Resort photo

Snowshoe Mountain Resort
Snowshoe, West Virginia
Vertical drop:1,500 feet
Base elevation:3,348 feet
Peak elevation:4,848 feet
Skiable acres:270
Longest run:1.5 miles
Trails:60

Snowshoe Mountain Resort is located in the middle of West Virginia. Despite its southern location, Snowshoe receives an eye-raising average annual snowfall of 180 inches. To that, Snowshoe adds plenty of manmade snow. Snowshoe is a year-round destination resort, offering numerous lodging options, from economical to upscale. Snowshoe is also one of the few “inverted” ski resorts in the U.S.: the base facilities are located on the top of the mountain. In the summer, Snowshoe offers a range of recreational opportunities including mountain biking.

Snowshoe offers some of the best skiing south of New England and even a suprising amount of nightlife for its secluded location in the mountains of West Virginia. That seclusion makes Snowshoe somewhat difficult to get to - it is approximately a 5-6 hour drive from Washington, D.C. Those willing to make the trek are rewarded with beautiful scenery, great snow conditions, and 60 trails spread over a 1,500-foot vertical.

Snowshoe has 60 trails, and they’re usually all open by early January, with a handful opening before Thanksgiving. The trails are spread across three distinct areas: the main Snowshoe area, with 41 trails and an 800-foot vertical drop; the Silver Creek area, with 17 trails and a 660-foot vertical; and the Western Territory, with 2 trails and a 1,500-foot vertical. The Western Territory features Cupp Run and Shay’s Revenge, two 1.5-mile expert slopes serviced by their own high-speed lift. The Western Territory is just across the street from the main Snowshoe area. Silver Creek is down the road (and reached by a free shuttle), featuring tamer trails and usually less crowds. Silver Creek is home to the Ruckus Ridge tubing park, a snowboard park, and is the only part of Snowshoe lit for night skiing.

On weekends, the main Snowshoe area can become very crowded (with the base of the Ballhooter Express chairlift becoming a painful choking point), but the Western Territory and Silver Creek areas are usually less crowded. If you can swing a trip to Snowshoe mid-week, you’ll find significantly discounted prices and might have the slopes to yourself.

As a full-blown destination resort, Snowshoe doesn’t lack amenities. There are over a dozen dining establishments, including one nightclub. Snowshoe rents out over 1,400 condominium and lodge rooms, covering a variety of price points from economy to luxurious. There are also many winter activities that do not involve skis and snowboards, such as snowmobiling and snowshoeing.

Photo provided by Snowshoe Mountain Resort.


Key Statistics

Resort Name: Snowshoe Mountain Resort
Vertical Drop: 1,500 feet
Base Altitude: 3,348 feet
Peak Altitude: 4,848 feet
Trails: 60 Trails:
  • 30% beginner
  • 24% intermediate
  • 46% expert
Skiable Acres: 270
Longest Run: 1.5 miles
Lifts: 14 (Including 3 high-speed quads, 2 handle tows, 2 Magic Carpets)
Night Skiing: 75% of Silver Creek area (12 slopes) is lit for night skiing.
Terrain Park: Snowshoe has multiple terrain parks at both the main Snowshoe area as well as the Silver Creek area. Parks at Silver Creek are lit for night riding.
Tubing Park: An 8-lane tube park is located at the Silver Creek area.
Address: 10 Snowshoe Drive
Snowshoe, WV 26209
Phone: (877) 441-4386
Social Media: Facebook link Instagram link
Webcams: View resort webcams
Web Site: http://www.snowshoemtn.com/
Directions: Via Google Maps

Trail Map

Trail Map

Getting to Snowshoe Mountain Resort

Show directions via Google Maps...


Weather near Snowshoe

10:51 am on July 26 / Elkins, Elkins-Randolph County-Jennings Randolph Field
Mostly Cloudy
75° F
Mostly Cloudy
Humidity:64% Visibility:10.00
Wind Speed:0 mph Sunrise:6:16 a.m.
Barometer:30.03 in Sunset:8:37 p.m.
Dewpoint:62 °F
Way too warm for snowmaking. No snowmaking
Today
sunny
High: 71°
Mostly Sunny
Mostly sunny, with a high near 71. West wind 5 to 7 mph.
Tonight
cloudy
Low: 57°
Chance of T-storms then Partly Cloudy
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 10pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 57. Northwest wind 6 to 8 mph.
Monday
sunny
High: 72°
Mostly Sunny
Mostly sunny, with a high near 72. Northwest wind around 8 mph.
Monday Night
rainy
Low: 61°
Chance of Showers then Showers
A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2am, then showers between 2am and 5am, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 5am. Low around 61. Northwest wind 5 to 9 mph becoming southwest after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Weather supplied by the National Weather Service. Errors or reporting delays may be possible.


