Charleston, WV – Another West Virginia ski resort is opening for the 2021/2022 season this weekend, as Winterplace Ski Resort in Raleigh County officially opens for skiing and snowboarding on Saturday, December 18. Snowshoe Mountain in Pocahontas County and Timberline Mountain opened earlier this season. Snowshoe Mountain will also be opening its Silver Creek area this weekend. Canaan Valley Resort, also in Tucker County, is scheduled to open December 25 and Oglebay Resort in Ohio County is planning to open when snowmaking can commence.
With the holiday season bearing down on the state’s ski industry, upcoming colder temperatures in the mountains, will allow resort operators to make snow, thereby covering an abundance of terrain for the skiers and snowboarders. The upcoming three-week holiday season (week before Christmas, Christmas week and week after Christmas) contributes up to 35 percent of the various resorts’ yearly revenue.
The West Virginia Ski Areas Association again this season is offering a program to attract young skiers into the winter sport. The program allows any child in the 4th or 5th grade to ski or snowboard for FREE. All of West Virginia’s ski areas, Canaan Valley, Oglebay, Snowshoe, Timberline and Winterplace are accepting the association’s Ski Free 4th and 5th Grade Passport Program.
The Passport may be used to obtain one three (3) Junior lift tickets at participating resorts during the 2020-2021 season. Benefits determined by each ski resort.
It is recommended for all skiers and snowboarders to check with the resort they plan on visiting, to make sure they are up to date on any COVID-19 safety requirements required of visitors.
The ski and snowboard season traditionally, weather permitting, continues from now through early April. The five-month long ski season in West Virginia has an estimated economic impact of over $250 million and 5,000 jobs at the resorts and other related companies. For more information on skiing and snowboarding in West Virginia go on-line at goskiwv.com or skisoutheast.com.