The Inter-Mountain photos by Shannon Bennett Campbell Man-made snow was pouring from machines at Canaan Valley’s ski area to ensure vacation dreams of those making long trips to their frozen slopes.

The Blackwater Falls Sled Run is an awesome sight and provides many thrills for youth who master its downhill gravity. 

Canaan Valley’s well-marked directions aid many visitors in finding skiing destinations.

Nestled in or near our West Virginia Highlands are some wonderful locations where winter sports flourish.  Any higher temperatures have long been overcome by mechanical snowmakers to ensure Alpine-like conditions in spite of thermometer rises.

The historical elevation of recreational winter sports has been an economical gift to native residents, and has additionally put West Virginia on the National Weather Service maps.  We never hear Winter reports without knowing ski conditions and temperature changes from our area valleys to higher peaks where so many Eastern Seaboarders are attracted. Even Lewis County’s Stonewall Resort has joined the pack by adding a new ice skating feature to its spacious sun-deck.

Taking advantage of a recent occasion where a time-out in winter’s fury allowed for safer travel, I was able to visit four of our prominent alpine areas in Pocahontas, Tucker and Lewis counties.  

It was a fascinating trip, and while encountering visitors from D.C., Pittsburgh, and the Virginia Commonwealth, I also saw quite a number of West Virginians introducing their children to the fun they could have while enjoying our climate’s recreation features.  

It is difficult for our youth to engage too many long-lasting problems when they are sailing down a mountain on skis, tubing down slopes, or ice-skating in circles next to music, smiles and cups of hot chocolate.

My recent travel through our higher mountains landed me at Slatyfork where I had begun my career in 1975 helping graduating students get college entrance and scholarships.  I recall much of the area excitement at that time was focused on Frank Burford’s Snowshoe investments and all the employment it was creating.

Area residents were amazed that this skiing experiment seemed to be working. And others, who even had big doubts about putting a ski resort into a barren snowy place by a Mountainside road, began to consider its potential success.

As I toured the area last week, with all the out-of-state license plates zooming-by, it was evident that the ski business was in demand and being enjoyed by plenty of patrons.  Actually, there were enough structures and businesses at the Resort’s entrance to be considered a small city.

While ridges looked different nearly 100 miles away at State Parks Canaan Valley and Blackwater Falls, there was no absence of interest.  The slopes were highly populated with young and old and the new sled-like run at Blackwater was full of takers.  Workers there estimated three-to-four hundred visitors advancing to the sled run’s summit each weekend day.  I noted many smiles as they finally reached their bottom destination.

Likewise, from observation the ski area was very busy, also.  And while the downhill activity is easier to watch, many move into Canaan Valley for the weekends just to relax and be among Winter’s beauty taking an occasional cross-country ski trip as weather permits.

The many Pittsburgh Area populations that are frequent Stonewall Resort visitors in Lewis County have been pleased to enjoy a new addition to their expansive lodge’s sun-deck with a large ice skating facility installed and to remain open until March. 

Plans include being operational Thursday and Friday afternoons through 10 p.m., and a l0 a.m. start on Saturdays and Sundays ending at 6 p.m. Sunday. Regular rates for a two-hour visit include skate rental, and children under 12 must have an adult supervising.

It is evident that a great investment as been made in West Virginia’s Winter Sports complexes.  The time and effort given should not only delight out-of-state visitors, but be enticing as well to our residents.  As we are able to dedicate some mileage on the roads to viewing these areas ourselves, we will expose our children to possible job opportunities, as well as give them some positive activities to enjoy during leisure times.

West Virginia has always been a wild and wonderful place.  No one deserves to spend time and enjoy our special sporting activities any more than those who support it with their tax dollars.  Engage the Winter months and have some fun while letting nature get-next-to-you. It will make us more mindful of all we have that can be appreciated in our special part of the world. Being blessed is no accident. Enjoy!