My wife and I finally have a chance to get out for a day at Snowshoe. Asking for some help on lodging. Literally just time for one day, will be on a friday. Drive there on Friday, ski all day and home Saturday at some point. Options = Inn at snowshoe vs. BB about 15 miles out. Actually quite similar rates. Thoughts? Thanks in advance!

I don't think the bus runs to the bottom of the mountain so you still have to drive up the mountain and find parking. That being the case, what's 15 more minutes of driving. I'd definitely opt for a nice B&B over the Inn.

The Inn at Snowshoe has the sound of a giant vacuum cleaner, if you get my drift... Yes, it's relatively convenient but that's about it since there's no bus up the mountain. Food is mediocre.

If you want lodging with a wonderful ambience, try the Brazen Head Inn. Six miles to the North on Hwy 219 plus great food and, on the weekends, wonderful Celtic and Bluegrass music. Irish/Celtic/WV inn. Rates are $99 and $109 depending on the room. Each room - as a matter of fact, the entire inn, was hand-made. http://www.brazenheadinn.com/index.htm

Another awesome place is the Elk River Touring Center which also has a kick-[censored] restaurant, cheaper than Embers, but still with a wonderful menu, good-to-excellent accommodations, and close to X-Country. Rates are $90 and $100 including a hearty breakfast. There are also cabins. It is six miles to the South on Hwy 219. http://www.elkriverinnandrestaurant.com/

If you're on the run, then stay topside.

I went twice last year and rented on mountain top from owners of condos directly. I went on line to VRBO or other sites to find rentals and basically competed folks o get best price. Trust me it is worth the cost difference to get up in AM and ski down the hill, but would really reccomend extending into sunday, otherwise you will be very limited in what you can get. And since checkout s generally in AM, you will have to pack car before you go sking. But if its the only time you have get what you can and enjoy the mountain.

Thanks for all of the great advice! Will certainly check out Brazen Head and Elk. The music option at Brazen seems pretty sweet. Always try to avoid food at resorts and tend to steer to a place with the largest selection of suds on tap. We just aren't interested in full on w/e crowds at snowshoe. We did that enough throughout New England. We will prob go on a snowshoe hike on Saturday so perhaps Elk being a touring center might be a great option.