marlinton? Elkins is about 1 hour away and lodging cost is very reasonable.
pagamony wrote:
Thanks. That looks good. Might return later. The main obstacle to Shoe trips is the cost of lodging. Any lodging.
I did not realize Elkins is the wrong side... I drive from NoVA. That is the place my friends suggested when I first started skiing. They drove from Indiana and me from NoVA, we met up in Elkins. Ever since, I stay in Elkins if I go SS.
I have never stayed in Marlinton, I will consider it next time I go. Thanks!
pagamony wrote:
Elkins is the wrong side.
.
Marlinton is about a 20 - 25 minute ride south on 219 from the "entrance" to Snowshoe on WV rte 66.
If you usually come thru Elkins, Marlinton is completely out of your way. You'd drive right past Snowshoe to get to Marlinton.
fosphenytoin wrote:
I did not realize Elkins is the wrong side... I drive from NoVA. That is the place my friends suggested when I first started skiing. They drove from Indiana and me from NoVA, we met up in Elkins. Ever since, I stay in Elkins if I go SS.
I have never stayed in Marlinton, I will consider it next time I go. Thanks!pagamony wrote:
Elkins is the wrong side.
.
Correct. I drive up from North Carolina, so Elkins is wrong for me, but good for fosphenytoin.
Blue Don 1982 wrote:
Marlinton is about a 20 - 25 minute ride south on 219 from the "entrance" to Snowshoe on WV rte 66.
If you usually come thru Elkins, Marlinton is completely out of your way. You'd drive right past Snowshoe to get to Marlinto
--------------------------
SS runs a hotel style lodging at the base but its over $200 / nt, so usefuless depends on who is going. I would have needed 2 rooms, so not an efficient option for me. I did not find any 'bargains' anwhere for Dec 21-23, even planning ahead. It's interesting that I randomly met people on the mountain also complaining about lodging options and expense. I see that SS now how has a campground at the base. Marlinton Motor Inn seems like the primary offsite small group option. Yes I have stayed there and it is fine, but since it's not even in Marlinton, separated by a high pass, there really is nothing else nearby, other than snow. Otherwise you can search Airbnb etc... for cabins off mountain but really the price difference was not 'amazing' considering the distance and amenities. Might as well suck it up and stay on mountain. Much better cost and options in Frisco or Midvale.
snowsmith wrote:
What is the cheapest lodging in the Snowshoe area? Silver Creek? I thought there was a motel type property at the bottom of the mountain. How about VRBO? I’m trying to understand why someone would want lodging an hour’s drive from the resort?
snowsmith wrote:
What is the cheapest lodging in the Snowshoe area? Silver Creek? I thought there was a motel type property at the bottom of the mountain. How about VRBO? I’m trying to understand why someone would want lodging an hour’s drive from the resort?
Back almost 20 years ago I stayed at the Inn At Snowshoe near where the mountain roads up to the resort and at Silvercreek. Looks like on a weekend the Inn is $150/night. On the plus side, there is a shuttle for skiing. On the negative side, all the options for eating out are at the base at the top of the mountain. Even staying at Silvercreek, really needed to bring food to cook for dinner to keep a kid happy. She liked the indoor/outdoor pool there and I liked that it was in the building. After those experiences, we booked at Rimfire.
For a solo traveler, the cost difference between slopeside lodging and a motel room can be a factor for where to stay. Perhaps a simpler decision process for a family with kids where having more space and a kitchen is worthwhile.
snowsmith wrote:
What is the cheapest lodging in the Snowshoe area? Silver Creek? I thought there was a motel type property at the bottom of the mountain. How about VRBO? I’m trying to understand why someone would want lodging an hour’s drive from the resort?
We have stayed at the Silver Creek lodge. It’s not bad, maybe kind of dated, but it works.
I had a bad experience with an AirBNB there. The complete lack of cell service there made it extremely difficult to try to resolve. Might be an isolated incident but it turned me off to go with that service.
