4 Best Ski Resorts in West Virginia (2025/26)

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Wondering where to find the best ski resorts in West Virginia?

If you live in the southeast, like me, it can be difficult to find a good place for skiing or snowboarding. It seems like we get way more ice than snow!

But my husband and I love to get out on the snow, so we’ve searched high and low for places near home and found the best area in the southeast to go skiing or snowboarding is West Virginia!

West Virginia has 4 unique ski resorts that offer some of the best skiing in the southeast. In my opinion, they are even better than those in North Carolina and Virginia. Plus, many of the best West Virginia ski resorts are close to the border, so you won’t even have to drive too far to visit!

Almost anyone will tell you the best snowboarding in West Virginia is at Snowshoe Mountain, but there are 3 other resorts that are worth checking out, too.

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West Virginia Ski Resorts Map

If you’re trying to get a grip on where these ski resorts are in relation to you, here’s an interactive Ski Resorts in West Virginia Map!

4 Best Ski Resorts in West Virginia

***Opening and closing dates are averages of the last few years and are subject to weather as mentioned. Check individual websites and social channels for up-to-date information.

1. Snowshoe Mountain

• Opening and Closing Dates/Ski Season: late November to late March
• Skill Level: all skill levels but intermediate/advanced will get more out of their money
• Known/Best For: Resort atmosphere, increased snow from lake effect, more things to do other than ski and snowboard, nice terrain park
• Location: Snowshoe, WV
• Cost: $75 – $139

Snowshoe Ski Resort in West Virginia offers the best snow you’ll find in the state. They have their own microclimate and get the lake effect snow from the lakes to the north.

Located in Pocahontas County, Snowshoe is the biggest ski resort in West Virginia with 270 skiable acres. It stands at 4848’ in elevation, has 14 ski lifts, and offers visitors 56 different trails.

The breakdown of trails is 30% beginner, 24% intermediate, 27% advanced, 4% expert, 10% freestyle, and 5% glades.

The nice part about Snowshoe is that it’s a vacation destination where you can spend a week or just make a day trip. I recommend spending a weekend here at least though the weekends are very crowded.

They have plenty to do for those who don’t want to ski or snowboard like snowmobiling, horseback riding, or just exploring The Village and having a massage at the spa.

There are also plenty of great restaurants at Snowshoe Mountain Resort as well. Better than many of the ski resort cafeterias!

Accommodation Near Snowshoe Mountain Ski Resort

There are so many great options for where to stay at Snowshoe Mountain. If you can splurge, then I highly recommend staying near the village. Two of the best ledges in Showshoe are Corduroy Inn & Lodge and Rimfire Lodge.

But it is definitely a little pricey. For those on a tighter budget, you should stay near the base of the mountains. The Inn at Snowshoe is an excellent budget option about 15-20 minutes away from the mountain.

If you’re really on a budget, then stay at the Old Clark Inn in Marlinton. It’s about a 45-minute drive to the mountain from there.

2. Canaan Valley Ski Resort

• Opening and Closing Dates/Ski Season: mid-December to mid-March
• Skill Level: all skill levels
• Known/Best For: beautiful views, variety of terrain, cross-country skiing & snowshoeing
• Location: Canaan Valley near Davis, WV
• Cost: $80 – $90

Canaan Valley Resort is in the northeastern part of West Virginia, close to the Maryland border and relatively close to Virginia.

It’s situated in Tucker County with a summit elevation of 4,280’ and 47 skiable trails. Here is the trail breakdown: 20% beginner, 36% intermediate, and 44% advanced.

I should warn you that Canaan gets very crowded on weekends as well and is a bit more popular than neighboring Timberline Mountain. They are located just 8 minutes from each other.

There are many other winter activities for anyone in your group who doesn’t like to ski or snowboard like tubing, ice skating, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing.

The resort is also very close to Blackwater Falls State Park and many other fun things to do in Davis, WV. Make sure to bring your snowshoeing pants when hiking here!

Tyler and I love coming here when we just want a quiet, romantic weekend together. It’s really fun to explore the cute villages of Davis, WV and Thomas, WV.

Accommodation Near Canaan Valley Ski Resort

When we visit, we love staying at a bed & breakfast in Canaan Valley. It’s also popular to rent a cabin, or you can stay at Canaan Valley Resort Lodge or the more affordable The Inn at Canaan.

