Tucker County Resorts Preparing for Ski Season 2008-2009
By Debra Wolf, For The Inter-MountainArticle Photos
Whitegrass Touring Center & Cafe, Timberline Resort and Canaan Valley Resort in Tucker County are all busy preparing for the upcoming ski season. As part of the preparation, the resorts are incorporating expansion and new activities and events into their offerings to guests.
Timberline Resort is endeavoring to open Timberline Resort Hotel, a slope side hotel, by mid-January.
"The hotel will be located along Winterset trail. The hotel will have 20 rooms and will sleep 100 people. There will be conference space, wi-fi access and whirlpool tubs," Jessica Scowcroft, marketing and public relations manager, said.
Timberline is also planning to expand its downhill skiing area.
"There will be an addition of two or three trails for gladed or tree skiing," Scowcroft said.
Timberline has set Dec. 4 as its opening day for skiing.
Currently, guests can utilize the chair lifts and horseback accommodations for scenic rides to view the fall colors.
Canaan Valley Resort is also preparing for ski season. "Our projected date for opening is Friday, Dec. 12. We started preparing for this ski season when last ski season ended. We are working to enhance our terrain park by making the park bigger and better with more obstacles," Canaan Valley Resort spokesperson Bryan Brown said.
Canaan Valley Resort also offers guests an opportunity to try air boarding, a new snow sport. "We are among a handful of resorts on the East Coast that offer air boarding. We provide an hour lesson showing how to turn and stop and then allow the guests to enjoy themselves on their own. "We are very family focused and value-oriented at Canaan. With the economy depressed, we price our product so it is in reach," Brown said.
Whitegrass Touring Center & Cafe, Tucker County's cross country skiing and snowshoeing hub, is also preparing to provide activities for guests to enjoy. Among the first of their offerings will be a wreath-making day. The event is free and will take place on Nov. 30.
"Folks can come out and make wreaths with balsam fir. We will supply wire and greens. Any add-ons such as ribbons or balls folks should bring with them," Chip Chase, owner of Whitegrass, said.
Whitegrass has scheduled its opening day to be Dec. 1.
The annual Jack Frost Celebration will follow on Dec. 6.
"The Jack Frost Celebration is an event that helps start our season. Basically, it is a huge potluck dinner with bonfires. Approximately 400 to 500 people show and like a reunion, everyone just catches up with each other," Chase said.
Whitegrass will continue to offer its Buy Once, Trade Free program for families.
"Families can purchase cross country ski gear, which includes skis, poles, boots and bindings, for $175 for their kids. They can use the gear the entire season and trade back in each year for a larger size. We want to keep kids in ski gear and keep families skiing together," Chase said.
A new aspect to Whitegrass will include an event. "We want to have a small race, either a 5K or a 10K cross country ski or snowshoe race in February.
"The race will be Ski For It/Snowshoe For It. We want the race to benefit the Tucker County Endowment which provides college scholarships," Chase said.
Ruthie Melnick of Leadmine is one Tucker County resident who is looking forward to the upcoming cross country skiing season. "I am excited. I am hoping for lots of snow. I am looking forward to eating the good food at Whitegrass," she said.
Whitegrass Touring Center & Cafe offers natural foods for diners.
"The cafe is open for lunch seven days a week. We serve soups and sandwiches. On Thursday nights, we have a buffet. We do dinners by reservations on Fridays, Saturdays and some Sundays," Chase said.
Individuals interested in keeping up to date on weather reports, snowfall amounts, and happenings at the resorts in Tucker County may be apprised of information on related Web sites. Timberline will be launching a new Web site next month at www.timberlineresort.com.
"All of the information pertaining to the resort will be on the new site along with some additions," Scowcroft said.
More information about air boarding and events scheduled at Canaan Valley Resort are available online at www.canaanresort.com.
"During Christmas week, there will be special activities, visits with Santa, crafts and a New Year's Eve celebration. In January and February, the American Mountain Theater from Elkins will be here performing," Brown said.
Bill Smith, executive director of the Tucker County Convention and Visitors Bureau, keeps information current regarding upcoming events and happenings with "The Smith Report" on www.skithevalley.com. "The Smith Report" details trail conditions, temperatures and snowfall accumulations.
"We are planning to incorporate current pictures and video onto the report," Smith said.
According to Chase, 5,000 people visited the daily report he posts on www.whitegrass.com.
"I always tell people on the site that 'it's worth the drive,'" Chase said.
Mike Beswick, an avid snowboarder, telemark skier and a resident of Windwood Resort in Tucker County, finds going to the resorts worth the drive.
"I average 40 to 60 powder days a year. All the signs in nature right now are pointing to a really big winter. The fall colors are bright, the woolly worms are really black, the trees are loaded with apples. It should be a big winter," Beswick said.
Bryan Brown, spokesperson for Canaan Valley Resort, has chosen to remain out of the weather prediction business. "We will take what Mother Nature gives. We are hoping for a good ski season," he said.
Timberline's Scowcroft is also anticipating a good season. "December and January are supposed to be really cold," she said. And if it is really cold, "we will be able to make more snow."
