Looking for cheap lodging in Snowshoe (driving to resort from a few miles away is ok with me) and/or Timberline. Looking to plan a trip for the end of january weekend, Jan 25-27. Still deciding on going to Timberline or Snowshoe, depending on how the snowmaking goes.

would love you all's expert opinions! I know it's expensive out in SS, but still looking for best deal I can get.

Ideally, I'd like a hot tub nearby, which rules out some of the inns and bed and breakfasts a few miles away from SS, but I'd still be interested in ones without any kind of hot tub, obviously. It's not a deal breaker.

Despite it being old, the Top of the World condos look like some of the cheapest at Snowshoe that are ski in/ski out.

Also am seeing the 20 percent off deal for the Inn at Snowshoe with lift tickets on Snowshoes website.

Seems the shuttle only comes every hour Though?

I would drive up from the Inn myself if need be if there was free parking. How hard is it to get to the parking at top of the world from the Inn a Snowshoe? I was thinking of parking there to avoid the crowds at the mountain village.

Response time tends to be slower on here over the weekend. But I can chime in some.

Canaan Valley Lodge is a cheap place to check in to. You can usually find some CHEAP rooms there. I believe there is a pool and hot tub there. You then have the added benefit to ski Timberline and/or Canaan Valley Resort. Both of which are far less crowded on a weekend than Snowshoe. Especially, if you do CVR on Saturday and Tline on Sunday. You also have the option of plenty of good places to eat. Everything is a bit more spread out than Snowshoe, but in my opinion, I enjoy the area much more.

As for parking at Top of the World, the last time I was at Snowshoe parking there is free and fairly accessible if you get there EARLY. I'm guessing it gets bad as the day goes on. As long as there are trails open on that side of the mtn it's a great place to park. Just make sure you get back to that side before lifts close. And making it there from the Inn shouldn't be too challenging as I've found Snowshoe's access road to be very well maintained even when conditions are pretty bad.

Hope this helps. Fire away if you have more questions...

David is right on and I was at snowshoe last week for a day trip and parking was free. The only other thing I do is check out the VRBO and email a few folks and make a counter offer or two. At SS I prefer to stay right in village and will pay more for the convenience.

How early guys? I usually get to the parking lot by 8:30/9 when I am staying nearby. Are the other parking lots free as well, just further away?

The top of the world parking does seem to have one major disadvantage - having to take a lift to get back up to it, as you all mentioned. Hmm.

Checked out Canaan Resort. For the cheapest room for the weekend I'm looking at, plus lift tickets, it's actually more expensive than the Top of the World condo I was looking at or the Inn at Snowshoe.

You can rent this house for about $800 for the entire stay:
http://secure.instantsoftwareonline.com/StayUSA/Property.aspx?coid=2134&propid=MS55

Virtual Tour:
http://vic.cc/wv/9159

Map for MS #55:
http://www.damaps.net/t4/maps/canaan/unit-previews/ms

As you can see, it's not slopeside, but super easy access to Timberline.
Their parking is always empty at around 8am, but still not that bad at around 10am. The plus is the hot tub, and easy access, AND privacy (if that is what you are looking for).

There are several other options though... and the super economical ones would be as David mentioned: Canaan Valley Resort.
Next, would the Herzwoods units / Northwoods units very close to the slopes (park your car for free, and forget about it).
Along the economical lines comes Black Bear Resort, and so on...
Check out http://www.T4SR.com for maps, availability and more... or just give them a call.

Getting a space at the Top of the World parking lot is not a problem. The shuttle buses up there run all the time, so getting around once you are parked is fine. It's only the Inn shuttle that has a limited schedule. Still an improvement because before there wasn't any way to get from the Inn to the slopes except drive, which was tough if a group wanted to go/stay at different times.

The other parking lots at the top of the mountain are reserved for people staying in the various lodging groups. Seems like there is a pay lot, but little reason to park there. Just take the shuttle.

You can always take the bus from the SS Village Center back to Top of the World. For beginners and intermediates, that can be the best choice. For advanced skiers who go to the Western Territories, taking the bus at the end of the day makes the most sense.

Silver Creek is another option. But have no idea how the price compares. Once you park there, then the way to get around is by shuttle bus. If you bring food for dinner and don't want to do something in the village but want to go night skiing, then Silver Creek can be a nice place to stay.

I would go for Top of the World over the Inn, even if a little more expensive.