If you want to stay closer to the town of Davis, another popular spot is Bright Morning Inn, which includes breakfast!

3. Timberline Mountain Ski Resort

• Opening and Closing Dates/Ski Season: mid-December to late-March
• Skill Level: Intermediate/Advanced
• Known/Best For: smaller mountain and resort catering to intermediate/advanced skiers
• Location: Canaan Valley near Davis, WV
• Cost: $90 – $95

Just down the road from Canaan Valley Resort, you’ll find Timberline Mountain. While it can get crowded, you’ll typically find fewer people here because the mountain is smaller and the terrain isn’t as varied.

Peak elevation reaches 4,268’ and they have 20 trails on 100 skiable acres. The breakdown of the trails states 50% beginner, 40% intermediate, and 20% advanced but you have to look at the trail map to understand why it isn’t great for beginners.

It’s very hard to escape the challenging terrain. You can’t get to many of the beginner trails without going on one of the intermediate/advanced trails which is useless to someone just learning to ski or board.

We have been skiing and snowboarding for a while, so we love Timberline and the long, steep runs. It also gets a ton of snow compared to other ski resorts in the West Virginia mountains!

There aren’t many other activities at Timberline Mountain and only a couple of restaurant options, but there are plenty of great restaurants in Davis and lots of things to do nearby.

Accommodation Near Timberline Ski Resort

The one place available to stay on the mountain is the Timberline Hotel. As I mentioned for Canaan, you can also check vacation rentals or other winter resorts in West Virginia nearby. Some both the best options include:

• Bright Morning Inn
• The Billy Motel
• Canaan Valley Resort Lodge
• The Inn at Canaan

4. Winterplace Ski Resort

• Opening and Closing Dates/Ski Season: mid-December to mid-March
• Skill Level: Beginner/Intermediate
• Known/Best For: Learning to ski/snowboard and hone your skills
• Location: Ghent, WV
• Cost: $79

Winterplace Ski Resort is actually where I learned to snowboard! It’s the furthest south on this list and located pretty close to the West Virginia/Virginia state line along I-77.

Peak elevation is at 3,600’ and they have 90+ skiable acres with 27 slopes and one terrain park. Their breakdown is 37% beginner, 40% intermediate, and 23% advanced.

There is also a snow tubing park here at Winterplace for people who don’t want to ski or families with small children. It’s also super popular with church groups, Boy Scout troops, and other large groups because of the affordable price and ease of getting there.

It’s incredibly accessible off the interstate and the closest ski resort with decent snow to states like NC, VA, and TN.

Snowboarding is hard, but this is one of the best ski resorts for beginners in the US, and they even have a Learn-to-Ski & Snowboard package. For a total price of $135 you can get a lift ticket, rentals, and a group lesson (must be at least 8 years old).

If you are a beginner, then make sure you know how to fall snowboarding, and check out these beginner snowboarding tips!

There isn’t much else to do in the surrounding area, but Winterplace is relatively close to Princeton, WV.

Accommodation Near Winterplace Ski Resort

There are some vacation rentals in the area, but Skyline Lodge is the closest hotel. Otherwise, there are hotels in Beckley about 20 minutes north, or Princeton which is about 25 minutes south.

If you are with a big group, then Winterplace does have larger cabins available to rent, but you have to call about booking. They can sleep up to 10 people!

More Options for Skiing in West Virginia

Those are the top four options for WV skiing resorts but here are a couple of others for cross country skiing or small ski hills.

Oglebay Resort

This WV resort is located at the very northern tip of the state between the Ohio and Pennsylvania state lines.

There is only one ski slope that is open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, so I wouldn’t say it’s a great place to go skiing or boarding, and I definitely don’t feel right including it in the actual list of best ski resorts in West Virginia.

However, if you’re planning a winter family trip and you want a place with winter sports (including skiing), then Oglebay can be a decent option! They also have tubing and ice skating.

White Grass Touring Center

White Grass is actually one of the best cross country skiing centers in the southeast. They have 48 different trails that amount to just over 37 miles. They regularly groom 15 – 22 miles of those trails each winter for avid cross country skiers in West Virginia.