Lodging, has become insanely expensive at Snowshoe. The "regular Joe's" and ski bums have been priced out. The motel you noted (Snowshoe Inn) can be a little pricey on weekends. It is a 10 - 15 minute shuttle ride to the Village and literally nothing to do down there once you return.
My friend runs a rental company with 100 plus units at the Shoe. There is not one damn vacancy for the weekend of Jan 2 - 4.
Many people are resorting to some of the Snowshoe Facebook groups, posting last minute lodging requests hoping to find a reasonable deal.
I'm a firm believer of taking a day or 2 off and going non holiday mid week.
Added holiday bonus today - Soaring Eagle lift was / is down today. You pay top dollar for lodging and get to hang out with 200 new friends in the Ballhooter Lift Line.
snowsmith wrote:
What is the cheapest lodging in the Snowshoe area? Silver Creek? I thought there was a motel type property at the bottom of the mountain. How about VRBO? I’m trying to understand why someone would want lodging an hour’s drive from the resort?
Marlinton Motor Inn is $80/night if booked online,
even during MLK or President's weekend. Sleeps 4
with hot showers and friendly Mgmt and staff.
I've stayed there a few times, and I'd go back, no pblm.
The drive to snowshoe on 219 is well serviced in the winter.
SNOWSHOE 1/4 and 1/5
I joined the "taken out by a wreckless boarder club" the other day.
Note - I have no hate for boarders - one just happened to "get me"
I was standing in the infamous Ballhooter line (first mistake) on Sunday (second mistake) literally tens of feet down from the rope entrance. Young dude came in red hot an clipped my left boot right out from under me. I went down like Joe Frazier. I never saw him coming.
He did apologize profusely but I just looked at him and thought, WTF is wrong with you? I was just happy to get up on my feet uninjured.
I broke two of my cardinal rules. Don't ski on weekends. Avoid Ballhooter in the afternoon if at all possible.
Other notes - I feel like it has been really cold, really long and really early this winter ...... and Snowshoe is a bit over 1/2 open. What is going on?
Upper Cupp finally opened today, 1/6. Lower Shays and upper Ballhooter will be bare grass tomorrow. The ONLY place we saw active snowmaking was on Sawmill and one small patch at the bottom of Knot Bumper / Ballhooter connection.
Maybe they were concentrating on Silver Creek????
What is open had excellent coverage.
Holiday weekend rates were $179 a day from 12/26 to 1/4.
Unopened Basin trails:
Camp 99, Sawmill, Upper Ballhooter, Skip Jack, Choker, long green trail next to Powder Monkey.
I love Snowshoe but I hung out with some employees this weekend and all of us were kind of shaking our heads .......
Shavers Lake seemed full.
Scott wrote:
Are they having any water supply issues? I’m hearing that might be affecting some resorts. It has been pretty dry this past year.
The value proposition of Snowshoe is increasingly questionable. I was just comparing Snowshoe to other reservations I had this season for Steamboat, Sunday River, and Sugarbush. They are all in the same ballpark of "dollars per night" for lodging. The difference is travel cost (out west) or time (driving to the northeast). But if Snowshoe is not significantly cheaper (and it no longer is) then the extra cost in time or dollars to go somewhere with much better skiing becomes much more attractive.
Not sure what Snowshoe can do to compete better on price. I will note that 37% of my upcoming trip lodging cost is taxes, cleaning fees, HOA fees, and resort fees. What do the resort fees and "resort district surcharge" go towards? I have no idea. Doubtful that the county and state will dial back taxes.
Blue Don 1982 wrote:
Lodging, has become insanely expensive at Snowshoe. The "regular Joe's" and ski bums have been priced out. The motel you noted (Snowshoe Inn) can be a little pricey on weekends. It is a 10 - 15 minute shuttle ride to the Village and literally nothing to do down there once you return.