News about Snowshoe

The Mountains That Didn’t Make It: How Mid-Atlantic Skiing Grew, Contracted, and Survived
Article thumbnail July 23, 2026 - Once scattered across the Mid-Atlantic, hundreds of community ski hills, residential resorts, and ambitious mountain developments introduced generations to snowsports. Drawing on DCSk’s Lost Ski Areas archive and readers’ memories, this feature story traces their rise and decline, the forces that reshaped the regional ski industry, and the advantages that helped today’s resorts endure.
When Winter Failed to Arrive: The Brutal 1997-1998 Ski Season (And What it May Portend For This Year)
Article thumbnail July 18, 2026 - The powerful 1997-1998 El Niño brought warmth, rain, abbreviated operations, and lasting financial consequences to Mid-Atlantic ski areas. DCSki looks back at that difficult season, explores the financial risks of betting a year-round business on a few winter months, and considers whether the developing 2026-2027 El Niño might deliver rain, snow, or something in between.
When the Slopes Go Quiet: Summer at a Mid-Atlantic Ski Area
Article thumbnail July 17, 2026 - Once the snow melts and the lifts stop spinning, many Mid-Atlantic ski areas become remarkably quiet. DCSki takes a behind-the-scenes look at the lift maintenance, snowmaking repairs, trail work, construction projects, and advance planning that prepare the mountain for another all-too-brief winter season.
A Snapshot of Mid-Atlantic Ski Conditions Heading Into Late December
Article thumbnail December 18, 2025 - After an extended stretch of cold temperatures earlier this month, ski resorts across the Mid-Atlantic were able to make snow aggressively, building strong early-season base depths and opening expanding terrain. DCSki provides a comprehensive snapshot of current conditions across the region as resorts head into the end of December. Photo: Opening Day at Big Boulder, shot by Ella Muir.
Mid-Atlantic Ski Areas Accelerate Snowmaking as Early-Season Openings Roll Out
Article thumbnail December 4, 2025 - Sustained cold temperatures have allowed Mid-Atlantic ski areas to ramp up snowmaking and begin opening for the 2025–26 winter season, with several resorts launching operations in the first week of December. Additional terrain and activities are expected to come online soon as snowmaking continues across the region. Above, an aerial view provided to DCSki by a skiing pilot shows snowmaking underway at Maryland’s Wisp Resort on December 1.
What’s New for 2025: Mid-Atlantic Ski Resorts
Article thumbnail December 2, 2025 - Resorts across the Mid-Atlantic have spent the offseason upgrading snowmaking systems, expanding terrain, improving lifts, and refreshing guest facilities in preparation for the 2025–26 winter season. These enhancements aim to deliver more reliable early-season openings, improved snow quality, and a better overall experience for skiers, riders, and families. DCSki provides a summary of key enhancements across the region in this feature story.
Early-Season Cold Snap Brings Snow and Snowmaking to the Mid-Atlantic
Article thumbnail November 11, 2025 - An early-season cold snap brought the first real signs of winter to the Mid-Atlantic, covering higher elevations with natural snow and giving ski areas across West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania the chance to fire up their snowmaking systems. The drop in temperatures allowed resorts to run tests, train crews, and begin early preparations for the 2025 winter season. Some areas also saw natural snow, marking the region’s first widespread taste of winter weather. Above, natural snow falls at Hidden Valley Resort. Photo by Heidi Lewis.
More Mid-Atlantic Resorts Open
Article thumbnail December 16, 2024 - The majority of ski resorts in the Mid-Atlantic region are now open for the 2024-2025 winter season, with a variety of trails available for early-season skiing and snowboarding. Additional resorts are set to open in the coming days, supported by snowmaking efforts and natural snowfall. Above, Pennsylvania’s Roundtop Mountain began its 60th season on December 14, 2024. Photo provided by Haley Mowery / Roundtop Mountain.
December Kicks Off with the Sound of Snowmaking
Article thumbnail December 1, 2024 - An arctic air mass has brought ideal snowmaking conditions to the Mid-Atlantic, enabling resorts across the region to prepare for their winter season openings, with many planning to open in early December. Resorts like Seven Springs, Wisp, Snowshoe, and Timberline Mountain are leading the charge, while others are building their bases for upcoming announcements. Photo by Heidi Lews / Hidden Valley Resort.
A Wave of Mid-Atlantic Ski Resorts to Open in Coming Days
Article thumbnail November 29, 2023 - The recent stretch of cold temperatures has enabled robust snowmaking across the Mid-Atlantic region, and as a result, a handful of ski resorts across Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia plan to open in the coming days. In North Carolina, two ski areas have already opened for the season. In this story, we provide a look at official opening day plans shared by resorts as of November 29, 2023.

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