In addition to cross country skiing you can snowshoe here as well – just pay attention to trail designations and don’t mess up the groomed trails for the skiers.

You do have to pay for rentals separately from the day pass just like purchasing a lift ticket separately from your board or skis.

They have a nice cafe at White Grass Resort where you can pick up a delicious lunch after spending a morning out on the trails!

Is West Virginia Skiing Any Good?

West Virginia is genuinely the best skiing you’ll find in the Southeastern United States. Like I said, the ones in North Carolina and Virginia can be good – especially if they get a big snowstorm to come through.

However, for consistent snow, those West Virginia ski slopes will not disappoint. And if for some reason it’s a bad snow year, I’m so sorry!

When is Ski Season in West Virginia?

For the best skiing in West Virginia, you’ll want to visit in January or February. The slopes can open as early as Thanksgiving week though depending on the weather.

Typically they will close during the first of April at the latest. Opening and closing dates are completely weather-dependent and different for each resort.

Snowmaking capabilities at each one are different, and at the bigger resorts (like Snowshoe) you’ll find they have a more up-to-date system and can extend the ski season regardless of snowfall.

What to Wear Skiing in West Virginia

This depends heavily on which ski resort in West Virginia you’re visiting. Snowshoe, Canaan Valley, and Timberline will all be much colder than Winterplace.

Make sure to check out the full guide of what to wear snowboarding (or skiing) but for the basics – you’ll want good base layers, waterproof pants and jacket, and waterproof gloves.

If you’re a beginner, then you can rent boots, a helmet, and your skis or board. Goggles are really nice to have so if you can buy a cheap pair or borrow some then that will help out.

Bring a toboggan for when you’re done and want to take your helmet off. Finding the right snowboarding pants is important too!

Best Skiing in West Virginia: More FAQs

When is the Best Time to Ski in West Virginia?

The best time to ski in West Virginia is in January and February. These months offer the best snow conditions, but it’s best to avoid crowded holiday weekends, such as New Year’s, President’s Day, and MLK Day.

When Do Ski Resorts Open in West Virginia?

Ski Resorts typically open between late November and early December in West Virginia. This is when the temperature drops low enough to begin snowmaking at night.

How Much Does it Cost to Go Skiing in West Virginia?

Relatively speaking, skiing in West Virginia is cheap compared to skiing out west. You can typically ski for about $50-100 per day. Snowshoe is the most expensive ski resort, but they also offer the most terrain.

Which Ski Resorts are near Washington, DC?

Canaan Valley and Timberline Mountain are the closest ski resorts in West Virginia to Washington D.C. They are each about a 3.5-hour drive away.

Does West Virginia have Ski Resorts?

Yes! West Virginia has some of the most popular ski resorts in the southeast. Snowshoe Ski Resort gets over 150” of snow each year and Canaan Valley Resort and Timberline Mountain average over 160” of snow. All three of these are great for intermediate/advanced riders, and Winterplace is a great resort for learning to ski or snowboard.

Is Snowshoe or Winterplace better?

If you are looking for the best skiing or snowboarding in West Virginia, then Snowshoe is better, but Winterplace is better for beginners or skiers on a tight budget.

What is the Largest Ski Mountain in West Virginia?

The largest ski mountain in West Virginia is Snowshoe Ski Resort with over 270 skiable acres and 57 trails. This also makes it the biggest ski resort in West Virginia.

Wrap Up: Best Ski Resorts in West Virginia

When it comes to ski resorts, West Virginia has plenty to offer. For intermediate and advanced skiers, Snowshoe Resort, Canaan Valley, and Timberline are all great choices.

In terms of resort amenities and overall ski culture, Snowshoe wins by far. It’s the best overall ski resort in West Virginia. Those looking for nice aprés skiing, spas, restaurants, and shops should quit their search and start finding the best lodging near Snowshoe Mountain.

But, if you’re more keen on long, steep runs, then Timberline and Canaan Valley are better options among the WV ski resorts.

And if you’re a beginner, Winterplace is a perfect place to learn. It has gentle slopes that are wide with very little grade. Here are some of my best tips for learning how to snowboard!

No matter which of these top ski resorts in West Virginia you choose, you’re sure to have a blast out on the slopes! Just don’t forget your snow pants!