I've been to Snowshoe often over the last 30 years, and I've often been disappointed. The first time I went, I was disappointed with the advanced terrain. Most of the black runs were just a few turns. I vowed never to go back, but then they opened up Lower Shay's revenge. After 20 minutes on the lift at Cupp run, I also vowed never to go back, but then they put in the high speed lift that dropped it to 6 minutes. Had a few really good family trips there. That's what it excels at, the village, tent, and pool with little kids. The mountain is mostly setup for little kids as well, except too crowded. Great memories, so Snowshoe was refreshed in my mind. Also, it was clear that the weather was so much better for skiing compared to most other places around here, so it was the place to catch some powder. Then I discovered Timberline.
Last year I paid something like $180 for one day of crappy conditions in the spring. I would like never to go back there, though it's hard to find something equivalent to Shay's. But, last time the moguls never really formed, and No Hessitation was pretty close to the challenge if not more. Certainly more since it had many good mogul days whereas Shay's didn't. So, I think Massanutten and Timberline are the places to go, and I will not go to Snowshoe again unless I have an Ikon pass.
Bottom line, prices are high because people go. If you can travel someplace else within the time and money budget, it's worth it.
Mongo wrote:
The value proposition of Snowshoe is increasingly questionable. I was just comparing Snowshoe to other reservations I had this season for Steamboat, Sunday River, and Sugarbush. They are all in the same ballpark of "dollars per night" for lodging. The difference is travel cost (out west) or time (driving to the northeast). But if Snowshoe is not significantly cheaper (and it no longer is) then the extra cost in time or dollars to go somewhere with much better skiing becomes much more attractive.
Not sure what Snowshoe can do to compete better on price. I will note that 37% of my upcoming trip lodging cost is taxes, cleaning fees, HOA fees, and resort fees. What do the resort fees and "resort district surcharge" go towards? I have no idea. Doubtful that the county and state will dial back taxes.
Blue Don 1982 wrote:
Lodging, has become insanely expensive at Snowshoe. The "regular Joe's" and ski bums have been priced out. The motel you noted (Snowshoe Inn) can be a little pricey on weekends. It is a 10 - 15 minute shuttle ride to the Village and literally nothing to do down there once you return.
Amen.
Snowshoe is "expensive" but compared to trying to fly a family of 4 out west and ski for a long weekend is wayyyyy more expensive due to the travel costs.
Bill, Mary and their 2 kids from (plug in ~6 hours away) is the Snowshoe honey hole. $150 in gas and a quick stop at McD's to pee and grab a bite is a hellava lot cheaper than flights to Denver.
They come home from Snowshoe proud as peacocks - telling all their friends they went to the "largest resort" in the Mid A.
Stephen wrote:
Bottom line, prices are high because people go. If you can travel someplace else within the time and money budget, it's worth it.
It's always hit or miss around here when planning ahead. We've had so much cold weather, they should have built up enough base to have good cover no matter what. It's too early to tell what it will be like. It could be wonderful spring skiing. It could turn cold into a sheet of ice on some trails with snowmaking on others. Or, it could turn cold and dump a bunch of snow. Sometimes they get an incredible amount of snow in March, and other times the snow melts fast. If I book anything in advance in the mid-Atlantic, I don't fret about the conditions. Make the most of whatever you can, but I would be surprised if it's not 100% open.
The weather forecast for the coastal areas shows some warm weather for the next ten days, but Snowshoe is a different climate. Looking at the snowshoe weather, it looks like typical winter weather with lots of cold nights and even some snow predicted. I wouldn't even say the forecast is looking like spring skiing yet. We've had some very unusual weather recently, and all I see is normal weather for the next ten days at Snowshoe. With normal weather, snowshoe often goes to April 1st.
creakyboard wrote:
This is my first year snowboarding in the mid Atlantic. I booked 3 days in Snowshoe for the last week in February. The weather forecast is looking DIRE, I'm worried.
I'd been meaning to leave my impressions of the Mountain Lodge renovation!
