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ELKINS -- Both Thomas and Elkins have ranked high on a national list of the 50 best mountain towns in the country.
Thomas, in Tucker County, is listed at No. 4 on Architectural Digest magazine's Top 50 Mountain Towns for 2023.
Of Thomas, the magazine states: "With a population of just over 500, Thomas, West Virginia, is a quaint mountain escape with historic charm. Although the town is small, its nearby ski resorts -- Sunrise Park Resort and Canaan Valley Ski Resort -- are major draws to the community."
The top three mountain towns on the list above Thomas are: No. 1 Red Lodge, Montana; No. 2, Telluride, Colorado; and No. 3, Lake Placid, New York.
Meanwhile, Elkins is listed as No. 30 on the magazine's list of the Top 50 Mountain Towns for 2023. Thomas and Elkins are the only West Virginia towns represented on the list.
The rankings were based on "seasonal temperatures and snowfall, number of extreme weather events, distance to an airport, air quality, number of ski resorts, and available entertainment and dining options," according to the magazine.
Architectural Digest also provided a list of 15 Hidden Gem Mountain Towns, with Thomas listed at No. 1 and Elkins at No. 2.
Marlinton in Pocahontas County is No. 8 on the Hidden Gem Mountain Towns list, making three West Virginia towns listed in the top 15.
Elkins Mayor Jerry Marco said it is an honor for Elkins to appear so prominently on both lists.
"I think people are finally realizing what we've known all along, that we have magic in the mountains. The beauty and the outdoor activities are amazing. And the people are what make the community what it is," Marco told The Inter-Mountain Thursday.
"We've got some great momentum going right now and I just pray we can keep that momentum going. We have a lot of people pulling together in the right direction and working as one. It's a lot easier to row a boat when everybody is going in the same direction," he said with a chuckle.
"I hope our citizens and local residents take pride in this, because they've all been a part of it. It's our hope that this will attract new people and tourism to the area, so they can see all the great things we have here."