Looks like you won out big. Lots of snow on the way.
creakyboard wrote:
Thanks, that is reassuring. It's not like I'm going to cancel at this point anyways, I guess my brain just needs something to worry about all the time haha! So far this year I've been in Massanutten twice and Whitetail once. I like Mass much better, even though driving 2.5 hours back to the DC area after a full day sucks.
Slightly more detailed trip report.
Met up with my son in Lewisburg, WV Saturday night - he drove up from Blacksburg, VA, where he is a student at Virginia Tech. We stayed the night in Lewisburg and drove up to snowshoe on Sunday morning. A couple of inches had fallen overnight making for some pretty good conditions. Western was a bit variable but still fun. It started snowing again mid-morning and continued throughout the day - probably saw another couple of inches while we were there. It was still snowing when we left - this coming week looks to be setting up very nicely.
Couple other notes:
- The relocation of the magic carpet to start at the top of Grabhammer lift is a nice improvement - you can pretty much avoid Ballhooter lift now with the grabhammer lift/magic carpet combo.
- It will be nice when the new Shavers center opens next season and offers a cafeteria for lunch.
- It was quite the ski weekend for my son. ~35 runs at Winterplace Friday afternoon/evening and ~30 at Snowshoe on Sunday. Winterplace is around 80 minutes from Blacksburg - he had never been, but he decided to check it out. He thought it was a decent area - a few steeper spots (even if they were short) and nice spring bumps on one run. Probably not worth a 3 hour drive but for its proximity to him worth going.
Boy you weren't kidding! I could not have been luckier.
I got to Snowshoe Sunday evening just as the blizzard was really starting. The last 3 miles from Cass up to the village got a little hairy, I saw people pulling over to switch to 4wd or getting stuck. Luckily my tires were good and the AWD pushed me up nice and easy.
Monday morning snowboarding was fantastic! Tons of fresh power and I was on first chair. Despite the high winds on the peak the mountain was perfect. 3 beautiful snowy days and nights, and even a little bit of sun now and again :) Tuesday and Wednesday were great.
The only complaint I have is that the final descent of Shay's Revenge could not hold any snow - it all got blown off by the wind. Basically the whole thing was an ice slope. I could not get down that without falling on my ass too many times!
Stephen wrote:
Looks like you won out big. Lots of snow on the way.
creakyboard wrote:
Thanks, that is reassuring. It's not like I'm going to cancel at this point anyways, I guess my brain just needs something to worry about all the time haha! So far this year I've been in Massanutten twice and Whitetail once. I like Mass much better, even though driving 2.5 hours back to the DC area after a full day sucks.
That's been my running complaint with Snowshoe. The best slopes are in the Western Territory, but the snow is never good there.
creakyboard wrote:
Boy you weren't kidding! I could not have been luckier.
I got to Snowshoe Sunday evening just as the blizzard was really starting. The last 3 miles from Cass up to the village got a little hairy, I saw people pulling over to switch to 4wd or getting stuck. Luckily my tires were good and the AWD pushed me up nice and easy.
Monday morning snowboarding was fantastic! Tons of fresh power and I was on first chair. Despite the high winds on the peak the mountain was perfect. 3 beautiful snowy days and nights, and even a little bit of sun now and again :) Tuesday and Wednesday were great.
The only complaint I have is that the final descent of Shay's Revenge could not hold any snow - it all got blown off by the wind. Basically the whole thing was an ice slope. I could not get down that without falling on my ass too many times!
Stephen wrote:
Looks like you won out big. Lots of snow on the way.
creakyboard wrote:
Thanks, that is reassuring. It's not like I'm going to cancel at this point anyways, I guess my brain just needs something to worry about all the time haha! So far this year I've been in Massanutten twice and Whitetail once. I like Mass much better, even though driving 2.5 hours back to the DC area after a full day sucks.
Join the conversation by logging in.
Don't have an account? Create one here.
